Maize.

At a glance

Care level

Easy

Plant type

Annual grass

Light

Full sun

Indoor light

Direct sun

Water

Every 2 to 4 days

Mature size

200 to 300 cm

Growth rate

Fast

Hardiness

USDA 3 to 11

Bloom time

Mid to late summer

Care

Plant seeds directly in warm soil once frost danger has passed. Keep the soil consistently moist and provide plenty of nitrogen for vigorous growth. Watch for wilting leaves as a sign that the plant needs more water during hot spells.

Watering

Keep the soil evenly moist throughout the growing season, especially during silk formation.

Feeding

Apply a balanced nitrogen rich fertilizer every three weeks to support rapid vegetative growth.

Pruning

Pruning is generally not required, though you can remove dead lower leaves if they become unsightly.

Repotting

Maize is an annual plant and is not typically repotted.

Soil

Well draining, fertile, loamy soil

Soil pH

5.8 to 7.0

Temperature

15 to 35°C

Humidity

40 to 70%

Drought tolerance

Low

Lifespan

Annual, one growing season

Deer and rabbits

Low

Safety

People

The plant is non-toxic to humans.

Children

The tall stalks can be unstable, so ensure children do not climb or pull on them.

Contact allergens

The leaves have fine hairs that can cause minor skin irritation.

Airborne allergens

Corn pollen is wind-borne and can trigger seasonal allergies in sensitive individuals.

Edibility

Raw corn is safe, but ensure it is not treated with pesticides before consumption.

How to identify it

• Tall, sturdy, unbranched grass stalks
• Long, broad, alternate green leaves
• Male flowers form a terminal tassel
• Female flowers develop into ears
• Kernels arranged in rows on cobs

Height

1.5 to 3m

Spread

0.3 to 0.6m

Leaves

green, deciduous

Flowers

yellow, white, red, purple, 5 to 20cm

Fruit

yellow, white, blue, red, black, Late summer to early autumn

Problems to watch for

• Corn EarwormCommon
• Corn SmutCommon
• CutwormsUncommon
• Root RotUncommon
• RustUncommon
• Stem BorersUncommon

Growing it

Propagation

seed

When to plant

spring

Overwintering

Corn is an annual and will die after the first frost, so simply clear the stalks from the garden.

In containers

Corn is generally not recommended for containers unless you use a dwarf variety in a pot at least 45 cm deep.

Planting corn, beans, and squash together is a classic technique known as the Three Sisters.

Grows well with

• Bean · Beans fix nitrogen in the soil which helps the corn grow.
• Squash · Squash leaves shade the ground to suppress weeds around the corn.

Keep away from

• Tomato · They share similar pests like the corn earworm which can devastate both crops.

Similar species

• Sorghum · It is another tall grass used for grain and fodder.

Science

Family

Poaceae

Genus

Zea

Order

Poales

Class

Liliopsida

Native range

Mexico and Central America

Conservation

Not of conservation concern as it is a widely cultivated crop.

It is a highly productive grass that thrives in full sun with consistent moisture.

Value to wildlife

pollen source

Pollinators

bees, beetles

Uses

culinary, ornamental, livestock feed

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Can I grow corn in a pot?

Yes, but you need a very large container and a dwarf variety.

Why is my corn not producing ears?

Corn requires wind pollination, so it must be planted in blocks rather than single rows.

Where the name comes from

The name Zea comes from the Greek word for cereal, while mays is derived from the Taino word for the plant.

Good to know

• Corn is grown on every continent except Antarctica.
• Each silk on an ear of corn is attached to an individual kernel.
• Corn was originally domesticated in southern Mexico.