Maize

Zea mays

Also known as Corn, Indian corn, Sweet corn, Zea segetalis

Zones 5–10Sun Full SunWater HighCare Moderate

Tropical Plants · Native Plants · Corn · Annual · Crop · Vegetable · Full-Sun · Fast-Growing · Harvest · Summer · Tall · Edible

PopularPet-safeTropicalAttracts pollinators

In stock at 3 nurseriesStock updated 9/10/2026

This fast-growing annual crop requires full sun, rich soil, and consistent watering throughout the growing season. Plant after soil warms in spring and provide regular feeding for best ear development. Harvest when kernels are plump and milky for sweet corn or allow to dry for field corn.

Growing conditions

The details behind the basics

Daily light: 8 hours
Watering: Water deeply to saturate root zone, maintain consistent soil moisture · Every 2-3 days during growing season
Maintenance: Moderate
Soil: loam
Soil pH: 5.5–7.5
Temperature: 50°F to 95°F
Cycle: Perennial
Propagation: Seed

Hardiness

USDA 5a-10b

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Your zone

Form & growth

Mature size and habit

Mature height: 4 ft – 8 ft
Spread: 2 ft
Spacing: 12 in apart
Growth rate: Fast
Root depth: Deep
Flowers: No
Foliage: Green · Coarse

Ecology & origin

Where it belongs and what it brings

Native to: Afghanistan, Alabama, Albania, Aldabra, Algeria, Amur, Andaman Is., Angola, Argentina Northeast, Arizona, Arkansas, Aruba, Assam, Austria, Azores, Bahamas, Baleares, Baltic States, Bangladesh, Belarus
Attracts: Birds

Sources: trefle, usda