How to Grow Bicolor Corn
Wikimedia Commons
Bicolor Corn
Zea mays var. saccharata
vegetableBicolor corn is a sweet corn variety featuring kernels with two distinct colors—typically yellow and white—on the same ear. It combines the sweetness of modern sweet corn with an attractive appearance and tender texture. Bicolor varieties are popular for home gardens and farmers' markets due to their unique aesthetic appeal and excellent flavor.
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Example Bicolor Corn timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Bicolor Corn
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Bicolor Corn
Around Jun 19≈ 63 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Bicolor Corn dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 2-9; prefers warmer climates for optimal sweetness
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Seedling
1-2 weeksYoung corn plants with 2-4 visible leaves, thin vertical shoots emerging from soil
Ensure consistent moisture and protect from birds. Thin seedlings to proper spacing once they reach 3-4 inches tall. Avoid over-watering which causes damping off.
Vegetative Growth
3-4 weeksRapidly growing stalks with 6-10 leaves; plants are 1-2 feet tall with visible growth nodes
Apply nitrogen fertilizer when plants are 6-8 inches tall and again at the knee-high stage. Keep weeds controlled. Stake taller varieties if needed in windy areas.
Tassel Formation
2-3 weeksTall stalks (3-7 feet) with tassels appearing at the top; ear shoots visible at leaf nodes
Maintain consistent watering. Do not allow moisture stress during this critical pollination preparation stage. Side-dress with balanced fertilizer if soil fertility is low.
Silking and Pollination
1-2 weeksSilk strands emerging from ear husks; pollen from tassels drifts down to pollinate silks
Maintain even moisture—critical for kernel development. Avoid disturbing plants. Mist ears lightly if weather is very dry. Watch for pest damage to silks.
Harvest Ready
7-14 daysEars plump with mature kernels; silks dried and brown; husks feel full and tight; kernels release milky juice when pierced
Check ears daily for peak ripeness. Harvest in early morning for maximum sweetness and tenderness. Stop watering 1-2 weeks before anticipated harvest to concentrate sugars.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Introduce parasitic wasps; apply Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) to silks when they emerge; hand-pick affected ears
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Use row covers early; apply spinosad; plant trap crops like sorghum; encourage natural predators
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Remove and destroy affected stalks; plant Bt corn varieties; maintain crop rotation; use pheromone traps
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Spray with insecticidal soap; encourage beneficial insects; reflective mulch may deter; strong water spray removes them
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Increase humidity by misting; use miticide spray if severe; release predatory mites; remove heavily infested leaves
Uses
Fresh Eating & Cooking
CulinaryBicolor corn is prized for its tender kernels and high sugar content. The attractive two-tone appearance makes it popular for grilling whole, corn on the cob, or kerneling for salads, soups, and side dishes. [source]
Preserving & Storage
CulinaryBicolor corn can be blanched and frozen, canned, or dried for later use. The hybrid vigor of many bicolor varieties maintains quality better during storage than older sweet corn types. [source]
Wildlife Food Source
WildlifeCorn provides nutritious food for birds, squirrels, and other wildlife. Leaving a few ears on the stalk or dedicated planting areas supports local ecosystems and pollinators through late summer. [source]
Decorative & Craft Uses
CraftThe distinctive bicolor kernel pattern makes ears attractive for fall decorations, dried corn crafts, and autumn centerpieces. Cornhusks can be used for weaving and craft projects. [source]
Cornmeal & Flour
HouseholdDried bicolor corn kernels can be ground into cornmeal for polenta, tortillas, and baking. The dual colors create an aesthetically interesting ground product. [source]
Harvest Tips
Harvest when silks turn brown and dry, ears feel plump, and kernels release milky juice when pierced with fingernail. Typically 20-24 days after silking. Harvest in early morning for best sweetness. Twist and pull the ear downward sharply. Use immediately or refrigerate as sweetness converts to starch quickly.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Bicolor corn is a hybrid variety—the two-tone kernel pattern only appears when specific parent lines are crossed, making true-to-seed bicolor plants rare without hand-pollination
- 🌱 Corn is technically not a vegetable but a grain; it's a grass species that produces kernels (seeds) on a cob, making it one of humanity's most important staple crops
- 🌱 Sweet corn varieties like bicolor can lose up to 50% of their sugar content within 24 hours after harvest, which is why 'corn-to-table' meals taste dramatically better than supermarket corn
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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