How to Grow Bicolor Beauty Corn
Wikimedia Commons
Bicolor Beauty Corn
Zea mays
vegetableBicolor Beauty is a sweet corn variety that produces ears with a mix of white and yellow kernels, offering a visually striking appearance and sweet flavor. This hybrid cultivar typically reaches 6-7 feet in height and matures relatively quickly for a corn variety. It's a popular choice for home gardeners who want both aesthetic appeal and excellent taste.
When should you plant Bicolor Beauty Corn in your zone?
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Example Bicolor Beauty Corn timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Bicolor Beauty 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 Beauty Corn
Around Jun 26≈ 70 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Bicolor Beauty Corn dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-9; grows best in zones 5-8 with full sun and warm soil
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Get my Bicolor Beauty Corn timeline →Growth Stages
Germination
7-10 daysSeeds sprout and seedlings emerge with first true leaves visible above soil
Keep soil warm (65-75°F minimum) and consistently moist. Thin seedlings to proper spacing once they have 2-3 leaves. Protect from birds and cutworms.
Vegetative Growth
3-4 weeksPlant develops 4-8 visible leaf collars; height increases rapidly to 2-4 feet
Apply side-dressing of nitrogen fertilizer when plant is 12 inches tall. Ensure consistent watering. Monitor for pests. Remove any diseased leaves.
Tasseling & Silking
2-3 weeksMale tassel emerges from top; female silks appear on ear nodes below. Plant reaches full height of 6-7 feet
Maintain consistent soil moisture—this is critical for kernel development. Avoid overhead watering if possible to reduce disease risk. Do not remove tassels (they pollinate ears).
Ear Development & Milk Stage
2-3 weeksKernels fill with milky fluid; silks dry and brown. Bicolor kernels become plump and color develops distinctly
Continue regular watering. Resist harvesting until kernels are in milk stage. Check silk color and kernel moisture as readiness indicators.
Harvest Ready
Peak harvest window: 5-7 daysSilks are completely brown/dried; kernels are full and tender; kernels release milky liquid when punctured
Harvest promptly when ready for best flavor and sweetness. Pick in early morning. Use within 1-2 days for peak sweetness, as sugars convert to starch quickly.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Use Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) sprays applied when silks first appear. Apply oil or spinosad to ear tips. Plant resistant varieties. Scout regularly and hand-pick if few plants.
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Remove crop residue after harvest. Plant early or late varieties to avoid peak pest periods. Use Bt sprays. Pheromone traps for monitoring.
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Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil. Encourage beneficial insects. Strong water spray can dislodge colonies.
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Increase humidity with regular watering. Use neem oil or miticide if population is severe. Remove heavily infested leaves.
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Remove and destroy galls before they burst. Plant resistant varieties. Avoid excess nitrogen. Improve air circulation.
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Use cutworm collars around seedlings. Apply Bt or spinosad. Till soil before planting to reduce overwintering pupae.
Uses
Fresh boiled or grilled corn
CulinaryBicolor Beauty's sweet kernels are ideal for serving fresh on the cob with butter and salt. The contrasting yellow and white kernels make an attractive presentation on the table. [source]
Corn salads and sides
CulinaryCut kernels can be added to salads, salsas, succotash, and grain bowls for a fresh, sweet crunch. The mild flavor complements both summer and ethnic cuisines. [source]
Freezing for winter storage
CulinaryKernels freeze excellently and retain quality for 8-12 months, allowing you to enjoy summer corn flavor throughout the year in soups, stews, and side dishes. [source]
Ornamental garden display
HouseholdThe bicolor husked ears with their striking white-and-yellow contrast make attractive seasonal decorations for gardens, porches, and fall table arrangements. [source]
Wildlife food source
WildlifeCorn plants and leftover ears attract birds and small mammals to the garden. Leaving mature ears on plants or offering dried corn helps wildlife, especially in fall and winter. [source]
Harvest Tips
Harvest when silks are brown and dry, and kernels release milky fluid when punctured with fingernail (typically 20 days after silking). Ears are ready when they feel full and kernels are plump. Pick in the early morning while sugars are at peak levels. Twist and pull ear sharply downward; the stem will snap. Use immediately or refrigerate for best flavor; sweetness decreases as sugars convert to starch over time.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Bicolor Beauty gets its distinctive appearance from a gene that suppresses pigment in some kernels, creating the random pattern of white and yellow—each ear has a unique color combination.
- 🌱 Corn is technically a grass and the ear is a modified flower cluster. The silk fibers are actually the plant's stigmas (female reproductive structures), and pollen from the tassel must land on each individual silk for a kernel to develop.
- 🌱 Sweet corn is best harvested in the morning because plants have had all night to accumulate sugars, making morning-picked ears noticeably sweeter than afternoon-picked ones.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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