How to Grow Butter and Sugar Corn
Wikimedia Commons
Butter and Sugar Corn
Zea mays
vegetableButter and Sugar is a bicolor sweet corn variety featuring kernels that are a blend of yellow and white on the same cob. This popular heirloom variety produces medium-height stalks with ears that mature in mid-season, offering a creamy texture and exceptional sweetness. It's a favorite for fresh eating and has been a staple in home gardens since its introduction.
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Example Butter and Sugar Corn timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Butter and Sugar 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 Butter and Sugar Corn
Around Jun 26≈ 70 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Butter and Sugar Corn dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-9, with best performance in zones 5-8
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Seedling
10-14 daysSmall shoots emerge with first and second leaves visible; plants 2-4 inches tall
Thin seedlings to proper spacing once they have true leaves. Ensure consistent moisture. Protect from birds and cutworms with row covers if needed
Vegetative/Leaf Development
20-30 daysPlants grow rapidly, developing multiple leaves and establishing strong root systems; 12-24 inches tall
Side-dress with nitrogen fertilizer when plants are knee-high. Keep consistently watered. Monitor for early pest damage and remove weeds regularly
Tasseling & Pollination
10-14 daysMale flowers (tassels) emerge from the top; female silks appear on developing ears. Plants 4-6 feet tall
Critical watering period—never allow soil to dry out. Avoid overhead watering during pollen shed. Ensure adequate spacing for air circulation
Kernel Development & Milk Stage
15-20 daysEars fill out with developing kernels; silks begin to brown; kernels contain milky fluid when punctured
Continue deep watering. This is the most critical stage for kernel quality. Avoid nitrogen fertilizer at this stage to prevent extending the season
Harvest Maturity
5-7 days optimal harvest windowKernels are plump and creamy; ears feel full when squeezed; silks have dried and turned dark brown
Harvest immediately when ears feel full and kernels are at milky stage for best sweetness. Do not wait for silks to be completely dry, as sugars begin converting to starch
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Apply Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) when silks first emerge and repeat every 3-5 days. Introduce parasitic wasps. Hand-pick larvae from ears
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Remove infested plant stalks after harvest. Plant Bt corn varieties. Use pheromone traps to monitor populations
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Spray with strong water stream. Use insecticidal soap or neem oil for heavy infestations. Encourage natural predators like ladybugs
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Maintain consistent moisture to prevent stress. Spray with water or miticide if severe. Remove heavily infested leaves
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Apply Bt at first sign of damage. Hand-pick larvae. Remove plant debris that provides shelter
Uses
Fresh sweet corn
CulinaryButter and Sugar is prized for fresh eating, boiling, grilling, or cutting kernels for salads and salsas. The bicolor kernels offer visual appeal and a perfect balance of sweetness and creamy texture. [source]
Corn on the cob
CulinaryPerfect for classic corn-on-the-cob preparation—boil, grill, or roast whole ears with butter and seasonings for a summer favorite. [source]
Freezing and preservation
CulinaryBlanch and freeze whole ears or kernels for winter use. Properly frozen Butter and Sugar corn retains much of its fresh flavor and sweetness for months. [source]
Cornmeal and flour
HouseholdWhile sweet corn is not ideal for grain, dried kernels can be ground into cornmeal for baking and cooking applications. [source]
Wildlife habitat
WildlifeCorn stalks and cobs provide valuable food and shelter for birds, beneficial insects, and other wildlife. Leave some unharvested ears for wildlife. [source]
Harvest Tips
Harvest when ears feel full and kernels are at the milky stage—puncture a kernel with your fingernail; if milky fluid runs out, it's perfect. Ears should be harvested in the early morning when sugar content is highest. Twist and pull the ear firmly downward to separate from the stalk. Use immediately or refrigerate for best sweetness, as sugars convert to starch rapidly. Harvest every 2-3 days as ears mature
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Butter and Sugar is an heirloom variety developed in the 19th century and remains one of the most requested bicolor corn varieties for home gardeners due to its exceptional flavor and creamy texture.
- 🌱 Sweet corn kernels contain up to 6 times more sugar than field corn, and this sugar rapidly converts to starch after harvest—ideally picked and eaten within hours for peak sweetness.
- 🌱 The bicolor pattern occurs naturally when white and yellow kernel genes are both expressed; the specific ratio of yellow to white kernels varies slightly year to year based on pollination patterns.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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