Top 20 Varieties of Sweet Corn to Grow: Tips, Advice, and Facts

Sweet corn is a summer staple in many gardens, prized for its tender kernels and sweet flavor. Growing sweet corn is rewarding and relatively easy, especially if you provide the plants with plenty of sunlight, water, and rich soil. Sweet corn comes in many varieties, including super-sweet types, traditional sugary types, and bicolor types. With the right choice of variety, you can enjoy a continuous harvest throughout the summer months. Here’s your guide to the top 20 sweet corn varieties to grow, along with tips, facts, and answers to common questions for a successful crop.

Top 20 Sweet Corn Varieties to Grow

1. Honey Select

Tips: Honey Select grows best in full sun and rich, well-drained soil. Water consistently, especially during pollination and ear development.
Facts: This award-winning variety is a super-sweet hybrid that produces large ears with tender, golden-yellow kernels. It matures in about 80 days and has excellent sweetness and flavor.

2. Silver Queen

Tips: Silver Queen thrives in full sun and fertile soil. Water regularly to ensure the ears fill out evenly.
Facts: Known for its large, white kernels and sweet flavor, Silver Queen is a traditional favorite that matures in about 90 days. It’s perfect for fresh eating or freezing.

3. Peaches and Cream

Tips: Peaches and Cream grows well in full sun and rich, well-drained soil. Water consistently to prevent the ears from drying out.
Facts: This bicolor variety produces tender ears with a mix of yellow and white kernels, offering a sweet, creamy flavor. It matures in about 75-80 days and is great for fresh eating or grilling.

4. Golden Bantam

Tips: Golden Bantam prefers full sun and rich soil. Water regularly and mulch to retain moisture.
Facts: This heirloom variety produces small to medium-sized ears with deep yellow kernels and a sweet, old-fashioned flavor. It matures in about 70-80 days and is ideal for fresh eating or freezing.

5. Ambrosia

Tips: Ambrosia grows best in full sun with consistent watering. Mulch to retain soil moisture and reduce weed competition.
Facts: This bicolor variety produces large ears with tender, sweet kernels that mature in about 75-80 days. It’s perfect for fresh eating, freezing, or grilling.

6. Sugar Buns

Tips: Sugar Buns thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. Water consistently to promote even ear development.
Facts: This early-maturing variety produces small to medium-sized ears with super-sweet, tender yellow kernels. It matures in about 70 days, making it perfect for early summer harvests.

7. Jubilee

Tips: Jubilee grows well in full sun and rich, moist soil. Water regularly and mulch to retain moisture.
Facts: This variety produces large ears with sweet, yellow kernels and matures in about 85 days. It’s ideal for fresh eating, freezing, or canning.

8. Bodacious

Tips: Bodacious prefers full sun and fertile, well-drained soil. Water consistently and mulch to retain moisture.
Facts: This variety produces large, golden-yellow ears with a sweet, crisp texture. It matures in about 75 days and is great for fresh eating, freezing, or canning.

9. Butter and Sugar

Tips: Butter and Sugar grows best in full sun and rich, well-drained soil. Water consistently to keep the ears tender.
Facts: This bicolor variety produces medium to large ears with a sweet, creamy flavor. It matures in about 75-80 days and is perfect for fresh eating or grilling.

10. Incredible

Tips: Incredible thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. Water regularly to prevent the kernels from drying out.
Facts: This variety produces large ears with tender, yellow kernels and a sweet, rich flavor. It matures in about 85 days and is ideal for fresh eating or freezing.

11. Mirai

Tips: Mirai grows well in full sun and rich, moist soil. Water regularly to ensure even ear development.
Facts: Known for its super-sweet kernels and tender texture, Mirai is a popular hybrid variety that matures in about 75-80 days. It’s perfect for fresh eating or grilling.

12. Silver King

Tips: Silver King grows best in full sun and fertile, well-drained soil. Water consistently to promote even ear development.
Facts: This white corn variety produces large ears with tender, sweet kernels that mature in about 85 days. It’s ideal for fresh eating or freezing.

13. Country Gentleman

Tips: Country Gentleman thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. Water regularly to prevent the ears from drying out.
Facts: This heirloom variety produces medium-sized ears with white, shoepeg kernels. It has a sweet, creamy flavor and matures in about 85-90 days, making it great for fresh eating or canning.

14. Early Sunglow

Tips: Early Sunglow grows well in full sun and fertile soil. Water regularly to keep the ears tender and sweet.
Facts: This early-maturing variety produces small to medium-sized ears with sweet, yellow kernels. It matures in about 65 days and is perfect for early summer harvests.

15. How Sweet It Is

Tips: How Sweet It Is grows best in full sun and rich, well-drained soil. Water consistently to ensure tender, sweet kernels.
Facts: This super-sweet variety produces medium-sized ears with tender, white kernels. It matures in about 75-80 days and is perfect for fresh eating or freezing.

16. Illini Xtra Sweet

Tips: Illini Xtra Sweet prefers full sun and fertile soil. Water regularly to promote even ear development.
Facts: This super-sweet hybrid variety produces large ears with bright yellow kernels and a crisp, tender texture. It matures in about 80 days and is great for fresh eating or grilling.

17. Luscious

Tips: Luscious grows well in full sun and rich, well-drained soil. Water consistently to keep the ears tender.
Facts: This bicolor variety produces large ears with a sweet, creamy flavor. It matures in about 75-80 days and is perfect for fresh eating or freezing.

18. Stowell’s Evergreen

Tips: Stowell’s Evergreen thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. Water regularly to ensure even ear development.
Facts: This heirloom variety produces large ears with white, tender kernels and a sweet, old-fashioned flavor. It matures in about 90-100 days and is ideal for fresh eating, freezing, or canning.

19. Golden Jubilee

Tips: Golden Jubilee grows best in full sun and rich, moist soil. Water regularly and mulch to retain moisture.
Facts: This variety produces large ears with deep yellow kernels and a sweet, rich flavor. It matures in about 85-90 days and is perfect for fresh eating, freezing, or canning.

20. Kandy Korn

Tips: Kandy Korn prefers full sun and fertile, well-drained soil. Water consistently to ensure tender, sweet ears.
Facts: This variety produces medium to large ears with tender, golden-yellow kernels and a sweet, crisp flavor. It matures in about 85 days and is great for fresh eating or freezing.

Common Questions About Growing Sweet Corn

Q: When should I plant sweet corn?
A: Sweet corn should be planted in late spring after the soil has warmed to at least 60°F (16°C). Corn is sensitive to frost, so wait until all danger of frost has passed before planting.

Q: Can I grow sweet corn in containers?
A: While it is possible to grow sweet corn in containers, it is best suited for garden beds where the plants can have enough space to pollinate. If growing in containers, use large pots at least 12-18 inches deep and group several plants together for better pollination.

Q: How long does sweet corn take to grow?
A: Sweet corn typically takes 60-100 days to mature, depending on the variety. Early-maturing varieties like ‘Early Sunglow’ may be ready in about 65 days, while late-maturing types like ‘Stowell’s Evergreen’ can take up to 100 days.

Q: How do I know when sweet corn is ready to harvest?
A: Sweet corn is ready to harvest when the kernels are plump and juicy. The silks should be dry and brown, and when you press a kernel with your fingernail, it should release a milky liquid.

Q: How do I store harvested sweet corn?
A: Freshly harvested sweet corn should be eaten as soon as possible for the best flavor. If you need to store it, keep the ears in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. For long-term storage, you can blanch and freeze the kernels.