How to Grow Ornamental Corn

Zea Germination Information

Zea is the botanical name for Ornamental Corn
How to Sow Zea:

• Best sown outdoors after all danger of frost is past in the spring
• Seeds can also be sown indoors, 2 weeks before last frost, at a temperature of 60-75°
• Indoors and out, sow at a depth of 4 times the size of the seed and expect germination in 7-10 days

How to Grow Zea:
Spacing:  Thin seedlings to 1 foot apart or transplant to same distance when there are at least two sets of true leaves

Soil: Site in full sun in a fertile, moist, well-drained soil

Additional Care: Hand pollinate the flowers to ensure that all of the colors appear on a single ear

Appearance and Use:

Grown as a specimen or accent in a mixed border. The ears make interesting dried specimens for autumn arrangements and displays. Plants grow to 15 feet tall with long, strap-shaped green leaves. Some cultivars have brightly variegated leaf patterns. The ears of ornamental corn with black, gold, white, purple, and red kernels develop in the summer

About Zea:
Pronunciation:  ze’å maz jå-pon’i-kå
Lifecycle:  Annual
Origination: Poaceae; native to tropical America
Common Name: Ornamental Corn