VegetableCorn
Silver Queen Corn
Silver Queen is a late-season hybrid sweet corn that has earned its legendary status for producing plump 8-9 inch ears packed with juicy white kernels arranged in 14-16 neat rows. This variety matures in around 88-92 days (sources vary slightly on exact timing), making it a rewarding choice for gardeners who can wait a bit longer for peak sweetness and flavor. Growing 8-9 feet tall, it thrives in full sun across hardiness zones 2-13 and handles heat and drought better than many sweet corn varieties, making it adaptable to a wide range of climates.
Photo © True Leaf Market
Growing Conditions
USDA Zone
2-13
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Soil
Well-drained, Fertile Loam; Warm Soil Preferred
Growth Stats
108 in
Height
TypeUpright
Spacing
10
Plant Profile
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Zones
2-13
Size
108in H x ?in W
Growth
—
Care
High
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Highlights
The kernels burst with a delectable sweetness that has made Silver Queen the most popular white sweet corn on the market for good reason. Each ear reaches a substantial 8-9 inches long, filled with plump kernels that deliver exceptional juiciness at peak harvest. Its late-season maturity means you'll enjoy corn when many other varieties have already finished, extending your harvest window into fall. The variety also brings solid disease resistance, standing up to Common Rust, Northern Corn Leaf Blight, Southern Corn Leaf Blight, and Stewart's Wilt, so you can count on healthy plants throughout the growing season.
Common Uses
Silver Queen is grown primarily for fresh eating, where its exceptional sweetness and tender kernels shine. The ears are best enjoyed fresh off the stalk, boiled, grilled, or roasted, when the juicy white kernels deliver their peak flavor. Many gardeners prize this variety specifically for its ability to stay sweet longer than some supersweet types when stored properly, making it excellent for putting up and preserving for winter use.
Growing Timeline
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Care Instructions
Start Indoors
Start seeds indoors 2-3 weeks before your desired transplant date. Avoid letting seedlings become root-bound and handle roots carefully when transplanting to avoid damage, as corn is sensitive to root disturbance.
Transplant Outdoors
Transplant seedlings outdoors once they're sturdy and the soil has warmed. Plant at the same depth they were growing indoors.
Direct Sow
For direct sowing, make row furrows about 6-8 inches deep. Spread 3-5 pounds of complete fertilizer per 100 square feet along the furrow bottom, then backfill and sow seeds, covering with soil or sifted compost.
Harvesting
Harvest Silver Queen when the kernels are full and milky, and the ear feels blunt or rounded rather than pointed. Drying and browning of the ear silks is also a reliable indicator that the corn is ready. Check ears frequently during the harvest window, especially when temperatures exceed 85°F, as the kernels lose their signature sweetness quickly in heat. Remove ears by pulling them firmly downward and twisting. Cool the ears as rapidly as possible after harvest to preserve sweetness.
Growing Calendar
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Companion Planting
Pests & Diseases
Ecology & Traits
Edible
Scientific Classification
Zea mays
Family
Poaceae
Genus
Zea
Growth Habit
Upright
Native Status
L48 (I)PR (I)VI (I)CAN (I)