VegetableCorn
Painted Mountain Corn
Flint Corn
Painted Mountain Corn stands as a remarkable testament to patient plant breeding, developed over 50 years from more than 70 native heirloom varieties by Dave Christensen. This ultra-early flour corn reaches maturity in just 85 days, making it suitable for growing zones 2-13 with extraordinary cold and drought tolerance. Standing 6-7 feet tall with vibrant, multicolored kernels, this open-pollinated variety produces 7-inch ears packed with 13% protein content. Its hardy nature and stunning appearance make it both a practical food crop and an ornamental showstopper in the garden.
Photo © True Leaf Market
Growing Conditions
USDA Zone
2-13
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Soil
Well-drained, Fertile Loam With Organic Matter
Preferred Temp65-80°F
Growth Stats
84 in
Height
—
Width
4 in
Spacing
85–85
Days to Harvest
PeriodAnnual
TypeGraminoid
Plant Profile
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Zones
2-13
Size
84in H x ?in W
Growth
Annual
Care
Moderate
Hover over chart points for details
Highlights
What sets Painted Mountain apart is its incredible adaptability, thriving in conditions where other corn varieties fail. The extensive breeding program that created this variety focused specifically on cold and drought tolerance, resulting in a corn that can grow successfully from Alaska to the tropics. Each ear displays a stunning array of colors, living up to its painted mountain namesake, while delivering exceptional nutritional value with protein levels significantly higher than typical corn varieties. The combination of beauty, hardiness, and versatility makes this variety irreplaceable for gardeners seeking both sustenance and visual impact.
Common Uses
Painted Mountain excels as a flour corn, producing flavorful cornmeal perfect for muffins, cornbread, and homemade corn chips. The kernels can also be enjoyed fresh during the early milk stage, either eaten directly from the cob or roasted for a sweet treat. Its high protein content makes it particularly valuable for those seeking nutritious whole grain options, while the beautiful multicolored kernels create stunning decorative displays when dried on the cob.
Growing Timeline
First Bloom
Early Summer
First Harvest
Mid-summer
Last Harvest
Early Fall
Care Instructions
Start Indoors
Start seeds indoors 2-3 weeks before desired transplant date, being careful not to let starts become root bound and avoiding root damage when planting out.
Transplant Outdoors
Transplant when soil temperatures reach at least 60°F, handling carefully to avoid disturbing the roots which are sensitive to damage.
Direct Sow
Make furrows 6-8 inches deep, spread 3-5 pounds of complete fertilizer per 100 square feet, backfill the furrow, then sow seeds and cover with soil or sifted compost.
Harvesting
For fresh eating, harvest when kernels are full and milky during the early milk stage. For flour corn and storage, wait until kernels become hard and glossy while the husk has mostly dried down. If necessary, bring husked ears under cover to complete drying. After husking, spread ears in a dry, airy place to cure for several weeks until kernels reach 13-14.5% moisture content for optimal storage.
Growing Calendar
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Companion Planting
Ecology & Traits
Edible
Scientific Classification
Zea mays L. ssp. parviglumis Iltis & Doebley
Family
Poaceae
Genus
Zea
Duration
Annual
Growth Habit
Bush
Native Status
L48 (I)
History & Origin
“Painted Mountain Corn represents five decades of dedicated plant breeding by Dave Christensen, who systematically developed this variety from over 70 native heirloom corn varieties. This extensive breeding program focused on creating a corn that could thrive in challenging growing conditions while maintaining the genetic diversity and hardiness of its ancestral varieties. The result is a thoroughly modern variety built on ancient genetics, combining the resilience of native corns with the reliability needed for contemporary growing conditions across an exceptionally wide range of climates.”