Zea mays – Corn, Maize

Explore Zea mays (Corn) – its characteristics, habitat, cultivation, propagation, and functional uses and benefits.

Zea mays | Botanical Characteristics

Common Names: Corn, Maize, Sweetcorn

Family: Poaceae

Appearance: A tall annual grass with upright, jointed stalks; broad linear leaves; a tassel of male flowers at the stem top; and ears (female inflorescences) in leaf axils with silks protruding from the husks. Brace roots may form near the base for support.

Type: Annual

Evergreen / Deciduous: N/A

Layer: Herbaceous / Grass

Root System: Fibrous, shallow to moderately deep; brace roots for anchorage

Height: 1–4 meters

Width: 0.3–0.6 meters (individual plant spread)

Lifespan: Annual

Growth Rate: Fast

Fertility: Self-fertile

Flowers: Monoecious (separate male tassels and female ears on the same plant)

Pollinator: Wind

Toxicity: Generally non-toxic; pollen may trigger allergies; moldy grain can contain mycotoxins

Zea mays | Habitat and Cultivation

Range

• Native Range: Mesoamerica

• Companionship: Traditional “Three Sisters” with climbing beans and squash; benefits from nearby nitrogen-fixing companions and living mulches where moisture allows

• Invasive Range: Not considered invasive

• USDA Hardiness Zone: Grown as an annual in zones 3–10+

• Minimum Chill Hours Required: None

Resistance/Tolerance

• Poor Soil: Moderate tolerance

• Drought: Low to moderate tolerance; sensitive at tasseling/silking

• Shade: Low tolerance

• Flood: Low tolerance

• Wind: Moderate tolerance

• Maritime: Low to moderate tolerance

• Air Pollution: Moderate tolerance

• Fire: Not applicable

Thriving Conditions

• Sun Exposure: Full sun

• Soil Moisture: Moderate, consistent; avoid drought during flowering and grain fill

• Soil Type: Fertile, well-drained loam or sandy loam rich in organic matter

• Soil pH: Slightly acidic to neutral (5.8–7.0)

Propagation

• Seeds: Direct sow after frost when soil is warm; plant in blocks (not single rows) to improve wind pollination

• Cuttings: Not applicable

Zea mays | Functional Uses and Benefits

Edible: Fresh sweetcorn, baby corn; dried grain for flour, meal, polenta, tortillas; products include corn oil, cornstarch, corn syrup, hominy, popcorn

Medicinal: Corn silk traditionally used as a mild diuretic and soothing tea

Cosmetics: Corn oil and cornstarch used in skincare and personal-care products

Animal Feed: Major livestock feed as grain and silage; stover used as roughage

Fiber: Husks and stalk fibers used for crafts and biodegradable materials

Timber: Not applicable

Firewood: Not applicable

Wind Break: Seasonal windbreak/screen in summer

Fence: Temporary living screen during the growing season

Cover Crop: No

Mulch: Stover can be chopped and used as mulch

Nitrogen Fixer: No

Dynamic Accumulator: No

Pollinator Attractor: No (wind-pollinated)

Pest Repellent: No

Wildlife Supporter: Provides seed for birds and small mammals; dense stands offer seasonal cover

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