Butter and Sugar
Zea mays 'Butter and Sugar'
This beloved bicolor variety creates a stunning visual display with alternating yellow and white kernels on each ear. Known for its exceptional sweetness and tender texture, Butter and Sugar combines the best qualities of both yellow and white corn varieties. Perfect for gardeners who want both beauty and flavor in their sweet corn harvest.
Harvest
78-82d
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun
Zones
2–11
USDA hardiness
Height
5-8 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Butter and Sugar in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 corn →Zone Map
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Butter and Sugar · Zones 2–11
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | — | — | June – July | September – October |
| Zone 4 | — | — | June – July | September – October |
| Zone 5 | — | — | May – June | September – October |
| Zone 6 | — | — | May – June | August – October |
| Zone 7 | — | — | April – June | August – September |
| Zone 8 | — | — | April – May | July – September |
| Zone 9 | — | — | March – April | June – August |
| Zone 10 | — | — | February – April | June – July |
Complete Growing Guide
Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day). Soil: Clay, High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt). Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage. Height: 5 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 12 inches-3 feet. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: Medium. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.
Harvesting
Color: Gold/Yellow. Type: Caryopsis. Length: > 3 inches. Width: 1-3 inches.
Garden value: Edible, Showy
Harvest time: Fall
Bloom time: Summer
Edibility: Edibile
Storage & Preservation
Fresh Butter and Sugar corn maintains peak sweetness for only 24-48 hours after harvest due to rapid sugar-to-starch conversion. Store unhusked ears in the refrigerator immediately after harvest, keeping husks on to preserve moisture and sweetness. For best flavor, consume within 2-3 days.
For freezing, blanch whole kernels for 4 minutes or ear halves for 7-9 minutes, then cool in ice water before packaging. Frozen corn retains quality for 10-12 months. This bicolor variety excels at freezing due to its naturally high sugar content and tender kernel texture.
Canning works well for cream-style corn or whole kernels using pressure canning methods. The sweet, tender kernels also dehydrate successfully for winter storage — blanch briefly, cut from cob, and dry until leathery for soups and stews.
History & Origin
Origin: Mexico
Advantages
- +Disease resistance: Black Walnut
- +Edible: Edibile
- +Fast-growing
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Bush Beans
Fix nitrogen in soil that corn can utilize, mutual support without competition
Pole Beans
Climb corn stalks for support while fixing nitrogen to benefit corn
Summer Squash
Large leaves provide ground cover, suppress weeds, and retain soil moisture
Winter Squash
Sprawling vines create living mulch and deter pests through ground coverage
Marigolds
Repel corn earworms, aphids, and other harmful insects with strong scent
Nasturtiums
Act as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, protecting corn
Sunflowers
Attract beneficial insects and provide windbreak protection for corn
Dill
Attracts beneficial insects like parasitic wasps that control corn pests
Keep Apart
Black Walnut
Produces juglone toxin that stunts corn growth and reduces yields
Tomatoes
Both are heavy nitrogen feeders creating competition, and attract similar pests
Brassicas
Heavy nitrogen competition and different soil pH preferences reduce corn vigor
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #168538)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Good tolerance to common corn diseases
Common Pests
Corn earworm, Japanese beetles, corn rootworm, aphids
Diseases
Gray leaf spot, common smut, bacterial wilt