Hybrid

Honey and Cream

Zea mays 'Honey and Cream'

A stunning bicolor sweet corn that delivers the best of both worlds with its mix of golden yellow and creamy white kernels. This reliable hybrid produces consistently sweet, tender ears that maintain their quality longer than many varieties. Perfect for gardeners who want impressive visual appeal without sacrificing flavor.

Harvest

78-82d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun

☀️

Zones

2–11

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

5-8 feet

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Direct Sow

Harvest

Direct Sow

Harvest

Showing dates for Honey and Cream in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 corn →

Zone Map

Click a state to update dates

Honey and Cream · Zones 2–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing8-12 inches

SoilRich, well-drained loam with high organic matter content

pH6.0-7.0

WaterHigh — consistent moisture needed

SeasonSummer

FlavorSweet and tender with a classic corn flavor, very juicy

ColorBicolor - golden yellow and creamy white kernels

Size8-9 inch ears

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

Use Honey and Cream corn immediately after harvest for peak sweetness, as sugar converts to starch rapidly at room temperature. If you must store fresh ears, keep husks on and refrigerate immediately at 32-35°F with high humidity. Fresh ears maintain quality for 3-5 days maximum when properly refrigerated.

For freezing, blanch whole ears in boiling water for 7-9 minutes depending on size, then plunge into ice water. Cut kernels from cob or freeze whole ears in freezer bags. Frozen corn keeps 8-12 months. This variety also cans beautifully using pressure canning methods—its tender kernels hold their texture well. For unique preservation, try pickling the young ears when they're 2-3 inches long, or dehydrate kernels for winter 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, classic Three Sisters companion

Pole Beans

Climb corn stalks for support while fixing nitrogen in the soil

Winter Squash

Large leaves shade soil and suppress weeds, completes Three Sisters planting

Marigolds

Repel corn earworms, aphids, and other harmful insects

Nasturtiums

Act as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, repel squash bugs

Sunflowers

Attract beneficial insects and can provide windbreak for corn

Dill

Attracts beneficial insects that prey on corn pests like aphids

Parsley

Attracts beneficial insects and doesn't compete heavily for nutrients

Keep Apart

Black Walnut

Releases juglone toxin that stunts corn growth and reduces yields

Tomatoes

Both are heavy nitrogen feeders creating competition, shared pest attraction

Brassicas

Heavy nitrogen feeders that compete with corn for nutrients

Nutrition Facts

Calories

86kcal(4%)

Protein

3.22g(6%)

Fiber

2.7g(10%)

Carbs

19g(7%)

Fat

1.18g(2%)

Vitamin C

6.8mg(8%)

Vitamin A

0mcg(0%)

Vitamin K

0.3mcg(0%)

Iron

0.52mg(3%)

Calcium

2mg(0%)

Potassium

270mg(6%)

Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #168538)

Pests & Disease Resistance

Resistance

Good resistance to common rust and northern corn leaf blight

Common Pests

Corn earworm, European corn borer, corn rootworm, flea beetles

Diseases

Stewart's wilt, gray leaf spot, common smut

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Honey and Cream corn take to grow?▼

Honey and Cream corn takes 78-82 days from planting to harvest. This puts it in the mid-season category, meaning you'll harvest in late summer if planted after the last frost in spring. The exact timing depends on weather conditions—cooler temperatures can extend the growing period by 5-7 days, while consistently warm weather may speed maturity slightly.

Can you grow Honey and Cream corn in containers?▼

While possible, Honey and Cream corn is challenging to grow in containers due to its need for block planting for proper pollination. You'd need at least 16 plants in a 4x4 arrangement, requiring multiple large containers (minimum 20 gallons each) and significant space. The 6-7 foot height also creates wind stability issues in containers. Traditional garden beds yield much better results.

What does Honey and Cream corn taste like?▼

Honey and Cream offers classic sweet corn flavor with excellent kernel tenderness and high juice content. The yellow kernels provide a slightly richer, more robust corn taste, while the white kernels are milder and sweeter. Together, they create a well-balanced flavor that's sweet without being cloying, with the satisfying 'pop' of fresh kernels when bitten.

When should I plant Honey and Cream corn?▼

Plant Honey and Cream corn after soil temperatures reach 60°F consistently and all frost danger has passed. This typically means mid-May in zones 5-6, early May in zones 7-8, and April in zones 9-10. Planting too early in cold soil leads to poor germination and potential seed rot. Use a soil thermometer to verify temperature at 2-inch depth.

Is Honey and Cream corn good for beginners?▼

Yes, Honey and Cream is excellent for beginners due to its reliable germination, strong disease resistance, and forgiving nature. The main requirements are full sun, rich soil, and consistent watering—all straightforward for new gardeners. The biggest beginner mistake is planting in single rows instead of blocks, but following basic spacing guidelines ensures success.

How do you know when Honey and Cream corn is ready to pick?▼

Honey and Cream corn is ready when the silks turn chocolate brown and dry, typically 78-82 days after planting. Test by peeling back husk slightly and pressing a kernel—it should release milky (not clear) juice. The ears should feel full and firm, and ripe ears twist off easily when pulled downward and away from the stalk.