Hybrid

Honey 'N Pearl

Zea mays 'Honey 'N Pearl'

A premium triplesweet hybrid that delivers extraordinary sweetness and crisp texture that holds for days after harvest. This bicolor variety produces consistently large ears with tender kernels that convert sugars slowly, maintaining their incredible taste longer than standard varieties. The perfect choice for gardeners who want restaurant-quality corn from their backyard.

Harvest

79-84d

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 'N Pearl in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 corn →

Zone Map

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Honey 'N Pearl · Zones 2–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing8-12 inches

SoilWell-drained, fertile soil rich in organic matter

pH6.0-7.0

WaterHigh — consistent moisture needed

SeasonSummer

FlavorSuper sweet and tender with excellent eating quality

ColorBicolor - yellow and 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 'N Pearl within 24 hours of harvest for peak sweetness, though this variety holds its quality better than most. Store unhusked ears in the refrigerator at 32-35°F with high humidity—wrap in damp paper towels and place in perforated plastic bags. Properly stored, it maintains good eating quality for 5-7 days.

For freezing, blanch whole kernels for 4 minutes or cut corn for 2 minutes, then cool immediately in ice water. Honey 'N Pearl's tender kernels freeze exceptionally well and retain their bicolor appearance. You can also freeze whole ears after blanching for 7-11 minutes depending on size.

This variety excels for canning using a pressure canner—the firm kernels hold their shape well. For unique preservation, try making corn relish or pickled corn salad, where the bicolor appearance creates attractive presentations. Dehydrating works well too; blanch briefly, cut kernels, and dry until leathery for long-term storage.

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, and corn provides support structure

Pole Beans

Climb corn stalks for support while fixing nitrogen that feeds the corn

Winter Squash

Large leaves shade soil to retain moisture and suppress weeds around corn

Pumpkins

Ground cover that conserves soil moisture and prevents weeds

Sunflowers

Attract beneficial insects and birds that control corn pests

Marigolds

Repel corn rootworm and other harmful insects with natural compounds

Nasturtiums

Trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, protecting corn

Dill

Attracts beneficial predatory wasps that control corn borers and armyworms

Keep Apart

Black Walnut

Releases juglone toxin that stunts corn growth and reduces yields

Tomatoes

Both are heavy nitrogen feeders that compete for nutrients, and attract similar pests

Fennel

Allelopathic plant that inhibits corn germination and growth through chemical compounds

Nutrition Facts

Calories

57kcal(3%)

Protein

0.36g(1%)

Fiber

3.1g(11%)

Carbs

15.2g(6%)

Fat

0.14g(0%)

Vitamin C

4.3mg(5%)

Vitamin A

1mcg(0%)

Vitamin K

4.4mcg(4%)

Iron

0.18mg(1%)

Calcium

9mg(1%)

Potassium

116mg(2%)

Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #169118)

Pests & Disease Resistance

Resistance

Good resistance to northern corn leaf blight and common rust

Common Pests

Corn earworm, European corn borer, fall armyworm, aphids

Diseases

Stewart's wilt, gray leaf spot, common smut

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Honey N Pearl corn take to grow?▼

Honey 'N Pearl takes 78-84 days from planting to harvest, making it a mid-to-late season variety. The ears are typically ready 18-21 days after silk emergence. This timing makes it ideal for areas with growing seasons of at least 90-100 days, allowing for proper soil warming before planting.

Can you grow Honey N Pearl corn in containers?▼

Growing Honey 'N Pearl in containers is challenging due to its pollination requirements and space needs. You'd need multiple large containers (at least 20 gallons each) arranged in a block pattern for adequate wind pollination. The 6-7 foot plant height also requires substantial container depth and support. Ground planting is strongly recommended.

Is Honey N Pearl good for beginners?▼

Yes, Honey 'N Pearl is excellent for beginning gardeners. It's rated as 'easy' to grow, has good disease resistance, and forgives minor growing mistakes better than many varieties. The main requirements are full sun, rich soil, and proper spacing for pollination—all straightforward for new gardeners to manage.

What does Honey N Pearl corn taste like?▼

Honey 'N Pearl offers exceptional sweetness with a tender, crisp texture. The bicolor kernels provide complexity—yellow kernels tend to be slightly sweeter while white kernels add creamy texture. It's notably sweeter than standard varieties but not as intensely sweet as some supersweet hybrids, creating balanced, rich corn flavor.

When should I plant Honey N Pearl corn?▼

Plant Honey 'N Pearl when soil temperature consistently reaches 60°F, typically 2-3 weeks after your last frost date. In most areas, this falls between late April and late May. Avoid planting in cold, wet soil even if air temperatures are warm—corn planted in cold soil germinates poorly and grows weakly.

How do you know when Honey N Pearl corn is ready to pick?▼

Honey 'N Pearl is ready when silks turn brown and dry, typically 18-21 days after silk emergence. Confirm ripeness with the thumbnail test—pierce a kernel halfway down the ear. Ripe kernels release milky juice. The variety's excellent tip fill means kernels should extend nearly to the ear tip when ready.