Silver King
Zea mays 'Silver King'
A stunning white sweet corn that produces large, tender ears filled with plump, milky-white kernels bursting with classic corn sweetness. This reliable heirloom variety has been a garden favorite since the 1950s, delivering consistent harvests of beautiful ears that are perfect for fresh eating, freezing, or canning. Silver King's vigorous stalks and excellent ear fill make it an ideal choice for gardeners wanting dependable white corn with old-fashioned flavor.
Harvest
85-90d
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun
Zones
2–11
USDA hardiness
Height
5-8 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Silver King in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 corn →Zone Map
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Silver King · 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 Silver King corn deteriorates rapidly as sugars convert to starch. For immediate use within 1-2 days, store unhusked ears in the refrigerator at 32-35°F with high humidity – wrap in damp paper towels and place in perforated plastic bags. For longer storage, husk and blanch whole ears in boiling water for 7-9 minutes depending on ear size, then plunge into ice water. Cut kernels from cobs and freeze in portion-sized containers for up to 12 months. Silver King's firm kernels also excel for pressure canning – process pint jars of cut kernels at 11 pounds pressure for 55 minutes. The variety's excellent kernel retention makes it ideal for whole-ear freezing after blanching, maintaining texture better than many modern hybrids when thawed.
History & Origin
Origin: Mexico
Advantages
- +Disease resistance: Black Walnut
- +Edible: Edibile
- +Fast-growing
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Beans
Fix nitrogen in soil that corn needs, corn provides natural trellis support
Squash
Ground cover suppresses weeds, retains soil moisture, part of Three Sisters planting
Marigolds
Repel corn earworm, aphids, and nematodes with natural compounds
Nasturtiums
Trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, attract beneficial predatory insects
Dill
Attracts beneficial wasps and ladybugs that control corn borers and aphids
Sunflowers
Attract beneficial insects and birds, provide windbreak protection
Basil
Repels thrips and aphids, may enhance corn growth through root interactions
Parsley
Attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies that prey on corn pests
Keep Apart
Tomatoes
Both heavy nitrogen feeders creating competition, corn can shade tomatoes excessively
Black Walnut
Releases juglone toxin that inhibits corn germination and stunts growth
Fennel
Allelopathic compounds inhibit corn growth and development
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #168538)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Good general disease tolerance, resistant to Stewart's wilt
Common Pests
Corn earworm, European corn borer, corn rootworm, cutworms
Diseases
Common rust, northern corn leaf blight, smut