Silver Queen
Zea mays 'Silver Queen'
The gold standard of white sweet corn varieties, Silver Queen has been the benchmark for sweetness and tenderness since 1958. This reliable heirloom produces large ears packed with creamy white kernels that deliver exceptional flavor and crisp texture. A true classic that continues to dominate home gardens and farmers markets across America.
Harvest
92-94d
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun
Zones
2–11
USDA hardiness
Height
5-8 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Silver Queen in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 corn →Zone Map
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Silver Queen · Zones 2–11
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | — | — | June – July | October – October |
| Zone 4 | — | — | June – July | September – October |
| Zone 5 | — | — | May – June | September – October |
| Zone 6 | — | — | May – June | September – October |
| Zone 7 | — | — | April – June | August – October |
| Zone 8 | — | — | April – May | August – September |
| Zone 9 | — | — | March – April | July – August |
| Zone 10 | — | — | February – April | June – August |
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
Silver Queen's sugars convert to starch rapidly after harvest, so immediate processing is crucial. Store unhusked ears in the refrigerator for maximum 2-3 days, keeping husks damp to prevent kernel drying.
For freezing, blanch whole ears for 7-9 minutes depending on size, then plunge into ice water. Cut kernels from cobs or freeze whole ears. Silver Queen's creamy texture makes excellent cream-style corn—scrape cobs after cutting to capture the sweet milk.
This variety cans beautifully using a pressure canner, maintaining its tender texture better than most sweet corn varieties. The high sugar content also makes Silver Queen ideal for making corn relish or pickled corn salad that showcases its distinctive flavor.
History & Origin
Origin: Mexico
Advantages
- +Disease resistance: Black Walnut
- +Edible: Edibile
- +Fast-growing
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Dill
Attracts beneficial wasps that prey on corn borers and other corn pests
Bush Beans
Fix nitrogen in soil that corn can utilize, part of traditional Three Sisters planting
Winter Squash
Provides ground cover and weed suppression, completes the Three Sisters companion trio
Marigolds
Repel corn earworm, aphids, and other harmful insects with strong scent
Nasturtiums
Trap crop for cucumber beetles and aphids, protect corn from pest damage
Sunflowers
Attract beneficial insects and provide windbreak protection for corn stalks
Lettuce
Benefits from corn's shade during hot weather, efficient use of garden space
Pole Beans
Climb corn stalks for support while fixing nitrogen that benefits corn growth
Keep Apart
Black Walnut Trees
Release juglone toxin that inhibits corn growth and can cause stunting or death
Brassicas
Corn's allelopathic compounds can stunt growth of cabbage, broccoli, and related crops
Tomatoes
Both are heavy nitrogen feeders creating competition, corn attracts tomato fruitworm
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #168538)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Good resistance to Stewart's wilt. Moderate resistance to common rust.
Common Pests
Corn earworm, European corn borer, corn rootworm, Japanese beetles
Diseases
Common rust, northern corn leaf blight, Stewart's wilt, smut