Best Corn to Grow in Texas
Texas spans USDA Zones 6–10, typically Zone 8. We've broken out 32 corn varieties by zone — pick your zone below or find the right varieties for your specific part of the state.
Varieties
32
for Texas
USDA
Zones 6–10
180–320 days season
Beginner
16
easy to grow
Heirloom
12
heritage varieties
Texas in USDA Zones 6–10
Texas spans Zones 6–10. Variety lists below are organized by zone — start with your zone for the most accurate recommendations.
Growing Corn in Texas
Zone 8 gardeners hit the sweet spot for growing exceptional corn, with a generous 240-day growing season that opens doors to varieties other zones can only dream of. Your March 15th last frost date means you can get corn in the ground earlier than northern gardeners, while your November 15th first frost gives you plenty of time for late-season harvests and succession plantings. However, this zone's intense summer heat – often reaching 90°F+ for weeks – means you'll want varieties that can handle the heat stress while still producing sweet, tender kernels.
When selecting corn for Zone 8, prioritize heat tolerance and consider your harvest goals. Early varieties like Early Sunglow and Golden Bantam will give you sweet corn before the peak summer heat hits, while heat-tolerant varieties like Country Gentleman and Stowell's Evergreen will produce through July and August when other crops struggle. The extended season also makes Zone 8 perfect for specialty corns like Glass Gem and Painted Mountain – decorative varieties that need long, warm growing periods to reach their full potential.
Your climate advantages make succession planting a game-changer. You can plant sweet varieties every 2-3 weeks from mid-March through July, ensuring fresh corn from June through October. Focus on a mix of early varieties (60-70 days), mid-season performers (75-85 days), and late-season champions (90+ days) to maximize your extended growing window.
Zone 8 Corn for Texas★ Most of TX
32 varieties · Last frost March 15 · 240-day season
Zone 7 Corn for Texas
32 varieties · Last frost April 1 · 210-day season
Zone 9 Corn for Texas
32 varieties · Last frost February 15 · 290-day season
Zone 6 Corn for Texas
32 varieties · Last frost April 15 · 180-day season
Zone 10 Corn for Texas
32 varieties · Last frost January 31 · 320-day season
Zone 8 Growing Tips for Texas
Start your corn season by direct seeding after soil temperatures reach 60°F consistently – usually 2-3 weeks after your last frost date, around early April. While Zone 8's warm soil means corn germinates quickly, resist the urge to plant too early if spring rains have left soil waterlogged, as corn seeds will rot in cold, wet conditions. For the earliest harvests, try starting Golden Bantam or Early Sunglow in biodegradable pots indoors in mid-March, transplanting out in early April when conditions are right.
Zone 8's summer intensity requires strategic timing and water management. Plant your main season varieties (like Silver Queen and Bodacious) by mid-May to establish strong root systems before heat peaks. For varieties planted in June and July, focus on consistent moisture – corn needs about 1.5 inches weekly, but Zone 8's hot, dry spells can stress plants quickly. Mulch heavily around plants and consider drip irrigation for July plantings. Late summer plantings (July-August) of quick-maturing varieties like Honey Select can give you fall harvests that are often sweeter than summer corn, as cooler September nights concentrate sugars.
Take advantage of your long season by implementing succession planting every 2-3 weeks from April through late July. This strategy works especially well with varieties like Ambrosia and How Sweet It Is, giving you fresh corn well into October. Plant your final succession of quick-maturing varieties (60-70 day types) by August 1st to ensure harvest before first frost.