Indian Flour Corn

Check out our Corn Growing Guide to learn more about how to grow corn in your garden.

Indian Flour Corn is an heirloom field corn variety that produces a kaleidoscope of colors on each ear. Kernel colors can range from yellow, orange, red, maroon, brown, and black, with each ear having a different pattern. Also known as "Rainbow Corn," this variety produces ears that are 7-9" long on strong stalks.

Indian Flour Corn is frequently used for ornamental purposes and decorating in the fall, but is also a great food source. When in the "milking" stage, ears may be eaten fresh as "roasting ears." Once the corn has dried on the stalk, it makes a colorful and delicious corn meal. You can also use a coarser grind for some of the best grits you've ever had!

Field corn should be planted in the spring after the last frost date. Corn can be grown throughout the warmer months up until fall, as long as time is permitted for harvest before first frost. Succession planting is recommended with at least two plantings, one in early spring and one in late summer/early fall. Corn ear worm pressure will be greater in the warmer months, but this can be alleviated by applying spinosad to silks and tassels once they appear.

We recommend planting Indian Flour Corn using a walk-behind planter like our Hoss Garden Seeder. Once plants emerge, thin plants to 8-12" depending on adequate irrigation. If drip irrigation is used, in-row spacing may be as close as 8". If water is scarce, a wider in-row spacing will be necessary. For pollination purposes, corn should be planted in a square plot with rows on 30-36" spacing. Planting a few long rows will result in poor germination and absence of kernels on the cobs.

Indian Flour Corn Planting Information

Planting Method: direct seed

When to Plant: after last frost

Planting Depth: 1"

Seed Spacing: 8-12"

Row Spacing: 30-36"

Days to Maturity: 110

Disease Resistance: None