The term “Indian corn” can refer either to original heirloom varieties of corn developed by Native Americans or to a common kind of ornamental variegated corn. These types of corn tend to be harder and more difficult to eat than modern sweet varieties, but are edible and often produce brightly-colored ears that make them an attractive addition to meals. Both kinds can be grown in California like any other variety, but individual cultivars may have special cultural requirements.
Heirloom Native Varieties
While many native corn varieties nearly died out during the 19th and 20th centuries, renewed interest in heirloom plants and cultural heritage have revitalized some types. These include variegated “Bear Island Chippewa Flint Corn,” dramatic “Black Aztec,” which works both as a sweet and flour variety, and “Cherokee Long Ear Popcorn.” “Hopi Blue Corn” produces large, blue to purple ears, while “Hopi Pink Flour Corn” is notable for its distinctive pink kernels and tassels. This variety is drought-tolerant and is a good choice for dry parts of California. “Wapsie Valley” is high in protein with occasional red cobs. Other varieties include “Seneca Red Stalk,” “Oaxacan Green Corn,” “Mandan Bride Corn” and “White Flint.”
Ornamental Flint and Dent Corn
Ornamental flint and dent corn, originally used for flour or popping, makes up the majority of the decorative Indian corn used in autumn displays. These varieties are usually very hard, have variegated cobs in yellow, red, black and orange, and are not considered edible, though they can be popped or made into meal. Most varieties are less than 50 years old. Common choices include “Autumn Explosion,” “Robust Ruby Red,” “Green and Gold Dent” and “Big Chief.” Growers in micro-climates with fog and heavy cloud cover may wish to choose a short-season variety like “Earth Tones Dent” over 100-plus day corn types like “Shock Dent” and “Autumn Splendor.”
Variegated Sweet Corn
Though variegation traditionally occurs only in hard corn varieties, several recent sweet corn cultivars also sport this unusual trait. These sweet Indian corn varieties don't produce as well as commercial hybrids, but they provide a much more interesting crop. Current varieties include “Astronomy Domine,” a chewy, moderately-sweet corn in orange, purple and yellow, as well as “Paradise Sweet Corn” and "Lofthouse Sweet Corn,” gray, gold, green, red and yellow variegated varieties bred for cool, dry climates. Another variety, “Painted Hill,” produces in just 75 days, making it ideal for a cool climate with little sun.
These specialty corn varieties produce hard ornamental ears about 4 to 5 inches long. Popular choices include variegated “Indian Fingers,” shiny blue “Cutie Pops,” “Little Boy Blue” and “Miniature Blue,” and shiny pink “Cutie Pink,” “Little Miss Muffet,” “Little Bo Peep” and “Miniature Pink” varieties. “Robust Ruby Red” produces 5- to 6-inch burgundy ears, while “Little Bell Ornamental” has longer, multicolored ears with red shucks and stalks. Miniature Indian corn tends to have a long growing season of 100 days or more.
- Victory Seeds: Flint & Flour Corn (Maize) Varieties
- United States Department of Agriculture: Heirloom Seeds
- University of California Davis: Know Your Sweet Corn
- University of California Davis: Corn, Specialty and Sweet
- Victory Seeds: Painted Hill Sweet Corn
- University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension: Ornamental Corn Production in Kentucky
- Joseph's Garden, Paradise, Utah: Astronomy Domine Sweet Corn
- Joseph's Garden, Paradise, Utah: Sweet Corn Breeding
- Utah State University: Paradise Farmer Crosses Sweet Corn With Painted
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