- Variety Info
- Sowing Info
- Growing Info
- Learn More
Variety Info
Days to Maturity: 100–110 days
Family: Poaceae
Type: Flint Corn (Learn More)
Native: Americas
Hardiness: Frost-sensitive annual
Exposure: Full sun
Plant Dimensions: 6'–10' tall
Variety Info: Ears are 3"–8" long, with colorful, opalescent kernels; 2–5 ears per stalk depending on conditions. Developed from crosses of heirloom Pawnee miniature popcorns with an Osage red flour corn, and another Osage corn called 'Greyhorse'.
Attributes: Frost Sensitive
Sowing Info
When to Sow Outside: RECOMMENDED. 1 to 2 weeks after your average last frost date, and when soil temperature is at least 60°F.
When to Start Inside: Not recommended.
Days to Emerge: 5–10 days
Seed Depth: 1"–1 ½"
Seed Spacing: A group of 2 seeds every 12"
Row Spacing: 24"–36"
Thinning: When 4" tall, thin to 1 every 12"
Your hardiness zone is
Growing Info
Harvesting: Let the ears dry on the stalks. The kernels are ready for harvest when they are hard and you can no longer leave a mark on them with your fingernail. Before the first fall frost, give each ear a twist until it breaks off. Peel back the husks, then hang the ears in a cool, dark, dry place for 4 to 6 weeks to cure. This is important to prevent mold and to dry to the optimal moisture percentage for popping. (In a perfect popcorn world, that would be 13½–14%.) After that, the cobs are ready for popping or storing. To strip off cured kernels, twist the cobs back and forth to loosen them (gloves are recommended).
- JLWVerified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 stars8/31/25Beautiful colorful ears
Planted only one small row of corn a(bout 8 plants). The seeds produced tall stocks and beautiful ears. Very fun to grow, will use for decoration then try to pop or grind for corn meal.
Which best describes you as a gardener? IntermediateBIBotanical Interests9/4/25Hey JLW,
Thank you so much for sharing your amazing experience with our Glass Gem Flint Corn Seeds! We absolutely love hearing that those 8 plants produced such tall stalks and beautiful colorful ears - that's exactly the kind of stunning performance this incredible heirloom variety is known for! I love all of the colors in your photo!
That's one of the best things about this variety - you get to enjoy the visual beauty and then discover the culinary possibilities. We're so thrilled to hear how much fun they were to grow and that you got such wonderful results from just that small row! Keep on growing 🌻️
- sierra h.Rated 4 out of 5 stars3/16/254 Stars
I love the way these cobs came out! they're absolutely beautiful. Some came out smaller than others but I was still pleased with the outcome. I would not recommend for popping however as they pop extremely small.
- Andrea H.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 stars1/22/255 Stars
These are so new to me that I thought people would enjoy growing them. Very pretty colors.
- Sharon G.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 stars12/9/245 Stars
Excited to see the "END" results!!
- Lucas B.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 stars12/8/245 Stars
Excellent selection and products