Glass Gem Flint Corn Seeds

Zea mays

An unbelievably stunning corn bred by part-Cherokee farmer, Carl Barnes, from ancestral, Native American corn. Ears are a kaleidoscope of gem-like, rainbow kernels. 'Glass Gem' goes beyond pretty ornamental corn, it can also be used to make cornmeal, flour, popcorn, or traditional parched corn.

$6.49 ~38 seeds
4.6
Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars
29

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Features

Family

Poaceae

Native

Americas

Life Cycle

Life Cycle

Annual

Plant Height

Plant Height

Tall (Greater than 24")

Further Information

Growing Conditions

Growing Conditions

Frost Sensitive

About Glass Gem Flint Corn Seeds

Zea mays

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'.

Planting Corn

Plant Spacing

A group of 2 seeds every 12"

Light Required

Light Required

Full sun

Plant Height

Plant Height

Tall (Greater than 24")

Planting Depth

Planting Depth

1"–1 ½"

Coverage & Planting Details

Coverage This packet sows up to 19 feet.
Row Spacing 24"–36"
Seed Depth 1"–1 ½"
Seed Spacing A group of 2 seeds every 12"
Thinning When 4" tall, thin to 1 every 12"
Germination 5–10 days
Start Indoors Not recommended.
Direct Sow RECOMMENDED. 1 to 2 weeks after your average last frost date, and when soil temperature is at least 60°F.
Growing & 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).

Find Your Frost Date & Grow Zone

4.6
Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars
Based on 29 reviews
Total 5 star reviews: 22 Total 4 star reviews: 5 Total 3 star reviews: 0 Total 2 star reviews: 1 Total 1 star reviews: 1
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Rating
Ratings
Which best describes you as a gardener?
Which best describes you as a gardener?
29 reviews
  • JLW
    Verified Buyer
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    8/31/25
    Beautiful 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? Intermediate
    BI Profile picture for Botanical Interests
    Botanical Interests
    9/4/25

    Hey 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 stars
    3/16/25
    4 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 Buyer
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    1/22/25
    5 Stars

    These are so new to me that I thought people would enjoy growing them. Very pretty colors.

  • Sharon G.
    Verified Buyer
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    12/9/24
    5 Stars

    Excited to see the "END" results!!

  • Lucas B.
    Verified Buyer
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    12/8/24
    5 Stars

    Excellent selection and products

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