Black Aztec

Family: Poaceae Grain Vegetable

Planting Schedule

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Sink your senses into Black Aztec’s velvety, near-black kernels that gleam with a subtle satin sheen, promising a rich, earthy sweetness when ground for flour.

The cobs develop in a bold, upright silhouette and fill out evenly, delivering a dense, fine-textured meal prized for its deep color and distinctive character. Grow this flour corn for baking and thickening with a dramatic, heritage-inspired hue that turns everyday recipes into something unforgettable.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 75 DaysHabit: Upright

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Black Aztec Planting Dates by USDA Zone

Estimated US hardiness-zone windows for sow, transplant, and harvest. Enter a US ZIP above for exact local dates, or open a zone below.

Zone	Start Indoors	Sow / Transplant	Harvest
Zone 1a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 1b	Protected Environment Only
Zone 2a	Direct Sow	May 25th	Aug 8th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Direct Sow	May 15th	Jul 29th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Direct Sow	May 15th	Jul 29th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Direct Sow	May 19th	Aug 2nd – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Direct Sow	May 15th	Jul 29th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Direct Sow	May 13th	Jul 27th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Direct Sow	May 8th	Jul 22nd – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Direct Sow	May 4th	Jul 18th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Direct Sow	May 1st	Jul 15th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Direct Sow	Apr 25th	Jul 9th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Direct Sow	Apr 20th	Jul 4th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Direct Sow	Apr 10th	Jun 24th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Direct Sow	Apr 1st	Jun 15th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Direct Sow	Mar 23rd	Jun 6th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Direct Sow	Mar 6th	May 20th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Direct Sow	Feb 9th	Apr 25th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	75
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Upright
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	60
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	28
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Black Aztec flour corn leans earthy and faintly cocoa-dark, with starch that thickens without turning chalky when cooked low and stirred. It’s the kind of dark corn that makes cornbread and grits taste like they’ve been to a wood-fired kitchen—so give it fats (butter/cheese) and bright lifts (lime/acid) rather than fighting it with sweetness.

Best Uses

stone-ground or fine-ground corn flour for cornbread with a dark, nutty crumb
thickening soups, stews, and chili for a silky-but-bodying texture
polenta-style grits/porridge using the meal for a darker, more mineral finish
corn pancakes/waffles where the flour’s color and starch help browning

Flavor Profile

earthy-sweet, cocoa-tinged corn flavor fine, starchy, grippy mouthfeel when ground velvety tenderness in fresh kernels; more toothsome when cooked as meal

Kitchen Pairings

butter smoked paprika Mexican oregano black beans aged cheddar lime

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my Black Aztec beans showing brown, water-soaked spots or yellowing leaves—what disease is this and how do I fix it?

Brown, water-soaked spots that spread can be bean blight, especially after humid, wet weather. Remove and discard the worst leaves, then stop overhead watering and water only at the soil line; improve airflow by spacing plants well if they’re crowded. If you still have new growth, apply a labeled copper-based fungicide early (at the first signs) and avoid harvesting wet foliage.

How often should I water Black Aztec beans during the main growing phase to keep pods forming?

During flowering and pod set (roughly after plants establish until harvest), keep the top 1–2 in of soil evenly moist but not soggy—typically about 1 in of water per week depending on rainfall and heat. Water deeply 1–2 times per week rather than daily sprinkles, and reduce watering if the soil stays wet or leaves look limp without sun stress. If the soil is dry 1–2 in down, water; if it’s damp at that depth, hold off to prevent root and fungal problems.

How do I tell when Black Aztec beans are ready to harvest at 75 days?

Harvest when pods are firm and filled and snap easily in half—typically around 75 days from sowing, but check starting at day 70. Look for pods that are about 4–6 inches long with seeds that are visible and well-sized; don’t wait until beans are fully dry and hard. For best texture, pick every 2–3 days once they start producing so new pods keep setting.