Cinnamon Girl

Family: Poaceae Grain Vegetable

Warm, cinnamon-kissed kernels glow on upright ears, offering a richly aromatic sweetness that feels almost spiced even before the first bite.

“Cinnamon Girl” grows with a statuesque, ornamental presence—dense, velvety kernels set in neat rows and framed by graceful, arching foliage. Grow it for standout garden impact and for showy, harvest-ready ears that shine in displays, sauces, and festive garnishes alike.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 70 DaysHabit: Upright

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Direct Sow
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 25th
Harvest Begins	Jul 4th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	70
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Upright
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	60
Min Soil Temp (°F)	55
Min Night Temp (°F)	50
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

This is corn that reads like it’s already been spiced—use it where the aroma matters: hot, buttery preparations or brief sears that keep the kernels milky and sweet. It holds up to seasoning like cinnamon-adjacent warmth, so don’t smother it; let the kernels’ velvety tenderness stay the main event.

Best Uses

boil-and-eat ears with a quick butter-and-spice gloss
quick pan-sear kernels for charred sweetness and crunch
fold into warm corn relishes or skillet sauces where aroma can bloom

Flavor Profile

toasty, gently sweet corn flavor with a warm cinnamon-like aroma tender, milky kernels that taste almost sugared light spice perception on the finish without harshness

Kitchen Pairings

butter lime smoked paprika goat cheese cilantro

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects sweet corn (Zea mays var. saccharata) like Cinnamon Girl, and how can I manage it?

Watch for corn earworm and fall armyworm on the silks and kernels; they often leave frass and damage developing ears. Check ears every 2–3 days once silks appear, then use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) labeled for caterpillars, spraying in the evening when worms are actively feeding. If you see leaf blighting and spreading lesions, remove badly infected plants early and keep the planting well spaced for airflow to slow disease buildup.

How often should I water Cinnamon Girl sweet corn during its main growing phase?

During tassel and ear development, keep the soil consistently evenly moist—about 1–1.5 inches (2.5–4 cm) of water per week, adjusted for rainfall. Water deeply 1–2 times weekly rather than frequent light sprinkling, because sweet corn needs moisture at the root zone to form full ears. If the top few inches of soil dry out between waterings or leaves wilt in the afternoon, increase the depth of watering.

How do I know when Cinnamon Girl (Zea mays var. saccharata) is ready to harvest?

Harvest when the ears are plump and the silks have turned brown, then puncture a kernel—if it releases milky, pale liquid and feels tender, it’s ready. For sweet corn, aim to harvest soon after the kernels reach the milk stage because sweetness drops quickly after that point. Use days to maturity (~70) as a guide, but confirm with the silk and kernel “milk” test on each ear.