Silver Prince

Family: Poaceae Grain Vegetable

Silken, ivory-white kernels unfurl in tight, jewel-like rows, catching the light with a luminous, “silver” sheen at peak sweetness.

Silver Prince delivers tender, milky texture with a clean, sweet flavor that shines straight from the garden and also holds its charm for creamy succotash-style dishes and vibrant summer salads. At about 75 days, the cobs rise on sturdy stalks, making it a standout white sweet corn for home plots that want both beauty and exceptional eating quality.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 75 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 9th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

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)	50
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Silver Prince’s tight, silken kernels are built for eating at full milk—heat too long turns that sweet juiciness starchy. It’s ideal when you want corn that stays creamy and clean enough to shine with butter, citrus, and a peppery finish.

Best Uses

cut-kernel skillet sauté with butter and a squeeze of citrus
creamy succotash-style pan (use to thicken, not just garnish)
grilled shucking-to-mayo or lime-butter applications
summer salad with a sharp vinaigrette to keep the sweetness in check

Flavor Profile

tender milky sweetness clean, lightly starchy snap luminous creamy juiciness

Kitchen Pairings

unsalted butter lime or lemon juice fresh chives or cilantro smoked paprika black pepper heavy cream

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s a common pest or disease problem on sweet corn (Zea mays var. saccharata), and how do I control it at home?

Corn earworm and fall armyworm are common sweet-corn pests; they chew through developing kernels and can be hard to notice until damage appears. Inspect plants 2–3 times per week during silk emergence and apply an appropriate corn earworm/armyworm control labeled for sweet corn, following the label timing (often at/around early silk). If you see rust or leaf blight, remove heavily affected leaves promptly to slow spread and avoid overhead watering that keeps foliage wet.

How often should I water sweet corn during its main growing phase (before tasseling through grain fill)?

During tasseling and ear development (roughly mid-season until grain fill), keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged—aim for about 1–1.5 inches of water per week, adjusted for rainfall and heat. Water deeply so moisture reaches the root zone, especially when tassels emerge and again as kernels swell; letting the soil dry out between waterings can cause poor kernel development. Use a slow trickle at the base to limit leaf wetness while you water.

How can I tell when Silver Prince sweet corn is ready to harvest?

Harvest when silks are dark brown and dry, and when kernels release milky liquid after you press them with your thumbnail—this is typically about 18–24 days after silking for Zea mays var. saccharata. For best sweetness, pick in the morning the day you’re harvesting and cook or refrigerate promptly. If kernels look starchy (not milky) or ears are hard and dry at the tip, you’ve waited too long.