Heirloom Corn

Heirloom (Open Pollinated) Seed

Heirloom corn refers to traditional varieties that have been cultivated for generations, celebrated for their unique flavors, vibrant colors, and rich histories. These open-pollinated types, which include sweet, flint, and ornamental varieties, are known for their superior taste and nutritional value compared to many modern hybrids. Heirloom corn is not only versatile in culinary applications—used for fresh eating, grinding into meal, or making traditional dishes like tortillas—but also plays a crucial role in preserving agricultural biodiversity and cultural heritage. With a wide range of colors, from deep blues to striking multicolors, heirloom corn adds both beauty and flavor to gardens and kitchens alike.

The Country Gentleman corn is one of the best tasting open-pollinated corns available! This heirloom variety is a sweet, delicious corn with milky kernels that was first introduced over 100 years ago. Country Gentleman is a white variety with 8” ears. Its ears have no rows, as this is a shoepeg type, and its kernels are packed in a zigzag pattern. Country Gentleman is one of the best heirloom sweet corns in our opinion!

Red Head broom corn produces a tall spray of seed heads at the top of the plant, laden with shiny red tiny sorghum seeds that birds love. Incorporate seeds into edible bird-feeder wreaths or leave the 2–3' sprays intact to add variety to traditional fall decorations.

The Ornamental Large Ear is a great ornamental corn that offers awesome display of color. This is the perfect corn for fall or holiday decorations. This corn variety offers 10% purple husk with beautiful kernel colors. The Ornamental Large Ear is the standard "Indian corn" known for its large, beautiful ears.

The Broom Blend is a high yielding, colorful and easy to grow corn that has been used for years in broom making. The vibrant fan-shaped seed heads come in a mix of gold, red, bronze and purple. (Does not produce ears of traditional corn.) The cut and dried mature straw can be used for a variety of crafts and dried arrangements, as well as brooms. Birds will love the seeds, too.

The Hickory King White is a 12 foot tall corn, you will have to see it to believe it! This variety's large white kernels are not seen in today's corn. Each stalk of the Hickory King White corn produces 2 very large ears that are great for roasting! This corn has a very high leafy green matter which makes it perfect for silage. Its tight husks which help keep out corn worms.

The Hickory King Yellow is a 12 foot tall corn -- you will have to see it to believe it! The Hickory Kings Yellow's large kernels are not seen in today's corn. Each stalk produces 2 very large ears that are great for roasting! Hickory king has a very high leafy green matter which makes it perfect for silage. Its tight husks which help keep out corn worms.

Early Golden Bantam corn, also known simply as Golden Bantam, is a classic and iconic sweet corn variety with a rich history dating back to the early 20th century. Introduced in 1902 by W. Atlee Burpee, it quickly became one of the most popular corn varieties in the United States. This heirloom corn is cherished for its exceptional flavor and remains a favorite among home gardeners and corn enthusiasts. In terms of taste, Early Golden Bantam corn is celebrated for its exceptional sweetness and tender kernels. When harvested at its peak ripeness, the kernels are a vibrant golden-yellow color and offer a rich, full-bodied corn flavor that is a true delight to the palate. It is often considered one of the sweetest heirloom corn varieties available, making it a standout choice for those seeking a delectable corn-eating experience. The corn stalks typically reach a height of about 5 to 6 feet, producing small to medium-sized ears that are around 6-7 inches long. Early Golden Bantam corn has a relatively short maturity period, usually taking about 75-80 days from planting to harvest, making it suitable for regions with shorter growing seasons. Each ear contains approximately 8 rows of kernels, with 12-14 rows per inch. It is a prolific producer, and each stalk usually yields 1 to 2 ears. To successfully grow Early Golden Bantam corn, you should provide it with well-drained soil rich in organic matter. Plant the seeds in full sun and ensure they receive consistent moisture throughout the growing season. Adequate spacing between rows (about 30 inches) allows for good air circulation and prevents overcrowding. This variety is also known for its resistance to common corn pests and diseases. Planting in blocks rather than single rows can improve pollination, leading to more uniform ears. Overall, Early Golden Bantam corn is a beloved heirloom variety that offers a combination of historical significance and exceptional flavor, making it a delightful addition to any garden or dinner plate.

Carousel is an open-pollinated variety that produces 3.5" long miniature ears of popcorn. Some ears are solid red, the others are multicolored: white, yellow, and blue. When popped the flakes are crispy with very little hull. Plants are up to eight feet tall with two or three ears per plant.

Black Amber is a broom corn used for decoration and bird seed. An heirloom sorghum also known as Texas Black Amber Molasses. Stalks were used for forage, silage and sorghum syrup, due to a high sugar content and were used to replace sugar cane. Seed heads are similar to corn tassels but, consist of shiny black hulls encasing amber colored seeds.

Truckers Favorite Yellow is an heirloom yellow dent field corn that is excellent for roasting or frying or used as a dent. This variety stays fresh for a long time. Truckers Favorite Yellow stalks are 8-9' tall and ears are 8-10" and have 14-18 rows. This corn has high yields with good soil fertilization and is an excellent foliage for early fodder.

Japanese Hulless corn grows 4-5 ft. tall and bears 3-6 four in. long ears. This corn is a little nutty, flavorful popcorn that is very productive. Japanese Hulless is also a great corn to grow with the kids because they get excited knowing the corn they are growing will be a tasty, buttery treat on family movie night!

Truckers Favorite White is an heirloom white dent field corn that is excellent for roasting, frying or used as a dent. This corn stays fresh for a long time and its stalks are 8-9' tall and ears are 8-10" and have 14-18 rows. This corn produces high yields with good soil fertilization and its excellent foliage for early fodder.

The Double Standard is the first ever bicolor, open-pollinated sweet corn on the market! This variety is an early maturing corn with strong germination in cool soil. The Double Standard was developed to grow well throughout the United States especially in Northern parts. This variety's ears grow up to 7" with 12-14 rows of yellow and white kernels. Double Standard has an excellent traditional corn taste. Its stalks grow to 5' or taller. Certified Organic. Learn more about our organic seeds.

The Wampum corn is an earlier version of a Carousel type of ornamental corn with ears that are 4-5 in. long and 1.25 in. diameter. This variety's colors may include many shades of yellow, gold, white, pink, red, blue, black, and purple. There is lots of color variation on a single ear. The Wampum's husk color is both maroon and white, resembling a Carousel and Mini Indian, but matures 2 weeks earlier.

Strawberry popcorn can be used as ornamental or delicious popped corn! This beautiful popcorn is often grown for its ornamental quality, but has a delicious crunch and taste when used as a popped corn. The charming effect of these tiny 2 inch ears of rich, shiny mahogany color, encased in straw colored husks, makes them popular for a holiday table decoration.

Bloody Butcher is an old style dent corn that is a great ornamental variety! Bloody Butcher is heirloom corn variety thats been in the United States since 1845. Its stalks reach 10-12 feet tall with two to six ears per stalk. This variety's kernels are deep red and can be used for roasting or frying when young but generally used for flour or corn meal. This variety also has a good flavor!

Wapsie Valley heirloom corn is a traditional variety that hails from the Wapsipinicon River Valley in Iowa. Known for its rich history and unique flavor, this heirloom corn features tall, sturdy plants that produce large ears with colorful, often striped kernels ranging from yellow to blue and red. The kernels are prized for their taste and are typically used for making cornmeal, grits, and other culinary applications. Wapsie Valley corn is not just valued for its flavor; it also has good adaptability to different soil types and conditions, often thriving in diverse environments. As an heirloom variety, it is appreciated for its genetic diversity and resilience, making it a popular choice among organic and sustainable farmers. The corn is also sought after by home gardeners and those interested in preserving traditional agricultural practices. Overall, Wapsie Valley heirloom corn represents both a connection to agricultural heritage and a commitment to biodiversity.

Green Field corn produces an abundance of tall (8-10') stalks with 8-9" long ears. Developed from Reid's Yellow Dent, this corn produces bright yellow, long and narrow 14-kernel row ears. Green Field was the name of the farm that this corn was first produced on. Reported yields of 190 bu/acre in the boot heel area of MO.