How We Grew Corn in Containers

Traditional ground-grown corn yields 1 - 2 ears per two square feet, whereas a single 3-Tier GreenStalk Original Vertical Planter can produce upwards of 18 ears, with 1 corn plant per pocket. If stalks produce 2 ears, you could harvest even more! We found the 3-tier to be more manageable than taller units while still providing excellent yields.

Selecting varieties based on height, cultivar qualities, and known success in your region will maximize your growing potential, with maybe a few ears to share

This year, we grew a compact variety that reached 4-4.5 feet tall rather than standard varieties that can grow 8+ feet. These compact varieties are specifically bred for container growing and performed beautifully in our GreenStalk planters.

What We Grew This Year:

Livingston Early Sunglow - This reliable variety was our top choice this season, reaching about 4-4.5 feet tall and producing sweet, tender ears in approximately 65 days. We found it well-suited to container growing and manageable in the 3-tier system.

Other Excellent Options:

Blue Jade Dwarf - A unique heirloom with steel blue kernels that turn jade-green when cooked, growing 3-4 feet tall and maturing in 70-80 days.

Golden Midget - A compact 3-foot variety maturing in 65 days, producing 1-2 petite ears with sweet kernels, perfect for smaller spaces.

Plant 1 plant per pocket in your 3-tier system, giving you 18 plants total — well above the 9-12 minimum needed for proper pollination. Plant seeds 2-3 weeks after last frost, and consider success planting as space and plant maturity allow.

Start indoors or direct sow? We started ours in the Seed Starter Kit and transplanted them in the planter, but you can also direct sow seeds 1-2 inches deep into your GreenStalk pockets.

Corn is a heavy feeder and drinker, requiring 1 inch or more of water per week. Water daily during hot weather, especially during tasseling, silking, and ear formation.

For consistent results, the GreenStalk Spring Watering System delivers precise moisture to the reservoir with the option to time waterings to fit your garden’s needs.

Corn requires high nitrogen levels for optimal growth. Start with quality potting soil mixed with granular fertilizer like Fox Farm Jump Start 3-4-3 , then follow up with liquid feeding using Fox Farm Grow Big 6-4-4 every 2-3 weeks for optimum kernel production and maximum flavor. 

Since corn is wind-pollinated, container plantings benefit greatly from hand pollination to ensure full ear development. This year, we learned just how crucial the pollination process is — during a week of heavy rain at the end of our corn's pollination period, the weather disrupted natural pollination, which we believe led to incomplete ears with missing kernels.

When tassels appear, gently shake stalks each morning for several days to distribute pollen to the silks below, or clip a tassel and brush the silks with it. Our lead gardener, Susie, recommends hand pollination as the most reliable method to ensure complete kernel development, especially during adverse weather conditions.

Watch for these harvest indicators:

• Silks: Brown, dry, and brittle

• Ear feel: Full and firm when gently squeezed

• Ear shape: Blunt tip rather than pointed

• Timing: 15-23 days after silks first appear

• Thumbnail test: Kernels release milky white liquid when punctured

The harvest window is narrow — only 1-3 days at peak sweetness — so check daily once signs appear. Harvest in the early morning by grasping the ear firmly and pulling downward while twisting.

Storage: Keep husks on until ready to eat and refrigerate immediately. Corn is best within 24-48 hours but can be stored refrigerated up to a week. For longer storage, blanch and freeze either on the cob or as kernels.

Growing corn in a GreenStalk transforms a traditionally space-intensive crop into an achievable container garden success. Our experience shows that the combination of proper varieties and vertical growing techniques delivers fresh, sweet corn that rivals any traditional garden, all from just 2 square feet of space!

Connect with us on Facebook and check out our corn plants in this video .