Ornamental corn, often called “Indian corn,” is a striking seasonal plant. While gardeners grow sweet corn for eating, we typically grow ornamental corn varieties for decoration. Unlike sweet corn or field corn, ornamental corn has colorful kernels. They range from dark reds and purples to blues, golds, and creams. 

Each ear of ornamental corn is unique and beautiful with randomly arranged colors. These colors make them especially popular for decor surrounding the autumn holidays. Their long, papery husks also add seasonal charm. They’re often dried and braided for decorative use.

Growing ornamental corn varieties is similar to growing sweet corn. They need plenty of sun, good drainage, and consistent moisture. It’s important to give plants enough space to ensure proper pollination. Each kernel forms from a pollinated silk thread. Planting in a block will ensure that there is an abundance of pollen available.

Most ornamental corn is too starchy for fresh eating. However, it does come in handy if you want to make cornmeal, grits, and more. Its primary role is to bring vibrant seasonal color to the garden and home. Let’s take a look at some varieties of this staple of autumn traditions. 

Painted Hill Sweet Corn

Painted Hill Sweet Corn Seeds

Glass Gem Flint Corn

Glass Gem Flint Corn Seeds

Strawberry Popcorn Corn

Strawberry Popcorn Corn Seeds

‘Glass Gem’

Translucent colors catch light like tiny gemstones.

Starting off with one of the most popular ornamental corn varieties, ‘Glass Gem’ is visually spectacular. Each ear is a kaleidoscope of colors. Shades of pink, purple, blue, yellow, orange, and green have a translucent quality that makes them, indeed, look like glass. The colors can swirl, streak, or appear in solid blocks, with no two ears exactly the same. 

This variety is most often grown for ornamental use because of its stunning appearance. However, it is edible, and the hard kernels are good for making cornmeal. You can also pop this corn, and each popped kernel has a faint tint of color. For the most vivid colors, hang this corn to dry. 

‘Strawberry’

Each ear looks like a miniature red treasure.

‘Strawberry’ is one of the sweet ornamental corn varieties commonly used for popping. It has small, slightly rounded ears that resemble large, elongated strawberries. The kernels are stunning in a rich, bold burgundy red shade. While it’s common to grow this type for popping, it’s also a wonderful ornamental variety. 

Just like their ears, these plants are compact and easy to grow in smaller spaces. They are also good for making a stunning red cornmeal. It’s not good for eating raw, but has a dense texture and nutty flavor that make it good for other preparations. The kernels have a slight translucent quality when you dry them.

‘Painted Hill’

Mature ears display colors almost too beautiful to eat.

‘Painted Hill’ is a terrific dual-purpose ornamental corn variety. It’s a cross between ‘Painted Mountain’ ornamental and a traditional sweet corn. The result is a carnival of color with a sweet flavor and tender texture. The kernels are shades of red, purple, blue, cream, and yellow. 

If you want to eat ‘Painted Hill,’ harvest it young while the kernels are sweetest and most tender. If you allow it to mature, the colors become more vivid and jewel-toned. This makes them wonderfully decorative, and also nice for making cornmeal. This is an adaptable, short-season variety. 

‘Rainbow’

Dried ears keep their rich hues for months.

‘Rainbow’ ornamental corn lives up to its name. Its ears are a melange of colors in the full spectrum. While ‘Glass Gem’ has a jewel-like translucence, ‘Rainbow’ has an earthy opaqueness that makes it perfect for adding to your autumn decor. Shades of red, gold, cream, orange, purple, blue, and pink are bold and arranged in a painterly fashion.

These ears are on the larger side, and the plants are medium to large as well. The strong, stable stalks also make great fall decorations. If you pick them young, you can eat them, but if you allow them to mature, they are a bit too tough to eat without grinding first. Dried, these ears retain their color for a long time. 

‘Fiesta’

Kernels pop or grind into rich, nutty meal.

‘Fiesta’ is one of the exceptionally popular ornamental corn varieties for fall decorating. This variety is a mix of warm shades, deep reds, gold, cream, and even shades of purple. Each ear is different, with the colors appearing in blocks, streaks, and splotches. The dried husks are long and pale, which provides a nice contrast, making the colors pop. 

These are larger stalks with large ears. You can pop the kernels or dry them for cornmeal, but they are best used as an ornamental. They’re a bit tough and not especially sweet. This variety is dependable and easy to grow, so it’s popular with gardeners. 

‘Black Aztec’

Historic variety brings rich, old-fashioned flavor.

‘Black Aztec’ is a historic heirloom variety that is great in the kitchen and as an ornamental. The medium to large, fully mature ears are a striking deep blue, almost black, with a dramatic, glossy finish. It dates back at least to the 1800s, and possibly earlier. 

As an heirloom variety, ‘Black Aztec’ is a dual-purpose corn. If you harvest it young, it has a sweet flavor and good texture for eating.

It’s not as sweet as modern hybrids, but it has a rich, old-fashioned flavor. It’s a hardy plant that is highly adaptable. Once dried, the ears are even darker, making them as close to black as any cultivar. 

‘Blue Hopi’

Slate and black shades give each ear character.

‘Blue Hopi’ is an iconic heirloom variety of corn from the American Southwest. The Hopi people, the namesake of this cultivar, have a long history of cultivating corn in their dry climate. This variety is a flour corn, so the kernels are starchy and soft when they dry, making them easier to grind. They make a beautiful blue cornmeal that has a sweet and nutty flavor. 

This deeply traditional variety of dual-purpose corn makes an excellent ornamental. The kernels range from slate gray to nearly black, but are predominantly deep navy. It’s valued for excellent drought tolerance and adaptability because of its cultivation in arid desert conditions. 

‘Bloody Butcher’

Ruby and garnet kernels gleam like tiny jewels.

‘Bloody Butcher’ is another dual-purpose ornamental corn variety that dates back to the 1800s. Its name is the product of the incredibly dramatic ruby and garnet colored kernels. They’re sometimes mottled and streaked and occasionally have bits of purple, pink, and even blue sprinkled in. 

These are some of the tallest stalks around. They can grow up to 12 feet in some instances. The ears are large and striking, and the kernels have a jewel-like quality when dried. In addition to its use as a decoration, ‘Bloody Butcher’ makes gorgeous, pink cornmeal and has a rich, old-fashioned flavor. Use it for decor and then grind it to make a beautiful, rose colored cornbread!

‘Mini Blue’

Pale blue meal transforms into delicious grits easily.

‘Mini Blue’ is a popcorn variety, like ‘Strawberry,’ so it’s dual-purpose, and the ears are on the smaller side. Instead of the rich navy of ‘Hopi Blue’, these ornamental corn varieties are a gorgeous indigo, occasionally with streaks of purple. Their small size and pretty color make them desirable as an ornamental. 

Their bold blue color indicates the presence of anthocyanins, making this dual-purpose a healthy one. When dried, you can pop them for a crunchy popcorn or grind them into pale blue cornmeal. The flavor is nutty and robust, which makes it an excellent choice for grits and tortillas.