Glass Gem Corn - Rainbow on a cob. If unicorns had gardens, they’d grow Glass Gem corn. | #TheNavagePatch #Homesteading #DIY #HowTo #Indiancorn #Falldecor | TheNavagePatch.com

Glass Gem Corn – Rainbow on a Cob!

Glass Gem corn is one of nature’s miracles, and it’s super easy to grow! Learn where to buy and how to grow rainbow corn in your garden!

The first time I saw a picture of Glass Gem corn was in an online seed catalog last year. I was searching for sweet corn seeds, as I was keen to grow some ears that I could actually eat. My two previous attempts at corn – one lot from small plants I bought from Home Depot and the next lot from seed – resulted in dinky little ears with deformed and lumpish kernels sprouting haphazardly around the cob. They looked like little mouthfuls of crooked yellow teeth in dire need of both a dentist and an orthodontist. But, hey, I’m no snob when it comes to how food looks! As long as it tastes good, it can look like Quasimodo’s butt, for all I care.

But this corn…

This corn didn’t just look like Quasimodo’s butt…it tasted like it too!*

My wife and son loved it.

The corn, I mean. Not Quasimodo’s butt.

To them, it tasted like the corn from their native Turkey. It tasted like home. They slathered it in butter and gobbled every bite.

I tried that Turkish corn once.

Once.

My wife Handan’s hometown of Izmir is a jewel of a city that encircles a bay of the Aegean Sea. Every night in summer, you can find thousands of Turks strolling along the water’s edge or relaxing in the seaside parks. Vendors of all sorts sell everything from rice-stuffed mussels to sunflower seeds to cotton candy to corn-on-the-cob.

I watched those corn-hawkers with a keen eye. I love corn, and the way they roasted it over an open fire on their rolling corn carts captivated my senses and got my mouth watering.

One night, I asked Handan if we could try it.

She was more than happy to oblige, since she loves corn, too.

We approached the man and ordered two ears – one for Handan and me and one for my son Baris. I watched him grill our cobs as a child watches a candymaker. Oh, I couldn’t wait! Grilled corn is the best!

He served our cobs on a bed of husks, and I had that thing in my mouth almost before he could remove his hand to safety. Oh boy, this is gonna be great! I bit down and…

And all the joy I’ve ever known leapt from body and dove into the Aegean Sea.

What the hell is this thing?

I peered at the impostor in my hand.

Where’s the sweet? This isn’t corn…this is horse food!

I chewed the…what? Fodder? Cud? Slop? I managed to get it down into my throat en route to my stomach. I looked at the traitorous cob once more and handed it to Handan.

“Here you go, my babes. You can finish it.”

She grabbed it from me and bit in with gusto.

I dropped to my knees and looked up into the sky. I threw my hands into the air and screamed at the heavens.

“Nooooooooooooo!”

But the Turks were too busy cramming those mirthless kernels into their mouths to notice my suffering.

Handan and Barish were in heaven, each bite better than the last for them.

Fools! Didn’t they understand that corn was supposed to be as sweet as candy?

Never have my expectations been so thoroughly smashed and shattered by reality.

It was one of the many times I learned that life in the rest of the great wide world was wildly different than life in Glastonbury, Connecticut – home of the sweetest corn on planet Earth.**

Oh, by the way, though I’m not a fan of Turkish eating corn, their popcorn is the best I’ve ever tasted! We stock up on it whenever we hit up a Turkish grocery.

*******

Anyway, as I was browsing through the corn seeds online, I came across a picture that couldn’t be real. It seemed to be an ear of corn, but it looked like a rainbow!

I was mesmerized, so I clicked on the link for more information. The corn was called Glass Gem, also known as Rainbow Corn and it certainly did look like a rainbow on a cob! I had to try to grow it – I still didn’t really believe I could get corn like the ones pictured, but I had to try! I ordered a small packet of seeds. Oh boy, this is gonna be great!

The Story of Glass Gem Corn

While I waited for my seeds, I did a little research on the corn. Turns out that Glass Gem corn is all OMG and no GMO! This is not the product of a mad scientist or rogue unicorn. Rather, it was developed over a number of years by a part-Cherokee farmer in Oklahoma named Carl Barnes.

Carl “White Eagle” wanted to reconnect with his roots and heritage, so he began seeking out older corn varieties and native seeds, like the ones his Native American ancestors would have grown. When growing the ancient corn seed, sometimes he’d get an abnormally colorful ear. He would then select and replant the seeds from those ears.

Over time, the corn became more and more colorful. He eventually gave some seeds to a a friend who planted them in New Mexico alongside more traditional varieties of corn, and this created even more colorful strains.

His friend started selling the seeds to the public, and the rest is rainbow corn history.

How to Grow Glass Gem Corn

The best part about planting Glass Gem corn seeds is you don’t know what you’re going to get come harvest!

And it couldn’t be simpler to grow. I’m a casual gardener, so I treated the rainbow corn seeds as I would anything else I stick in my garden soil. I didn’t fuss over them or do anything special.

Since I only had a small handful of seeds and the back half of a raised bed, I planted my seeds in pairs 12 inches apart. Normally you’d want to leave 2 feet between rows, but I was tight for space, so I only left a foot. I planted each seed about an inch deep in mid-spring when the world was warm and soil temperatures were over 60 degrees. It’s best to sow seeds in several rows to ensure good pollination. Wind is the primary pollinator, so you don’t want to plant your corn in a single row.

And remember, corn loves sun and lots of it!

From here, you can mulch to keep weeds at bay and fertilize as needed. Once the pairs grow to about 4 inches tall, select the stronger of the two.

The glass gem corn grew like the yellow corn I had planted in previous years, though these seem a bit taller.

Glass Gem Corn - Rainbow on a cob. If unicorns had gardens, they’d grow Glass Gem corn. | #TheNavagePatch #Homesteading #DIY #HowTo #Indiancorn #Falldecor | TheNavagePatch.com
Yes, my weeding skills are weak!
Glass Gem Corn - Rainbow on a cob. If unicorns had gardens, they’d grow Glass Gem corn. | #TheNavagePatch #Homesteading #DIY #HowTo #Indiancorn #Falldecor | TheNavagePatch.com

When to Harvest Glass Gem Corn

Rainbow will be ready to harvest about 110 to 120 days after planting. Unfortunately, my growing season was cut a little short by some stalks turning brown. Like I said before, I’m first and foremost a DIYer, not a gardener, so instead of freaking out, I just decided to harvest a little early.

Glass Gem Corn - Rainbow on a cob. If unicorns had gardens, they’d grow Glass Gem corn. | #TheNavagePatch #Homesteading #DIY #HowTo #Indiancorn #Falldecor | TheNavagePatch.com
Glass Gem Corn - Rainbow on a cob. If unicorns had gardens, they’d grow Glass Gem corn. | #TheNavagePatch #Homesteading #DIY #HowTo #Indiancorn #Falldecor | TheNavagePatch.com

Figuring these brown ones for a loss, I pulled them off and shucked them. What I saw blew my mind! I honestly didn’t think it would work – at least not as well as in the pictures. But it was even better than I could have hoped. I didn’t know whether I should eat it, frame it, or string it up and hang it from Handan’s neck!

Glass Gem Corn - Rainbow on a cob. If unicorns had gardens, they’d grow Glass Gem corn. | #TheNavagePatch #Homesteading #DIY #HowTo #Indiancorn #Falldecor | TheNavagePatch.com

I decided to harvest almost all of it – I didn’t want to risk losing any ears to infection or to the birds! There were some nice green ears, too.

Glass Gem Corn - Rainbow on a cob. If unicorns had gardens, they’d grow Glass Gem corn. | #TheNavagePatch #Homesteading #DIY #HowTo #Indiancorn #Falldecor | TheNavagePatch.com

Every ear was a surprise!

Glass Gem Corn - Rainbow on a cob. If unicorns had gardens, they’d grow Glass Gem corn. | #TheNavagePatch #Homesteading #DIY #HowTo #Indiancorn #Falldecor | TheNavagePatch.com

Look at these gorgeous colorful cobs!

Glass Gem Corn - Rainbow on a cob. If unicorns had gardens, they’d grow Glass Gem corn. | #TheNavagePatch #Homesteading #DIY #HowTo #Indiancorn #Falldecor | TheNavagePatch.com

Is Glass Gem Corn Edible?

Rainbow corn is not meant to be eaten like regular corn, though it won’t hurt you to do so. It’s what is called flint corn, and its primary purpose would normally be for cornmeal, livestock or (for certain varieties with a high-enough moisture content) popcorn. But with looks like these, we’ll be using them for decor around the house this fall!

How to Dry Glass Gem Corn

I’m sure there are many ways to dry rainbow corn for ornamental uses, but all I did was shuck the corn (keeping the leaves and long stem attached) and then group them by 5s or 6s, tie a string around the stems and then hang them in the basement where it’s cool and dry. Cool and dry is the key, especially dry. If you have cool, dry late summers with good air flow, feel free to hang them near a window or screen door. Just don’t let them get wet. They’re ready for ornamental use when the kernels are hard as flint, and you’re not able to sink a fingernail into them.

Where to Buy Rainbow Corn seeds

The seeds I bought cost me $5 for a very small quantity. Amazon has a better deal – $6 for 100 seeds. I’ll be buying those seeds this fall for next year’s planting. Though you can pay more in specialty seed catalogs, for the casual gardener, it’s easier and cheaper to buy through Amazon.

Final Thoughts on Rainbow Corn

I’m not the best farmer, but growing my Glass Gem corn was a breeze. I stuck the kernels in the ground, watered the plants regularly (but not excessively), and basically did nothing. Corn is as easy as garlic to grow, and next year I’ll be growing way more of each!

How To Grow Garlic

Growing garlic is one of life’s simple pleasures. It can easily be grown by gardeners of any skill level, and the harvest can be enjoyed throughout the year. Give garlic a try. You’ll be happy you did!

Glass Gem Corn - Rainbow on a cob. If unicorns had gardens, they’d grow Glass Gem corn. | #TheNavagePatch #Homesteading #DIY #HowTo #Indiancorn #Falldecor | TheNavagePatch.com

If unicorns had gardens, they’d grow Glass Gem corn. Also, I’m pretty sure unicorn poop looks like this, too.

Glass Gem Corn - Rainbow on a cob. If unicorns had gardens, they’d grow Glass Gem corn. | #TheNavagePatch #Homesteading #DIY #HowTo #Indiancorn #Falldecor | TheNavagePatch.com

Have you guys seen Glass Gem corn before? Has anyone planted it?

Glass Gem Corn - Rainbow on a cob. If unicorns had gardens, they’d grow Glass Gem corn. | #TheNavagePatch #Homesteading #DIY #HowTo #Indiancorn #Falldecor | TheNavagePatch.com

Let me know in the comments!

Glass Gem Corn - Rainbow on a cob. If unicorns had gardens, they’d grow Glass Gem corn. | #TheNavagePatch #Homesteading #DIY #HowTo #Indiancorn #Falldecor | TheNavagePatch.com

Happy planting!

*Quasimodo’s butt was neither tasted nor harmed for this article.

**I haven’t yet tasted all the corn on planet Earth, but I stand by my claim.

Edit 2022: we live in Florida now, and there’s some mighty fine and super-sweet corn here, too, so I take back my previous brag. I’m sure there’s great corn in every corner of this great nation.




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34 Comments

  1. My grandma used to grow a few stalks of this along side her sweet corn. She used to call it Indian corn….know I now why! Sure is pretty. And, while I haven’t tasted Glastonbury, CT sweet corn, I have to say that Iowa sweet corn is the best I’ve ever had!

    1. I remember my mom hanging dried Indian corn outside our house when I was a kid, but it never had these colors – just reds and oranges I think. Now about that sweet corn…

  2. I had a stock of corn pop up out of the blue in the corner of my backyard earlier this year. (Probably came from a birds butt flying over the backyard because I didn’t planted.) Unfortunately a storm came through, tore apart my privacy fence which fell on the one stock of corn that I had in the yard. Never got a chance to see what kind it was but now that I know corn will grow in my backyard, I am definitely getting me some of these rainbow corn seeds. They are absolutely beautiful.

    I would also like to state that I am new to subscribing to Navigage Patch and just love the colorful where you tell your stories. Sure wish I would have stumbled across this sooner but glad I finally did.

    1. Welcome to The Navage Patch, Bren! Do get yourself some glass gem seeds for next year, and make sure you protect the corn stalks from wind – that’s their number one enemy. I’m so glad you are enjoying my stories. If you haven’t already, you may want to check out our “About Us” section – it’s part 1 of a very long story that I’ve been writing for the past couple of years >>> https://www.thenavagepatch.com/about-us/

  3. Wow, I never knew corn like this existed! it’s just beautiful, way prettier than any “Indian corn” I’ve ever seen. Would love to see some pictures of how you use it to decorate.

  4. That is the most beautiful crop i have ever seen,can’t wait to see what you and Handan create with it. Got to try and find this seed for next year on the plot, if only to confuse the old fuddy duddys that seem to spend more time watching what i’m doing and commenting on it than tending their own allotments.

  5. I enjoyed your article and will try growing some of the glass gem corn in my garden next year, but……..I must disagree with one of your statements. Connecticut can’t have the best sweet corn. That is grown in Iowa. Stop by some summer’s day and we’ll feed you a few ears.

  6. Bless my soul…that is darned purdiest corn ever…and, I’m a Cornhusker from Nebraska!! Does it pop in Technicolor…franki

  7. I discovered this corn this year as well and promptly planted over 70 seeds of it. I planted late so my stalks should be ready right around the first week of October, and I can say it grows just a well in sunny, hot North Carolina as it does on Connecticut! My stalks are averaging a bit over seven feet tall and ears began to form around two weeks ago. I’m hoping to get enough to put aside seed for next year as well as making popcorn gifts for people after Thanksgiving passes and it’s decorative purpose is done!

  8. Wow, what a beauty! Is it only for decoration or you can eat it too? I imagine my kids having a corn like this for dinner 🙂
    I saw that corn in a seed shop last year and though it was photoshop and did not buy it… Maybe next year, as this year was my sweet corn debut and now I know the mistakes I made growing it.

    1. Hi Maigwen, you can dry the kernels and pop them into popcorn or grind it into corn meal, but corn like this doesn’t taste great on the cob. Sure won’t hurt you though, and hey, with enough butter and salt, anything tastes good, right? 🙂

  9. Holy Cow, or Holy Corn! This is amazing stuff! Thank you for sharing.
    Just found you guys and I am really glad I did.
    I will make the attempt to get some of this to grow next year, keep a good thought and wish me luck.

    1. Hi Tina, yes I did try to pop some. The popcorn is standard white, but it wasn’t the most flavorful popcorn and it didn’t pop as big or as fully as commercial brands, so I just tried the one ear.

      1. Does anyone sell dryed glass gem corn with the husk on? Would love to have some for my fall crafting projects. Can find places to buy seed but nothing on harvested corn. Thank you.

        1. I’ve only seen it sold like that at small farm stands in New England. I’m not sure if it’s sold on a larger scale by anyone else.

  10. My son grew some beautiful glass gem corn and sent me some. I dried it and had planned to string for jewelry . . . but some kind of bugs got into it and ruined it! I’d like to know if anyone else has tried using it for jewelry.
    BTW, I love your site! Your humor, clever ideas and other info, are right “up my alley”!

  11. I have loved gem corn for several years but had never heard the history of it. Thank you for posting this!! And I assumed it was complicated to grow for some reason, even though I’m a Kentucky girl and I’m very familiar with corn crops. I’m definitely gonna give it a go!

  12. I have been looking at this corn on line for years and with spring just about to get sprung down here in New Zealand I have finally managed to get some seeds and started them with a little bit of bottom heat. They’ll go into the ground in a couple of weeks as temperatures rise… then maybe unicorns will come poop on my place too.

  13. Selective breeding is genetically modifying an organism. Saying it’s not a GMO and then immediately contradicting yourself makes this whole article seem like a joke.

    Also, you’re paying $3 for 1/4 an ear of corn. Next year let an ear fully mature on the stock and harvest the seeds yourself. Give some out to your friends and seal and store a few years worth in case something happens to next years crop. Take your seed stock from the biggest, healthiest plant. See, it’s been climatized, all it’s offspring will do excellent in the same conditions.

    1. Sorry Mike – GMO and selective breeding are not the same thing. I can understand the point you’re trying to make, but saying something doesn’t make it true.