Corn growth speed varies depending on the variety, environmental conditions, and soil temperature. Here is a summary of how fast corn grows:
- Corn typically takes about 2 to 3 days to germinate after planting under optimal conditions
- Emergence (when the seedling breaks through the soil) usually occurs within 10 to 21 days after planting, depending on soil temperature. For example, at soil temperatures of 50°F, emergence may take around 18-21 days, while at 60-65°F, it may take about 10 days
- Sweet corn is considered a fast-growing annual and is generally ready to harvest about 2 to 3 months (60 to 90 days) after planting. Early varieties can mature in as little as two months
- In warm temperate regions, corn takes around 90 to 120 days from seed to harvest, but growing from seedlings can reduce this to 90–110 days
- The growth rate accelerates after emergence, with rapid growth phases occurring between the V7 and V9 leaf stages and continuing through reproductive stages, provided environmental conditions are favorable
In summary, corn grows from seed to harvest in roughly 60 to 120 days depending on variety and conditions, with emergence occurring within 10 to 21 days after planting depending on soil temperature
