What Temperature Is Best to Grow Sweet Corn?

Minimum Temperature

• Sweet corn should not be planted until soil temperature has risen to at least 50 degrees F. In addition, the planting date should be after the average date of the last spring frost because frost can damage or kill corn seedlings.

Ideal Soil Temperature

• Sweet corn seeds germinate at soil temperatures of at least 55 degrees and supersweet varieties of corn require soil temperatures of at least 65 degrees. Corn generally grows best at soil temperatures between 60 and 95 degrees, according to the Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service.

Ideal Air Temperature

• Corn grows fastest in daytime temperatures of 93 degrees F, although temperatures anywhere between 85 and 100 degrees result in nearly ideal growth. Temperatures on the lower end of the range result in less water loss, so this may be ideal in conserving resources.