About Corn
Sweet corn is the structural pillar of Three Sisters polycultures — a living trellis for pole beans with squash shading the soil below.
Use faster-maturing varieties in South Island and high-altitude sites.
Good companions
Plants that pair well with Corn — tap for their guides. Cited sources appear where research is linked in the matrix.
Three Sisters polyculture: corn provides a living trellis for pole beans while beans supply nitrogen.
Squash PolycultureSquash vines shade soil and suppress weeds between corn and bean rows in the Three Sisters guild.
CucumberListed as beneficial in the matrix — open the grid for full context.
PeaListed as beneficial in the matrix — open the grid for full context.
PumpkinListed as beneficial in the matrix — open the grid for full context.
PotatoListed as beneficial in the matrix — open the grid for full context.
SunflowerListed as beneficial in the matrix — open the grid for full context.
MelonListed as beneficial in the matrix — open the grid for full context.
Black-Eyed SusanListed as beneficial in the matrix — open the grid for full context.
CoreopsisListed as beneficial in the matrix — open the grid for full context.
DahliaListed as beneficial in the matrix — open the grid for full context.
HollyhockListed as beneficial in the matrix — open the grid for full context.
LuffaListed as beneficial in the matrix — open the grid for full context.
LupineListed as beneficial in the matrix — open the grid for full context.
Jerusalem ArtichokeListed as beneficial in the matrix — open the grid for full context.
YaconListed as beneficial in the matrix — open the grid for full context.
+ 2 more in the matrix
Avoid planting together
Known poor neighbours — spacing apart or rotating beds reduces shared pest and disease pressure.
Growing tips
- Minimum 4×4 plant block for reliable wind pollination.
- Add beans when corn is knee-high; squash when beans establish.
- Heavy feeder — compost or legume nitrogen in the same bed helps.
Use the compatibility matrix
Filter to Corn to see green (beneficial), red (incompatible), and grey (neutral) for every pair among 162 plants. Desktop: hover cells. Mobile: tap for details.