Tropical SLIME Corn! << Self-Fertilizing Nitrogen Fixing Trait >>

*Limit 2 packets per order*

Zea Mays

Days to Maturity: 150-180

This is the TALLEST corn we have ever grown! This GIANT tropical self-fertilizing landrace corn is a mixture of Mexican and Peruvian corn. The Mixe People in modern day Oaxaca, Mexico and Indigenous farmers in Peru (along with other Indigenous farmers throughout Meso and South America) have been stewarding self-fertilizing corn for thousands of years. Native farmers have long recognized the special "slime" that coats the aerial roots and spread this slime on the roots of their other crops to spread the microbiome and bacterial nitrogen-fixing powers throughout their gardens. 

2026 was our second year growing this corn in Southwestern Colorado and this year our tallest plants towered 13 feet! Multiple stacks of aerial roots protrude from the base of each plant, which harbor the nitrogen-fixing bacteria. 

Corn with this slime trait can self-fertilize by fixing nitrogen from the atmosphere, via microbiota in the slimy mucilage on its aerial brace roots (see first photo). This tropical slime corn is disease resistant and drought tolerant. 

*US & Canadian growers: This is a long-season corn with daylength sensitivity (see video). Grow this corn as a breeding/selection project. You will need to select any ears that fully mature by your frost date to re-plant in subsequent years, which will eventually select out the daylength sensitivity (see Frank's Corn for an example). You may also want to grow other short-season corn to spread its pollen to the tropical corn.  

This article published by the American Society of Plant Biologists investigates the slime trait and its potential impact on revolutionizing agriculture by greatly reducing the need for synthetic nitrogen inputs. You can also learn more by watching this BBC documentary.

Help us distribute this open-pollinated slime trait widely!

We have a limited amount of this seed available. See our other two self-fertilizing corn seeds here: 
Rainbow Slime Corn Landrace
Frank's Slime Corn Landrace

Planting Instructions: Plant corn seeds 6" deep in late April-mid May in clumps of 5 seeds per hole, spaced 6 feet apart. No thinning is necessary. Video contains further guidance.

Seed Saving Instructions: Pick corn cobs when fingernail does not dent kernels, as leaves are browning. Shuck cobs (remove leaves) and allow kernels to dry fully on the cob (May take 1-2 months. Use fan to hasten drying). Store seeds in a paper or mesh bag in a cool, dark and dry location.

Approx 50 Tropical Slime Corn seeds per packet