Perennial Maize Plant Care
Zea perennis (Hitchc.) Reeves & Mangelsd.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Zea perennis, the perennial teosinte, is a true grass species in the genus Zea and a teosinte.
Every 2–4 days
Full sun
65–85°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Perennial Maize?
Water Perennial Maize every 2–4 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun. It prefers temperatures of 65–85°F (18–29°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 2 months during the growing season.
What Is the Perennial Maize?
Perennial Maize (Zea perennis) belongs to the Poaceae family within the Zea genus. Perennial Maize is also known as Perennial Corn.
Perennial Maize displays a tall, upright grass growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Perennial Maize produces tassel-like inflorescences.
Leaf size: approximately 24 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Perennial Maize?
Zea perennis requires watering every 2–4 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 2–4 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Perennial Maize Need?
Perennial Maize thrives in full sun.
Light Requirement
Full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Perennial Maize Prefer?
Zea perennis grows best at temperatures of 65–85°F. Perennial Maize prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
65–85°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Perennial Maize?
Well-draining, fertile loam soil. Good drainage is essential for Perennial Maize to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Perennial Maize?
Feed Perennial Maize every 2 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 2 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Perennial Maize?
Not typically grown in pots. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Perennial Maize?
Perennial Maize can be propagated through seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to corn plant plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Perennial Maize Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Perennial Maize, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Perennial Maize?
Perennial Maize is susceptible to corn earworms, cutworms, aphids. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Perennial Maize Need?
Perennial Maize grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. In cooler regions, grow Perennial Maize as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13b
Keep exploring plants
Perennial Maize is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Zea genus — compare its care with other Zea species on PlantoScan.
Zea is part of the Poaceae plant family — browse all Poaceae genera and species.
Perennial Maize thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Zea perennis (Hitchc.) Reeves & Mangelsd., family Poaceae (first published in Amer. J. Bot. 29: 817 (1942)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Perennial Maize, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13b, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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