This Is Why Corn on the Cob Only Ever Has an Even Number of Rows

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Published on May 18, 2025

Looking for a fun conversation starter during corn-on-the-cob season? We’ve got you covered.

As a Midwesterner, I appreciate corn season for two reasons: savoring fresh corn and admiring fields of cornstalks swaying like vast seas. I usually prepare sweet corn on the cob by grilling or boiling it. While nibbling away at the cob, I’ve observed an interesting pattern: the number of rows on each cob is always even. Is it just luck that I pick even-numbered cobs at the market, or is there something about the way corn grows?

Most ears of corn typically contain between eight to 20 rows of kernels, always in an even number. If you’re into backyard gardening, you might find this botany lesson intriguing. Corn originates from female pistillate flowers that develop into seeds, which then become corn kernels. During the early stages of corn growth, the cobs are adorned with rows of flowers. Through a doubling process, each row duplicates itself, resulting in an even number of rows on the mature corn cob.

It’s extremely rare to come across corn cobs with an odd number of rows, much like finding a four-leaf clover. Corn generally develops in pairs of rows, but on very rare occasions, you may stumble upon an odd-numbered ear. This anomaly could indicate stress during the growth period or the presence of a unique inbred corn variety. Just like finding hen’s teeth, these asymmetrical ears are exceptionally uncommon.

Related:
– Fun Ways to Enjoy Fresh Corn
– Guide on Growing Cucumbers in Your Home Garden
– Food Questions You Never Knew You Had