Sugarcane.

At a glance

Care level

Moderate

Plant type

Perennial grass

Light

Full sun

Indoor light

Direct sun

Water

Every 2 to 4 days

Mature size

10 to 20 feet

Growth rate

Fast

Hardiness

USDA 9 to 12

Bloom time

Late autumn to winter

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist and provide as much direct sunlight as possible. Watch for yellowing leaves, which often signal a need for more nitrogen or better drainage. Ensure the plant stays in a warm environment, as it is very sensitive to frost.

Watering

Keep the soil evenly moist but never waterlogged.

Feeding

Apply a balanced fertilizer monthly during the active growing season.

Pruning

Remove dead or damaged lower leaves to improve airflow.

Repotting

Repot when the roots become crowded or the plant becomes top heavy.

Soil

Rich, well draining loam

Soil pH

6.0 to 7.5

Temperature

15 to 35°C

Humidity

60 to 90%

Safety

People

The plant is non-toxic, though the sharp, serrated leaf edges can cause painful skin cuts.

Children

The sharp, saw-toothed edges of the leaves can easily cut a child's skin if they run their hands along them.

Contact allergens

The stiff, serrated leaf margins can cause mechanical irritation and small cuts on the skin.

Airborne allergens

The large, feathery flower plumes can release significant amounts of pollen that may trigger hay fever in sensitive individuals.

Edibility

Raw sugarcane is safe, but avoid consuming if the stalks show signs of red rot or mold as these can produce toxins.

How to identify it

• Tall, thick, bamboo like stalks
• Long, broad, arching green leaves
• Fibrous stems containing sweet juice
• Feathery, plume like flower spikes

Height

2 to 5m

Spread

0.6 to 1.5m

Leaves

green, evergreen

Flowers

silver, white, 30 to 60cm

Fruit

brown, Autumn to winter

Problems to watch for

• Red RotCommon
• Sugarcane BorerCommon
• ChlorosisUncommon
• Root RotUncommon
• RustUncommon
• SmutUncommon
• Stem BorersUncommon

Growing it

Propagation

cuttings, division

When to plant

Spring

Plant nitrogen-fixing legumes nearby to help meet the high fertility requirements of this fast-growing grass.

Grows well with

• Sweet potato · It acts as a living mulch to suppress weeds around the base of the sugarcane.
• Beans · Beans fix nitrogen in the soil, which helps support the heavy nutrient needs of the sugarcane.

Similar species

• Miscanthus · It shares a similar clumping growth habit but is much more cold-hardy.
• Sorghum · It is a related grass that is also used for sugar production in some regions.

Science

Family

Poaceae

Genus

Saccharum

Order

Poales

Class

Liliopsida

Native range

Tropical and subtropical regions of Southeast Asia.

Conservation

This species is widely cultivated and not of conservation concern.

It thrives in hot, humid environments with abundant water and deep, fertile soil.

Value to wildlife

pollen source

Pollinators

bees, butterflies

Uses

sugar production, molasses, ornamental grass, biofuel

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Can I grow sugarcane in a pot?

Yes, it grows well in large containers if provided with plenty of water and warmth.

How do I harvest it?

Cut the stalks at ground level once they reach maturity and the lower leaves begin to dry.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Saccharum comes from the Greek word for sugar, while the species name officinarum refers to its historical status as a plant sold in apothecaries.

Good to know

• Sugarcane is a member of the grass family, Poaceae.
• It accounts for nearly 80 percent of the world's sugar production.
• The plant stores sugar in its internodes rather than its roots.
• Sugarcane was first domesticated in New Guinea thousands of years ago.