It is mostly grown commercially for foodstuff, including sugar and molasses.
In addition, it has also found its way into home gardens as an ornamental.
It is used asprivacy screen, border, accent, or focal point.
The Spruce / Gyscha Rendy
Once sugar cane is established, it is a fast grower.
The large blades have very sharp edges that require care when handling.
In warm climates, it is planted in late summer or fall.
The Spruce / Gyscha Rendy
Soil
Sugar cane does well in most soil types as long as they are well-drained.
It prefers deep soil that crumbles easily, with apH between 6.0 and 6.5.
Water
Sugar prospers in consistent moisture but does not tolerate wet, soggy soil or being overwatered.
The sectioned internodes of sugar cane stems are what makes them distinctiveNancyAyumi / Getty Images
However, reduce watering if you plan to harvest mature stems.
Slightly dry conditions slow down the growth and increase the sugar production in the lower part of the stalks.
Temperature and Humidity
Sugar cane flourishes in hot, humid weather.
Pamela Viola / Getty Images
The optimum growing temperature is around 90 degrees F and the relative humidity should be at least 50%.
It can’t tolerate temperatures below freezing.
In temperatures below 70 degrees F, growth is stunted.
Apply the fertilizer 10 inches away from the base of the plant to prevent fertilizer burn.
Types of Sugar Cane
If you want to grow sugar cane as a crop.
there are many different varieties to choose from.
The number of ornamental varieties (which are all edible, too) is much smaller.
Cut stalks are excellent material fororganic mulchor used to make new plants.
The process is not complicated.
Use a container with large drainage holes, about 14 inches deep.
Depending on the size of the plant, the container size may range 8 and 20 inches in diameter.
Fill it with a mixture of potting soil and compost.
Repot it to a larger container with fresh soil when the plant becomes root-bound.
Plants whose canes have been harvested, however, benefit from an extra layer of soil.
Bring container plants indoors before the first fall frost.
Harvesting is best done in the fall before the first frost.
Trim the tops of the stalks where there’s a low concentration of sugar.
Chew, squeeze, or crush the harvested stalks.
Sugar cane typically produces flower spikes only on perennials in late summer or fall.
When grown as an annual, it rarely flowers.
The flowering temporarily reduces the sucrose production in the plant.
Sometimes the leaves droop or fall over, which creates a hazard.
Find a sunny planting spot with plenty of room to maneuver around the plants.
