How to Grow Sugar Cane: Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

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Expert tips and tricks for starting, growing & harvesting sugar cane
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Sugar cane is a species of grass with fibrous stalks rich in sucrose, or sugar. It grows best in the tropics and can be grown in the warmer parts of the United States. In this article, we’ll teach you all the steps on how to plant, grow, and harvest sugar cane. Plus, learn how to make sugar cane syrup to use in all kinds of tasty recipes, and get answers to all the most common questions about growing sugar cane.

Planting and Growing Sugar Cane: Quick Overview

To protect your sugar cane, plant it before the first killing frost or after the onset of winter so it doesn’t sprout until the cold weather is over. Cut a 6-12 in (15-30 cm) piece from a healthy sugar cane plant, and plant it horizontally in a sunny area in a deep furrow. Water regularly and harvest after 12 months.

Section 1 of 5:

How to Establish & Plant Sugar Cane

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  1. Sugar cane thrives in warm weather, so it’s important not to plant them when the cold weather could harm or kill them. By planting sugar cane before the first frost, the plant will have already begun growing roots and shoots, which will help it survive the stress of the winter. Planting after the onset of winter encourages the sugar cane to stay dormant throughout the season and sprout in the spring. [1]
    • Sugar cane grows best in USDA zones 9, 10, and 11, though some species can also grow in zones 7 and 8 if protected during the winter. This plant thrives in hot, humid environments.
    • While it may seem counterintuitive to plant sugar cane in winter, planting it too soon, like in early fall, means it will sprout during the cold months, leaving it open to harm. Planting too late, like in the middle of spring, means it likely won’t be ready to harvest until after the next winter begins, which could again damage the plant and leave you with a meager harvest. When planted in winter, the plant will understand it is too cold and therefore won’t sprout until the weather warms up.
  2. Sugar cane is easiest to find during the harvest season, in late summer and early fall. Look for long, thick stems, as these are more likely to produce new, healthy plants. The stems have joints, and a new plant will sprout from the node on each one. Keep this in mind and buy as many stems as needed to produce the size crop you want. [2]
    • Look for sugar cane plants at your local garden center. If you can’t find them there, check roadside stands and farmer’s markets. Asian grocery stores also often stock sugar cane plants.
    • In some cases, it may also be possible to buy sugar cane plants online, but it will be difficult to see how healthy they are this way.
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  3. Leave at least 2 nodes per piece, so that each piece is more likely to produce a few sprouts. If the stems have any leaves or flowers, go ahead and remove them. [3]
    • Unlike many plants, sugar cane cannot be propagated from seed and is instead grown from cuttings of existing plants.
  4. In a sunny area, use a spade or hoe to dig 4 in (10 cm) deep furrows, or trenches, spaced 1 foot (30 cm) apart. Lightly moisten the furrows with a hose and make sure the water has drained completely before planting the sugar cane. Lay each piece on its side, then cover them with soil. Shoots should begin to grow in the spring, usually around April or May, and should form tall stalks by summer’s end. [4]
    • Sugar cane needs full sun to grow, so make sure the area isn’t shaded. Generally, it should receive at least 8 hours of direct sunlight per day.
  5. If you’re worried the cold weather might kill your sugar cane before it’s well-established, try growing it in a container so you can overwinter it indoors. Depending on the size of the plant, choose a pot between 8–20 inches (20–51 cm) in diameter that’s about 14 inches (36 cm) deep and has large drainage holes. Fill it with a mixture of potting soil and compost, then plant the stem horizontally or vertically. Water your sugar cane regularly so the soil stays moist. [5]
    • If you choose to plant the stems vertically, make sure the bottom 2/3 of the stem is covered in soil. If you plant them horizontally, lightly bury them under a few millimeters of soil.
    • Once the sugar cane develops roots and begins to grow, either transfer it to a larger pot with fresh soil or plant it outdoors.
    • Sugar cane grows best in hot, humid weather, preferably with temperatures around 90 degrees F (32 degrees C) and a humidity level of at least 50%. It can’t tolerate temperatures below freezing. Keep this in mind when deciding whether or not to attempt to grow it in your area. [6]
  6. Some gardeners prefer starting sugar cane plants in water rather than soil. To root your sugar cane in water, simply place the cuttings in a bowl or glass of water. Replace the water every few days to keep it fresh. Roots will typically begin to form after 1-2 weeks. Plant the cuttings in soil after about a month. [7]
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Section 2 of 5:

How to Grow & Harvest Sugar Cane

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  1. Since sugar cane is a type of grass, it thrives on nitrogen-rich fertilizers . Fertilize the sugar cane plants with standard grass fertilizer, or go for an organic option, like chicken manure. Fertilizing just once, when the sprouts first emerge, will help the sugar cane grow strong and healthy so you'll have a good harvest in the fall. [8]
  2. Sugar cane can tolerate brief periods of dryness, but a prolonged lack of water will hinder growth and sugar production. To prevent this, water your sugar cane regularly while it’s actively growing. Generally, sugar cane needs to be irrigated with 1–2 inches (2.5–5.1 cm) of water per week when there’s a lack of precipitation. [9]
  3. Sugar cane requires little maintenance except for weeding. Weeds could choke the new sprouts before they have the chance to grow. Check on your sugar cane regularly and pull any weeds you see. This is necessary until the canes grow large enough to produce shade and choke harmful weeds on their own. [10]
  4. A number of pests and diseases can impact sugar cane. Pests such as borers and insects are more likely to impact a crop when they experience waterlogged conditions, while diseases can cause fungal growth and rot stocks. Check your sugar cane regularly for pests or rotting, and take preventative measures to discourage pests and diseases whenever possible. [11]
    • Selecting sugar cane varieties that are resistant to diseases and viruses known to affect crops in your area is one of the best pest management strategies.
    • While sugar cane is bred to resist disease, it’s still possible it can become infected. To prevent the spread of disease, disinfect any gardening tools and harvesting equipment between uses.
    • The application of controlled amounts of appropriate fungicides or pesticides may help prevent the propagation of a pest or disease within your crop.
    • If you do spot a plant that appears to be infected with pests or a disease, remove it immediately.
    • To protect your sugar cane from rabbits and rodents, put up physical barriers, like fences or wire, to prevent them from reaching the plants.
  5. Sugar cane plants should be left to grow for as long as possible before the first frost of the year, usually about 12 months after they were planted. If they are left in the ground after the first frost, you will likely be unable to use your plants to make sugar syrup. Generally, the plants will begin to yellow and their leaves will start to dry out when it is time to harvest . [12]
    • If you live in a place with long, cold winters, play it safe and harvest your sugar cane by the end of September.
    • If you live in a place with mild winters, you may be able to let your sugar cane grow until late October.
    • If you live in the United States, check your area's frost dates by visiting http://www.almanac.com/gardening/frostdates/states .
  6. Most of the sugar in sugar cane is stored near the base of the plant, so it’s important to cut the stalks as low as possible. Because mature stalks are tall and thick, like bamboo, simple garden shears won’t cut them. Instead, use a sterilized machete or sharp saw to cut through them. [13]
    • Don’t hack into the ground, as this can damage the roots of the established sugar cane plants. If you leave the roots in the ground, your sugar cane will come up again next year.
  7. Sugar cane leaves can be quite sharp, so be sure to wear gardening gloves before removing them. Then, use the discarded leaves to cover up the planting bed. The leaves will act as an organic mulch that will protect the sugar cane roots over the winter. If you don’t have enough leaves to cover the whole bed, use some straw to finish the job. [14]
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Section 3 of 5:

Growing Sugar Cane FAQs

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  1. Sugar cane can be started indoors, especially if you live in a cooler climate, but as it grows, it requires too much space and light to properly grow indoors. It must be transplanted outdoors into a sunny area to thrive.
  2. No, sugar cane doesn’t need to be burned for a home garden, and it isn’t recommended. This process is used only in large commercial fields to remove leaves and plant stems while leaving the lower parts of the stalks for harvest. Burning can be a health hazard because of the smoke and should be left to the professionals. [15]
  3. Sweet sorghum is a type of grass that has a high sugar content in its stalks. It’s often referred to as sugar cane and grown for its sugar content, but it is not the same type of plant as true sugar cane. [16]
  4. Flowering temporarily reduces sucrose production in the plant. When grown as a perennial, sugar cane may produce flowers in late summer or fall. It rarely flowers when grown as an annual. [17]
  5. It isn’t usually necessary to prune sugar cane, but sometimes, if the plant is growing vigorously, the grass may begin to sprawl and fail to remain upright. In this case, it’s best to cut the plant back and remove dead or withered foliage for a neater appearance. [18]
  6. No, sugar cane is only grown from cuttings. While sugar cane can produce flowers, which in turn produce seeds, these seeds are genetically different from the rest of the plant. Therefore, sugar cane will not grow if you plant them. [19]
  7. You can’t swallow sugar cane, but you can “eat” it by chewing on it and sucking out the juice. Use a paring knife to peel off the hard outer layer of the cane and cut it into small segments. Divide each segment into fourths, then chew on small pieces to extract the juice. When you’re done, spit out the sugar cane and discard it. [20]
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Section 4 of 5:

Types of Sugar Cane

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  1. Pele’s Smoke sugar cane has dark purple leaves that turn black with increased sun exposure. This variety grows up to 8 feet (240 cm) tall and is hardier than other types of sugar cane, as it can grow well into the upper end of USDA Zone 8. [21]
  2. Hilo Buddha is an ornamental sugar cane known for its barrel-shaped nodes and maroon and lime green stripes. This sugar cane variety can grow to be 8 feet (240 cm) tall. It has sweet, crispy flesh and is easy to chew or juice. [22]
  3. Laukona sugar cane is named after winter storms in Hawaii. It has a pale yellow stalk striped with green, and its buds are round with pink or purple wings. Its flesh is typically brown or orange, very juicy, and moderately sweet. [23]
  4. In Hawaii, Moano literally refers to a pale red color and figuratively means “to bloom.” This variety of sugar cane has a red or purple stalk that may become darker when exposed to strong light. Its buds are narrow and pink or purple in color. Moano is a common backyard variety of sugar cane. [24]
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Section 5 of 5:

How to Make Sugar Cane Syrup

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  1. Use warm water and a scrub brush to remove any dirt and debris from the sugar cane stems. Use a meat cleaver to chop them into small sections, then chop those sections in half so you have a pile of small pieces of sugar cane. [25]
    • On large farms, juice is extracted from sugar cane using huge, heavy sugar cane presses. There is no equivalent machine suitable for home use, however, so the chop-and-boil method is used instead.
  2. Allow the sugar cane to boil for about 2 hours to extract the sugar. The sugar water is ready when it turns light brown and has the same flavor as a piece of raw sugar cane. Taste test it to determine when it’s ready. [26]
    • Check the pot every half hour or so to make sure that the pieces are still covered with water; if they’re not, add more.
  3. Pour the water through a strainer into a smaller pot to catch all the fibrous pieces of sugar cane, which you can discard. Then, boil the remaining water until it cooks down significantly and takes on the texture of thick syrup. This typically takes between 1-2 hours, so monitor the pot regularly to make sure you don’t overcook it. To test whether the syrup is ready, dip a cold spoon in the pot and check the texture. [27]
    • If you like your syrup on the thin side, remove it from heat when it still easily slides from the back of the spoon.
    • For thicker syrup, remove it from heat when it coats the back of the spoon instead of slipping right off.
  4. Place a lid on the jar and allow the syrup to cool completely before storing it in a cool, dry place. Pure cane syrup does not expire and has an indefinite shelf life, so you don’t have to worry about using it within a certain amount of time. Use your cane syrup in desserts, drinks, and all kinds of yummy recipes. [28]
    • Sugar cane syrup is sometimes known as simple syrup, which can be used to sweeten coffee and tea.
    • Sugar cane is also used in a number of cocktails, like mojitos.
    • Drizzle sugar cane syrup over ice cream to create a deep, rich flavor, or over the top of a cake to add moisture.
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  • Question
    How do I treat sugar cane that is diseased?
    Andrew Carberry, MPH
    Food Systems Expert
    Andrew Carberry is a Food Systems Expert and the Senior Program Associate at the Wallace Center at Winrock International in Little Rock, Arkansas. He has worked in food systems since 2008 and has experience working on farm-to-school projects, food safety programs, and working with local and state coalitions in Arkansas. He is a graduate of the College of William and Mary and holds a Masters degree in public health and nutrition from the University of Tennessee.
    Andrew Carberry, MPH
    Food Systems Expert
    Expert Answer
    If you notice disease on your sugar cane, cut away the affected area to prevent it from spreading. It's best if you prevent disease by sanitizing your gardening and harvesting tools with rubbing alcohol
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  • Question
    Does sugar cane need a lot of water?
    Andrew Carberry, MPH
    Food Systems Expert
    Andrew Carberry is a Food Systems Expert and the Senior Program Associate at the Wallace Center at Winrock International in Little Rock, Arkansas. He has worked in food systems since 2008 and has experience working on farm-to-school projects, food safety programs, and working with local and state coalitions in Arkansas. He is a graduate of the College of William and Mary and holds a Masters degree in public health and nutrition from the University of Tennessee.
    Andrew Carberry, MPH
    Food Systems Expert
    Expert Answer
    Sugar cane should be watered throughout the growing season, especially during the hotter summer months. Sugarcane is sensitive to overwatering in its youngest stage of growth, so don't overdo it when your plants are young.
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  • Question
    How long does it take sugarcane to grow?
    Community Answer
    It takes about a year to fully grow sugarcane. Some species can take about a year and a half.
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      Tips

      • Avoid planting sugar cane in highly-trafficked areas or along pathways, as some varieties could fall over and block paths and the sharp leaves could injure people. [29]
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      • In the United States, most sugar cane is grown in Hawaii, Florida, and Louisiana. [30]
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      • Sugar cane juice makes for a refreshing drink and can be served warm or chilled.
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      Warnings

      • The leaves of sugar cane plants can scrape or injure your skin. Always wear gloves or other hand protection when removing leaves and flowers from the plant.
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      • Keep a close watch on your syrup during the final boiling stages because it could boil over, causing a huge mess.
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      • Your syrup could burn if you let it boil for too long. Be careful when handling it during the boiling process so that you don't burn yourself.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.growables.org/informationVeg/SugarCPlantingUF.htm
      2. ↑ https://sugarresearch.com.au/sugar_files/2019/02/Guide-for-sugarcane-planting-B14003.pdf
      3. ↑ https://cms.ctahr.hawaii.edu/cane/General-Info
      4. ↑ https://www.amscl.org/planting-sugarcane-in-louisiana/
      5. ↑ https://morningchores.com/growing-sugarcane/
      6. ↑ https://plantvillage.psu.edu/topics/sugarcane/infos
      7. ↑ https://morningchores.com/growing-sugarcane/
      8. ↑ https://www.dalrrd.gov.za/phocadownloadpap/Brochures_and_Production_Guidelines/Brochure%20Sugar%20Cane.pdf
      9. ↑ https://plantvillage.psu.edu/topics/sugarcane/infos
      1. ↑ https://plantvillage.psu.edu/topics/sugarcane/infos
      2. ↑ https://plantvillage.psu.edu/topics/sugarcane/infos
      3. ↑ https://www.scgc.org/process/
      4. ↑ https://plantvillage.psu.edu/topics/sugarcane/infos
      5. ↑ https://evolution.earthathome.org/grasses/andropogoneae/sugarcane-cultivation/
      6. ↑ https://evolution.earthathome.org/grasses/andropogoneae/sugarcane-cultivation/
      7. ↑ https://nssppa.org/sweet-sorghum-faqs
      8. ↑ https://sasri.org.za/wp-content/uploads/Information_Sheets/IS_11.5-Flowering-in-sugarcane.pdf
      9. ↑ https://greg.app/how-to-prune-sugar-cane/
      10. ↑ https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/edibles/vegetables/sugarcane/
      11. ↑ https://recipes.net/articles/how-to-eat-raw-sugar-cane/
      12. ↑ https://cms.ctahr.hawaii.edu/cane/Cane-Varieties/Uahiapele
      13. ↑ https://cms.ctahr.hawaii.edu/cane/Cane-Varieties/H%C4%81pai
      14. ↑ https://cms.ctahr.hawaii.edu/cane/Cane-Varieties/Laukona
      15. ↑ https://cms.ctahr.hawaii.edu/cane/Cane-Varieties/Moano
      16. ↑ http://www.thesurvivalgardener.com/how-to-make-cane-syrup-at-home-without-2/
      17. ↑ https://scholarsjunction.msstate.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1778&context=mafes-bulletins
      18. ↑ https://www.southernmatters.com/sugarcane/bulletins/Pope/cane_syrup.pdf
      19. ↑ https://www.dalrrd.gov.za/phocadownloadpap/Brochures_and_Production_Guidelines/Brochure%20Sugar%20Cane.pdf
      20. ↑ https://www.growables.org/informationVeg/SugarCPlantingUF.htm
      21. ↑ http://switchgrass.okstate.edu/other-biofuel-crops/sugarcane

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To plant sugar cane, select healthy sugar cane plants with long, thick stems and split the stems into foot-long pieces, leaving 3 to 4 joints per piece. Next, select a location that gets full sun and dig 4-inch deep furrows that are wide enough to plant the canes horizontally on their sides. Then, lightly moisten the soil, place the stems horizontally into the furrows, and cover them with soil. You should see the new plants breaking through the soil in the spring! For tips on harvesting your sugar cane, read on!

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