Also known as Common Sugarcane · Ka'ñaruushi · Noble Cane
Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) is a tall, perennial grass cultivated for its high sugar content, primarily for sugar and ethanol production.
At-a-glance light, water, soil, and growing conditions from plant data
Full Sun Required
100% intensity
Sugarcane thrives in full sun, needing at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal growth and sugar production.
Consistent Moisture Required
75% intensity
Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water deeply when the top inch or two of soil is dry.
Loamy, Sandy, Clay, Well-drained
50% intensity
Warm Temperatures Essential
75% intensity
Grows best in warm to hot temperatures, ideally between 20°C and 30°C. It is frost-sensitive.
Heavy Feeder
100% intensity
Requires regular feeding with a nitrogen-rich fertilizer during the growing season to support vigorous growth.
Safety information from plant toxicity data
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Toxic for humans | No 0/5 intensity |
| Toxic for pets | No 0/5 intensity |
| Edible | Yes |
Non-toxic
Key traits and growing stats from plant data
Watering, pruning, propagation, and repotting details from plant data
Sugarcane is a thirsty plant and requires consistent moisture, especially during its active growth phases. Water deeply when the top 2-3 cm of soil feels dry. Avoid waterlogged conditions, which can lead to root rot.
Reduce watering slightly during cooler, dormant periods.
Pruning for sugarcane primarily involves removing dead or damaged leaves and stalks to improve air circulation and plant health. In commercial settings, it's often harvested at maturity.
For ornamental or home cultivation, minimal pruning is usually required beyond tidying up.
Sugarcane is most commonly propagated vegetatively from stem cuttings, called 'setts'. Each sett should have at least two nodes.
Plant the setts horizontally or at an angle in moist, well-draining soil, ensuring nodes are buried. New shoots will emerge from the buds.
Repotting is generally not applicable to sugarcane as it is a large, perennial grass typically grown in the ground. If attempting to grow in containers, select very large pots and repot only when the plant becomes severely root-bound, which is infrequent due to its size.
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Monthly activity intensity for bloom and fruit across both hemispheres.
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Photos of Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum)
Where Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) is found
Density
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10 known issues from plant disease data
Orange Rust in Sugarcane forms clustered orange-brown leaf lesions, often near the leaf base, and can make whole foliage look brown.
Yellow Leaf Disease in Sugarcane causes yellowing along the leaf midrib and blade, followed by drying, stunting, and bunchy tops.
Pokkah Boeng in Sugarcane causes yellowing, wrinkled twisted young leaves, and severe top rot that dries the spindle and shoot tip.
Sugarcane Eyespot in Sugarcane makes reddish-brown oval leaf spots with yellowish edges that can stretch into long streaks.
Common names and botanical synonyms
Botanical classification
| Rank | Name |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Division | Tracheophyta |
| Class | Liliopsida |
| Order | Poales |
| Family | Poaceae |
| Genus | Saccharum |
| Species | Saccharum officinarum |
Similar in genus Saccharum
Answers based on plant encyclopedia data
