How to Grow Sugar Cane in Pots

Sugar cane is actually a perennial grass that grows in tropical regions. This humidity- and heat-loving plant produces tall, edible canes and enjoys a soil pH of 5.5 to 6.5. If you live outside of a tropical climate, you’ll be most successful growing sugar cane in pots. If you give sugar cane enough water and bright, direct sunlight, you’ll enjoy your own sweet sugar canes grown in your own home. If you cannot provide your potted sugar canes enough direct sunlight, try supplementing with 40-watt grow lights.

Sugar cane stalk

Hand saw

Seed tray

Potting compost

Grit

Clear plastic bag or lid

Bottom heater

Water spray bottle

Planter pots, 6"

All-purpose potting mix

Grow lights, 40-watt (optional)

Purchase a healthy, young 6-foot sugar cane stalk from a local grower, nursery or online plant seller. The sugar cane stalk should have at least 10 to 12 node buds, spaced about every 6 inches along the cane.

Cut the cane into two equal sections that are 3 feet each using a hand saw. You’ll want each of these "seed pieces" to contain at least six buds. This will improve your chances of healthy bud germination.

Place the cut seed pieces horizontally on a seed tray filled with a mixture of one part potting compost and one part grit. Spread a 2-inch layer of compost on top of the seed pieces. Moisten the tray contents thoroughly.

Cover the seed tray with a clear plastic lid or plastic bag and place the tray in bright sunlight. Provide bottom heat to warm the soil set for at least 68 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray the tray contents with a water to keep it moist.

Remove the plastic bag or lid when the sprouts, or "ratoons," begin to sprout. This usually takes about three weeks.

Separate and plant the ratoons into individual 6-inch planter pots with drainage holes when the shoots are about 3 inches tall. You can use an all-purpose potting mix or a potting compost and topsoil mixture in your pots.

Water your sugar canes two or three times per week to keep the potting soil moist at all times. Place the planter pots in bright sunlight. Maintain a temperature between 70 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit, and no colder than 65 degrees.

Identify the bud nodes on sugar cane stalks by looking for bamboo-like rings that go all the way around the stalk. These rings are where the buds are located on the sugar cane stalks.

If you’re having difficulty finding a whole sugar cane stalk, you can also purchase several smaller stalks of sugar cane at an ethnic foods store, as long as the stalks have at least one or two buds.

Don’t forget to repot your sugar canes into larger planters as they grow. You can harvest the sugar cane when the shoots reach 3 to 3 ? feet tall by simply chopping down the stalk and removing the outer leaves.

Handle the sugar cane leaves with caution and only with heavy gloves on. The leaves are extremely sharp.