Sugarcane Saccharum officinarum
Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) is an evergreen perennial grass in the Poaceae family, native to New Guinea. It grows 3–5 m (10–16 ft) tall and 50 cm–1 m (20 in–3.3 ft) wide, wants full sun and high water, and is hardy to about 5 °C (41 °F). Space plants about 60 cm (24 in) apart.
Plan Sugarcane in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Sugarcane at a glance
| Type | Perennial grass, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Poaceae |
| Mature height | 3–5 m (10–16 ft) |
| Mature spread | 50 cm–1 m (20 in–3.3 ft) |
| Spacing | 60 cm (24 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 8 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | High; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 5–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About 5 °C (41 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 11) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 42 °C (108 °F) |
| Flowering | about 43–51 weeks after planting, for 3–6 weeks |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | None |
| Edible | Yes: stalks (juice, sugar) |
| Native to | New Guinea |
| Common in gardens of | 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇮🇳 India, 🇨🇳 China, 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇲🇽 Mexico, 🇦🇺 Australia, 🇮🇩 Indonesia, 🇵🇭 Philippines, 🇨🇴 Colombia, 🇪🇬 Egypt, 🇿🇦 South Africa, 🇺🇸 United States |
Is Sugarcane toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not poisonous.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Sugarcane
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and high water.
Questions about Sugarcane
- How far apart should I plant Sugarcane?
- About 60 cm (24 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 50 cm–1 m (20 in–3.3 ft).
- Does Sugarcane need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 8 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Sugarcane need?
- High water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Sugarcane?
- It tolerates about 5 °C (41 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 11.
- When does Sugarcane flower?
- About 43–51 weeks after planting, for 3–6 weeks.
- Is Sugarcane poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not poisonous.
- What grows well with Sugarcane?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Sugarcane. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (high).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- EcoCrop crop environmental requirements, FAO
- GRIN-Global Taxonomy, USDA ARS
- FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper 56 — Crop Evapotranspiration, FAO
Notes and assumptions
- A giant tropical grass cut every 12–18 months and allowed to regrow (ratoon) for several harvests.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Fountain grass Pennisetum alopecuroides
- Sweet corn Zea mays var. saccharata
- Lemongrass Cymbopogon citratus
- Clumping bamboo Fargesia murielae
- Maiden grass (miscanthus) Miscanthus sinensis
- Golden bamboo Phyllostachys aurea
- Switchgrass Panicum virgatum
- Little bluestem Schizachyrium scoparium