Sugar Cane is the towering, sweet grass that fueled empires and remains the world's primary source of natural sugar. This fast-growing perennial forms imposing clumps of tall, jointed stalks that range in color from green to deep burgundy. While commercially processed into sugar, in the home garden it offers the unparalleled pleasure of chewing fresh, juicy stalks for a burst of sweet, grassy nectar or pressing your own fresh, unrefined cane juice. It's a striking architectural plant that brings a taste of the tropics and a piece of agricultural history to any warm, sunny garden.

• The primary commercial source of sucrose (table sugar), but in the garden, it's grown for fresh chewing and juicing.

• Forms dense clumps of tall, thick, jointed stalks that can be green, yellow, purple, or striped.

• A fast-growing, sun-loving giant perennial grass that can reach over 10 feet in a single season.

• Stalks are filled with sweet, fibrous, juicy pith that can be chewed to extract the juice or pressed.

• Prefers long, hot, humid growing seasons and consistent moisture.

• Grown from sections of stalk ("seed cane"), not true seeds.

Garden & Use Profile:

• Flavor: Pure, clean sweetness with a fresh, vegetal note when chewed or juiced fresh.

• Texture: Extremely fibrous and hard; the goal is to crush or chew it to release the sweet juice inside.

• Best Uses: Fresh: Chewing on peeled stalk segments for refreshment. Juicing: Pressing to make fresh, unprocessed sugarcane juice, a popular tropical drink. Ornamental: As a dramatic, fast-growing screen or background plant.