Why is sugarcane considered a perennial grass?

Sugarcane is considered a perennial grass because it is a crop species that lives for more than two years without requiring replanting each year.1

Its classification as a perennial is supported by the practice of ratooning, a method of propagation where a portion of the sugarcane stalk is left underground after harvest. This remaining stubble, or ratoon, gives rise to a succeeding growth of cane. This process allows farmers to obtain multiple economical crops from a single original planting, typically repeating the cycle three times before the field must be plowed and replanted.2

Like other perennial crops, sugarcane is characterized by its ability to persist and regrow, distinguishing it from annual crops that must be sown anew each season.1