Purple Sugarcane is a large, clump-forming, perennial, ornamental grass in the large family of flowering plants commonly known as true grasses. It is native to tropical and subtropical Asia, with showy purple flowers that appear in the fall. It is among the hardiest of the sugarcanes and is evergreen in warm climates. It will die back to the ground in winter in cold climates, but will come back in spring. Despite its common name, it is not edible or a source for sugar. Purple Sugarcane does best in full to partial sun in moist, well-drained, soil. It is cold hardy, but does not tolerate standing water. Take care in handling Purple Sugarcane. The leaves and sheaths of some varieties are covered with a large number of siliceous hairs, as well as spines and sharp edges, that can penetrate the skin. Purple Sugarcane flowers late in the season, which means it will not typically naturalize around your yard. It is a large plant, about 10 feet high with clumps that can spread up to 15 feet, so be sure to find an appropriate space with plenty of sun. Propagate this plant easily by division. Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: Susceptible to insect pests.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
6-feet-12 feet
Mature size
Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 12 ft. 0 in. | Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Slow
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Clumping; Erect
Texture
Coarse
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf color
Green; Pink; Purple/Lavender
Leaf size
> 6 inches long
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
Long, gray-green leaves with pale purple-pink pampas-like plumes 2 to 3 feet tall in fall. The ends of the leaves have a drooping quality
Flower color
Purple/Lavender
Flower value
Good Cut; Showy
Flower form
Spike
Flower detail
Purple flowers spikes appear in fall and are 2 to 3 feet above the grass.
Bloom time
Fall
Fruit color
Brown/Copper
Fruit detail
Seed heads on plumes from mid fall to late winter.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
India, southern China, Korea, Viet Nam, Laos
Wildlife value
This is a larval host plant that supports various skipper larvae and Common Wood-Nymph (Cercyonis pegala) which have one brood from late May to October. Adult Common Wood-Nymph butterflies feed on rotting fruit and flower nectar.
Attracts
Butterflies; Pollinators
Food & Medicine
Harvest time
Fall; Winter
Edibility
Not a source for sugar.
Uses (ethnobotany)
Fibers and stems used to make "Munj fiber" which can endure moisture without rotting. Cloth, cordage, ropes, mats, thatching, small furniture, paper, and dip pens use this material.