Locate the joints along a piece of sugarcane stalk and find the buds just below the joints. Cut a section of stalk 2 inches below the bud and 1 inch above the nearby joint.
Place the cut stalk piece into a pot almost filled with potting soil. Leave about 2 inches of space between the top of the soil and the top of the pot. Make sure the sugarcane bud is covered by the soil, but not buried deeply. Once the stalk section is planted in the pot, keep the soil moist, but not wet.
Cover the top end of the planted stalk section with melted candle wax. Another possible covering for the stalk end is a fitted "cap" fashioned from beeswax.
When the bud sprouts in about seven to 14 days, allow the sprout to grow to a height of about 6 inches. At that point, add 1 1/2 inches of potting soil to the pot. The sprout will continue to grow and new sprouts will emerge.
Harvest and peel sugarcane sprouts for use as sweet stir sticks for hot drinks. New sugarcane plants may be propagated as desired. A thriving sugarcane plant in an attractive pot, perhaps accompanied by a supply of peeled stirrers and hot drink mix, makes a delightful gift.