Can Sugar Cane be Planted in Water in Minecraft Pocket Edition (MCPE)?

Sugar cane is a valuable resource in Minecraft Pocket Edition (MCPE) that can be used to craft paper, trade with villagers, and make sugar for brewing. Players usually plant sugar cane on dirt or sand, and wait for it to grow besides a water block. However, some players wonder whether sugar cane can be planted in water in MCPE, and if so, what would be the benefits and drawbacks of doing so?

The Short Answer:

Yes, sugar cane can be planted in water in MCPE, as long as it is not completely submerged. Sugar cane needs to have one block of air above it to grow, so it cannot be planted underwater, but it can be planted on top of water, as long as the water is still, flowing, or source blocks. However, planting sugar cane on water has some advantages and disadvantages that players should consider.

The Advantages of Planting Sugar Cane on Water in MCPE:

Firstly, planting sugar cane on water can save space and time, as players do not need to clear a large area of dirt or sand to plant it. They only need to place a water block and surround it with sugar cane. Moreover, planting sugar cane on water can protect it from trampling by mobs or players, as they cannot walk on top of water blocks. This can be useful for sugar cane farms that are located in areas with high mob activity or frequent player presence.

Secondly, planting sugar cane on water can increase its yield per block, as sugar cane can grow up to 3 blocks tall in water, compared to 2 blocks tall on land. This means that players can get more sugar cane from the same amount of space, which can be useful for large-scale projects or trading with villagers for emeralds or other resources.

The Disadvantages of Planting Sugar Cane on Water in MCPE:

However, planting sugar cane on water has some drawbacks that players should be aware of. Firstly, sugar cane planted on water does not spread to adjacent blocks, which means that players need to place and harvest each sugar cane block individually. This can be time-consuming and tedious, especially for large farms.

Secondly, sugar cane planted on water is vulnerable to environmental factors such as rain, ice, and flowing water, which can break or destroy the sugar cane blocks. Players need to protect their sugar cane farms from these hazards by covering them with a roof or fence, or by placing slabs or stairs that prevent water from flowing on them. Otherwise, they may lose valuable sugar cane and have to start over.

Conclusion:

In summary, sugar cane can be planted in water in MCPE, and it has some advantages and disadvantages that players should consider before doing so. Planting sugar cane on water can save space and time, protect it from trampling, and increase its yield per block, but it also requires manual placement and harvesting, and is vulnerable to environmental hazards. Players should weigh these factors and decide whether planting sugar cane on water suits their needs and preferences.