easiest way to plant sugar cane in minecraft?

bone meal works on it on bedrock but not on java, if you're wondering why nothing happens. on java you just wait. tops out at 3 tall on its own.

It has to go on grass, dirt, sand (or similar) with water directly touching that block on one of the four sides. Diagonal doesn't count. Plant, wait, and when it's 3 tall break the middle piece so the bottom keeps growing.