Key difference: Cane is a grass in the Poaceae family of grass. It mainly belongs to two genera in the Poaceae family: Arundo and Arundinaria. Arundo is indigenous to the region between the Mediterranean and the Far East, while Arundinaria is native to the Americas. Wicker, on the other hand, refers to the process through which cane furniture is made. It may also be commonly used to refer to pieces made from a woven fiber. Wicker used the fiber of various plants to make certain pieces. This fiber can be sourced from various plants, such as bamboo, cane, rattan stalks and/or palms. At times, the fiber may even be plastic or resin. It may even be a combination of plastic, resin and/or natural fibers.

Cane is a grass in the Poaceae family of grass. It mainly belongs to two genera in the Poaceae family: Arundo and Arundinaria. Arundo is indigenous to the region between the Mediterranean and the Far East, while Arundinaria is native to the Americas.

Cane has a flexible, woody stalk and it commonly grows in large riparian stands known as canebrakes. Cane has been used for ages specifically by tribes. However, the popularity of cane and its functionality has grown and cane is now commonly used to make furniture, boats, roofs, tools, walking sticks, crutches, judicial canes, and/or school canes. Cane is also often used to make ornaments, such as baskets and decorative bowls. Cane is able to accept stains and paint well, which allows for variations is the furniture and other pieces made from it.

The term ‘cane’ may also be used to describe furniture made of wicker. While, some forms of cane are also used as biofuel as they are easy to grow and can be replenished.

Wicker, on the other hand, refers to the process through which cane furniture is made. It may also be commonly used to refer to pieces made from a woven fiber. Wicker used the fiber of various plants to make certain pieces. This fiber can be sourced from various plants, such as bamboo, cane, rattan stalks and/or palms. At times, the fiber may even be plastic or resin. It may even be a combination of plastic, resin and/or natural fibers.

Wicker is known to be light and sturdy, as well as for its strength and durability.  This makes it well suitable for light-weight furniture, especially porch and patio furniture which may be required to be moved often. In indoor furniture, the frame is often made of stiffer materials, after which the fibers are woven around it.

Wicker is also often used to make ornamental pieces such as baskets. In fact, wicker pieces have been dated as back as ancient Egypt. At the time, the wicker pieces used fibers from local reed and swamp grasses.

Even thought wicker is sturdy and durable, it does require maintenance in order to be long lasting. It is susceptible to rot and mildew if it is constantly in contact with water. 

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