Methods for the transformation of sugar cane are provided. The methods comprise utilizing sugar cane immature shoots as the source of plant material for transformation. Segments of the immature shoot are excised and transformed by any suitable transformation methodology. In some embodiments, the segments are cultured in embryogenic culture induction medium prior to transformation. Transformation can be performed via Agrobacterium-mediated gene delivery, biolistic transformation, and the like. Transgenic plants are regenerated from plantlets grown under conditions favoring growth of transformed cells while substantially inhibiting growth of non-transformed cells.