Start growing in 5 easy steps
Start Growing in 5 Easy Steps
How to Grow Cannabis From Seed to Harvest: A Beginner's Guide
Growing cannabis from seed to harvest involves five main stages: germination (1–7 days), the seedling stage (1–2 weeks), vegetative growth (3–9 weeks), flowering (6–12 weeks), and harvest, drying, and curing. From seed to harvest, most cannabis plants take between 10 and 26 weeks depending on the strain and growing conditions.
Growing cannabis can be a rewarding hobby when it is legal in your area. With basic equipment and consistent care, you can grow healthy plants from seed through harvest. Cannabis plants need the right balance of warmth, water, light, airflow, nutrients, and attention.
In this beginner-friendly guide, we explain each of the five stages in detail. Always check the laws and regulations that apply in your location before growing cannabis.
Step 1. Germinating Your Cannabis Seeds
The cannabis life cycle begins with germination. During this stage, the seed absorbs moisture and produces its first root, called the taproot. The paper towel method is a simple and cost-effective way to germinate cannabis seeds at home.
Place a clean, damp paper towel on a plate or inside a container. The paper towel should be moist but not dripping wet. Place the seeds on the paper towel with enough space between them to prevent the roots from becoming tangled. Cover the seeds with another damp paper towel and cover the container loosely to help retain moisture while allowing some airflow.
Keep the seeds in a warm, dark location. Avoid placing them directly next to a strong heat source, as excessive heat can dry out or damage the seeds. Check the seeds every day and keep the paper towel moist.
When you see a small white taproot, the seed is ready to be planted. You do not need to wait for the first leaves to appear before moving the seed into soil or another growing medium.
Estimated time: Cannabis seeds often germinate within 24 to 72 hours. Some seeds may take up to one week, depending on their age, genetics, and storage conditions.
Step 2. Planting Your Cannabis Seedling
Once the taproot has emerged, it is time to plant your germinated cannabis seed. Prepare a clean pot with a light, well-draining potting mix suitable for seedlings. Moisten the growing medium before planting, but avoid making it soaking wet.
Make a small hole approximately 0.5 to 1 inch deep in the centre of the pot. Carefully handle the seed by its shell and avoid touching or bending the taproot. Place the seed in the hole with the taproot pointing downward, then lightly cover it with soil.
Give the seedling gentle light and water carefully. Young seedlings have small root systems, so overwatering is one of the most common beginner mistakes. Keep the growing medium lightly moist rather than constantly saturated.
Estimated time: The seedling stage usually lasts 1 to 2 weeks. During this time, the plant develops its first true leaves and begins establishing a healthy root system.
Step 3. Vegetative Growth Phase
During the vegetative stage, cannabis plants grow leaves, branches, roots, and a stronger main stem. This is the phase when the plant develops the structure it needs to support flowers later in its life cycle.
For indoor photoperiod cannabis plants, growers commonly use approximately 18 hours of light and 6 hours of darkness each day during the vegetative stage. Autoflowering cannabis plants are different: they generally begin flowering according to age and genetics rather than requiring a change to a 12-hour light cycle.
Water your plant when the growing medium begins to dry out. Avoid following a strict daily watering schedule, because water requirements depend on the plant's size, pot, growing medium, temperature, humidity, and airflow.
If you use nutrients, start carefully and follow the manufacturer's instructions. Overfeeding can cause nutrient burn and may damage the plant. A gentle, indirect breeze can improve airflow, strengthen stems, and help reduce excess humidity around the leaves.
Estimated time: The vegetative stage can last approximately 3 to 9 weeks or longer, depending on the strain, available space, growing method, and desired plant size.
Step 4. Flowering Stage
The flowering stage is when cannabis plants begin producing flowers. For indoor photoperiod plants, flowering is typically initiated by changing the light schedule to 12 hours of light and 12 uninterrupted hours of darkness each day. Try to prevent light leaks during the dark period, as they can stress photoperiod plants.
Autoflowering cannabis plants usually enter the flowering stage according to their age and genetics, so they do not require a change to a 12/12 light schedule.
As flowering progresses, the buds become larger and denser, and resin-producing trichomes develop across the flowers. The plant may also stretch during the first few weeks of flowering. Ensure that it has enough space, support, light, and airflow.
Continue to monitor watering and humidity carefully. Yellowing of a few lower leaves can occur naturally later in flowering, but yellow leaves can also indicate watering, nutrient, pH, or environmental problems.
Harvest readiness is best assessed by examining the trichomes with a magnifying glass or jeweller's loupe. Clear trichomes generally indicate that the plant is still developing. Mostly milky trichomes with some amber trichomes are commonly used as a general harvest indicator.
Estimated time: Flowering commonly takes approximately 6 to 12 weeks or longer, depending on the cannabis strain and growing conditions.
Step 5. Harvesting, Drying, and Curing Cannabis
When the trichomes have reached the maturity you prefer, it is time to harvest. Cut the plant or individual branches and remove the larger fan leaves. You can trim the buds before drying or complete most of the trimming after the buds have dried.
Hang the branches or place the trimmed buds on drying racks in a dark area with gentle airflow. Avoid direct heat and avoid pointing a strong fan directly at the buds. Controlled drying helps preserve aroma and quality while reducing the risk of mould.
Estimated drying time: Cannabis commonly takes approximately 7 to 14 days to dry, depending on bud size, temperature, humidity, and airflow.
After drying, curing can help improve the aroma, flavour, and smoothness of the finished buds. Place the dried buds loosely into clean, airtight glass jars. Fill each jar to approximately 70 to 80% capacity, leaving enough room for air circulation without compressing the buds.
Store the jars in a cool, dark location. During the first week, open the jars once or twice a day for a short period to release excess moisture and exchange the air. After the first week, reduce the frequency of opening the jars and continue checking the buds regularly.
Essential Cannabis Growing Equipment for Beginners
If you enjoyed growing your first cannabis plant and want to improve your growing environment, consider adding the following equipment:
- Thermometers and hygrometers to monitor temperature and humidity in your grow space.
- Quality nutrients designed for the vegetative and flowering stages.
- Reliable grow lights with timers for a consistent light schedule.
- A dedicated growing space, such as a grow tent, to help control light, airflow, temperature, and humidity.
- A fan to improve airflow, strengthen stems, and reduce the risk of stagnant, humid air.
- A humidifier or dehumidifier to help maintain a suitable humidity level when necessary.
- A carbon filter to help manage odour in an indoor growing space.
- Clean pruning scissors for plant maintenance and harvesting.
- Humidity packs to help maintain stable conditions while curing cannabis in jars.
Looking for the right seeds to start with? Browse our cannabis seed collection or explore our beginner-friendly starter packs.
Cannabis Growing FAQ
What seeds should a beginner choose?
Beginners often do well with autoflowering or feminized seeds. Autoflowering seeds flower automatically based on age and are generally more forgiving of minor environmental variations. Feminized seeds produce female plants and remove the need to identify and remove male plants. Starter packs from Nirvana Shop offer a simple way to compare two varieties in one order.
What equipment do I need to start growing cannabis indoors?
A basic indoor setup includes a grow tent or enclosed space, a suitable LED or HID light, a timer for the light cycle, small fans for airflow, a thermometer and hygrometer, pots with drainage, a growing medium such as soil, and basic nutrients. Starting simple and adding equipment as needed is usually better than overcomplicating a first grow.
How do I germinate cannabis seeds?
The most common method is to place seeds between two damp paper towels on a plate, cover them, and keep them in a warm dark location at around 21 to 26 degrees Celsius. Most seeds produce a taproot within 24 to 72 hours. See our germination guide for full instructions on three reliable methods.
How long is the vegetative stage?
For photoperiod plants, the vegetative stage lasts as long as you provide more than 12 hours of light per day, typically 18 hours indoors. Most growers veg for 4 to 8 weeks, depending on the desired plant size. Autoflowering plants have a fixed vegetative period of around 3 to 5 weeks regardless of light schedule.
When should I switch to flowering?
For indoor photoperiod plants, switch to a 12/12 light schedule when the plant has reached roughly half its desired final height, since most plants will double in size during the flowering stretch. Autoflowering plants switch automatically and do not require a change in light schedule.
How much water do cannabis plants need?
Water when the top few centimetres of soil feel dry, or when the pot feels noticeably lighter than after watering. Overwatering is one of the most common beginner mistakes. Cannabis roots need oxygen as well as water, and consistently waterlogged soil prevents healthy root development.
What nutrients do cannabis plants need?
Cannabis plants need three primary macronutrients: nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. During the vegetative stage, higher nitrogen levels support leaf and stem growth. During flowering, phosphorus and potassium become more important. Many beginner-friendly nutrient lines are formulated for each growth stage and include feeding schedules.
How do I know when my plants are ready to harvest?
Examine the trichomes on your flowers using a jeweller's loupe or digital microscope. Clear trichomes indicate the plant is not yet ready. Milky white trichomes suggest peak development. Amber trichomes indicate the plant is beginning to degrade. Most growers harvest when trichomes are mostly milky with a small percentage of amber.
How long does drying and curing take?
Drying typically takes 7 to 14 days in a cool, dark space with good airflow at around 60 percent relative humidity. After drying, flowers are placed in sealed jars for curing. Curing takes a minimum of 2 to 4 weeks, with most growers aiming for 6 to 8 weeks or more for best results.
Is growing cannabis legal?
Cannabis cultivation laws vary significantly by country, state, and locality. Always check the laws that apply in your specific location before purchasing seeds, germinating, or growing. Nirvana Shop advises all customers to review applicable local rules before ordering.
