How to Grow Cannabis From Seed: A Beginner’s Guide

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 the five main stages of growing cannabis: germination, the seedling stage, vegetative growth, flowering, and harvest. 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.

If you experience germination issues during this process, please contact us and we will be happy to help.

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. A longer vegetative period can produce a larger plant, but it does not automatically guarantee a larger yield.

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. Consider the overall health of the plant before assuming that yellowing is normal.

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. Pistils changing from white to orange or brown can provide an additional clue, but pistil colour should not be the only way to decide when to harvest.

Estimated time: Flowering commonly takes approximately 6 to 12 weeks or longer, depending on the cannabis strain and growing conditions. Use the flowering time provided for your specific strain as a guide rather than an exact deadline.

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. Smaller stems may snap rather than bend when the buds are sufficiently dry, but this should be used only as a general indication.

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.

If the buds feel excessively damp or develop an unusual smell, remove them from the jars temporarily and allow them to dry further. Never ignore signs of mould.

Humidity packs designed for cannabis storage can help maintain a more stable humidity level during curing. Many growers aim for approximately 58% to 62% relative humidity inside curing jars.

With suitable grow lights, a quality growing medium, careful watering, good airflow, and consistent attention, beginners can grow cannabis from seed through harvest. Avoid overwatering and overfeeding, and keep humidity under control, especially in small or poorly ventilated growing spaces.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions About Growing Cannabis