Cannabis grows much like other warm-season garden crops, such as tomatoes—but timing and plant type matter more than with most backyard plants. Knowing when and where to start is the key to success.
In most climates, seeds are started in late winter or early spring, with harvest in late summer or fall.
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Planting
When to Plant Cannabis
Most beginners plant outdoors as it’s easier and less expensive. Cannabis can also be grown indoors to better control light, temperature, and humidity.
- If sowing seeds outdoors, plant after your last frost when nighttime temperatures stay above 55°F (13°C). In northern regions, this is typically late spring; in warmer southern climates, planting may begin earlier.
- For indoor growers, you can start seeds any time of year, as long as you provide consistent light and temperature.
You may also start indoors, then transplant outside. Plant to start 4 to 6 weeks before your last frost date.
Where to Plant Outdoors
Choose a location with full sun (at least 6 hours daily), well-draining soil, and good airflow. A warm, sheltered spot protected from strong winds is ideal.
Cannabis grows best in loose, loamy soil. If your soil is poor, improve it with compost or other organic matter. Learn more about preparing garden soil.
If you don’t have suitable soil or space, cannabis also grows well in containers using a high-quality potting mix.
Starting Cannabis Seeds
Cannabis seeds can be started in two ways: by sprouting them first, or by planting them directly into soil.
Tip: Choose seeds from a reputable supplier to ensure good germination and plant quality.
It helps to soak cannabis seeds, especially if growing indoors. There are two methods:
- Soak in water: Place seeds in warm water until a small root appears.
- Paper towel method: Wrap seeds in a damp paper towel and keep them in a warm, dark place until they sprout.
Handle sprouted seeds carefully—the root is delicate. Use tweezers if needed to avoid damage.
How to Plant Cannabis Seeds
Outdoor planting:
- If planting a sprouted seed, place it taproot-down about 1 to 2 cm deep.
- If planting a dry seed, plant at the same depth and keep the soil consistently moist until it sprouts.
Indoor planting:
- Use a container with drainage holes. Start seeds in a small pot (about 4 to 6 inches wide), then move to a larger container as the plant grows. Most plants finish well in a 3- to 5-gallon pot.
- Fill with a light, well-draining potting mix. A quality organic potting soil for vegetables works well. Avoid heavy garden soil, which can compact and hold too much water.
- Plant seeds or sprouted seeds about 1 to 2 cm deep.
Spacing
Cannabis plants need plenty of space to grow and allow for good airflow, which helps prevent mold and disease.
- Outdoors: Space plants about 3 to 6 feet apart, depending on the expected size of the plant. Larger varieties need more room.
- In containers: Leave space between pots so plants are not crowded and air can circulate freely.
Good spacing is important—crowded plants compete for light and are more prone to pests and mold.
Growing
Cannabis is grown for its flower—similar to how gardeners grow hops for their cone-like blooms. Like all flowering plants, cannabis moves through four life stages, and what you do at each stage determines your success.
Indoor Grow Lights (Beginner Basics)
If you’re growing cannabis indoors, your grow light replaces the Sun—so it needs to be set up correctly from the start.
For beginners, a full-spectrum LED grow light is the easiest option. One light can support your plant through its entire life cycle.
Grow lights can be adjusted for light intensity (measured as PPFD). In simple terms:
- Low intensity: about 100–300 µmol/m²/s (seedlings)
- Medium intensity: about 400–600 µmol/m²/s (vegetative growth)
- High intensity: about 600–1000 µmol/m²/s (flowering)
Most beginner LED lights are designed to provide the right intensity when placed at the recommended height above your plants.
Use this chart as a quick reference, then follow the stage-by-stage guidelines below for more detail.
| Stage | Light (Hours & Intensity) | Temperature | Humidity | Nutrients (NPK) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Germination | No light needed | 70°–85°F (21°–28°C) | 70–90% | None | Temperature and moisture are most important. |
| Seedling | 18 hrs Low intensity (100–300 µmol/m²/s) | 74°–78°F (23°–26°C) | 60–80% | None (soil) or 3:1:1 diluted | Keep humidity high; avoid strong light. |
| Vegetative | 18 hrs Medium intensity (400–600 µmol/m²/s) | 70°–85°F (21°–28°C) | 55–70% | 3:1:2 | Prune and monitor for pests and deficiencies. |
| Flowering | 12 hrs High intensity (600–1000 µmol/m²/s) | 65°–80°F (18°–27°C) | 35–55% | Early: 1:3:2 Late: 0:3:3 | Watch for mold; support and manage plant structure. |
1. Germination Stage (1 to 10 Days)
This stage begins as the seed sprouts. Warmth and moisture are most important.
Outdoors
- Watering: Keep soil moist. Water gently with a light spray or watering can so you don’t disturb the seed.
Growing Indoors
- Watering. Containers need to be watered more often. Check by sticking your finger about 1 inch into the soil. If it’s dry, water! Take care not to waterlog or overwater.
- Light: No light is needed until seeds sprout.
- Temperature: Keep between 70° and 85°F (21°and 29°C).
- Humidity: Seedlings need high humidity indoors (70 to 90%). Use a humidity dome or plastic cover until true leaves appear.
2. Seedling Stage (2 to 3 Weeks)
The seedling stage begins when the cotyledons (first round leaves) emerge. This is a delicate stage. Keep conditions steady—consistent moisture, gentle light, and high humidity.
Outdoors
- Light: Natural sunlight allows your seedlings to reach their full potential. Gentle light is best at this stage. A row cover will ensure seedlings get partial sun or indirect light.
- Protection: Your row cover will also protect young seedlings from the cold and wind, while maintaining humidity. If the Sun is intense, a shade cloth can shield them.
Indoors
- Light: Provide about 18 hours of light daily using a full-spectrum grow light. Use low-intensity light, keeping lights about 24 to 30 inches above your plants. Gentle light prevents stress and burning.
- Temperature: Maintain between 74° and 78°F (23° to 26° C).
- Humidity: Maintain 60 to 80% humidity with a humidifier.
The seedling stage lasts about 2 to 3 weeks. Once the plant develops several sets of serrated leaves, it enters the vegetative stage.
3. Vegetative Stage (3 to 15 Weeks)
During the vegetative stage, your cannabis plants develop multiple sets of serrated “true” leaves and require increased nutrients and light intensity.
Outdoors
- Nutrients: Your plans now need the fertilizer. Look for a general plant fertilizer with a nutrient ratio of 3:1:2 (NPK). Follow instructions. Nitrogen-rich amendments, such as fish emulsion, are also beneficial.
- Light: Your plants can now need full sun exposure.
- Water: Water deeply, and when the top inch starts to dry, water deeply again.
Indoors
Nutrients: For indoor growing, many nutrient companies offer formulations tailored for the vegetative stage. As with outdoors, look for an NPK ratio of 3:1:2.
Watering: Give plants plenty of water (about a liter daily).
Light: Provide about 18 hours of light daily. Use medium intensity, lowing lights to 18 to 24 inches above plants. This encourages strong stems and leafy growth.
If transplanting seedlings outside, wait until 3 to 4 weeks before the summer solstice or you will trigger early flowering. Don’t forget to harden them off over 7 to 10 days by gradually increasing sun exposure each day.
Pruning and Training:
- Pruning: Encourages branching and more flowering sites.
- Selective leaf removal: Improves airflow and light penetration. Avoid removing too many leaves; larger fan leaves are vital for energy production.
4. Flowering Stage (6 to 8 Weeks)
This is when plants produce buds (flowers). Flowering require a decrease in light hours.
Outdoors
- Light: Flowering begins naturally as daylight decreases in late summer (August to September)
- Watering: Continue deep watering, allowing soil to dry slightly between watering. Avoid getting buds wet, which can lead to mold.
- Nutrients: Cut back on nitrogen now to give flowers a PK boost (phosphorus and potassium). The NPK ratio should be 1:3:2. Use organic options like kelp meal and bat guano.
Indoors
Light: Reduce to 12 hours of light and 12 hours of uninterrupted darkness daily. Use high-intensity light, keeping grow lights about 12 to 18 inches above plants to maximize bud development.
Note: Autoflower types begin flowering based on age not light, at around 5 to 6 weeks.
If plants look stretched and thin, they need more light. If leaves look bleached or curled, the light may be too strong or too close.
- Nutrients: You can find bottled “grow” and “bloom” to apply every 1 to 2 weeks.
Outdoors, mulching helps retain moisture, and adding silica can strengthen plants against stress. Shade cloth or frost cloth can protect plants from extreme conditions.
Some lower leaves may yellow late in the season—this is normal as the plant directs energy into flower production.
Harvesting
Harvesting is the most important step in growing cannabis. Timing matters—harvest too early or too late, and quality can suffer.
When to Harvest
Cannabis is usually ready to harvest in late summer or fall. The best way to tell is by watching the plant’s trichomes—tiny, crystal-like structures on the buds.
Use a magnifying glass or jeweler’s loupe to check them:
- Clear: Not ready
- Milky white: Peak potency
- Amber: More mature
Most growers harvest when trichomes are mostly cloudy with some turning amber.
Check plants daily as they near maturity—timing has the biggest impact on final quality.
Credits: Paciaroni/Cavan Images; Yarygin/Gleti/Clinton from Getty Images.
How to Harvest
Most gardeners harvest the entire plant at once. Using clean gardening shears, cut the main stalk close to the soil level, keeping the buds attached to the stems. This works best for smaller plants.
Some gardeners harvest in stages, since buds at the top of the plant often mature first. In this case, cut individual branches where they meet the main stem, leaving a slight angle to make drying easier.
After cutting, trim off the larger leaves. Many beginners find it easier to trim now (called a “wet trim”), while the leaves are still visible. Try not to handle the buds too much.
Tip: Wear gardening gloves—shears can become sticky. Clean them with a cloth and a little isopropyl alcohol to keep them working smoothly.
Drying Cannabis
After harvesting, hang the plants upside down from a clothesline, hanger, or drying rack. This allows wetness to drain evenly from the plant.
Place them in a dark area with good airflow—such as a closet, shed, or spare room. You can use a small fan to keep air moving, but avoid blowing directly on the plants.
- Temperature: 60°–70°F (15°–21°C)
- Humidity: 50–60%
Drying usually takes 5 to 14 days. The plant is ready when stems snap cleanly instead of bending.
Curing Cannabis
Once the plant is dry, remove the buds from the stems. The buds should separate easily—like a ripe tomato coming off the vine. If fibers still stretch, the plant needs more drying time.
Place the buds loosely in airtight glass jars, leaving about an inch of space at the top so air can circulate. Do not pack them tightly—good airflow helps prevent mold.
If using glass jars, you’ll need to manage humidity. For beginners, adding a small humidity pack can help maintain the ideal range. Another option is to use a hygrometer to keep humidity around 55–65%.
For the first week, open the jars once a day to release moisture (called “burping”). After that, open every few days for 2 to 3 weeks.
Storing Cannabis
Store finished cannabis in airtight containers in a cool, dark place. Properly stored, it can maintain quality for up to a year or more.
Types
Types of Cannabis (and Which to Choose)
Choosing the right type of cannabis is one of the most important decisions for beginners. Some plants are easier to grow, faster to harvest, or better suited to small spaces. <
Types of Seeds
There are three main types of cannabis seeds, and this choice matters more than anything else for beginners.
- Autoflowering Seeds: The easiest option for beginners. These plants flower automatically based on age (not light) and finish in about 8 to 10 weeks. They stay smaller and are great for containers or limited space.
- Feminized Seeds: Produce almost entirely female plants, which are the ones that grow buds. This avoids the need to identify and remove male plants.
- Regular Seeds: Produce a mix of male and female plants. Male plants must be removed to prevent pollination, so these are better suited to experienced growers.
Which Should Beginners Choose?
For most beginners, autoflowering or feminized seeds are the best choice.
- Choose autoflowering if you want a fast, simple grow with minimal effort.
- Choose feminized if you want more control and larger plants, but still want to avoid dealing with male plants.
Indica vs. Sativa vs. Hybrid
Cannabis is often labeled as indica, sativa, or hybrid, though most modern plants are hybrids. For beginners, plant size and flowering time matter more than these labels.
For beginners, plant size and flowering time are more important than strain names.
Male vs. Female Plants
Only female plants produce buds. If using regular seeds, you’ll need to remove male plants to prevent pollination. Feminized and autoflowering seeds avoid this step entirely.
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