How Long Does it Take to Grow Cannabis?

For indoor growers, the cycle from germination to harvest typically takes 16 to 20 weeks. However, this duration can vary depending on several factors, including the specific strain being cultivated and the prevailing growing conditions, such as temperature, humidity, and lighting exposure. In contrast, outdoor harvest times are primarily influenced by seasonal changes and usually take about three to four months after planting, depending on local weather conditions.

Autoflowering cannabis varieties tend to mature more quickly than their photoperiod-dependent counterparts, typically completing their entire growth cycle within 55 to 90 days. This characteristic not only accelerates the cultivation process but also offers growers greater flexibility in planning harvests, making autoflowering strains an attractive option for outdoor cultivation in temperate climates and for low-maintenance cultivation indoors.

Example of a topped cannabis plant.

So, whether you’re a budding novice or an experienced grower, understanding these nuances is fundamental. Let’s get ready to learn more about each stage of feminized seeds.

The Plant’s Lifecycle

Germination (3-10 days)

The germination stage marks the beginning of a new cannabis plant’s life, typically lasting 3 to 10 days. During this initial phase, maintaining seeds between two moist towels activates enzymes essential for metabolic processes, kickstarting growth. Proper temperature and darkness are vital, as they prevent premature photosynthesis and foster healthy enzymatic activity and cellular development, laying a strong foundation for vigorous plant growth.

Cannabis seeds come alive as they begin to imbibe water. This rapid absorption causes the seed to swell dramatically, exerting pressure on its cell walls until the seed coat finally cracks open. The first sign of growth is the emergence of the taproot, which eagerly grows downward into the surrounding medium. This essential root anchors the young seedling securely and kick-starts the process of absorbing water and macronutrients.

Seedling (2-4 weeks)

The seedling stage lasts about 2 to 4 weeks and helps establish a robust root zone. During this period, the plant develops its initial roots, which anchor it and facilitate the uptake of water and nutrients. Monitoring environmental parameters is fundamental, and ensuring plants receive 16 hours of light and 8 hours of darkness, with temperatures between 20-25°C (68-77°F), humidity around 65-70%, and adequate air circulation to promote vigorous development is indispensable.

Blueberry muffin cannabis seedling stage.

The time required for seedlings to grow varies depending on whether they’re grown indoors or outdoors. Indoor seedlings take a few weeks to establish and benefit from controlled environmental conditions. By contrast, outdoor seedlings may take longer to root due to unpredictable weather and often require several weeks to a month to mature properly. So having a basic understanding of these timeframes helps you plan your harvests accordingly.

Vegetation (4-8 weeks)

The vegetative stage is fundamental for structural development. During this phase, which lasts about 4 to 8 weeks (depending on the strain and growers’ preferences), plants flourish under 18 hours of light and 6 hours of darkness, focusing on developing strong roots, thick stems, and abundant foliage, along with gaining substantial height. Healthy vegetative growth ensures the plant’s ability to produce abundant bud sites, laying the foundation for a successful harvest.

Cannabis veg stage example.

In larger commercial operations, the vegetative stage typically lasts approximately 21 days, during which plants undergo rapid, vigorous growth under high-intensity lighting. In contrast, home cultivators using smaller tents often experience a shorter vegetative phase, usually lasting only a week or two. However, this duration ultimately depends on the desired plant size, as plants can potentially double in height within the first few weeks after transitioning to flowering.

Flowering (8-12 weeks)

The flowering stage occurs when plants receive less than 12 hours of light per day. It begins with an initial stretching phase, during which plants elongate in response to hormonal changes. During this stage, the plant’s sex becomes apparent; any males that develop sacs must be removed, while females form pre-flowers. This is followed by a rapid period of bud development during weeks 4 and 5, when the flowers become more pronounced and densely packed.

Ben Lind smelling the flowers.

Throughout California, the flowering period for cannabis differs between indoor and outdoor cultivation. Indoor cultivation typically allows for expedited flowering, as growers can manipulate light intensity and environmental conditions to shorten the flowering phase, which generally lasts between 7 and 9 weeks. By contrast, outdoor plants are subject to local climate conditions, with flowering often extending from 8 to 12 weeks, depending on weather and geographic location. 

Harvesting and Drying (2-4 weeks)

The final phase of the cultivation cycle is to harvest the mature buds. Timing is crucial and requires examining the trichomes, which should be mostly milky white with some amber hues. Additionally, the pistils should have changed from white to dark brown. Once the peak harvest time is identified, the whole cannabis plant can be cut down just above the base and moved to a dark, cool space with humidity around 45-55% to preserve volatile terpenes and cannabinoids.

Cannabis plants hang-drying before curing.

The drying process involves hanging the harvested plant upside down for approximately 5 to 7 days to remove moisture, preserve terpene profiles, and stabilize cannabinoids. During this phase, large fan leaves are carefully removed to improve airflow around the buds, while minimal trimming is performed to protect the delicate trichomes. When space is limited, individual branches may be hung using natural hooks clipped from the apical mainstem and branches. 

Curing and Trimming your Buds (4-13 weeks)

The trimming process for cannabis buds involves carefully removing the excess leaves and small stems to improve appearance and potency. For larger operations, this can be quite time-consuming, requiring lots of patience and effort. However, for home growers with only a few plants, trimming is generally quicker and more manageable. Proper trimming enhances the quality of the final product, ensuring it looks aesthetically pleasing and is ready for consumption!

Grove Bags glass-less curing option.

The curing process involves storing your buds in airtight sealed containers to regulate humidity. When using sealed containers, ‘burping’ facilitates the release of residual moisture, helping to preserve terpenoids and cannabinoids. The optimal storage conditions are a cool, dark environment at 15-21°C (60-70°F), away from heat, light, and humidity, which can degrade cannabinoid and terpene profiles. The curing process typically spans one to three months; it’s almost like a fine wine.

Humidity Packs offer a convenient and reliable solution for maintaining the freshness of your cannabis, but they wont fix issues with improperly dried or cured cannabis. Simply place a humidity pack, such as Boveda, inside your glass storage container, and it will automatically help maintain a relative humidity of approximately 58% or 62%. 

FAQ

How long does cannabis take to grow?

The cultivation process from seed to harvest spans approximately 3 to 5 months. The vegetative growth phase lasts around 4 weeks; after this, the flowering stage lasts 8 to 12 weeks, and your plant is ready for harvest.

What’s considered fast-growing for a cannabis plant?

A cannabis plant is classified as fast-growing if it finishes flowering in approximately three to four months. Typically, it has a flowering period of 45 to 50 days.

Can you speed up a cannabis plant’s growth?

Yes, you can speed up a cannabis plant’s growth by optimizing light cycles, providing adequate nutrients, ensuring proper watering, controlling temperature, and humidity. However, you can not speed up quality.

Do cannabis genetics affect growth speed?

Yes, cannabis genetics significantly influence growth speed. Different strains exhibit varying growth patterns and flowering times, which ultimately impact how quickly they reach maturity. Autoflower varieties typically mature in less time than photoperiod.

What happens when you let cannabis grow for too long?

When cannabis plants grow excessively for extended periods of time, it can result in reduced potency, self-production within the buds, harsher smoke, and decreased yields.