Complete Cannabis Growing Guide

Everything you need to know to successfully cultivate cannabis at home.

Why Grow Your Own?

Growing cannabis at home gives you complete control over the quality and strain of your medicine. You'll know exactly what went into growing your plants - no pesticides, chemicals, or surprises. Whether you need cannabis for pain relief, anxiety management, or better sleep, growing your own ensures consistent access.

Home cultivation is cost-effective, sustainable, and rewarding. Whether you're growing for medicinal purposes or personal use, this guide will help you succeed. Check our beginner's growing tutorial for even more detailed instructions.

Legal Note: Check your local laws before growing. Regulations vary by location.

Cannabis garden

7 Stages of Cannabis Growth

1

Choosing Seeds or Clones

Start with quality genetics. Choose between seeds (more variety) or clones (consistent genetics). Consider whether you want regular, feminized, or autoflowering seeds. Our Best Cannabis Strains for Medical Use guide can help you select the right genetics for your health needs.

  • • Feminized seeds: Guaranteed female plants (only females produce buds)
  • • Autoflowering: Easier for beginners, flower automatically
  • • Regular seeds: Male and female, requires sexing plants
  • • Clones: Genetic copies of mother plant, faster start
2

Germination (3-10 Days)

Germination is when your seed sprouts a taproot. Keep seeds warm, dark, and moist.

  • • Place seeds in moist paper towel between two plates
  • • Keep at 70-85°F (21-29°C)
  • • Check daily for moisture and taproot
  • • Plant when taproot is 1/4 to 1/2 inch long
3

Seedling Stage (2-3 Weeks)

Your plant develops its first true leaves. Handle with care - seedlings are delicate!

  • • Light: 16-18 hours per day
  • • Temperature: 68-77°F (20-25°C)
  • • Humidity: 65-80%
  • • Water sparingly - overwatering is common mistake
  • • Use gentle nutrients (1/4 strength)
4

Vegetative Stage (3-16 Weeks)

Rapid growth phase. Your plant develops strong stems, branches, and leaves.

  • • Light: 18 hours on, 6 hours off
  • • Temperature: 70-85°F (21-29°C)
  • • Humidity: 40-70%
  • • Increase watering as plant grows
  • • Feed nitrogen-rich nutrients
  • • Begin training techniques (topping, LST)
5

Pre-Flowering (1-2 Weeks)

Transition period when you switch light schedule. Plant shows its sex during this stage.

  • • Switch to 12/12 light schedule (12 hours on, 12 off)
  • • Remove male plants if growing regular seeds
  • • Females show white pistils at nodes
  • • Begin transition to bloom nutrients
6

Flowering Stage (8-12 Weeks)

Buds develop and mature. This is the most exciting phase!

  • • Maintain 12/12 light schedule strictly
  • • Temperature: 65-80°F (18-26°C)
  • • Humidity: 40-50% (reduce to prevent mold)
  • • Feed bloom nutrients (high phosphorus & potassium)
  • • Watch for pests and mold
  • • Monitor trichomes for harvest timing
7

Harvesting & Curing

Proper harvesting and curing dramatically affects quality, potency, and flavor.

  • • Harvest when trichomes are milky/cloudy
  • • Cut branches and hang in dark, cool space
  • • Dry for 7-14 days (stems should snap)
  • • Trim buds and place in sealed jars
  • • Cure for minimum 2-4 weeks, burping jars daily
  • • Longer cure = smoother, better flavor

Essential Equipment

Lighting

Most important investment for indoor growing.

  • • LED: Energy efficient, low heat
  • • HPS: High intensity, proven results
  • • CFL: Budget option for small grows

Growing Medium

What your plants grow in.

  • • Soil: Easiest for beginners
  • • Coco coir: Hydro-like, forgiving
  • • Hydroponics: Faster growth, advanced

Nutrients

Feed your plants properly.

  • • Vegetative: High nitrogen
  • • Flowering: High phosphorus/potassium
  • • pH tester: Critical for nutrient uptake

Ventilation

Keep air fresh and temperature stable.

  • • Exhaust fan: Remove hot air
  • • Intake fan: Bring fresh air
  • • Carbon filter: Control odor

Growing Container

Choose the right pot size.

  • • Fabric pots: Better drainage
  • • 3-5 gallon for small plants
  • • 5-10 gallon for larger plants

Monitoring Tools

Track your environment.

  • • Thermometer & hygrometer
  • • pH meter
  • • TDS/EC meter for nutrients

Common Beginner Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Overwatering

Most common mistake. Let soil dry between waterings. Root rot kills plants fast.

❌ Nutrient Burn

Start with low doses. It's easier to add nutrients than remove them. "Less is more."

❌ Light Stress

Too close = burns. Too far = stretching. Follow manufacturer's distance recommendations.

❌ Poor pH Levels

Cannabis needs 6.0-7.0 pH in soil. Wrong pH = nutrient lockout even with feeding.

❌ Harvesting Too Early

Patience pays off. Check trichomes with magnifier. Milky/cloudy = ready.

❌ Skipping Cure

Proper curing is essential. Don't rush after waiting months. Cure minimum 2 weeks.

Pro Tips for Success

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Keep a grow journal. Document everything - you'll learn what works for your setup.

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Start small. Perfect growing 1-2 plants before scaling up.

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Join growing communities online. Learn from experienced growers.

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Be patient. Good cannabis takes time. Don't rush the process.

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Cleanliness matters. Keep your grow space clean to prevent pests and disease.