How to Grow Cannabis from Seeds: A Step-by-Step Guide

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Starting your cannabis garden from seed can be both rewarding and educational. Compared to clones, seeds give you access to more variety and a clean slate. Below is a clear step-by-step path for growing cannabis from seeds, from choosing the right ones to harvest.

Step 1: Decide Between Seeds or Clones

Before anything else, choose your starting point.

  • Seeds are more accessible and offer genetic variety. They’re also free from pests and diseases, making them ideal for beginners.
  • Clones are cuttings from mature plants and produce identical results; however, they may carry inherited problems, such as mold or pests.

For home growers, especially those just starting out, seeds are usually the best choice.

Step 2: Choose the Right Type of Seed

There are different seed types, and each one affects your grow in unique ways.

  • Regular Seeds: These produce both male and female plants. You’ll need to identify and remove males early to avoid pollination.
  • Feminized Seeds: Engineered to produce only female plants, making it easier to focus on growing buds without worrying about males.
  • Hermaphroditic Plants: Can appear when plants are stressed (light leaks, temperature swings) and may pollinate themselves—something you want to avoid.

Tip: Go for feminized seeds if you’re growing for bud production only and don’t want to manage male plants.

Step 3: Understand How Feminized Seeds Are Made

Feminized seeds are produced by forcing female plants to make pollen. This is done using:

  • Colloidal silver or gibberellic acid to trigger pollen sacs
  • Rodelization, which involves stressing a female plant past its prime to cause self-pollination

Note: These seeds are not suitable for breeding due to their lack of genetic diversity.

Step 4: Germinate Your Seeds

Germination is the first real step in growing. Here’s how:

  1. Place seeds between moist paper towels or directly in a starter cube.
  2. Keep them in a warm, dark place (around 20–25°C or 68–77°F).
  3. Wait 1–7 days for the seed to crack and a small root (taproot) to appear.

Once the taproot emerges, your seed is ready to plant.

Step 5: Move to Seedling Stage

  • Gently plant the germinated seed into soil or a growing medium, root-side down.
  • Provide soft lighting (18–24 hours per day if indoors).
  • Avoid overwatering: keep the environment moist but not soaked.

Seedlings grow their first leaves (cotyledons) during this stage. Be careful, as this is a delicate period.

Step 6: Vegetative Growth

Once the seedling has 3–4 sets of leaves, it enters the vegetative stage:

  • Increase light intensity (if indoors)
  • Feed with a nutrient mix focused on nitrogen
  • Train plants if needed (topping, LST, etc.)
  • Monitor for males (if using regular seeds) and remove them early

This is where plants build structure before flowering.

Step 7: Watch for Hermaphrodites and Male Plants

  • Regular seeds will produce both males and females.
  • Remove male plants before they release pollen to prevent the production of unwanted seeds.
  • Look out for hermaphrodites, plants that develop both male and female parts due to stress. Remove these to avoid pollination.

Step 8: Flowering and Bud Production

  • Switch your lighting to 12 hours on and 12 hours off (for indoor growers) to trigger flowering.
  • Plants will begin to stretch in height, and female plants will start to produce buds.
  • Maintain a stable environment; avoid stress that could trigger hermaphroditism.

As trichomes (the resin glands) mature, watch for the shift from cloudy to amber, which allows you to time your harvest based on the desired effects.

Step 9: Harvest and Cure

Once buds reach full maturity:

  1. Cut and trim the plants.
  2. Hang buds to dry in a dark, ventilated space.
  3. Cure in airtight containers for at least 2 weeks to improve flavor and potency.

Any seeds produced can be stored for future use or turned into extracts.

Step 10: Learn from Each Grow

  • Keep notes on which seeds produced the best results.
  • Save seeds from standout plants or take clones before flowering for future consistency.
  • Use this knowledge to refine your process each cycle.

Final Notes

Growing cannabis from seed isn’t just about the end product; it’s about learning your plant and seeing what makes each one unique. Each seed holds the potential for a new aroma, shape, or strength. If you’re curious, hands-on, and want complete control from start to finish, starting with seeds is the ideal approach.

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