How Long Does It Take to Grow Cannabis?

How long does it take to grow cannabis? We get this question a lot, and there is no simple answer.

Growing your own cannabis allows you to watch over what is going into your plant (and eventually, into your body), it can save you some money in the long run, and it can be fun to do. However, for most of us, the real reward isn’t the work itself – it’s the finished product.

How long it takes for cannabis plants to grow

On average, it takes around 12 weeks for your plant to be ready for harvest.

But the exact time it takes depends on a few factors, such as:

Seed or Clone?

Starting with either a seed or a clone makes a difference. A clone is like a plant copy, and it skips the earliest growing phase; seed germination. Using a clone instead of seed will save you like 10 days.

Location

Where you grow also makes a difference. Indoors is easier to control because you can adjust things like light and temperature.

Growing Medium

The medium the plants grow in matters too. Some use coconut husks, which makes them grow faster than those in regular soil. And some people use a hydroponics system, which needs more effort but makes plants grow even quicker.

Strain

The type of cannabis plant (strain) is a big factor. Just based on genetics, a plant’s life cycle can expand or contract by several weeks.

Size

The size of the plant matters too. Growing bigger plants naturally take more time.

Autoflowering vs Photoperiod

There are also two main types of cannabis seeds: autoflowering and photoperiod. Autoflowering plants start flowering on their own after about 7 to 12 weeks. Photoperiod ones take longer because they need a longer vegetative (growing) stage before they start flowering. So, in a nutshell, it’s a mix of where you’re growing, what you’re growing the plants in, the type of strain, and how big you want it to be.

Cannabis Growing Timeline

• Germination is simply giving the seed water and waiting for it to sprout. It can take 4-8 days.
• Seedling, after the seeds sprout, the small plant will begin developing leaves. It will be very sensitive in this stage, a good care must be taken for the next 10-15 days.
• Vegetative, at this point, you will start feeding your plants with nutrients, and they will grow quickly. This stage can take 4 to 6 weeks. Plants that are left to grow for a longer time will likely yield larger crops.
• Flowering, for these final 8-10 weeks, your plant will be flowering and giving its precious fruits.
• Drying, after harvest to flowers should be left to dry for 8-12 days. For the best smoking experience
• Cure them for at least a month.

The most important factor in how long it takes to grow a cannabis plant is the strain. If you are an inexperienced grower (or just impatient), try to choose an autoflowering strain with a short life cycle. You could be harvesting in as little as eight weeks!