How long does it take for cannabis to grow?
🌱 Quick Answer: How long does it take to harvest weed ranges from 8-16 weeks for indoor grows and 3-6 months for outdoor cultivation. Autoflowering strains can be ready in as little as 60 days.
The growing time of cannabis varies according to the variety and cultivation method. There are many factors that affect the total time before you harvest (days, weeks or even months). This includes your cannabis strains, setup and the planting scale. The cannabis growth cycle is divided into four stages-germination, seedlings, vegetation and flowering.
1.Cannabis Growth Cycle One – Germination Of Marijuana Seeds
When asking "how long does it take for cannabis to grow," it's essential to understand that cannabis development occurs in four distinct stages, each with specific timeframes and requirements.
The germination phase marks the beginning of how long it takes for cannabis to grow.During this stage, the seed absorbs water and begins to crack open, revealing the initial taproot that will anchor the plant.
Cannabis seeds typically germinate within 3-10 days when provided with optimal conditions:
- Temperature: 70°F+ (21°C+)
- Method: Moist paper towel technique
- Humidity: High moisture levels
- Light: Minimal light required
2.Cannabis Growth Cycle Two – Seedlings Of Marijuana
After sprouting and the seeds “bursting” open, the seedlings will begin to grow and there will begin to develop more traditional cannabis leaves. Cannabis plants are considered seedlings until they begin to grow intact leaves on new scalloped leaves. This growth will usually last 2 to 3 weeks.
- Light Schedule: 18-24 hours of light daily
- Humidity: 70% relative humidity
- Temperature: 70-75°F (21-24°C)
- Characteristics: Development of cotyledons and first serrated leaves
3.Cannabis Growth Cycle Three – Vegetation Of Marijuana
The vegetative stage significantly impacts how long it takes for cannabis to grow, as this phase can last anywhere from 3-16 weeks or longer .
During this time, plants require more than 12 hours of light each day, preferably 16 to 18 hours, to remain in the vegetative state and avoid flowering. This stage is marked by significant growth, as the plants increase in height and develop more leaves, thereby setting the stage for their future yield potential.
Indoor vs. Outdoor Vegetation Period
Indoor cultivation provides superior control over vegetative duration through precise environmental management. With LED grow lights, growers can:
- Maintain consistent 16-18 hour light cycles
- Extend vegetative periods up to 20 weeks if desired
- Control temperature and humidity for optimal growth
- Schedule harvests year-round regardless of seasons
This complete environmental control allows cultivators to customize vegetative duration based on space constraints, desired plant size, and harvest timing goals.
In contrast, outdoor cannabis grows are heavily dependent on natural seasonal cycles and sunlight exposure. Growers initiating their cultivation early in the season can maximize the vegetative period before the natural reduction in daylight hours triggers the flowering stage. This dependency on natural light makes timing and seasonal planning crucial elements in the success of outdoor cannabis cultivation.
4.Cannabis Growth Cycle Four – Flowering Of Marijuana?
After the vegetative phase, cannabis plants will start the flowering phase. Flowering is clearly essential for growing, because this is often when the flower “buds” will start to grow, filling themselves with resin and trichomes, all of which are ultimately liable for the psychoactive effects of cannabis.
Flowering occurs naturally when the plant receives but 12 hours of sunshine each day . For outdoor grows, this happens when the summer days shorten, or for indoor grows, whenever you opt to shorten the sunshine cycle. Expect this phase to last anywhere from 5 weeks to 15 weeks or longer.
Remember, autoflowering strains are available, which don’t need a change in light to induce flowering – they only flower once they decide they’re ready. As a result, many first time growers choose autoflowering strains because they typically undergo these phases much quicker. Some autoflower strains are going to be ready to harvest weed in just 60 days.
5.The Complete Cannabis Growth Cycle Breakdown
For growers wondering "how long does it take to harvest weed", it's important to understand all the weed plant stages and how long each one lasts for better plant management.
| Stage | Duration | Key Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Germination | 3-10 days | 70°F+ temperature, moist paper towel method |
| 2. Seedling | 2-3 weeks | 18-24h light, 70% humidity |
| 3. Vegetative | 3-16+ weeks | 18h light cycle, nitrogen-rich nutrients |
| 4. Flowering | 5-15 weeks | 12/12 light cycle, phosphorus boost |
6.Accelerating Your Harvest: 3 Pro Tips
To reduce how long it takes to harvest weed, consider these strategies:
- Choose autoflowering strains like Northern Light Auto (7-8 weeks)
- Implement Sea of Green (SOG) techniques
- Use full-spectrum LED grow lights for faster maturation
7.Conclusion
Grow Cannabis Indoor
How long does it take for cannabis to grow indoors?
Most marijuana strains from seed to harvest require a minimum of 12 weeks where (minimum) 4 weeks is the growing vegetative state and from 8 to 10 weeks to bloom and ripen.
Start with quality seeds, choose a grow tent or small grow room, and ensure proper lighting—LED grow lights work great. Keep the temperature between 20–28°C and humidity levels balanced according to the growth stage. Use nutrient-rich soil or coco coir, and water the plants only when the top inch of the medium feels dry.Waiting for flowering and preparing for harvest.
Grow Cannabis Outdoor
How long does it take for cannabis to grow outdoors?
Grow cannabis outdoor, it will take about 3–6 months. The main influencing factors are temperature and light.
8.FAQ
1). How long does it take to harvest weed indoors?
Indoor cannabis takes about 3-4 months from seed to harvest. Growers can harvest during weeks 8-11 of flowering, depending on the strain. You should watch for trichomes changing from clear to milky to amber to ensure proper timing.
2)What's the fastest growing weed strain?
Auto Northern Lights completes its entire cycle in just 7-8 weeks, while Green Crack and Critical are also known for rapid growth. Growers prefer these strains for quicker harvest cycles, especially autoflowering varieties that don't depend on light changes.
3)How to speed up cannabis flowering stage?
Adjust light cycles to 12 hours on/12 hours off to trigger flowering. Feed appropriate phosphorus and potassium nutrients to enhance bud development. Maintain temperatures between 68-78°F and humidity at 40-50%. Remove lower foliage to direct energy to top buds.
4)How long does it take for cannabis to grow?
Growing cannabis takes about 3 to 5 months from seed to harvest. However, the right time to harvest depends on many factors.Such as light, photoperiod, soil, seeds, temperature and humidity, training methods, etc.