Tag: when to harvest weed

Understanding the Marijuana Plant Lifecycle

Growing a healthy marijuana plant can feel like a rewarding project. Whether you’re curious about the process or thinking about growing yourself, knowing the stages of a cannabis plant’s life helps you understand how it develops. At Get Kush, we believe informed customers make better choices—and this guide to the lifecycle of a cannabis plant (also called a weed plant) will help you see what happens behind the scenes.

 

What Is a Marijuana Plant?

When we talk about a marijuana plant, we mean the species Cannabis sativa (and related subspecies) grown for its buds. It’s commonly called a weed plant in casual conversation.

A cannabis plant goes through several distinct growth phases. By understanding the weed plant stages, you’ll know when it’s sprouting, when it’s growing, when it’s flowering—and most importantly, when to harvest weed.

 

The Four Key Stages of a Cannabis Plant

Here are the main stages your cannabis plant goes through:

• Germination 
• Seedling stage 
• Vegetative stage 
• Flowering stage (leading to harvest) 

We’ll walk through each one so you can see what the plant needs and what to look for.

 

Germination

Germination is the first step in the life of a cannabis plant. This is when a seed cracks and a tiny root emerges.

What Happens

• You start with a seed. 
• The seed absorbs water, and the shell cracks. 
• A small taproot grows downward. 
• The first leaves (called cotyledons) appear and push above the soil. 

How Long It Lasts

Usually between 2 to 10 days in good conditions.

What the Plant Needs

• Warmth and moisture. 
• A dark or low-light environment until the root is established. 
• Gentle handling—this stage is delicate. 

 

Seedling Stage

Once the seed has sprouted, the plant enters the seedling stage. This is when it starts to form more leaves, roots spread, and the plant is still quite small.

What Happens

• The plant has its first true leaves with the characteristic serrated edges. 
• The root system expands and strengthens. 
• The plant is still vulnerable and needs careful care. 

How Long It Lasts

Usually around 2 to 3 weeks.

What the Plant Needs

• Bright, but not intense light. 
• High humidity (60–80%). 
• Minimal nutrients—too much can damage the young plant. 

This stage sets the foundation for strong growth later on. Think of it as early childhood for your plant.

 

Vegetative Stage

This is where the cannabis plant really begins to grow structure. The leaves, branches, and roots expand. This stage sets up the plant for when buds eventually form.

What Happens

• The plant grows taller and develops many leaves and side branches. 
• More nodes (branching points) appear. 
• The plant builds strength and size. 

How Long It Lasts

This stage can last from 3 to 16 weeks, depending on growing conditions and strain.

What the Plant Needs

• Plenty of light (18 hours or more of light per day indoors). 
• Nutrients rich in nitrogen for leaf and stem growth. 
• Good airflow and space for roots to expand. 

Why This Stage Matters

If you rush this stage, the plant may not be strong enough to support large, healthy buds later. A strong vegetative phase ensures a more productive harvest.

 

Flowering Stage and When to Harvest Weed

This is the stage every grower watches closely. The plant switches from growing leaves to growing marijuana flowers (buds)—the part that’s harvested and consumed.

What Happens

• The plant transitions to flowering mode, producing buds instead of just leaves. 
• Pistils (hair-like structures) appear on the buds. 
• Trichomes (tiny resin glands) form and become visible. 
• Buds get denser and more aromatic. 

How Long It Lasts

The flowering stage often lasts 7 to 12 weeks, depending on the strain and growing environment.

When to Harvest Weed

You’ll know it’s time to harvest when:

• Pistils change colour from white to brown or orange. 
• Trichomes appear milky or amber when viewed with magnification. 
• The plant stops producing new white pistils, and the buds look mature and full. 

Harvesting too early may lead to lower potency. Waiting too long may affect flavour and overall quality.

What the Plant Needs

• A consistent light schedule (often 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness). 
• Nutrients that are higher in phosphorus and potassium, and lower in nitrogen. 
• Careful humidity control to prevent mould or rot. 

This stage determines the final quality of the cannabis buds. Monitoring it closely helps you harvest weed at the perfect time.

 

Trimming Cannabis

Once you’ve decided when to harvest weed, trimming becomes the next crucial step.

What Is Trimming?

Trimming means removing excess leaves and stems from buds after harvesting. This improves appearance, enhances quality, and helps the buds dry and cure evenly.

Why It’s Important

• Removes excess leaves that trap moisture. 
• Improves airflow during drying and curing. 
• Helps buds burn more smoothly and look better. 

Two Common Approaches

• Wet Trimming: Done immediately after harvest while the plant is still fresh. Easier and faster but can be stickier. 
• Dry Trimming: Done after drying the plant. Slower, but it often preserves more flavour and aroma. 

Trimming is a hands-on process, but it has a big impact on the final product’s quality and visual appeal.

 

Drying and Curing (After Trimming)

Though often considered “post-harvest,” this step is essential in the marijuana plant lifecycle.

What Happens

• The trimmed buds are hung or placed on drying racks for several days. 
• Once mostly dry, they’re placed in airtight containers for curing, where moisture redistributes slowly. 

Why It Matters

Proper drying and curing enhance flavour, aroma, and potency. It also reduces harshness when smoking or vaping.

 

Checklist: What You Need to Know

Here’s a simple breakdown to keep in mind:

• A healthy marijuana plant goes through germination → seedling → vegetative → flowering → harvest. 
• Each stage has unique needs for light, nutrients, and humidity. 
• Recognizing when to harvest weed ensures better flavour and potency. 
• Trimming cannabis improves appearance and prevents mould during curing. 
• Patience and care through every phase lead to high-quality results. 

 

Why This Matters for Cannabis Consumers

Even if you don’t grow your own weed, knowing the stages of the cannabis plant helps you understand product quality.

When you buy top-shelf cannabis flower from Get Kush, you’re getting buds that were harvested and trimmed with precision. The way the plant was grown—how long it stayed in the vegetative phase, when it was harvested, and how it was trimmed—affects everything from the potency to the taste.

Understanding the marijuana plant lifecycle also helps you appreciate the craftsmanship that goes into producing top-tier cannabis. It’s a natural process shaped by careful timing, attention to detail, and respect for the plant itself.

 

Common Questions About the Weed Plant Stages

How long does a full cannabis lifecycle take?

From seed to harvest, it usually takes around 3 to 6 months, depending on the strain and environment.

Do autoflowering plants have different stages?

Yes. Autoflowering plants switch to flowering automatically after a few weeks, regardless of light schedule. This makes them faster to grow, usually ready in 8–10 weeks total.

What’s the best way to tell when to harvest weed?

Use both visual and physical signs: trichome colour, pistil change, and bud firmness. Most growers harvest when trichomes turn from clear to milky or amber.

Should I trim cannabis before or after drying?

Both methods work. Wet trimming is easier for beginners. Dry trimming can result in better flavour retention. Try both and see what works for your environment.

 

Final Thoughts

The marijuana plant lifecycle is a fascinating journey from seed to harvest. Each phase—germination, seedling, vegetative growth, flowering, and trimming—plays a vital role in producing high-quality cannabis.

By understanding the weed plant stages, you can better appreciate the care and precision that goes into every bud you buy. When you shop with Get Kush, you’re getting cannabis that’s grown, harvested, and trimmed with that same understanding and respect.

If you want to explore more about different strains, growing methods, or product types, visit our website at GetKush.cc and discover premium-quality cannabis products sourced with expertise and integrity.

 

References:

Davis, K., FNP., Medically reviewed by E. Theisen, RN, MSN, AGPCNP-BC. (2023, April 24). Everything you need to know about cannabis. Available at: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/246392

Halperin, A. (2018, May 14). Should I grow my own weed at home? Here’s what you need to know. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/may/14/should-i-grow-my-own-marijuana-how-what-to-do-tips

Sorokin, A., Yadav N. S., Gaudet, D., Kovalchuk I. (2021. Jan 5). Development and Standardization of Rapid and Efficient Seed Germination Protocol for Cannabis sativa Available at: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7952943/

Leafy. (2025, May 13). The ultimate guide to drying and curing cannabis for the best results. Available at: https://www.leafly.com/learn/growing/harvesting-marijuana/drying-curing-cannabis 

Dr. Leslie Lars Iversen, CBE FRS MAE