The Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide to Growing Cannabis

Cannabis growing
Cannabis Plants Right Before Harvest

🔍 Quick Scroll Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Understanding the Cannabis Life Cycle
  3. How to Germinate Cannabis Seeds
  4. Cannabis Growth Phases Explained
  5. How to Water Cannabis Plants
  6. Nutrients for Cannabis Health
  7. How to Identify Male and Female Cannabis Plants
  8. How to Clone Cannabis Plants
  9. How to Regenerate Cannabis Plants
  10. How to Fix Cannabis Root Rot
  11. How to Maximize Cannabis Yields
  12. When and How to Harvest Cannabis
  13. How to Trim Cannabis Buds
  14. How to Dry and Store Cannabis
  15. Bonus Cannabis Grow Tips
  16. Conclusion

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🌱 Introduction

Welcome to your complete guide to growing cannabis with confidence. This step-by-step resource is designed to simplify every stage of cultivation. Whether you’re just starting or refining your technique, you’ll find the guidance you need right here. To kick things off, let’s get grounded by learning how cannabis grows. Understanding the plant’s full life cycle will give you a clear roadmap before you get your hands dirty.

🌿 Understanding the Cannabis Life Cycle

Before diving into the grow process, it’s important to understand each phase your plant will experience. This helps you anticipate needs and avoid common mistakes.

  1. Seed – Dormant and awaiting activation.
  2. Germination – Begins when moisture, warmth, and darkness signal the seed to sprout.
  3. Seedling – First true leaves emerge, establishing the plant’s structure.
  4. Vegetative – Rapid growth of leaves and roots; the plant builds strength.
  5. Flowering – Triggered by light changes; the plant produces buds.
  6. Harvest – Time to cut, trim, and dry your precious crop.

With this journey in mind, your first hands-on step is getting your seeds to sprout. Let’s walk through that process next.

🌱 How to Germinate Cannabis Seeds

Germination is where life begins. Here’s a detailed step-by-step guide to ensure success:

  1. Inspect your seeds – Healthy seeds are dark brown with a hard shell and slight marbling. Discard pale, cracked, or green seeds.
  2. Choose a germination method:
    • Paper towel method: Place seeds between moist paper towels on a plate. Cover and store in a warm, dark area.
    • Soaking: Drop seeds in a glass of water for 12–24 hours until they sink.
    • Direct soil: Plant directly in seed-starting mix, 1/2 inch deep.
  3. Control the environment – Keep temperature between 70–85°F (21–29°C) and maintain moisture. Avoid direct light at this stage.
  4. Wait for the taproot – A white root tip should appear within 1–5 days.
  5. Plant the sprouted seeds – Gently place taproot-down in your grow medium.

Now that your seeds are alive, it’s time to help them grow through their major developmental phases.

To watch a video tutorial of cannabis seed germination, you can check out this video on Youtube.

🌿 Cannabis Growth Phases Explained

Your cannabis plant will now begin maturing through three main stages. Each phase requires different care:

  1. Seedling (1–2 weeks) – Small leaves called cotyledons appear, followed by serrated true leaves. Keep humidity high (65–70%) and light moderate.
  2. Vegetative (2–8+ weeks) – The plant focuses on leaf, stem, and root growth. Increase nutrients (especially nitrogen) and use a 18/6 light schedule.
  3. Flowering (6–10 weeks) – When switched to 12/12 light, the plant begins producing buds. Lower nitrogen and increase phosphorus and potassium.

To support growth during each stage, water management becomes essential. Let’s explore how to do it right.

To watch a tutorial on the cannabis growth cycle, you can watch it here on YouTube. 

💧 How to Water Cannabis Plants

Watering cannabis is about balance, not too much, not too little. Follow these steps:

  1. Check soil moisture – Insert your finger 1 inch into the soil. If it’s dry, it’s time to water.
  2. Water evenly – Pour slowly around the base until water runs out the bottom (runoff).
  3. Adjust by stage:
    • Seedlings: Use a spray bottle or gentle stream.
    • Vegetative: Increase quantity as root mass grows.
    • Flowering: Continue deep watering but allow more drying between sessions.
  4. Drainage is key – Always use pots with drainage holes and avoid letting roots sit in water.

With proper hydration, your plant is ready to absorb nutrients effectively. Let’s go over what to feed it.

To watch a tutorial on how to properly water your cannabis plants, check out this video on YouTube.

🥣 Nutrients for Cannabis Health

Nutrient management makes or breaks your grow. Here’s how to nourish your plants:

  1. Macronutrients:
    • Nitrogen (N) – Leaf and stem growth.
    • Phosphorus (P) – Root and flower development.
    • Potassium (K) – Overall plant health.
  2. Micronutrients – Calcium, magnesium, sulfur, iron, and zinc support enzyme function and growth.
  3. Feeding schedule – Use a cannabis-specific nutrient guide for timing and dosage. Start light and increase as needed.
  4. Monitor plant response – Yellowing leaves may indicate deficiency; burned tips suggest overfeeding.

As your plant matures, identifying its sex helps determine whether it will produce smokable buds or pollen.

♀️ How to Identify Male and Female Cannabis Plants

Only female plants produce potent buds. Spot the difference early:

  1. Check at 4–6 weeks – Look between branches and main stem.
  2. Female signs – Fine white hairs (pistils) emerge at nodes.
  3. Male signs – Small, round pollen sacs appear without hairs.
  4. Action – Remove males unless breeding. They can pollinate and ruin your crop.

Found a stellar female? Let’s talk about replicating her with clones.

For a more in-depth video tutorial on sexing your cannabis plants, click here to watch on YouTube. 

🌿 How to Clone Cannabis Plants

Cloning saves genetics and time. Here’s your cloning process:

  1. Choose a mother – Select a healthy plant in its vegetative stage.
  2. Cut below a node – Use sterile scissors to take a 4–6 inch cutting.
  3. Dip in rooting hormone – Coat the bottom inch of the cutting.
  4. Plant in moist medium – Use rockwool cubes, peat pellets, or seedling soil.
  5. Keep in a humid dome – Mist regularly and provide 18/6 light until roots appear (7–14 days).

What if you’ve already harvested? You might be able to bring your plant back.

If you want to see the cloning process, check out this video on YouTube.

🌿 How to Regenerate Cannabis Plants

Re-vegging allows a harvested plant to grow again:

  1. Leave lower buds/leaves – Don’t trim the entire plant.
  2. Switch to 18/6 light – This signals vegetative growth.
  3. Add veg nutrients – Boost nitrogen to encourage new shoots.
  4. Wait patiently – Re-growth can take up to 4 weeks.

On the flip side, if your plant looks sick, root rot could be the culprit. Let’s fix that.

Here is a YouTube video tutorial on how to re-veg your cannabis plants.

🤞 How to Fix Cannabis Root Rot

Root rot destroys crops fast. Here’s how to rescue your plant:

  1. Spot the signs – Wilting, drooping, brown roots with foul smell.
  2. Remove damaged roots – Trim with sterile scissors.
  3. Improve soil – Repot using fresh, well-draining medium.
  4. Use root supplements – Add beneficial microbes to fight rot.

Once your roots are healthy, you can shift focus toward boosting your final harvest.

You can watch how to fix cannabis growing problems including root rot in this tutorial on YouTube. 

📈 How to Maximize Cannabis Yields

Bigger yields come from smart techniques:

  1. Topping – Cut the main stem to create multiple tops.
  2. Low Stress Training (LST) – Bend branches to spread light evenly.
  3. Defoliation – Remove unnecessary leaves for airflow and light.
  4. Use strong lighting – LED or HPS lights increase bud size.

You’ve nurtured your plants so now let’s look at the best time and way to harvest.

🌾 When and How to Harvest Cannabis

Harvest at peak potency with these steps:

  1. Check trichomes – Cloudy = ready. Amber = more sedative.
  2. Flush the plant – Stop nutrients 10–14 days before harvesting.
  3. Cut carefully – Snip branches with sterilized scissors.
  4. Handle with care – Avoid damaging trichomes.

Once cut, your buds are ready to be trimmed.

🍃 How to Trim Cannabis Buds

Proper trimming enhances appearance and experience:

  1. Choose your method:
    • Wet trim: Right after harvest.
    • Dry trim: After 7–10 days of drying.
  2. Use sharp scissors – Trim sugar leaves close to buds.
  3. Save the trimmings – Use them for edibles or concentrates.

After trimming, let’s cure your buds properly to preserve quality.

Check out this video tutorial on when to harvest cannabis and cannabis bud trimming. 

☂️ How to Dry and Store Cannabis

Drying and curing preserves potency and flavor:

  1. Hang branches upside down – Keep in 50% RH for 7–10 days.
  2. Jar the buds – Store in mason jars when stems snap.
  3. Burp daily – Open jars for 10 mins/day during the first week.
  4. Store in dark, cool place – Light and heat degrade cannabinoids.

Before we close, here are some final pro tips for your grow journey.

Watch this video on drying and curing cannabis flower. 

🌿 Bonus Cannabis Grow Tips

✅Track your grow – A journal helps troubleshoot and refine your method.

✅Label everything – Especially clones and multiple strains.

✅pH and EC – Test water and nutrient mix to avoid lockout.

✅Clean regularly – Sterile tools and clean tents prevent mold.

Now, let’s wrap it all up and set your next steps in motion.

🌈 Conclusion

Growing cannabis from seed to stash is a rewarding skill that blends science, patience, and intuition. Now that you’ve learned how to germinate, grow, clone, harvest, and cure your plants, you’re ready to cultivate confidently. Every cycle teaches you something new. Take notes, experiment safely, and enjoy the journey.

👉If you are interested and anymore cannabis content, check out our articles on making RSO and Sous Vide Decarboxylation!