Cannabis Growing Timeline

Track your cannabis plants' development from seed to harvest with our week-by-week guide. Toggle between autoflowering and feminized photoperiod strains to see the differences in growing cycles.

 

Weeks 1-2: Germination & Seedling

Plant Appearance

Your seed will sprout and develop its first set of true leaves. The seedling is delicate at this stage.

Care Instructions

• Light: 18 hours on / 6 hours off
• Water: Keep soil moist but not saturated
• Nutrients: None needed yet
• Temperature: 20-25°C (68-77°F)
• Humidity: 65-70%

Common Issues

Watch for stretching (insufficient light) and damping off (overwatering).

View Common Seedling Issues

 

Weeks 3-5: Vegetative Growth

Plant Appearance

Plant grows rapidly, developing multiple nodes and fan leaves. Structure becomes bushier.

Care Instructions

• Light: 18 hours on / 6 hours off
• Water: When top inch of soil feels dry
• Nutrients: Begin light vegetative nutrients
• Temperature: 22-28°C (72-82°F)
• Humidity: 50-60%

Training Techniques

Consider low-stress training (LST) to improve light exposure and create an even canopy.

View Vegetative Issues

 

Weeks 6-8: Pre-Flowering

Plant Appearance

Plant shows pre-flowers at nodes. Growth slows as energy shifts to flower production.

Care Instructions

• Light: Switch to 12 hours on / 12 hours off to trigger flowering
• Water: Consistent watering as plant drinks more
• Nutrients: Transition to bloom nutrients (higher P-K)
• Temperature: 20-26°C (68-78°F)
• Humidity: 40-50%

Important Note

This is when you'll confirm plant sex. Remove any males if growing from regular seeds.

View Pre-Flower Issues

 

Weeks 9-12: Flowering

Plant Appearance

Buds form and expand. Trichomes develop, making buds sticky and aromatic.

Care Instructions

• Light: Maintain 12/12 light cycle
• Water: Regular watering, avoid overwatering
• Nutrients: Full bloom nutrients
• Temperature: 20-24°C (68-75°F)
• Humidity: 35-45%

Support

Consider adding support for branches as buds get heavier.

View Flowering Issues

 

Weeks 13-16: Late Flowering & Harvest

Plant Appearance

Buds reach maximum size. Pistils darken from white to orange/brown. Trichomes change from clear to cloudy to amber.

Care Instructions

• Light: Maintain 12/12 light cycle
• Water: Begin reducing water 1-2 weeks before harvest
• Nutrients: Flush with plain water 1-2 weeks before harvest
• Temperature: 18-24°C (65-75°F)
• Humidity: 30-40%

Harvest Indicators

Monitor trichomes with a magnifier. Harvest when they're mostly cloudy with some amber for balanced effects.

View Harvesting Guide

 

Week 1: Germination & Seedling

Plant Appearance

Your autoflower seed will sprout and develop its first set of true leaves. The seedling is delicate at this stage.

Care Instructions

• Light: 18-20 hours on / 4-6 hours off
• Water: Keep soil lightly moist
• Nutrients: None needed yet
• Temperature: 20-25°C (68-77°F)
• Humidity: 65-70%

Important Note

Plant directly in final container to avoid transplant stress. Autoflowers are sensitive to stress due to their short lifecycle.

View Common Seedling Issues

 

Weeks 2-3: Early Vegetative Growth

Plant Appearance

Plant develops more leaves and nodes. Growth is rapid but compact compared to photoperiod strains.

Care Instructions

• Light: 18-20 hours on / 4-6 hours off
• Water: When top inch of soil feels dry
• Nutrients: Begin very light vegetative nutrients (1/4 to 1/2 strength)
• Temperature: 22-26°C (72-79°F)
• Humidity: 50-60%

Training Techniques

Gentle LST can be applied now, but avoid high-stress techniques with autoflowers.

View Vegetative Issues

 

Weeks 4-5: Pre-Flowering

Plant Appearance

Plant shows first signs of flowering regardless of light cycle. White pistils appear at nodes.

Care Instructions

• Light: Maintain 18-20 hours on / 4-6 hours off
• Water: Consistent watering as plant drinks more
• Nutrients: Transition to bloom nutrients (higher P-K)
• Temperature: 20-26°C (68-78°F)
• Humidity: 45-50%

Important Note

Nutrient sensitivity increases. Use lighter nutrient concentrations than for photoperiod plants.

View Pre-Flower Issues

 

Weeks 6-7: Flowering

Plant Appearance

Buds develop and expand. Trichome production increases, making buds sticky and aromatic.

Care Instructions

• Light: Maintain 18-20 hours on / 4-6 hours off
• Water: Regular watering, avoid overwatering
• Nutrients: Full bloom nutrients (at 3/4 strength)
• Temperature: 20-24°C (68-75°F)
• Humidity: 40-45%

Support

Add support for branches if needed as buds develop.

View Flowering Issues

 

Weeks 8-10: Late Flowering & Harvest

Plant Appearance

Buds reach maximum size. Pistils darken from white to orange/brown. Trichomes change from clear to cloudy to amber.

Care Instructions

• Light: Maintain 18-20 hours on / 4-6 hours off
• Water: Begin reducing water 1 week before harvest
• Nutrients: Flush with plain water 1 week before harvest
• Temperature: 18-24°C (65-75°F)
• Humidity: 35-40%

Harvest Indicators

Monitor trichomes with a magnifier. Harvest when they're mostly cloudy with some amber for balanced effects.

View Harvesting Guide