How Long Does It Take to Grow Weed? Complete Timeline from Seed to Harvest

When it comes to growing cannabis, patience is more than a virtue—it’s essential. One of the first questions new growers ask is, “How long does it take to grow weed?” And while the answer can vary, understanding the timeline is crucial for planning your grow properly.

Unfortunately, many people assume cannabis grows quickly, fueled by unrealistic portrayals in pop culture. In reality, growing weed is a multi-stage process that takes time, care, and consistency.

From germinating a seed to harvesting, drying, and curing the buds, there are several key phases to consider. The total duration can vary significantly depending on your chosen strain, growing method, environmental conditions, and personal preferences.

This guide walks you through the full cannabis growth cycle—germination, seedling, vegetative, flowering, and harvest—while exploring the main factors that influence how long it takes.

Quick Answer: Average Time to Grow Weed

On average, growing cannabis indoors takes between three to five months from seed to harvest. Outdoor grows typically take longer, usually between five to eight months, depending on your climate and the time of year you start. Autoflowering strains grow faster, often finishing in just two to three months, while photoperiod strains can take four to six months or more depending on how long you choose to keep them in the vegetative stage before inducing flowering.

Each phase of growth has its own timeline. Germination can take anywhere from one to seven days. The seedling stage typically lasts one to three weeks. Vegetative growth can be as short as three weeks or extended for several months, especially if you want a bigger yield. The flowering stage, where the buds form and mature, lasts anywhere from six to twelve weeks depending on the strain. Finally, after harvesting, you’ll need to dry and cure your buds for another two to four weeks before they’re ready to enjoy.

While you can’t speed up nature, understanding each stage and what influences its timing gives you the tools to plan smarter and grow better.

Cannabis Growth Timeline Breakdown

Growing cannabis involves several distinct stages, and each plays a critical role in the health and productivity of your final harvest. Here’s how long each stage typically takes and what to expect.

Germination (1 to 7 Days)

Germination is where everything begins. This stage involves awakening the seed from its dormant state so it can sprout a taproot. Most healthy cannabis seeds will germinate within one to three days under ideal conditions, although older seeds or those stored improperly may take up to a week.

You’ll know germination has occurred when the seed cracks open and a small white taproot appears. This root is the foundation of the plant, absorbing water and nutrients from the soil or growing medium. Successful germination depends on moisture, warmth, and darkness. Room temperatures between 70 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit are ideal for encouraging seeds to sprout quickly.

Seedling Stage (1 to 3 Weeks)

Once your cannabis seed has sprouted and been planted into its medium, it enters the seedling phase. This stage is short but crucial, as the young plant begins to develop its first sets of leaves. The first pair to emerge are the cotyledons—small, rounded leaves that store initial energy. These are quickly followed by the first “true” leaves, which have the classic serrated cannabis shape.

Seedlings are delicate and sensitive to overwatering, underlighting, and nutrient overload. During this time, they require high humidity, consistent warmth, and gentle light—typically around 18 to 24 hours per day if growing indoors. Most seedlings remain in this stage for about one to two weeks, but slower-growing genetics or less-than-ideal environments can extend it slightly.

Vegetative Stage (3 to 8 Weeks or Longer)

The vegetative phase is when your plant does most of its growing. It focuses on building a strong root system, developing branches, and expanding its leaf coverage. Plants grow taller and bushier during this time and become more capable of absorbing nutrients and handling environmental stress.

How long you keep your plants in the vegetative stage is up to you—especially if you’re growing indoors. Some growers choose to veg for only a few weeks for quick harvests, while others extend this stage for several months to produce larger, more robust plants with higher yield potential. Indoors, most growers use an 18/6 light cycle, meaning 18 hours of light and 6 hours of darkness each day.

During veg, plants benefit from nitrogen-rich nutrients and may undergo training techniques like topping or low-stress training to encourage a more even canopy and stronger branching. This is also when growers often transplant into larger containers to accommodate root expansion.

Flowering Stage (6 to 12 Weeks)

The flowering phase begins when the plant transitions from producing leaves and stems to developing buds. For photoperiod strains, this shift is triggered by changing the light cycle to 12 hours on and 12 hours off. Outdoors, this happens naturally as the days get shorter in late summer.

During early flowering, you may see rapid vertical growth—a phase known as the “flowering stretch.” Soon after, pre-flowers will appear at the nodes where branches meet the main stem. Female plants produce small, white hairs called pistils, while males (which should be removed unless breeding) produce pollen sacs.

Over the following weeks, buds will form, thicken, and develop their signature aroma. Trichomes—tiny, crystal-like structures—begin to cover the flowers, indicating rising potency. Flowering duration varies by strain. Indica-dominant strains often finish flowering in 7 to 9 weeks, while sativa-dominant plants may take 10 to 14 weeks or longer.

Throughout this phase, plants need more phosphorus and potassium to support bud development. Environmental control is critical—keep humidity lower to prevent mold, and maintain steady temperatures and airflow to promote healthy growth.

Harvest Time

Knowing when to harvest is both an art and a science. You’ll need to watch the trichomes on your buds, which shift from clear to cloudy and then amber. When most trichomes are cloudy with a few amber, potency is typically at its peak. If you prefer a more sedative effect, wait for more amber trichomes.

In addition to trichomes, monitor the pistils—those white hairs that darken and curl in as the plant matures. When around 70 to 90 percent of pistils have changed color, your plant is nearing readiness.

Many growers perform a “flush” before harvesting, giving the plant only water for one to two weeks to help remove excess nutrients and improve taste and smoothness.

Drying and Curing (2 to 4 Weeks)

Once your buds are harvested, the work isn’t over. Proper drying and curing are essential to developing smooth, flavorful, and potent cannabis. First, hang your trimmed buds in a cool, dark, and well-ventilated space for seven to fourteen days. The ideal environment is around 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit with 50 to 60 percent humidity.

After the stems snap rather than bend, it’s time to cure. Place buds in airtight glass jars and store them in a dark place. Open the jars daily for the first week to release moisture, then less frequently over time. Curing can take anywhere from two weeks to several months, but the longer you cure, the better the flavor, aroma, and overall experience.

Factors That Affect How Long It Takes

While the above timeline provides a general overview, several factors can cause your grow to move faster—or take longer.

First, your choice of strain plays a big role. Indica strains tend to grow and flower more quickly than sativas. Indicas often finish flowering in eight to ten weeks, while sativas may require ten to fourteen weeks or more. Autoflower strains, which begin flowering automatically after two to four weeks regardless of light schedule, offer the fastest turnaround and often finish their full life cycle in eight to twelve weeks.

Your growing environment is another major variable. Indoor growers can start any time of year and control every aspect of the grow—lighting, temperature, humidity, and airflow. This control often leads to shorter, more predictable timelines. Outdoor growers, however, must rely on natural seasons, planting in the spring and harvesting in the fall, which means longer grow periods but often larger yields.

Your choice of lighting also matters. High-intensity discharge (HID) lights such as HPS or MH promote fast growth but can generate significant heat. LEDs are energy-efficient and support strong development with less heat, but light intensity and spectrum vary. Sunlight, while free and full-spectrum, is less consistent and dependent on your geographic location.

Finally, your own decisions as a grower influence timing. Extending the veg stage for bigger yields takes more time. Using training techniques or pruning can cause short-term slowdowns but may result in healthier plants overall. Stress from overwatering, pH imbalance, or pests can also delay progress. Also, make sure to get your seeds from reputable seed banks to ensure quality.

Autoflowers vs. Photoperiod Plants

Autoflowering cannabis plants are known for speed and simplicity. They don’t rely on a change in light cycle to start flowering. Instead, they switch automatically after a few weeks of vegetative growth. Most autoflower strains go from seed to harvest in eight to twelve weeks, making them perfect for quick grows, small spaces, and discreet operations.

However, this speed comes with trade-offs. Autoflowers tend to be smaller and yield less than photoperiod plants. You also have less control over veg duration and must be ready to support flowering early in the plant’s life.

Photoperiod plants, on the other hand, give growers more control. You decide when to flip from veg to flower by changing the light cycle. This allows you to grow larger plants with potentially higher yields. The trade-off is a longer total grow time—typically three to five months indoors, or five to eight months outdoors.

Choosing between autoflower and photoperiod strains depends on your goals, space, and timeline. Beginners often start with autoflowers for ease, while experienced growers may prefer the flexibility and yield potential of photoperiods.

Indoor vs. Outdoor Grow Time

Indoor growing offers year-round flexibility. You can start whenever you like and grow multiple crops per year if you plan well. With full control over lighting, temperature, humidity, and airflow, indoor growers can optimize every stage for faster, more consistent results. Most indoor grows take three to five months from seed to harvest, depending on strain and how long you veg.

Outdoor grows are slower but can yield massive plants. Since you rely on the natural seasons, you typically plant in spring and harvest in fall. This means a grow cycle of five to eight months. However, outdoor plants can grow taller, wider, and produce much larger yields under direct sunlight and open-air conditions.

While indoor grows cost more upfront and require equipment like lights, fans, and filters, they offer faster turnaround. Outdoor grows, on the other hand, cost less to maintain but require patience and vigilance against pests, mold, and unpredictable weather.

FAQs

What’s the fastest strain to grow?

Autoflower strains like Lowryder or Fast Buds varieties are among the quickest, often finishing in just eight to ten weeks from seed to harvest.

Can I speed up the flowering stage?

You can’t rush nature, but you can avoid delays by keeping your environment dialed in. Stable lighting, proper nutrients, and healthy root systems all help flowering progress on time.

Why is my plant taking longer than expected?

Several factors can slow growth, including low light, poor nutrition, temperature stress, pests, and overtraining. Strain genetics also play a huge role—some simply take longer.

How long should I veg my plants?

Most indoor growers veg for three to six weeks, but some extend to eight weeks or more for bigger yields. The choice depends on your space, lights, and goals.

How long does curing really take?

While buds are smokable after two weeks of drying, curing for at least three to four weeks improves flavor and smoothness. Many growers cure for two months or longer.

Final Tips for Planning Your Grow Timeline

Plan ahead. Build in extra time for unexpected delays, drying, and curing. Know your strain’s average grow cycle before starting. Keep a grow journal to track your plant’s progress, including stage durations, environmental conditions, and any issues encountered. This helps fine-tune your next run.

Don’t overlook post-harvest prep. Make sure your drying room, jars, and curing tools are ready before harvest day. And above all, stay flexible. No matter how well you plan, each grow will present new lessons and challenges.

Conclusion

So how long does it take to grow weed? The answer varies, but expect anywhere from two and a half months to eight months depending on your strain, setup, and grow style. Autoflowers finish fast, photoperiods take longer, and the environment you provide makes all the difference.

Growing cannabis isn’t instant—but it’s worth every day of effort. The more you understand each stage and the factors that influence timing, the better your chances of a successful, satisfying harvest. Respect the process, plan with patience, and enjoy the journey!