The time it takes for a Cannabis plant (Sativa, Indica, or Ruderalis) to reach maturity is highly variable. The total timeline depends on the grower’s intentions, the specific genetic strain chosen, and the cultivation environment. The process, from seed to a usable product, involves several distinct phases with variable durations. The full life cycle can take as little as eight weeks or extend beyond six months.
The Initial Stages: From Seed to Vegetation
The life cycle begins with germination, where the seed sprouts a taproot. This initial stage is brief, typically taking two to seven days under optimal warmth and moisture. Successful germination leads to the seedling phase, characterized by the appearance of the first true leaves.
The seedling phase focuses on establishing a strong root system and a small canopy. This stage usually lasts two to four weeks, ending once the plant has developed five to seven sets of true leaves. During this time, the young plant requires gentle care and less intense lighting. After this period, the plant enters its most vigorous growth stage.
Controlling Growth Duration: The Vegetative Phase
The vegetative phase is when the plant focuses on building size, structure, and foliage. This develops the robust framework needed to support heavy flowers later on. For photoperiod varieties, this stage is the primary variable growers control to influence final plant size and potential yield. Indoor cultivators maintain this phase by providing long light cycles, such as 18 hours of light or continuous light.
The duration can range from four weeks to 15 weeks or more. A shorter vegetative period results in a smaller plant and a faster overall harvest, often favored when space is limited. Extending this phase allows the plant to grow larger, capable of producing a significantly higher final yield. The grower ends this phase by changing the light cycle to induce flowering.
The Final Stretch: The Flowering Period
The flowering period is the reproductive stage where the plant produces the dense, resinous flowers that are harvested. For photoperiod plants, this phase is triggered when the grower mimics the shorter days of autumn by switching the light cycle to 12 hours of light and 12 hours of uninterrupted darkness. Once initiated, the length of the flowering period is largely fixed by the plant’s genetic makeup.
The genetic lineage determines the length of this final stage. Indica-dominant strains generally finish faster, typically requiring seven to nine weeks to complete flowering. Sativa-dominant strains have a significantly longer flowering time, often needing 10 to 14 weeks or more before they are ready for harvest. The precise harvest window is determined by closely monitoring the maturity of the trichomes, which change color from clear to milky white and finally amber.
Accounting for Genetics: Photoperiod vs. Autoflower Varieties
The most significant difference in the total timeline comes from the two main genetic types: photoperiod and autoflower varieties. Photoperiod plants rely entirely on the grower’s decision to change the light cycle to begin flowering. This means the total time from seed to harvest is highly flexible, ranging from about 12 to 24 weeks depending on the length of the vegetative phase the grower chooses.
Autoflower varieties contain genetics from Cannabis ruderalis, a species that evolved to flower based on age rather than light changes. This genetic trait removes the grower’s control over the vegetative phase, as the plant automatically transitions to flowering after a fixed period, typically three to four weeks from germination. The total life cycle of an autoflower is much shorter and less variable, usually completing the entire process from seed to harvest in a rapid eight to twelve weeks. This fixed, fast timeline makes autoflowers appealing for growers seeking a quick turnaround.
The Post-Harvest Timeline: Drying and Curing
Even after the plant is physically cut down, the final product is not immediately ready for use, adding a non-negotiable post-harvest timeline. This process begins with drying, which involves removing the majority of the moisture from the flowers to prevent mold. Drying typically takes between five and ten days, and is considered complete when the smaller stems snap rather than bend.
Following the drying process is curing, a critical step that significantly improves the quality, flavor, and smoothness of the final product. Curing involves sealing the dried flowers in airtight containers and regularly opening the containers, or “burping” them, to release moisture and volatile compounds. A basic cure requires a minimum of two to four weeks. Many connoisseurs extend this process for a month or more to fully develop the strain’s unique aroma and flavor profile.