Best Tips for Germinating Cannabis Seeds

Germinating cannabis seeds is the first step of growing a cannabis plant, and for many new growers, it’s an exciting step. You’re finally dipping your toes in the water, and your desires are coming into action. 

You’re super excited and already imagining growing buds like the ones you see in coffee shops and dispensaries. But it’s easy to let excitement get in the way sometimes, which can lead to mistakes. 

Proper germination determines the overall health and strength of your cannabis plants as it marks the beginning of their life cycle. Essentially, it’s the foundation for the growth and development of the plant, influencing its yield, potency, and ability to withstand challenges. 

If the seed doesn’t germinate properly, well, you lose money, since it won’t grow as you’d expect. This is the process that initiates the transformation of a seed into a seedling, establishing the groundwork for future characteristics such as flavor profile, cannabinoid content, and overall structure.

In addition, the germination process helps the plant develop a well-established root system. Healthy roots are vital for any plant as they facilitate absorption and water uptake necessary for growth. Successful seed germination sets the stage for a network of roots that inevitably leads to a healthy plant producing large yields. 

If the germination process goes without a hitch where the seed transforms from a seed into a seedling, the plant will allocate energy toward growth and producing lush leaves. This initial stage is extremely crucial in influencing the plant to grow properly, which results in larger and more productive plants as they progress through the flowering stage. 

While germinating seeds is easy, so is making mistakes while germinating them. It’s not as simple as tossing a seed in your lawn and hoping for the best. So, what do you do then?

You need to follow some nifty tips and tricks for germinating cannabis seeds to ensure your seeds germinate well and grow into healthy seedlings. And we’ve got you covered there. Here are the best tips for germinating cannabis seeds. Later, we will also discuss how to take care of seedlings. 

1. Choose the Right Seeds

The biggest cannabis germination mistake occurs even before you have the seeds in your hand. It occurs when you purchase the wrong kind of seeds. Purchase the wrong kind and even the best germination techniques for cannabis will not work. 

So, how do you choose the right seeds? Let’s keep the subjective factors, like taste, aside and stick to the fundamentals. You need to pick strains that are suitable for your weather and skill level. 

You should also choose feminized seeds that guarantee female plants. Such seeds are a bit expensive but are worth the investment. You won’t have to worry about a rogue male plant pollinating other female cannabis plants around it. 

2. Buy 30% More Seeds Than You Need

Even if you have the best possible cannabis seeds at hand, a few of them will not germinate. That’s just nature for you. So, to be on the safe side and ensure that you grow the number of plants you want, it is wise to always buy a few more seeds. 

If you want to grow 10 plants, germinate 13 to 15 seeds. A few of them might not germinate. And if you’re lucky, all will germinate. Now you can grow more plants and if that’s not possible, you can select the best seedlings to grow and discard the rest. It’s a win-win situation either way. 

3. Water Your Cannabis Seed Properly

One of the most common mistakes cannabis growers make when germinating cannabis is either overwatering or underwatering their cannabis seeds. This is what causes many issues for the seedling down the line. 

If your cannabis seedling is submerged for a long time, it can get waterlogged and the roots may stop growing or even start rotting. This is because cannabis roots need oxygen to breathe, and if the seeds are left to soak for too long, they may suffocate. 

On the other hand, insufficient moisture can also wreak havoc on a germinating seed by causing it to dry out too quickly. So, when germinating your cannabis seeds, ensure the growing environment is moist but not soaked to give your cannabis seeds the best success rate. 

One of the best ways to ensure you don’t soak or dehydrate your cannabis seeds is by using cotton pads to germinate them. All you have to do is spray four to five dabs of water on the pads, place your seed between the pads, and let them be for a couple of days in a sealed environment. Remember, spray light. 

After a few days, the seed will germinate. Then, you can transfer your seedling to a light soil mix that has excellent aeration. After that, you need to keep the soil moist but not too wet. Sometimes, too much is not enough. 

4. Germinate the Seeds Indoors

Even the best outdoor cannabis growers germinate their seeds indoors. Why is this when cannabis seeds have evolved over millions of years to germinate outdoors? Nature produces thousands of seeds but only a few of them ever germinate, which is quite unforgiving for the seeds. 

So, if you want to save your money and have a good germination rate, you should consider germinating your seeds indoors. In an indoor environment, you have tremendous control over the entire process, reducing any chances of unexpected risks. 

Generally, you should germinate your seeds at an average temperature of 68°F to 75°F (20°C to 24°C) with artificial lights. The relative humidity should be between 70% to 90%. Doing so will give your seeds the best possible chance of germinating properly. 

5. Fertilize Your Seeds Like a Pro — Don’t 

Many growers mistake more nutrients for better growth but that’s hardly the case. Giving your seeds too much nutrients can backfire easily, leading to various issues during the seedling stage, and in severe cases, stunted growth or death of the plant. In other words, a nutrient burn. 

Remember, your seeds and seedlings are delicate and cannot cope with an environment that is brimming with nutrients. In fact, you can even germinate your cannabis seeds without any nutrients or fertilizers. This may seem counterproductive but your seeds don’t need fertilizers — they already have the right nutrients within that allow them to sprout. But if you still have to give them some nutrients, be super conservative. 

Germinated seedlings initially pull nutrients from the reserves in the seed, so nutrients aren’t necessary. But, as they grow, you should start them off with a mild, well-balanced nutrient solution containing all the essential macro and micronutrients instead of full-strength nutrients. Otherwise, the tender seedlings will burn as they are very sensitive to nutrient imbalance, so do not over-fertilize.

Increase the strength of the nutrient solution gradually as the seedlings develop. Check the plants for signs of nutrient deficiencies or toxicity, adjusting the feeding regimen as needed. Aim for a balance that allows for robust growth without overwhelming the delicate root systems.

6. Give Your Cannabis Seed Enough Light 

This is where things get a bit tricky. Some growers like to use lights on their germinating seeds while others don’t find it necessary; some growers even use power lights. Now you can get away without using any lights for germination, but if you want to use lights, take the mild approach to be on the safer side. 

Generally, it is recommended that you use simple CFL light bulbs during the first couple of weeks during and after germination. Such lights produce enough blue-dominant light to help your plant but don’t end up burning the delicate seedlings. You can also use LED lights but that’s usually overkill.

If you are using CFL lights, you should place your lights around 15 cm from your seeds. Once the seed develops proper leaves, you can move the lights as close as 5 cm to support the seedling. Just remember one rule — if the light is hot for your hand, it’s hot for the plant at the same distance. 

At the same time, darkness is also important during germination. Finding the right balance of light exposure and understanding how darkness contributes can help you care for the seeds in a better manner. 

Seeds are naturally programmed to respond to changes in light. Although light is important, darkness is also essential for some biochemical processes. Darkness helps establish a sturdy and resilient structure for the seedling.

Light Schedules for Different Germination Stages

Initial Stage (Seed Activation)

After planting, it’s best to keep seeds in darkness for 18 to 24 hours to encourage them to kickstart their germination process. Then, you can provide some light with low intensity for early growth.

Emergence of Seedlings

When seedlings start emerging from the soil, they will need at least 18 hours of light followed by 6 hours of darkness. Again, the intensity must be low the first week and you should position the light at a proper distance so the seedlings don’t stretch too much. 

Moving into the Vegetative Phase

Now, the lights must provide intense light to encourage a lot of leaves. You can continue with 18/6 hours although some growers provide 24 hours of light with 0 hours of darkness. 

7. Be Patient and Master the Timing

To germinate the seeds correctly, you should not only master the technique but also find a delicate balance between timing and patience. Many beginners mess with the soil, try to take the seeds out a few days after planting them, or poke the seeds to find out if they have germinated. There’s no cure for this sort of impatience, but once you grow a few plants, you’ll understand that some seeds take their own time. 

Also, the amount of time it takes for cannabis seeds to germinate can vary depending on the strain, typically ranging from a few days to a week. If you’re super impatient, learn more about the expected duration for the strain you're working with to anticipate milestones like seed cracking, taproot emergence, and the appearance of cotyledons. 

Finally, don’t forget to monitor the seeds. Yes, patience is important, but this doesn’t mean that you totally ignore the seeds. The right level of moisture (not too wet, not too dry) is critical so you need to check if the growing medium is consistently moist throughout the process. 

Adjust conditions such as temperature and humidity to create the perfect environment for germination. If you're using a dome to provide more moisture, make sure you lift it occasionally to avoid mold. 

And, sometimes, the taproot can grow weirdly. If it’s out of the soil, put it back and cover it with the growing medium again. Similarly, if it’s growing upwards, make gentle adjustments to avoid issues. 

8. Be Gentle With Your Cannabis Seeds

We can’t stress this enough — you need to be gentle with your cannabis seeds. Just because they are hard does not mean they are strong. It’s easy to damage them. So, when handling the seeds, be gentle. This applies when you are placing the seeds in the growing medium for germination, packing them for the future, or anything else. 

9. Scuff Your Seeds

Alright, this goes against the previous point, but when done right, it can produce tremendous results. However, it is only reserved for experienced growers. Scuffing will speed up the inhibition process, so your seeds will germinate faster. 

How do you do that? As the name suggests, you need to slightly roughen up the seed’s coat or testa. This will allow more water to penetrate the seeds, increasing germination success and speed. 

For this, you need to use 240 to 320-grit sandpaper. Cut a small piece and roll it like a joint — the roll should be slightly wider than the seed. Then, insert your seed in the roll, cover the two openings with your fingers, and give it a few shakes. Don’t overdo it. 

10. Practice Seed Planting Techniques

The depth at which you plant cannabis seeds and the techniques you employ are important for proper germination. For instance, it’s best to plant seeds at a depth twice their size. This ensures that the emerging seedling can effortlessly break through the growing medium and reach the surface without any stress. Planting too shallow might dry out the seeds while planting too deep will prevent them from breaking out easily. 

Now, coming to the techniques, there’s no rocket science other than using a good growing medium, which is the first step towards healthy root development. For this, just use an aerated, nutrient-rich medium that retains moisture while allowing for drainage.

You can start with a high-quality potting mix or a combination of coco coir and perlite. Or, you can go for seedling potting mixes that are formulated specifically for seedlings. These mediums provide the perfect conditions for roots to expand and absorb nutrients. 

Also, make sure you don’t compact the soil too much when planting seeds. Press the soil slightly — just enough for the seed to come in contact with the soil firmly. 

The type of containers you use will also have an impact on germination. Go for fabric containers that not only allow air circulation but also prevent overwatering because they drain well. If you only have plastic ones, they are fine too but try not to water too much as plastic containers retain more water than necessary. Some growers use containers made of peat so they can simply place it in the growing medium to reduce the hassle of transplanting. You can do this too if you’re worried about transplant shock. 

You should also make sure that the area you’re growing seedlings in has enough air circulation. Stagnant air will invite mold, so use oscillating fans with low settings to encourage airflow without stressing the seedlings too much. Finally, maintain cleanliness to prevent pathogens. Sterilize your containers, tools, and the growing medium to minimize pests and diseases.

11. Label Your Cannabis Seeds

If you are growing multiple seeds at once, it is always a good idea to label them. Regardless of the strain, most cannabis seeds look very similar, so it is easy to confuse them. Instead, labeling allows you to track your seeds, so you don’t end up picking the wrong seedling. 

For example, if you are germinating an autoflowering seedling and a photoperiod seedling at the same time, label them. Otherwise, you may end up growing a photoperiod plant in an autoflowering setup — a lose-lose situation, isn’t it? 

12. Use Germination Starter Kits

If you’re new to the game and have already ordered high-quality cannabis seeds, you should consider getting germination starter kits. They are a tad expensive but ensure high germination rates. 

Essentially, these kits come with everything you need to germinate your seeds properly with high success rates. Most starter kits include the essentials, such as:

• Seedling pots
• Propagator
• Beneficial bacteria or other nutritional alternatives 
• Growing medium, like perlite 
• CFL lights 
• User manual, etc. 

These are worth every penny you spend on them if you are planning to grow cannabis for a long time. 

Transplant Seedlings Properly

Once the seedlings have grown a few inches and are just about to start the early vegetative phase, you can transplant them. Knowing when and how to transplant them is important, especially if you’re new. If you’re growing autoflowers, try not to transplant them. You can germinate seeds in one container and let them grow and flower in the same container as they don’t have a lot of time to recover from stress. 

On the other hand, if you’re growing photoperiods, you need to transplant them as the roots get bigger and encourage more growth. 

Here are a few things you should consider when transplanting:

1. Timing

The timing is critical to transplant seedlings as you need to shift them only when they have established a root system but are still young enough to adapt to their new environment. Usually, this occurs when seedlings have outgrown their containers or started developing their set of true leaves. Transplanting early can hinder growth while delaying it may cause root congestion and nutrient deficiencies.

2. Handle with Care

Be gentle when handling seedlings, especially the roots, during the transplantation process. Work quickly when removing seedlings from their growing medium as this reduces the amount of time they spend exposed.

Before transplanting, water the seedlings and wait for them to settle down a bit. This will help keep the soil moist and decrease the chances of damaging the roots. Moist soil helps alleviate stress for the plants during this transition period.

3. Choose the Right Containers for Transplanting

Choose larger containers with proper drainage for the transplant. Fabric pots, plastic containers, and smart pots are all good options. Make sure your new containers are clean and have plenty of room to allow your roots to expand. The size of your container will depend on how big you want your cannabis plant to be when you’re finished.

Before their final containers, your plants will appreciate a pit stop at an intermediate-sized container. This gives your plants some time to adjust to their new space without experiencing too much stress along the way. However, this is not necessary, and you can skip this step if you want to use the final container right away. 

4. Tips for Minimizing Transplant Shock

When transplanting, it’s best to keep things stable. Try not to change the temperature, humidity, or light intensity too much as they can all contribute to transplant shock. With time, your plants will acclimatize just fine.

5. Use Plenty of Water

Transplanted seedlings should be watered thoroughly, but they shouldn’t be overwatered, as you already know what happens if you water too much. On the other hand, not watering enough can stress the plants, so work on maintaining the right balance by checking the containers frequently and watering only when the top soil is dry. 

6. Choose the Right Transplanting Medium

When you are in the process of transplanting seedlings, use a medium that is similar to the one in which the seedlings initially germinated to decrease the shock of a complete change in soil composition.

7. Use Rooting Stimulants

Although rooting stimulants are optional, they come with beneficial fungi that will help encourage root development and increase the plant’s ability to acclimatize to its new surroundings after transplanting. 

Common Germination Issues and How To Solve Them

Knowing common germination issues and how to address them is crucial in ensuring the success of your cannabis operation. Learn how to identify and troubleshoot three common germination issues: damping off, slow or stalled germination, and seedling diseases and pests.

1. Damping Off

Damping off is a fungal disease that usually causes seedlings to fall over at the base, sometimes just above the soil line. Affected seedlings may appear water-soaked and have a slimy feel.

To solve this problem, use an aerated growing medium for air circulation. Do not overcrowd the seedlings and the humidity will reduce automatically. The growing medium should also drain water easily as overwatering can contribute to damping off. Prevent damping off by using fungicides containing active ingredients like neem oil or copper-based compounds.

2. Slow or Stalled Germination

The seeds may sometimes germinate very slowly. Or, they just won’t germinate at all. 

Causes may include incorrect temperature, excessive moisture or lack of it, and the age of the seeds. While old seeds often germinate slowly or not at all, a fresh seed from high-quality seedbanks will usually turn into a seedling in 5–10 days.

3. Root Rot

Overly wet conditions typically cause root rot. This is when the roots often become discolored and slimy or mushy. Improve drainage and let the medium dry between waterings to address this issue. 

4. Fungi and Pests

Many fungal infections impact your seedlings. To control fungal diseases and prevent them in the first place, apply a fungicide, ensure adequate ventilation, and keep your growing area clean. 

Common pests include spider mites, aphids, and thrips. However, the biggest threat comes from cutworms that love to cut off tender seedlings. Therefore, keep an eye on the soil and make sure you get rid of the pests if you spot any. 

Summary: Best Tips for Germinating Cannabis Seeds

That’s it. Follow these steps and you’ll be well on your way to germinating excellent cannabis seedlings, which will eventually grow into healthy plants. To summarize everything, all you need to do is ensure the environment is moist and not too warm, be gentle with the seed, and use adequate water and sometimes nutrients. 

But this is only the beginning. Growing cannabis is an art and there’s never enough to learn. So, stay tuned to our blog. We post regular guides on growing cannabis the right way, like a pro.