Wet Trimming vs Dry Trimming: Which is Better?

When it comes to harvesting cannabis, the excitement of reaping the fruits (or buds) of your labor can be overshadowed by one crucial decision: how to trim your buds. Trimming, the process of removing excess fan and sugar leaves from your cannabis plants, is essential for ensuring your harvest looks and smokes its best. 

The two primary methods — wet trimming and dry trimming — each come with their own set of pros and cons. Choosing the right method can significantly impact the potency, flavor, and overall quality of your final product. 

So, which trimming technique should you opt for? In this article, let's dive into the details of both trimming methods, their pros and cons, and how you can do them. By the end of this article, you'll be able to decide which method works best for you. 

What is Trimming? 

After months of nurturing your cannabis plants, you've finally reached the moment of truth –- harvest time! But wait, before you start celebrating, there's one crucial step left: trimming. This is where you'll prep your buds for drying and curing by snipping off excess fan and sugar leaves. 

Essentially, trimming is all about getting rid of the parts of the plant you don't need, like fan and sugar leaves, so your buds are ready for storage or use. Fan leaves? Those are the big leaves with little to no THC, and honestly, they're not doing much for your smoking experience — they make the smoke harsh, thanks to their chlorophyll content.

Sugar leaves, on the other hand, are a bit of a different story. They're coated in trichomes and packed with THC, but they can also make your smoke a little harsh. So, while you'll want to remove them from the buds, don't toss them! Save those for edibles, hash, or oils.

This trimming process is essential if you want your buds to shine in both potency and appearance. If you do this right, trimming can give your buds a smooth finish, making them perfect for consumption, display, or sale. Here's why:

• Trimming boosts the overall potency of your buds by removing parts that are low in THC
• Cleaned-up buds are smoother to smoke, without the harshness from raw leaves
• Neat, trimmed buds just look better — ideal for selling or showing off to your buddies 

If you're new to cannabis cultivation, you're probably wondering: is wet trimming or dry trimming better? The truth is, there's no one-size-fits-all answer. Some growers swear by wet trimming, while others stand by dry trimming. 

The best choice depends on your preferences, location, and how you like to process your harvest. So, let's break down the pros and cons of each, starting with wet trimming.

Wet Trimming Cannabis

Wet trimming is exactly what it sounds like — trimming your buds while they're still fresh, right after harvest. This method is quick, and for many growers, it's a no-brainer. This is because the leaves are still firm, making them easy to snip away. 

Plus, you won't have to worry about mold since your buds are spread out and drying faster without the extra plant material.

However, wet trimming can be a bit messier. Trichomes can be sticky, and handling wet buds might cause some loss of those precious cannabinoids. Also, because the buds dry more quickly, they can become a bit brittle, which may affect the overall quality.

Let's look at the pros and cons of wet trimming.

Pros of Wet Trimming

Here are the pros or reasons why you should consider wet trimming your cannabis buds.

• It's Easy

Wet trimming is done on freshly harvested buds that are nice and firm. In fact, their rigid structure makes wet trimming easier when you have large quantities to deal with since the leaves are still stiff and plump and stand apart from the buds easily. 

This technique also prevents you from cutting the buds accidentally. Therefore, wet trimming is a better option for commercial cultivators or even home gardeners who have lots of buds to trim. You'll also work through the buds faster because they aren't stuck to the buds. 

• Faster Drying Time 

Wet trimming speeds up the drying process. Without the extra leaves that hold moisture, your buds dry faster, reducing the risk of mold. This is especially helpful if you live in a humid area where mold is more likely to be an issue.

In addition, growers can move more rapidly from start to finish in the harvest process. Because the trimming takes place right after cutting down plants, there is no need to wait for plant material to dry out before handling. This will speed up the entire post-harvest workflow, which is pretty helpful for commercial operations where time really matters. Since the buds will be drying and curing faster, you'll be able to get the buds to the market sooner. 

• Space Saving 

Cannabis plants take up quite a lot of space when you try to dry them with their leaves intact. This can be a problem if you don't have a dedicated large space for drying. However, you can get around this issue by trimming away the leaves and then drying them when you don't have a lot of room. 

With their fan and sugar leaves removed, the buds take up less room on drying racks or hanging lines, creating more drying space for growers. This is very useful for large-scale operations where maximizing space allows them to get more work done. It also allows for better air circulation while drying, helping to prevent mold. 

• Reduced Smoke Harshness

By removing fan and sugar leaves right after harvest, you minimize the chlorophyll content in your buds. This leads to a smoother smoke since chlorophyll can contribute to a harsh taste.

• Prevents Mold

This is especially true if you are in a high-humidity environment that has mold risk. As you may probably already know, mold tends to grow in humid environments and the humidity increases when the buds are left to dry with their leaves.

Growers prevent this problem by trimming the leaves off those wet buds. This will expedite the drying process and the buds will also dry evenly in a shorter time frame. Fortunately, a quick drying process will reduce the time needed for mold spores to mature and spread on the damp, nugs. In areas where humidity is harder to control, wet trimming also serves as a precaution against mold while buds are most vulnerable to microbial attack.

• Improved Aesthetic Appeal

Aesthetics also play an important role when you're dealing with cannabis buds whether you're selling them or just using them for personal use. Yes, even growers who grow for personal use and share with friends try really hard to grow beautiful buds. There's something magical about vibrant cannabis buds and wet trimming helps even with this as it offers fantastic-looking buds with a fresh haircut. 

As the leaves wouldn't have had a chance to curl around the buds just yet, it creates a polished look. The buds usually have cleaner outlines, more vivid colors, and a generally better visual appeal. As you can guess, this is very important for commercial growers, dispensaries, and even consumers who appreciate the aesthetics of the product.

However, note that while wet-trimmed buds may look neater, they don't always hold up aesthetically during drying. They may lose some of their vibrant color, which can make them slightly less appealing. 

• Reduced Risk of Cross-Contamination

Given that a lot of contaminants like hair, dust, and dirt could stick to the buds, wet trimming reduces this possibility to a great extent as you're going to be trimming the buds indoors as soon you can harvest the buds. The trichs haven't had the chance to harden yet, so less debris sticks to the plant. If you've noticed, dried buds with sticky resin are much more prone to collecting debris when you handle them. 

• Allows you to Freeze Cannabis Immediately

Wet trimming is best for growers who want to freeze their weed straight after they cut it down as this step is important to extract cannabinoids. You've probably guessed that this is particularly useful for extractors who are in the business of making live resin or other concentrates that need fresh-frozen cannabis. This is because wet trimming allows the buds flower to be harvested before drying which helps protect terpene content and cannabinoid potency. 

Cons of Wet Trimming

On the flip side, here are the downsides of wet trimming your cannabis buds.

• Less Protection

Those fan and sugar leaves serve a purpose — they protect the buds during curing. Without them, your buds are a bit more exposed, which can affect the final quality.

Additionally, wet trimming can result in the loss of terpenes. When you trim right after harvest, the buds lose some of the protection from their outer leaves, which can cause terpenes to evaporate more quickly.

• Premature Drying Risk

If you live in a dry climate, trimming off those moisture-filled leaves too early can cause your buds to dry out too quickly, impacting their potency and flavor.

• Elbow Grease

Wet trimming requires you to start trimming right after harvest, which can be exhausting. If you've got a lot of plants to work through, this method can quickly become a chore.

Since you need to trim your buds before they start to dry and deteriorate, you have to be on your toes. While the trimming process itself might be quicker, this adds pressure if you've got a large crop.

• Messy

Buds harvested freshly are sticky due to the trichomes. So, wet trimming can be messy, with the plant material sticking to your scissors, fingers, and clothes. You'll have to clean up frequently. 

How to Wet Trim Cannabis? 

Wet trimming can seem a little daunting at first, but with this simple guide, you'll be able to master the technique in no time.

• Cut the Branches into Smaller Sizes

Start by using your large shears to cut the branches with buds into smaller, more manageable pieces. This makes it easier to trim them properly. Ensure the branches aren't too long or too short so that you can handle them comfortably.

TIP: Since your buds are still wet, they can be quite soft. Avoid flattening them by either placing them gently in a container or hanging them from a line, like you would hang wet clothes.

• Remove the Fan Leaves

Once you've got your branches ready, begin by removing the fan leaves. These are the large, bright green leaves that don't have trichomes (or "sugar"). You can easily snip these off as they don't contribute much to the final product.

• Trim the Sugar Leaves

Next, it's time for the detailed work. The sugar leaves are the smaller leaves sticking out of the buds, often coated with trichomes. While some growers prefer to leave them on for extra trichome content, trimming them will make your buds less harsh when smoked.

Trim closely over a separate container to catch these trichome-covered sugar leaves, as you can save them for making edibles, hash, or concentrates later.

NOTE: Decide how much stem you want to leave. If you cut the buds entirely off the stems, you'll need a drying rack. If you leave a bit of stem, you can hang them to dry, which also helps preserve space.

• Dry the Buds

Once you've trimmed your buds, it's time to dry them. Whether you've placed them on a drying rack or hung them from a line, make sure to follow this drying timeline for optimal results:

• Days 1 to 3: Keep the room at 65°F or 18°C with 55% humidity
• Days 4 to 6: Raise the temperature to 65°F or 21°C and lower humidity to 50%
• Days 7 to 10-ish: Increase the temperature to 73 to 75°F (24°C) with humidity around 45%, continuing until the stems break with an audible snap

• Cure the Buds

Once your buds have passed the snap test (i.e., the stem breaks easily), it's time to cure them. Place your dried buds in airtight jars, like glass mason jars, to begin the curing process. This step is crucial for enhancing flavor, potency, and smoothness.

Dry Trimming Cannabis

Dry trimming, on the other hand, takes a bit more patience. You'll hang your whole plants to dry before you start trimming. This method allows the buds to dry more slowly, preserving terpenes and resulting in a smoother, more flavorful smoke.

The downside? It's more time-consuming, and trimming dried leaves can be a little more challenging. The leaves shrink as they dry, and you'll need a steady hand to carefully cut around the now-crispy buds.

This is ideal for those who value flavor and aren't in a rush to process their cannabis. However, it can be space-consuming and requires careful timing, especially in humid conditions.

Pros 

Let's take a look at the pros of dry trimming.

• Ideal for Dry Regions 

Dry trimming works well in dry environments since it slows down the drying process, allowing your buds to retain moisture without drying out too quickly. This prevents the buds from becoming too brittle or losing potency prematurely.

• More Flexibility in Timing

The major advantage of dry trimming is that it allows a great level of flexibility if you're not in a rush. Those who wet-trim the buds will have to get to work immediately after harvesting. However, you don't have to do that with dry trimming. You simply have to hang the buds and wait for them to dry, which can take days or even weeks, depending on the amount and size of the buds. And once they dry, you can trim at your pace since there's no rush to get things done. 

• Cleaner Process

Wet trimming is done when the buds are fresh. Naturally, the buds will be sticky. But, with dry trimming, since most of the moisture has evaporated already, the resin on buds is far less likely to get stuck to scissors, gloves, or surrounding surfaces. Dry trimming is also cleaner and more convenient for folks who don't want to stop and clean their tools regularly. It can get difficult with wet trimming when there's a lot of resin sticking like glue! In other words, dry trimming makes it comfortable to trim the leaves, especially if you're doing it manually. 

• Better Flavor

Dry trimming allows more time for chlorophyll to break down, which means your buds will have a smoother, less harsh flavor. So, if you value taste, dry trimming is often the way to go.

In addition, dry trimming involves longer drying times as the buds will need some time to dry slowly and evenly. This is because the leaves dry on the buds and serve as a protective layer, slowing down moisture loss for the buds. Drying the plants for an extended period of time enhances the terpene profile and offers a tastier, smellier, and stronger finished product. 

In short, you should opt for dry trimming if your focus is more on quality cannabis with strong terpenes and cannabinoids. 

• Chance of More Trichomes 

Some growers argue that the slower drying process can lead to better trichome preservation since the buds are not handled as much when trimming is delayed.

Dry trimming is a wee bit more gentle on the buds as it allows those delicate trichomes to stay in place. Trichomes are not as easy to knock off when some of that stickiness has gone, and they cling to the dried buds a lot more. As a result you don't lose a lot of trichomes when handling and trimming, resulting in more potent & cannabinoid-rich final products. Also, since you won't be handling wet, sticky buds, there's much less risk of trichomes sticking to the shears or gloves.

Cons of Dry Trimming

Now, let's dive into the downsides of dry trimming your cannabis buds. 

• Takes Up Space

With all the extra leaves still on, your buds take up more room while drying. If you're working with limited space, this method can be a bit tricky.

• Fragile Buds

Once the buds are fully dried, they become brittle. Handling them during trimming can cause the buds to break apart if you're not gentle enough.

• Not so Easy to Trim

The biggest drawback to dry trimming is that the leaves tend to naturally curl around the buds as they dry, which makes it a pain to trim them and make them look good. When wet trimming, the stiff fresh leaves are easier to cut, but when bone dry, the leaves can be stuck to the buds in such a way that it makes it very difficult to remove them. Needless to say, the process can drag on for a long time, especially if you're particular about the aesthetic appeal. Also, you'll have to be careful so you don't damage the buds. 

• Risk of Mold

Since you'll be drying the buds with their leaves intact, there's a high risk of mold as there's a lot of moisture. This can be even more troublesome if you're in an environment with high humidity. The leaves can also inhibit the drying process, leaving the insides of your buds wet for longer periods of time. To prevent this problem, you have to have excellent drying conditions with proper airflow, humidity, and temperature management. 

• Timing Must be Perfect

While dry trimming gives you more flexibility with timing, figuring out the perfect day to trim can be tricky. You should trim the buds when they have about 9-10% moisture, but pinpointing that exact moment requires experience (and sometimes a moisture meter).

• Not very Aesthetically Appealing 

Dry trimming does deliver top-notch buds, but they may lack the final polished appearance common with wet-trimmed buds. It can be challenging to trim dry leaves, as mentioned earlier, so the buds are left with a lot of small sugar leaves, leaving the buds looking a bit rough, unlike the smooth buds you get with wet trimming. Therefore, it can be an issue for consumers who want perfectly manicured buds.

How to Dry Trim?

This process involves allowing your plants to dry before trimming them, so here's an easy guide to help you get through it:

• Cut the Branches into Manageable Sizes

Just like wet trimming, begin by cutting the thicker branches with buds into manageable sizes. Use your large shears to cut through the branches, ensuring they're neither too short nor too long for you to handle easily. Place the branches in a container and bring them to your workstation for the next steps.

• Remove the Fan Leaves

Once you've cut the branches, remove the large fan leaves, or water leaves. These are bright green and don't have any trichomes (sugar) on them, making them unnecessary for your final product. Snip them off and discard or compost them.

• Hang the Buds to Dry

After removing the fan leaves, it's time to let your buds dry. Make sure to use these drying conditions to get the best results:

• Days 1 to 3: Keep the room at 65°F or 18°C with 55% humidity
• Days 4 to 6: Raise the temperature to 70°F or 21°C and reduce humidity to 50%
• Days 7 to 10-ish: Maintain a temperature of 73 to 75°F (24°C) with 45% humidity, drying until the stems break evenly and audibly with a crisp snap

During this drying period, you can take a short break from the trimming process. Wait until the buds are fully dry before moving on to the next step.

• Close Cutting of the Small Leaves

Once your buds are dried and pass the snap test (meaning the stems break easily), it's time to trim the small sugar leaves. These are the trichome-covered leaves that stick out of the buds. You should trim them off to make the buds less harsh when smoked and give them a cleaner, more attractive appearance.

Be sure to trim over a separate container to collect the sugar leaves, which can be used later for edibles, hash, or concentrates. Trim until your buds reach your desired appearance.

• Time to Cure

Now that your buds are dried and trimmed properly, it's time for curing. Place your buds in airtight jars, like mason jars, to preserve their potency and enhance their flavor over time. That's it. Follow these steps and you'll be able to dry trim your cannabis buds succesfully. 

Which One Should You Choose: Wet Trimming or Dry Trimming?

Now that you know all about wet trimming and dry trimming, let's narrow down on which one is perfect for you. Here's a quick breakdown to help you make the right decision. 

• Wet Trimming 

If you're a new grower, wet trimming might be the best choice. It's easier and faster because the leaves stick out, making them simpler to cut. This method also reduces the risk of mold, making it ideal for growers in humid climates. However, it can be messy, and some trichomes might be lost in the process.

• Dry Trimming

If you prefer a cleaner process, dry trimming could be the way to go. It's less sticky and messy but requires more space for drying buds. This method works best in arid climates, where gradual drying prevents premature dryness. While it's more tedious, it results in buds with better flavor and less chlorophyll.

Some Factors to Consider 

To help make your decision easier, here are some factors that you can consider: 

• Climate — wet trimming is better in humid regions while dry trimming is better for dry regions 
• Skill level — wet trimming is beginner-friendly, while dry trimming requires patience and precision 
• Space availability — Wet trimming takes up less space since the buds dry faster, whereas dry trimming requires more room for hanging branches

You can also ask yourself the following questions:

• Will you be harvesting all at once or progressively?
• How much production do you need to trim?
• Do you have enough space for drying?
• Do you need machinery for large-scale trimming?

With these factors, you'll be able to decide which trimming method is right for you in no time. 

Some Tips for Trimming Your Cannabis Buds 

No matter which method you choose, here are some tips that will help you get the best-looking and most flavorful buds:

• Trimming is time-consuming, so use a comfortable chair and table setup
• Use latex gloves to avoid contamination and make cleanup easier
• Always use sharp trimming scissors for a neat finish
• Use separate trays for trimmed buds and discarded leaves to avoid contamination
• Trim in a well-lit space to spot the sugar leaves easily
• Listening to music, podcasts, or audiobooks can make the process more enjoyable
• Sticky trichomes will build up on your scissors, so use some rubbing alcohol and a cloth to keep your tools clean 
• Trim in small batches so it doesn't get too overwhelming 
• Use a catch tray for kief 
• Label everything — it makes things a lot easier 

These extra tips will help you have a smoother and more efficient trimming process, while also ensuring you get the most out of your cannabis harvest.

What If You Don't Trim Your Cannabis Buds At All?

For some growers, the idea of no-trim cannabis is appealing. This approach involves leaving the buds intact, with all leaves and trichomes left on. 

Advocates of this method argue that it allows for a more natural, full-spectrum smoke, which can improve flavor and potency by preserving the plant's natural oils and terpenes. Some users state that they save time and effort by skipping the trimming process while the buds maintain a rustic appearance. 

However, there are way too many cons with this method:

• No Visual Appeal

Since the buds will have all of their sugar leaves and even the fan leaves (assuming you haven't trimmed them either) the buds will not be visually appealing. They may seem larger, of course, but they will also appear unrefined and leafy. Trimmed buds will be more appealing for consumers who prefer the professional look, and might make untrimmed buds appear less attractive. In commercial settings, this can hurt the marketability of the product as everyone loves buying weed that is manicured perfectly.

• Smoking Quality

Smoking buds along with the leaves will produce a harsh smoke. Although sugar leaves do contain some trichomes, they aren't as potent as the buds. In addition, so much chlorophyll due to all that plant matter will not contribute to a smooth experience. In short, it won't be pleasant. And, if you leave the fan leaves untrimmed, it's safe to say that you'll spend more time coughing your lungs out instead of enjoying the smoke. Thus, it goes without saying that it can irritate your lungs and you should definitely not opt for this method. 

• Effects on Taste and Aroma and the Terpene Profile

Leaving a bud untrimmed can affect the flavor of cannabis. The sugar and fan leaves are going to have more chlorophyll in them, as mentioned in the previous point. Apart from a harsh smoke, you'll also taste a grassy, plant-like taste when you light a joint. Not only will this overwhelm the terpenes, but you'll also not enjoy smoking anything that tastes like grass. 

• Lower Potency

Since you aren't going to be trimming the leaves, there will be a higher proportion of plant material that doesn't contain any trichomes on the buds. For instance, the fan leaves don't have any potency at all. Naturally, your final product will be low in potency, whether you smoke it or use it for making concentrates. If you're a commercial cultivator, you'll have trouble since consumers typically don't like weed with low potency. 

• Increased Risk of Mold

As the leaves contain a lot of moisture, there will be a higher risk of mold. Remember, mold doesn't affect the plants only when they grow; in fact, even the buds that are drying can catch mold easily. Moreover, the buds will take an inordinate amount of time to dry, thanks to all that moisture. 

Summary: Wet Trimming vs Dry Trimming: Which is Better?

Ultimately, the choice between wet trimming and dry trimming boils down to your personal preferences, experience level, and environmental factors. Wet trimming is often favored by beginners for its simplicity and speed, while dry trimming appeals to those seeking enhanced flavor and a cleaner process. 

Whichever method you choose, remember that trimming is an integral part of your cannabis cultivation journey. It sets the stage for an enjoyable smoking experience and showcases the fruits of your hard work. Whether you opt for a meticulous trim or a more hands-off approach, your harvest is bound to be rewarding.