How Long Does It Take to Grow Weed? A Breakdown
Growing your own weed can be incredibly rewarding—but how long does it actually take from seed to harvest?
The answer depends on your setup, your strain, and how much control you want. Some growers finish in 8 weeks. Others take 5 months. This guide breaks it all down.
🕒 Average Grow Time: Quick Glance
| Stage | Autoflower Strain | Photoperiod Strain |
|---|---|---|
| Germination | 1–7 days | 1–7 days |
| Seedling | 1–2 weeks | 1–2 weeks |
| Vegetative stage | 2–4 weeks | 4–8+ weeks |
| Flowering stage | 6–8 weeks | 8–11 weeks |
| Total | 8–12 weeks | 12–20 weeks |
🌱 1. Germination (1–7 days)
Popping seeds can take a few hours or a full week depending on technique. Most growers use a moist paper towel or root starter cubes for this phase.
🌿 2. Seedling Stage (1–2 weeks)
Once your seed sprouts and breaks soil, it enters the seedling phase. It’ll develop a few sets of “true” cannabis leaves and stay compact. Use low light intensity and don’t overwater.
🌳 3. Vegetative Stage (2–8+ weeks)
This is where the plant gets big, bushy, and strong. It focuses on growing stems and leaves—not buds.
- Autoflowers: Veg automatically for ~2–4 weeks before switching to bloom.
- Photoperiods: You control veg length with light. Most growers veg for 4–8 weeks, but you can go longer for bigger yields or shorter for speed.
⏱ Want to go faster? You can veg photoperiods for just 2–3 weeks with a “Sea of Green” technique (SOG).
🌸 4. Flowering Stage (6–11 weeks)
This is when the plant puts all its energy into making buds.
- Autoflowers: Typically bloom for 6–8 weeks.
- Photoperiods: Flowering time varies by strain but usually takes 8–11 weeks under a 12/12 light cycle.
Some fast strains like Honey Cream, Royal Cheese, or Northern Lights Auto finish faster.
✂️ 5. Harvest, Drying & Curing (2–4 weeks)
Even after chopping your plant, you’re not done:
- Drying: 5–10 days
- Curing: 2–4+ weeks for smoother, more potent buds
Dry slowly in a cool, dark place for best results.
💡 So… How Long Does It Really Take?
If you’re growing fast autoflowers, you could harvest in 8–10 weeks total.
If you’re growing photoperiod plants, expect 12–20 weeks depending on veg length and flower duration.
👉 Choose fast genetics if time is tight.
👉 Use indoor lighting to control schedules and avoid seasonal delays.
👉 Skip long veg cycles unless you’re chasing big yields.
🚀 TL;DR
- Fastest possible grow: ~8 weeks (autoflower, minimal cure)
- Average home grow: 3–4 months
- Max yield grow: 5–6 months (long veg + full cure)
If you want to grow weed fast, genetics and lighting matter most. Start with a strain bred for speed, and dial in your environment.