When to harvest cannabis: Signs your plants are ready

Harvesting cannabis at the wrong time can ruin months of hard work. 

Too early, your buds will lack potency; too late, you’ll sacrifice flavour and desired effects. 

But don’t worry - we’ll guide you through the key signs your cannabis is ready for harvest, from trichome colouration to pistil changes, so that you can avoid disappointing yields and subpar results. 

With this step-by-step guide, you’ll master the art of timing your harvest for maximum potency, flavour, and overall quality. 

Disclaimer: Any information given on this site is for educational purposes only. Please ensure if you’re growing cannabis, you’re doing so by the law and subject to appropriate permissions and licenses of the applicable country.  

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How to tell when cannabis is ready to harvest     

As a cannabis plant matures, it will show various signs of readiness. 

Knowing when to harvest cannabis is all about recognising the signals your plant provides.  

Let’s dive deeper into these key indicators so you can harvest at the right time: 

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Trichome colouration

Trichomes are tiny resin glands packed with THC and other cannabinoids. 

Their colour changes as the cannabis plant matures, giving you a clear sign of readiness.

• Clear trichomes: These indicate the cannabis plant is still growing. Harvesting with mainly clear trichomes leads to immature, low-potency buds. 
• Cloudy trichomes: Cloudy or milky white trichomes signify peak potency with uplifting effects. 
• Amber trichomes: These provide a sedating, relaxing effect.

Use a magnifying glass to closely inspect these changes and decide the optimal harvest time for your preferences. 

Many growers aim for a mix of cloudy and amber.

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Pistil colour

The plant’s pistils begin as white hairs but gradually darken. 

When at least 70–90% (the vast majority) of the white pistils have turned orange or brown, your cannabis buds could be ready to harvest.  

This transformation signals the end of the flowering stage, and the buds mature fully.

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Fan leaves

When your cannabis crop nears the harvest window, you’ll notice the fan leaves yellowing or wilting. 

This natural process indicates the plant redirects its energy to develop precious buds. 

Removing some sugar leaves can improve light penetration and boost resin production.

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Other signs

For cannabis grown outdoors, environmental factors like shorter daylight hours also help pinpoint the right harvest date. 

Keeping a close eye on these changes ensures you’ll get dense, resinous, and high-quality cannabis flowers.

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How to prepare to harvest marijuana plants

Before harvesting cannabis plants, preparation is crucial to ensure a smooth and efficient process. 

Here’s how to get everything ready for a successful cannabis harvest day:

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Essential tools 

• A magnifying glass or microscope is indispensable for inspecting a plant's trichomes. You’ll use this to determine the perfect time to harvest based on trichome colouration.
• Sharp scissors or pruning shears are necessary for cutting and trimming the cannabis buds cleanly, reducing damage to the delicate resin glands.
• Invest in quality drying racks and airtight containers like glass jars to support the crucial drying process and curing stage.

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Prepare your space

Choose a well-ventilated, clean area for harvesting cannabis plants. 

If working with outdoor weed, ensure tools are free from dirt or debris. 

Indoors, maintain stable humidity levels to protect your precious buds during and after harvest time.

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Plan the process

Set aside sufficient time for wet trimming or dry trimming, depending on your preference. 

Proper planning ensures you preserve the quality of your crop while making the process stress-free.

With everything in place, you’re ready to turn your hard work into top-tier results!

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Factors affecting cannabis harvest timing

Understanding the factors that influence your cannabis harvest timing can make a huge difference in achieving the best results. 

Let’s explore these in more detail:

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Indoor vs outdoor cannabis cultivation 

For outdoor cannabis, nature dictates much of the process. Light cycles, seasonal changes, and weather conditions determine when to harvest cannabis. 

Typically, the harvest window for outdoor plants falls in late summer or early autumn. 

Pay attention to shorter daylight hours, which signal your cannabis to finish its flowering stage. 

Unexpected rain or frost can also push you to harvest early to protect your buds.

For indoor plants, you have complete control over the flowering phase. 

Adjusting light cycles allows you to monitor the plant’s trichomes and pistils closely, ensuring you harvest at the perfect time. 

This flexibility often results in more consistent quality.

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Strain-specific differences

The growth cycle of different strains significantly impacts the harvest date. Most strains are ready to harvest around 10 weeks on average. 

Sativa strains often take longer to mature, extending your time to harvest by several weeks.  This extended period contributes to their high THC concentration. 

In contrast, indica strains flower faster, meaning a shorter wait for dense, resinous buds.

By considering these factors and regularly inspecting your plants, you’ll ensure your crop reaches optimal potency at just the right time.

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Avoiding common harvesting mistakes

Mistakes during the cannabis harvest process can drastically reduce the quality of your buds.  

Here’s how to avoid the most common pitfalls:

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Harvesting too early

When you harvest cannabis buds before they fully mature, the buds will be small, underdeveloped, and less potent. 

This often results in a disappointing yield and weaker effects. 

Check your plant's trichomes regularly with a magnifying glass and wait for the ideal balance of cloudy and amber trichomes to ensure your buds are ready to harvest.

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Harvesting too late

If you let your cannabis flowers over-ripen, you risk losing flavour and potency. 

Overripe buds tend to produce a sedating effect due to an excess of amber trichomes. 

This can be undesirable for growers aiming for uplifting effects. 

Monitor your harvest window closely to avoid missing the ideal harvest time.

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Ignoring key indicators

Don’t rely solely on pistil colour or visual cues. Use trichome colouration as your primary guide. 

Focusing on trichomes ensures you’ll harvest for optimal potency, preserving the mature buds you’ve worked hard to cultivate.

By avoiding these mistakes, you can ensure a successful harvest with top-quality results.

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Drying and curing your cannabis plants 

Drying and curing are essential steps in preserving the potency, flavour, and aroma of your cannabis. 

Rushing the drying and curing stages can compromise months of hard work, so take the time to do them properly.

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Drying

Once you’ve finished harvesting cannabis, hang your trimmed buds on a drying rack in a dark, ventilated space. 

Maintaining controlled humidity levels of around 50-60% is critical to prevent mould. 

Temperatures should stay between 15-20°C (60°-70°F) for optimal results. 

The drying process usually takes 7–10 days, but this can vary depending on bud size and density. 

Lightly squeeze the buds to check their maturity; they should feel dry but not brittle.

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Curing

After drying, transfer your dried flowers into airtight containers like glass jars to begin the curing process. 

For the first two weeks, "burp" the jars daily by opening them for a few minutes to release excess moisture. 

This ensures a stable environment and prevents mould. 

Over several weeks, curing will enhance the terpenes, resin production, and overall flavour of your buds, maximising their potency.

Proper drying and curing don’t just improve the quality of your cannabis flowers; they also ensure your final product is smooth, potent, and long-lasting.

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Takeaways

Harvesting cannabis plants at the right time isn’t just about picking buds off the plant - it’s about unlocking the full potential of cultivating cannabis.  

The strength, flavour, and aroma of your cannabis buds all depend on choosing the perfect harvest time. 

By monitoring the amber trichomes, plant pistils, and fan leaves, you can ensure your buds deliver the effects you’re after, whether you’re after an energetic boost or a relaxing couch lock.

Remember, most growers find that timing is a matter of personal preference. 

Some prefer the uplifting effects of cloudy trichomes, while others wait for amber hues to achieve sedating effects. 

Take your time, use a magnifying tool to examine your cannabis flowers, and don’t rush the process.

With the tips in this guide, you now have the tools to tackle every stage of harvesting cannabis with confidence - from recognising when your cannabis plant is ready to harvest to drying and curing your buds for perfection. 

Happy growing and happy harvesting!

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FAQs

How do you know when buds are ready for harvest? 

It’s time to harvest weed when trichomes and pistils show clear signs of maturity.   

Use a magnifying tool to inspect the plant’s trichomes - they should transition from clear to cloudy, with some turning amber.

Additionally, check the pistils: most will have darkened from white to orange or brown. 

If your fan leaves are yellowing and the buds feel dense and sticky, your cannabis plant is likely ready for harvest. 

These signs, combined with the plant’s overall appearance, will help you determine the perfect time to harvest weed for potency and flavour. 

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What is the 3 day darkness before harvest?

The “3-day darkness” technique involves keeping your cannabis crop in complete darkness for the final 72 hours before harvest. 

This is believed to boost resin production, increasing the concentration of cannabinoids and terpenes in the buds. 

It also minimises chlorophyll in the buds, potentially enhancing flavour and smoothness. 

While not all growers opt for this step, many find it improves the overall quality of the final product.

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Is it better to harvest weed too early or too late?

Neither is ideal, but harvesting cannabis too early is often less damaging than harvesting too late. 

If you harvest marijuana early, your cannabis buds will be less potent, with a smaller yield.   

Late harvests can result in overripe buds, reduced flavour, and a sedating effect due to excessive amber trichomes. 

Aim for a balance between cloudy and amber trichomes to hit the perfect harvest window. 

Regularly checking your plant’s maturity will help you avoid both mistakes when you harvest buds. 

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Is it better to harvest in the morning or at night?

Most growers prefer to harvest marijuana plants early in the morning. 

During the night cycle, the plant’s nutrients and sugars are concentrated in the roots, resulting in smoother-smoking buds with better flavour. 

Harvesting at night or early morning also reduces terpene evaporation, preserving the aromatic compounds in your cannabis flowers. 

If growing outdoor weed, morning harvests are particularly advantageous, as temperatures and humidity levels are typically lower, minimising bud damage.

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When to harvest outdoor cannabis?

Timing the harvest for outdoor weed depends largely on the natural growing season and environmental conditions. 

Typically, outdoor cannabis plants are ready to harvest in late summer or early autumn, when daylight hours shorten and temperatures drop. 

Check the plant’s trichomes - cloudy and amber hues indicate readiness. 

Additionally, monitor the pistils, which should mostly darken from white to orange or brown. 

Be mindful of the weather. Rain or frost can damage your buds, so harvesting a bit early might be necessary in unfavourable conditions. 

With careful observation, you’ll hit the perfect harvest window for your crop.

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Do you flush every day before harvest?

Flushing involves watering your cannabis plant with plain water to remove excess nutrients. 

It’s typically done for 1–2 weeks before the harvest date but not daily. 

Watering frequency during the flush depends on your plant’s size, soil type, and environment. 

Overwatering during the flush can lead to root issues, so stick to your normal watering schedule while using only water. 

This step ensures your buds are clean and free of harsh chemical residues, improving their flavour and quality.

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Do buds fatten up during flush?

Yes, buds can continue to fatten up during the flush, especially if the plant’s pistils are still turning and the buds mature. 

While the plant is no longer receiving nutrients, it reallocates stored resources to finalise bud growth. 

This late-stage swelling is common in the final weeks of the flowering stage, so flushing won’t necessarily halt development. 

However, proper care and optimal environmental conditions throughout the growth cycle are key to achieving full, dense buds.

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Should you wash your buds before harvest?

Washing your buds before harvest is not recommended, as it can harm the plant and introduce unnecessary moisture, potentially leading to mould or mildew. 

However, washing your buds after harvest can be beneficial, particularly for outdoor crops exposed to dust, pests, or pollutants.

Post-harvest washing involves gently rinsing the cannabis buds in clean, room-temperature water to remove contaminants. 

Some growers use solutions with baking soda, lemon juice, or hydrogen peroxide for additional cleaning. 

Be careful to avoid damaging delicate trichomes during this process.

After washing, thoroughly dry the buds in a well ventilated space to prevent mould during the drying process. 

While not essential for all crops, post-harvest washing can improve the cleanliness and quality of your cannabis flowers, especially for outdoor-grown plants.

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