Harvesting Cannabis Plants: When & How To Harvest

By Ben Owens & Colin Gordon

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Growing is as much a science as it is an art, and knowing when to harvest is as nuanced as knowing when you’ve finished a painting.

Luckily, there are a few reference points that you can lean into as you narrow it down.

Whether it's your first time harvesting or you're working on dialing in your process, one of the most critical aspects is determining the right time to harvest. 

This guide will help you understand how to identify the harvest window, as well as tips for harvesting your plants for the best results. 

When To Harvest: Signs To Look For

Harvesting isn’t about pinpointing a singular perfect moment when a plant is ready. 

There’s not one single day that a plant is ready; It’s a range. If you’re a little off, it’s okay. 

You might have heard about looking for specific indicators like the color of trichomes or pistils, but even these factors aren't rigid.

Instead, you’re looking for a range of time—usually between a few days and a week—during which the plant is at its peak, and this window is flexible. 

Look for Signs of Maturity

Many growers look certain signs such as:

• Trichome changes
• Calyx swelling
• Pistil color change and recession
• Stated or known timelines

When trichomes shift from clear to milky white ad begin to amber, that’s often a sign your plant is nearing maturity. Similarly, pistils, the hair-like strands on your buds, will change from white to orange as the recede into your buds while neighboring calyxes swell. It’s also important to pay attention to any insight you may have from previous runs of the same genetic, as well as stated timelines from the breeder for that variety.

But remember: you can’t rely on just one of these indicators. 

Different plants develop at different rates, and some plants may not check all of the boxes even though they have reached the ripe harvest window.

Use these signs as part of a broader assessment of the ripeness. 

By giving yourself a flexible window, you can avoid unnecessary stress about missing the perfect harvest day. 

As a general rule of thumb, many indoor crops will be ready after about nine weeks of flowering, but rarely should you go beyond ten weeks unless necessary for the genetics you’re growing.

Indoor vs. Outdoor Harvest Timing

It is worth noting that indoor growers have greater flexibility with harvest, while outdoor growers are often at the mercy of seasonal weather conditions.

Outdoor harvest times are all about weather. Let it go longer if the weather is good, but be cautious as it gets wetter. In areas with unpredictable climates, waiting too long can expose your plants to mold or other damage. 

If you’re growing outdoors, keep an eye on the forecast and be ready to harvest if wet weather is on the horizon.

If you’re growing indoors, you’ll need to pay more attention to maturity indicators. 

How To Harvest

Once you’ve determined your plants are ready (or your weather has turned for the season), the next step is to harvest your plants. This is a relatively straightforward process where plants are chopped, stripped of excess leaves, and hung to dry. 

Step 1: De-leaf or De-fan your plants

Begin by removing any remaining large fan leaves that don't have trichomes. 

Removing leaves helps reduce excess stored moisture and can expedite the drying process, or can be left on to retain as much moisture as possible for a slower dry (see climate considerations below for more tips on this). 

Step 2: Hang Drying

For most growers, you’re either going to hang the entire plant, chopped at the base, or hang individual branches. 

Many experienced growers prefer hanging even-sized branches because it allows for more even airflow, preventing stagnant pockets and potential mold issues. 

The drying period can last anywhere from 7-21 days depending on your ambient climate. Drying in humid environments like Florida is vastly different from drying in arid regions like Colorado.

The first few days, you will want to focus on lowering your humidity to encourage moisture release. After that, how you control your drying environment becomes more conditional to the environment you're in.

Step 3: Curing

After drying, the final stage of the harvest process is curing. This process typically lasts anywhere from two weeks to upwards of six months, depending on your patience and desired results. 

During curing, you should "burp" the containers, opening them daily to release built-up moisture and allow fresh air to circulate. 

A well-cured batch will have a smooth texture and superior taste, with the flower feeling like cloth between your fingers when properly dried.

Climate Considerations When Drying

Harvesting and drying methods aren’t universal; they depend heavily on local climate.

For example, in Colorado, you might only need a dehumidifier for the first couple of days before letting the plants dry naturally. In more humid areas, a dehumidifier might be necessary throughout the entire drying process.

• Dry climates (like Arizona or Colorado): If you’re growing in a dry environment, your main concern is overdrying. In these climates, try to leave more leaves on the plant if possible to slow down the drying process.
  
  Initially, run a dehumidifier for the first two days, then let the buds sit in a controlled environment for 5-7 days. This gradual drying ensures the flower doesn’t lose too much moisture too quickly.
  
• Humid climates (like Florida or Washington): In a humid setting, mold prevention is crucial. Any stagnant areas in your drying room could lead to molds and mildews.
  
  In high humidity areas, you’ll likely need to use a dehumidifier throughout the drying process. If the buds still feel too wet after hanging, give them extra time before sealing them in jars or bags for curing.

Drying and curing are one of the hardest parts of a quality harvest.

It takes time, patience, and a hefty amount of trial and error to dial in your drying technique.

Remember, no matter where you are in your growing journey, there's room for error and experimentation. The most experienced growers are never completely satisfied, and always fine-tuning their drying and curing processes.

Harvesting is as much an art as it is a science, and every grower develops their methods through experience.

The most important thing is to start somewhere, observe your plants, and adjust as you go.

You don’t have to be a genius to dry your buds, but it may take a few cycles to get the hang of it. 

Once you’ve gone through it a few times, you’ll have a better understanding of how your plants respond to your environment, and you can refine your drying approach for future cycles.