When to Harvest Cannabis Plants
Harvesting cannabis at the right moment is essential for maximizing potency, flavor, and overall yield. Knowing exactly when to cut can make the difference between average buds and top-quality flowers. The timing of the harvest revolves around several key factors, from observing the trichomes to manage the right times or consider different types of plants. This guide will help you determine the perfect moment to cut your plants and ensure the highest quality results.
Key Signs That Your Cannabis is Ready to Harvest
Determining the right time to harvest cannabis requires patience and a keen eye. Here are the most important factors to consider:
1. Trichome Color and Development
The trichomes, or resin glands, are perhaps the most important indicator of when your cannabis is ready for harvest. These tiny, mushroom-shaped structures can be examined using a magnifying glass or jeweler’s loupe. Pay close attention to their color:
Clear Trichomes: Indicate that the plant is still immature and not ready for harvest. At this stage, THC levels have not yet peaked.
Cloudy or Milky Trichomes: This is the ideal stage for harvesting if you’re aiming for the highest potency. THC levels are at their peak, and the effects will likely be energetic and uplifting.
Amber Trichomes: This stage signals that the THC is degrading into CBN, which provides a more relaxing, sedative effect. If you prefer a more body-focused experience, harvesting at this stage may be desirable.
2. Pistil Color and Curl
The pistils, or hairs, that cover the buds also give an important indication of maturity. When the plant is nearing harvest, the pistils will change color and begin to curl inward:
- White and Straight Pistils: If most of the pistils are still white and straight, the plant is still in its flowering stage and not ready for harvest.
- 50%-70% Brown or Red Pistils: When the pistils start to darken and curl, your plant is approaching harvest time. This stage is often considered the sweet spot for most growers, offering a balanced effect.
- Over 70% Darkened Pistils: Once the majority of pistils have changed color, it’s time to harvest. Waiting too long can result in a loss of potency as THC begins to degrade.
3. Leaf Yellowing and Overall Plant Appearance
As the plant reaches the end of its life cycle, the leaves will start to yellow and die off, particularly the fan leaves. This is a sign that the plant is diverting its energy toward maturing the buds. While not as reliable as trichome and pistil observation, leaf yellowing is an additional clue that harvest time is near.
Factors That Influence Harvest Timing
There are several other factors that growers should consider when determining the optimal time to harvest:
1. Strain Type and Desired Effect
Different strains have different flowering times, so it’s important to follow the specific timeline for your variety. Indica strains typically have shorter flowering periods, while Sativa strains may take longer. Additionally, your desired effect can influence when you cut. If you prefer a more stimulating high, harvest earlier (cloudy trichomes). For a more relaxing effect, wait until the trichomes are more amber. We will deep dive in this factors in the further sections.
2. Environmental Conditions
The environment in which your plants are grown can also affect harvest timing. Outdoor plants may be influenced by weather patterns, while indoor plants are more controlled. Make sure your plants are harvested before any harsh environmental conditions, such as frost or heavy rains, which can ruin your crop.
3. Growing Medium and Nutrient Schedule
The growing medium and the nutrients you use will affect how quickly your plants mature. Plants grown in hydroponics may reach harvest faster than those grown in soil. Similarly, a well-balanced nutrient regimen can encourage optimal bud development, while deficiencies may slow down the flowering process.
Useful Tools to Determine the Right Moment to Cut Cannabis Plants
Harvesting cannabis at the right time requires attention to detail and the use of proper tools. These tools help you closely monitor the plant’s development, especially the trichomes and pistils, which are key indicators of maturity. Here are some essential tools that will assist you in determining the best moment to harvest.
1. Magnifying Glass
A microscope or high-quality magnifying glass (40x or higher) is essential for observing trichome color changes. These tools allow you to see the tiny resin glands and determine whether they are clear, cloudy, or amber, helping you decide if your plant is ready for harvest.
2. Digital Microscope
A digital microscope provides a more detailed view of the trichomes. These microscopes connect to your computer or smartphone, offering real-time magnified images. This tool is especially helpful for precision harvesting when aiming for specific trichome maturity.
3. Humidity and Temperature Monitor
Monitoring humidity and temperature during the late flowering stage is crucial to avoid mold and ensure optimal resin production. A hygrometer or thermometer helps keep conditions ideal, which is especially important as plants approach harvest time.
4. pH and EC Meter
These tools allow you to track the nutrient levels and pH of your growing medium, ensuring that your plants remain healthy and develop properly as they near maturity. Healthy plants are more likely to show clear signals when they are ready to be cut.
5. Harvest Journal
Keeping a detailed harvest journal can help you track plant progress and harvest dates. Recording observations such as trichome development, pistil color, and environmental conditions over time can lead to more precise and consistent harvests.
6. Trichome Chart
A trichome chart is a helpful reference that visually outlines the different stages of trichome development. Comparing what you observe on your plants to a chart can provide clarity about when your crop is ready to be harvested.
Pros and Cons of Harvesting at Different Times
Although there is a right moment to cut marijuana plants, there are some advantages to consider that could fit to some growers, but we advise you, they will come with disadvantages too. Please, understand this as around one week before or after the right moment, more than that should never have been considered.
Cutting Before the Right Moment
Pros: Early harvests can produce a more energizing effect due to less degraded THC. It may also reduce the chance of pests or mold affecting the plants.
Cons: The buds will be smaller, less potent, and lack fully developed aromas. Overall yield and quality may be significantly lower.
Cutting at the Right Moment
Pros: Harvesting at the optimal time ensures maximum potency, aromas, and yield. The plant has fully matured, producing larger and more resinous buds with well-balanced effects.
Cons: Requires careful observation and patience, and harvesting too late or too early can still occur if misjudged.
Cutting After the Right Moment
Pros: Buds may become more resinous and develop heavier, providing a more relaxed or sedative effect.
Cons: THC degrades into CBN, reducing potency and potentially diminishing the flavors. Overly mature buds may lose their vibrant effects and aromatic profile.
When NOT to Harvest
It’s important to avoid harvesting too early, more than one week before the right moment, as this can result in underdeveloped buds with lower THC levels and less flavourful terpenes. Be patient and allow the plant to fully mature by regularly checking trichomes and pistils. Additionally, avoid cutting your plants when they are still actively growing new white pistils, as this means they are not ready.
The only exception we could imagine is the coming of strong storms or very unpleasant weather that could destroy the outdoor plants.
Differences in Cutting Indica and Sativa Plants
Each type of genetic is different, they can provide different effects, and also they have some differences when it comes to harvesting the plants.
Harvesting Indica Plants
Indica plants generally have shorter flowering periods, typically all set for harvesting within 8 to 10 weeks. Their trichomes tend to turn milky and amber more quickly, meaning you can harvest earlier for a more relaxing, body-focused effect. Cutting Indicas at the right moment will preserve their sedative properties, perfect for evening use.
Harvesting Sativa Plants
Sativas have longer flowering periods, often taking 10 to 14 weeks to mature. They need more time for the trichomes to reach the cloudy or amber stage, resulting in a more uplifting and cerebral effect. Patience is a must for Sativas, as harvesting too early can lead to underdeveloped potency and effects.
Differences in Cutting Autoflowering and Photoperiodic Plants
Like Sativas and Indicas have different harvesting times, also autoflowering genetics are suitable to faster cutting times in comparison with the photoperiodic ones.
Harvesting Autoflowering Plants
Autoflowering plants have a set lifecycle, they are typically ready for harvest within 6-10 weeks from germination, regardless of light cycles. The key to harvesting autos is to closely monitor trichome development, as they transition quickly. Timing is essential to ensure you capture the peak potency.
Harvesting Photoperiodic Plants
Photoperiodic plants rely on changes in light cycles to trigger flowering. This gives growers more flexibility in controlling the growth and flowering stages. Harvest timing is generally more forgiving, with longer flowering periods and more pronounced indicators like trichomes and pistils to guide you.
Growth cycle is managed by the sunlight hours outdoors, and by the grower indoors, when it decides to change the light regime from 18 hours of light to 12 hours needed for flowering. Then, photoperiodic plants could take from 7 to 14 weeks of flowering to mature.
The best way to determine the right time is by examining the trichomes and pistils. Trichomes should be mostly cloudy with some turning amber for peak potency, and at least 50-70% of the pistils should have darkened and curled.
Harvesting too early results in buds with lower potency, smaller size, and less flavor. THC levels may not have reached their peak, leading to a less satisfying experience overall.
Yes, waiting too long can cause THC to degrade into CBN, leading to a more sedative effect. The buds may also lose their aroma and flavor, and the plant’s quality will start to decline.
Both are important indicators. Trichomes offer the best insight into THC maturity, while pistils help confirm the plant’s overall readiness. Use both signs together to make the most accurate decision.
Yes, Indica strains typically flower and are ready for harvest sooner than Sativa strains. Autoflowering plants also have shorter cycles, while photoperiod plants can be adjusted by light schedules.
High humidity can increase the risk of mold, so you may need to harvest earlier if humidity is difficult to control. Ideally, maintain 40-50% humidity in the late flowering stage.
Yes, tools like a jeweler’s loupe or a digital microscope are essential for checking trichomes closely. Humidity and temperature monitors are also helpful to maintain the ideal growing environment before harvest.
How do I know when my marijuana plant is ready for harvest?
What happens if I harvest too early?
Can I wait too long to harvest?
Should I rely on the trichomes or pistils to decide when to harvest?
Do different strains have different harvest times?
How does humidity affect harvest timing?
Can I use tools to help determine when to cut?
Final Considerations
While the right time to harvest cannabis can vary slightly depending on strain, desired effect, and growing environment, observing trichomes and pistils will provide the most reliable indicators. Patience is key—waiting for the optimal moment to cut ensures you’ll enjoy a more potent, flavorful, and abundant harvest.
Stay tuned for our upcoming articles, where we’ll cover the next essential steps in the post-harvest process: drying and curing your buds to perfection. Enter on the following links to continue with these must to read aerticles:
Drying buds to perfection
Curing buds at its best
Founder of Experiencia Natural, creative and entrepreneur, designer, master in grower and marketing. For a normalization of all plants and substances, giving priority to patients and users.
