How long from seed to harvest marijuana takes

When planning your first grow, one of the most common questions is: how long does it take to grow marijuana from seed to harvest? The answer depends on several factors—most importantly, the type of cannabis strain you’re growing and your cultivation method.

This guide breaks down the complete cannabis grow timeline from seed to harvest. Whether you’re working with autoflower seeds or photoperiod strains, growing indoors or outdoors, you’ll find everything you need to plan and execute a successful grow.

At Mavericks Genetics USA, we provide elite cannabis seeds bred for fast germination, vigorous growth, and strong yields. Let’s explore how long the journey from seed to harvest really takes.

Average time from seed to harvest: quick summary

Strain Type	Total Grow Time	Notes
Autoflower	8–12 weeks	Fastest option, ideal for beginners
Photoperiod indoor	12–20 weeks	More control, potentially higher yields
Photoperiod outdoor	4–6 months	Depends on climate and planting season

These timeframes include germination, seedling, vegetative, and flowering stages, but do not include post-harvest drying and curing.

Full marijuana growth timeline from seed to harvest

Let’s break down each phase in the cannabis lifecycle and how long it takes to complete each stage.

1. Germination (1–7 days)

Marijuana seeds typically take 1 to 5 days to germinate under ideal conditions using the paper towel or soaking method. Some may take up to 7 days, especially older seeds.

Learn more in our detailed article: How long do marijuana seeds take to germinate

2. Seedling stage (1–2 weeks)

Once the seed sprouts, it enters the seedling stage, where it begins to develop its first true leaves and establish a root system.

Duration: 7–14 days
Light: 18–24 hours/day
Ideal for small containers or starter plugs

This stage requires gentle lighting and careful watering.

3. Vegetative stage (2–8 weeks)

During the vegetative stage, cannabis plants grow rapidly in size and structure—developing stems, branches, and fan leaves.

Autoflowers: 2–4 weeks in veg before flowering automatically
Photoperiods: 4–8 weeks or more depending on grower preference

Indoor growers control this stage by maintaining an 18/6 light cycle. Outdoors, it lasts until days get shorter (late summer).

4. Flowering stage (6–12 weeks)

Flowering is when your plant produces buds. This stage is triggered by:

Autoflowers: Automatic flowering after 2–4 weeks
Photoperiods: Switching light cycle to 12/12 indoors or seasonal change outdoors

Flowering times vary by strain:

Strain Type	Flowering Duration
Indica-dominant	6–9 weeks
Sativa-dominant	10–12+ weeks
Autoflower strains	6–8 weeks

During this stage, focus on bloom nutrients, stable light cycles, and humidity control.

Total time from seed to harvest by grow type

Autoflower strains: 8–12 weeks

Autoflowering cannabis seeds are ideal for quick harvests. Most go from seed to harvest in 70 to 90 days total.

Week 1–2: Germination and seedling
Week 3–5: Vegetative growth
Week 6–10: Flowering
Week 10–12: Harvest, dry, and cure

Perfect for growers with limited space or short growing seasons. Explore autoflower seeds at Mavericks Genetics USA for premium fast strains.

Photoperiod indoor grows: 12–20 weeks

Indoor photoperiod grows offer more flexibility. You control when flowering begins by adjusting light cycles.

Week 1–2: Germination and seedling
Week 3–8: Vegetative stage (adjust to preferred plant size)
Week 9–16: Flowering stage
Week 17–20: Harvest, drying, and curing

Photoperiod grows often yield more but require more time and attention.

Photoperiod outdoor grows: 4–6 months

Outdoor cannabis grows are seasonal. You typically plant in spring (April–May) and harvest in late summer to early fall (September–October).

Germination: Early spring
Vegetative growth: Late spring to midsummer
Flowering: Midsummer to early fall
Harvest: Based on trichome maturity and strain—usually September to October

Your local climate will determine when you can start and finish the grow season. Start with genetics that suit your region, available from Mavericks Genetics USA.

How to speed up your grow

If you want to reduce the time from seed to harvest, consider the following tips:

Choose autoflowers: They flower automatically and finish faster.
Use fast-flowering photoperiod strains: Some indicas finish in 6–8 weeks of flowering.
Start seeds indoors: Even if you're growing outdoors, starting early inside gives you a head start.
Optimize your environment: Stable light, temperature, humidity, and nutrients reduce stress and delays.
Grow hydroponically: Plants often grow faster in hydro systems than in soil.

Want fast-finishing strains? Explore our quick-harvest cannabis seeds here

Don’t forget drying and curing (2–4 weeks post-harvest)

Once your plants are harvested, you’ll need to dry and cure your buds for quality, potency, and safety.

Drying: 7–14 days

Hang branches upside down in a dark, ventilated space
Maintain 60–70°F temperature and 45–55% humidity
Buds should snap off stems when dry

Curing: 2–4 weeks

Store buds in airtight glass jars
Burp jars daily for the first week, then less often
Improves smoothness, aroma, and cannabinoid profile

While not technically part of the “seed to harvest” grow cycle, curing is essential for top-shelf results.

Common factors that delay harvest time

Poor seed quality: Always use stable, tested seeds like those from Mavericks Genetics USA
Environmental stress: Heat, cold, pests, and overwatering can slow development
Light leaks: Can confuse photoperiod strains and delay flowering
Incorrect nutrient balance: Deficiencies can stunt growth or prolong flowering
Transplant shock: Handle plants gently during moves to avoid setbacks

Monitoring your plants daily and adjusting quickly helps you stay on schedule.

Final timeline summary

Grow Type	Germination	Veg	Flowering	Total Time
Autoflower	1–5 days	2–4 weeks	6–8 weeks	8–12 weeks
Photoperiod (indoor)	1–5 days	4–8 weeks	8–12 weeks	12–20 weeks
Photoperiod (outdoor)	1–5 days	6–10 weeks	8–12 weeks	4–6 months

Know your grow timeline

Understanding how long it takes to grow marijuana from seed to harvest helps you plan better, avoid mistakes, and achieve better yields. Whether you're growing autoflowers for speed or photoperiods for control, the total grow time can range from 8 weeks to 6 months, depending on your approach.

If you're ready to start growing or planning your next harvest, choose high-quality cannabis seeds with strong genetics and proven performance.

Get started today with Mavericks Genetics USA, your trusted source for feminized, autoflower, and fast-flowering marijuana seeds.