The Cannabis Vegetative Cycle
You’ve successfully germinated your seeds and made it through the seedling stage. Now it’s time for “veg”—the explosive growth phase where your plants build the foundation for massive yields.
📍 Your Grow Journey
Feeding Your Plants
🧪 Nitrogen is King
During the vegetative cycle, nitrogen is the most critical nutrient. It provides your plants with the protein and chlorophyll needed for explosive leaf and stem growth. The rapid growth rate means your plants are hungry—make sure you’re meeting their nutritional demands.
Lighting Requirements
The Right Spectrum for Veg
Make sure you’re using the proper lighting throughout the vegetative cycle. Many cannabis grow lights have a vegetation mode (or switch) built-in to give you the appropriate light spectrum. During veg, plants respond best to blue-spectrum light (400-500nm), which promotes compact, leafy growth.
18-24 Hours of Light Per Day
Keep your plants in vegetative mode by providing 18-24 hours of light daily. Most growers use an 18/6 schedule (18 hours light, 6 hours dark) to give plants a rest period while maintaining vegetative growth.
How Long Does Veg Last?
Typical Duration: 2-3 Weeks
The length of the vegetative cycle depends on your genetics and growing goals. Indica-dominant strains tend to grow slowly during veg but mature quickly in flower. Sativa-dominant strains may veg longer. If your plants are healthy, expect 2-3 weeks minimum—but you can veg longer for bigger plants.
Genetics
Indica vs. Sativa heritage affects growth rate and structure
Your Goals
Longer veg = bigger plants = higher yields (if space allows)
Training Methods
Topping or LST may extend veg time for recovery
Plant Training Techniques
Shaping Your Plants
The vegetative stage is the perfect time to train your plants for better yields. Training techniques can extend veg time as plants recover, but the payoff in flower is worth it.
✂️ Topping
Cutting the main stem tip to encourage two new main colas. Creates bushier plants with more bud sites.
💪 Super Cropping
Gently bending and stressing stems to promote stronger growth and more even canopy distribution.
🪢 LST (Low Stress Training)
Tying down branches to expose more bud sites to light without the stress of cutting.
🕸️ SCROG (Screen of Green)
Using a screen to create an even canopy, maximizing light exposure across all bud sites.
Go Easy: If using training methods, do so carefully and sparingly. Over-stressing plants can stunt growth. Allow recovery time between training sessions.