Sexing Cannabis Plants
Whether you’re germinating seeds or growing new plants for a pheno hunt, understanding how to identify male and female cannabis plants is essential for a successful harvest.
Female vs. Male: The Basics
Female Plants
What you want to keepFemale plants produce the buds and flowers you’re after. They develop pistillate calyxes with white hair-like pistils emerging from within.
Male Plants
Remove unless breedingMale plants produce pollen sacs instead of buds. They’ll pollinate your females if not removed, resulting in seeded buds instead of sinsemilla.
Sexing in the Vegetative Stage
Early Identification
Not all cannabis will display their sex in the vegetative stage—environmental factors play a significant role. After germinating seeds and allowing them to develop a healthy root mass over a few weeks to a month, plants may begin showing sexual traits.
Look for pistil hairs emerging from a calyx (female) or tiny round balls (male) at the nodes where branches meet the main stem. Use a jeweler’s loupe or hand scope to get a close look. Not every branch will show sex, so thoroughly examine every node location.
Pro Tip: Females will have a calyx on either side at each node where the petiole branches off the stem. Always check multiple locations.
Environment Matters
Stress from improper temperature or humidity can affect plant development and sex expression. Many growers follow a VPD (Vapor Pressure Deficit) chart to maintain optimal conditions relative to temperature and humidity levels.
Identifying Hermaphrodites
The Hidden Threat
Plants that appear female can actually be hermaphrodites that haven’t revealed their true traits yet. “Hermaphrodite” means the plant has both male and female parts. A plant displaying female traits during veg could produce male pollen once it enters flowering—typically within the first 3-5 weeks.
Balls
Small round pollen sacs forming
Bananas
Stamens emerging from buds
Mixed Sites
Male parts within female flowers
Act Fast: If you see male traits like balls or bananas, remove the entire plant immediately to avoid pollinating your other plants. Don’t risk it—one herm can seed your entire grow room.
Sexing in the Flowering Stage
Definitive Identification
Once you enter the flowering phase, all plants will show their true sexual traits. Over the first few weeks, pay close attention to every bud site. Many cannabis plants won’t show sex until a few weeks into flowering—be patient.
Females will display calyxes that come to a point, surrounding two pistil hairs emerging from within. Males will display staminate flowers at the same node sites—these stamens look like a bundle of bananas hanging off the plant.
Lollipopping Tip: When flowering phenotypes for the first time, remove lower branches and foliage. Plants often herm on lower areas if unstable, and this makes it easier to examine the whole plant daily.
Quick Reference Guide
With proper knowledge and practice, you’ll quickly identify plant sex. Here’s what to look for:
♀️ Female Traits
Pointed calyxes with white pistil hairs, pear-shaped pre-flowers, no round balls
♂️ Male Traits
Round ball-shaped pollen sacs, banana-like stamens, no pistil hairs
⚠️ Hermie Signs
Both traits present, balls forming on female flowers, bananas in bud sites
🔍 Best Tools
Jeweler’s loupe (60x), hand scope, good lighting, patience
Put Your Knowledge to the Test
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