This article will go through the steps of germinating your cannabis seeds in a simple step-by-step tutorial.
How to Germinate Marijuana Seeds

Germinate Marijuana Seeds: First of all, you need some cannabis seeds and a setup to grow in. You can buy these from most online hydroponics shops. They come in different strains meant for growing with or without soil.
When you get your seeds, there will be a shell around the seed. This needs to be removed so that light can reach the embryo inside and trigger it to germinate. There are many ways of doing this, but we find using a cotton bud is the most effective way. Its also the least amount of effort.
Soak some cotton wool in water…
then take one of the buds and use this to rub in-between the shell of your cannabis seed gently.
The bud will have a small amount of resin to help break down the shell. You may need to apply more pressure depending on how old or new your seeds are.
Another way you can do this is by putting your seeds between two tissues. This is more effective on old or dry seeds as it helps them break down faster.
Once the shell has been broken up, you should see some white membranes inside. They act as a food source for your seedlings when they germinate. This part needs to stay, so don’t rub too much and damage it.
After you’ve removed the shell…

…your cannabis seeds need to be stored somewhere dark. Make sure to keep them at a temperature of 20 degrees Celsius until they germinate. This period can vary from species to species, but expect around 1-2 weeks as a rough guide.
It’s a good idea to test a few seeds first, as some can take longer. Especially if they’re old or have been stored in a less-than-ideal condition.
Once your cannabis seed has germinated…
…you need to extract it from the container and place it somewhere warm and with plenty of light. A sunny windowsill is perfect for this as long as it doesn’t get too hot. Some seeds will start to sprout better if you use a heat mat.
The idea is that the seed needs to be exposed to light and warmth to force it into producing a root. This is crucial as your cannabis seedling won’t survive very long if they don’t have a root.
When the root appears, you need to make a hole in your chosen growing medium and place it inside. Cannabis seeds can be planted in many different soil types or peat-based substrates. Still, Rockwool cubes are ideal for seedlings as they provide a very porous environment that promotes drainage. Cubes also provide aeration while preventing the seed from rotting.

The best time to do this is when your cannabis seed has a root around 2mm long. 2mm long is enough to anchor itself into the substrate. Sometimes they will root faster. Err on the side of caution and wait a few days to be sure.
Once your seed has got its root about 2mm long, you need to plant it.
I like to use Rockwool cubes because they’re perfect for seedlings, compact, and very porous, which are great for cannabis roots. Place your seedling into the hole you made in the cube and gently tap down around its base with a spoon or similar.
After you’ve done this, make sure the seed is at a reasonable depth, and then add some more Rockwool on top of it to hold it in place. You may also want to cover the base with a bit of substrate such as laterite, perlite, or vermiculite. This helps ensure that your seed doesn’t dry out too much while it’s getting established.

At this point, you should have a reasonably decent-sized cannabis seedling with a root and sprout, all you need to do is give it the right conditions to grow, and before long, your plant will be ready for an enormous container or even go straight into a larger pot.
The best time to germinate your seed is when there’s good light and warmth. The perfect condition for this would be during spring or summer.
You can get away with doing it at other times of the year, providing you use a heat mat to keep your roots warm. It’s not essential, but it does speed up the process significantly.
To germinate your cannabis seed…
…put a few in a glass of water and wait until the shell has been broken up a bit.
For good measure, break open one of the seeds you’ve already done this with to see if there’s a white membrane inside, which is where your root will appear from. Try a different seed if you don’t see any white membrane.
Once you have one with the white membrane intact, put it onto your chosen growing medium and place it in a warm but dark place.
I like to leave mine in an airing cupboard as this is out of sight out of mind for most people!
After around 1-2 weeks, you should be able to see the root emerge from the white membrane.

If you can’t quite get it, this might be that the seed is taking too long even though it’s in warm conditions. If this is the case, then try another seed.
It should also germinate within a few days as long as there’s good warmth and light present.
After you germinate marijuana seed and you’ve pricked it out into its little cube, you should water it and give it some warmth.
The best way to do this is by putting a heat mat under the container so that the room temperature stays reasonably high at all times. This speeds up growth and increases the chances of the seedling becoming waterlogged, which causes it to die. Germinate Marijuana Seeds
To stop this from happening, make sure there’s good drainage in the bottom of your pot and that the overall conditions are warm but well ventilated.
Eventually, you will have a cannabis plant with its root system. This can now be given more space or transplanted into a larger pot if you’re growing in an outdoor setup.
Before long, your cannabis plant will be ready for the great outdoors!

The best time to transplant your seedlings is after their first true leaves have appeared. Please wait until it’s at least 20cm tall before starting this process; otherwise, they can die.
If you’ve kept your seedlings in a small pot with good drainage, all you need to do is tip the whole thing out into a bucket and prise it from side to side gently.
Once you’ve done this, use a spoon or similar and space out the roots, so they’re not too compacted.
Add some compost, mix it up between your fingers to get rid of air pockets, and then cover it with more compost.
Put it into a larger pot at the same level as before, fill it with substrate and give it moisture until you see things running along with the soil. This tells you that your seedling has taken well to its new home! Germinate Marijuana Seeds
At this point, you should be good to go. Your cannabis plant is now completely self-sufficient and will require very little attention as long as the conditions are right.
Germinate Marijuana Seeds – All you need to do from now on is let it grow!
In good conditions, a cannabis seedling can go from 0-20cm within a week, so it’s important not to overwater or give too many nutrients until it gets a bit bigger.

You will need to take care of the nutrients in the water, as this can cause problems later down the line if there’s too much or too little for your liking.
This is why it’s best to re-use water that has already gone through your plant until it looks like clean rainwater.
At this point, you should be good to go. Your cannabis plant is now completely self-sufficient and will require very little attention as long as the conditions are right.
Germinating Marijuana Seeds: All you need to do from now on is let it grow!
In good conditions, a cannabis seedling can go from 0-20cm within a week, so it’s important not to overwater or give too many nutrients until it gets a bit bigger.
You will need to take care of the nutrients in the water, as this can cause problems later down the line if there’s too much or too little for your liking.
In Conclusion
This is why it’s best to re-use water that has already gone through your plant until it looks like clean rainwater.
However, if you’ve found these steps confusing and aren’t ready to let nature take its course just yet, there’s always the option of buying cannabis seedlings online!
Now that you know how to germinate marijuana seeds, you should have everything you need to start your collection!