Live to Plant

Cannabis Plant Care Guide:
Tips and Tricks for Healthy Growth

Updated: March 26, 2023

Cannabis plants are relatively easy to grow, but they require the right care to thrive. Whether you’re growing cannabis for medicinal or recreational purposes, you’ll need to pay close attention to your plant’s environment and provide it with the right nutrients, light, and water. In this article, we’ll provide you with some tips and tricks for keeping your cannabis plants healthy and strong.

Environment

Cannabis plants thrive in warm, humid environments with plenty of fresh air. The ideal temperature range for cannabis plants is between 70-85 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and 58-70 degrees Fahrenheit at night. Humidity levels should be kept between 40-60% during the vegetative stage and between 40-50% during the flowering stage.

It’s also important to ensure that your cannabis plants are getting enough fresh air. Good air circulation helps prevent pests and diseases from taking hold in your grow room. You can achieve good air circulation by using fans or by opening windows and doors.

Lighting

Cannabis plants require a lot of light to grow properly. During the vegetative stage, you’ll need to provide your plants with 18 hours of light per day. During the flowering stage, you’ll need to switch to a 12/12 light cycle (12 hours of light followed by 12 hours of darkness) to encourage bud growth.

When it comes to lighting, you have several options. You can use high-intensity discharge (HID) lights, such as metal halide (MH) or high-pressure sodium (HPS) lights, or you can use LED lights. HID lights are more expensive upfront but tend to be more efficient in terms of electricity usage. LED lights are becoming more popular because they’re energy-efficient and don’t produce as much heat.

Watering

Cannabis plants require a lot of water, especially during the vegetative stage when they’re growing rapidly. The goal is to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Overwatering can lead to root rot, which can kill your plants.

To determine when it’s time to water your plants, stick your finger about an inch into the soil. If it feels dry, it’s time to water. When you do water, make sure to give your plants enough water so that it runs out of the drainage holes in the bottom of your container.

Nutrients

Cannabis plants require a balanced diet of nutrients to grow properly. The three primary nutrients that cannabis plants need are nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). During the vegetative stage, you’ll want to provide your plants with a nutrient mixture high in nitrogen. During the flowering stage, you’ll want to switch to a nutrient mixture higher in phosphorus and potassium.

It’s also important not to overfeed your plants. Too many nutrients can lead to nutrient burn, which can cause yellowing and browning of leaves.

Training

Training your cannabis plants can help increase yields and promote even growth. There are several training techniques you can use, including topping, low-stress training (LST), and high-stress training (HST).

Topping involves cutting off the top of your plant’s main stem to encourage it to grow more branches. LST involves bending and tying down branches to create a more even canopy. HST involves more drastic measures like super cropping or bending branches at extreme angles.

Final Thoughts

Growing cannabis is a rewarding experience that requires patience and attention to detail. By providing your plants with the right environment, lighting, water, nutrients, and training, you can ensure healthy growth and maximize yields.

FAQ

What is the best temperature range for cannabis plants?

The ideal temperature range for cannabis plants is between 70-85 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and 58-70 degrees Fahrenheit at night.

How much light do cannabis plants need?

During the vegetative stage, cannabis plants require 18 hours of light per day. During the flowering stage, they require a 12/12 light cycle.

How often should I water my cannabis plants?

You should water your cannabis plants when the soil feels dry about an inch below the surface. Make sure not to overwater them as this can lead to root rot.

What nutrients do cannabis plants need?

Cannabis plants require nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) in a balanced diet. During the vegetative stage, they require a nutrient mixture high in nitrogen. During the flowering stage, they require a nutrient mixture higher in phosphorus and potassium.

What training techniques can I use on my cannabis plants?

There are several training techniques you can use on your cannabis plants including topping, low-stress training (LST), and high-stress training (HST).