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How long does a cannabis plant live? It depends on the type of cannabis plant and the growing conditions. Learn more about the lifespan of cannabis plants.
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The Cannabis Plant Life Cycle
The Cannabis plant life cycle begins with a seed. The seed germinates and a small plant emerges. The plant grows and matures, flowers, and eventually dies. The life cycle of a cannabis plant is relatively short, especially when compared to other plants.
The vegetative stage
All cannabis plants begin their lives from a little seed. Once the seed has germinated, a sprout will appear and grow into a small “seedling.” Around this time (or even before), you will need to provide your plant with some type of support system to help it grow upward (unless, of course, you’re growing autoflowers).
As your plant continues to grow during the vegetative stage, you will need to provide it with 18-24 hours of light per day in order for it to maintain its growth. While many new growers believe that more light is better, this actually isn’t the case. If you give your plant too much light, it will actually begin to produce less energy, which can stunt its growth.
During the vegetative stage, your plant will also begin to develop its root system as well as its leaves and stems. The leaves of the cannabis plant are very important because they are responsible for photosynthesis, which is how the plant produces energy. You will also start to see gender differences during the vegetative stage — male plants will develop pollen sacs while female plants will develop pistils.
The flowering stage
The flowering stage is the most crucial time in a cannabis plant’s life. This is when the plant develops its dense, resinous buds that we all know and love. It’s also when the plant uses the most energy to produce flowers (buds). Most cannabis strains will begin to flower (make buds) when they receive less than 12 hours of light per day (known as the “12-12 method”). However, some cannabis strains will begin to flower with as little as 8 hours of light per day.
Factors That Affect the Cannabis Plant Life Cycle
The lifespan of a cannabis plant is affected by a variety of factors. The most important factor is the weather. If the weather is too hot or too cold, the plant will not grow as well. The amount of sunlight the plant gets also affects its lifespan. If the plant does not get enough sunlight, it will not live as long.
The type of cannabis plant
Cannabis is an annual, dioecious, flowering herb. The leaves are palmately compound or digitate, with serrate leaflets. The first pair of leaves usually have a single leaflet, the number gradually increasing up to a maximum of about thirteen leaflets per leaf (usually seven or nine), depending on variety and growing conditions. At the top of a flowering plant, this number again diminishes to a single leaflet per leaf. The lower leaf pairs usually occur in an opposite leaf arrangement and the upper leaf pairs in an alternate arrangement on the main stem of a mature plant.
Cannabis plants produce a group of chemicals called cannabinoids, which produce mental and physical effects when consumed.
The growing environment
One of the most important factors affecting the cannabis plant life cycle is the growing environment. The ideal growing environment depends on many factors, including the particular strain of cannabis, the climate, and the grower’s preferences. However, there are some general principles that apply to all cannabis plants.
Cannabis plants need a lot of light. They should be grown in an area with direct sunlight for at least six hours per day. If possible, they should be given even more light. Cannabis plants also need fresh air. They should be grown in an area with good ventilation to ensure that they get enough oxygen.
The temperature and humidity of the growing environment also affect the cannabis plant life cycle. Cannabis plants prefer a temperature between 70 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. They also prefer a relative humidity of 40-60%. However, different strains of cannabis may have different optimum temperature and humidity levels.
The soil in which cannabis plants are grown also affects their life cycle. Cannabis plants need well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter. The pH of the soil should be between 6 and 7 for optimal growth.
The amount of light exposure
Light is one of the most important environmental factors that affect the cannabis plant life cycle. The amount of light exposure can determine the length of the vegetative stage, as well as the size, shape, and number of leaves on the plant. Too little light will result in a longer vegetative stage, while too much light can cause the plant to produce fewer leaves and enter the flowering stage prematurely. The ideal light exposure for cannabis plants is between 18-24 hours per day.
The nutrients used
The type of nutrients used can also affect the growth and yield of your cannabis plant. For example, using a lot of nitrogen during vegetative growth can lead to taller plants with more leaves, but it can also reduce bud size. Using too much nitrogen during flowering can actually prevent your plant from developing buds at all! The key is to find a happy medium and use the right nutrients at the right time.
There are two main types of cannabis nutrients: chemical and organic. Chemical nutrients are usually made from synthetic ingredients and can be found in any grow store. Organic nutrients are made from natural ingredients like compost and manure. Many growers prefer organic nutrients because they believe they produce better-tasting buds, but they can be more expensive and harder to find.
The Average Lifespan of a Cannabis Plant
A cannabis plant typically lives between 3 and 6 years, with most plants falling somewhere in the middle of that range. Cannabis plants have a shorter lifespan than most other plants because they are often grown in less-than-ideal conditions and are subject to a lot of stress. However, there are a few things you can do to extend the lifespan of your cannabis plants.
Indoor plants
Under ideal conditions, an indoor cannabis plant can live for up to 8 years. However, most plants only live for 2-3 years due to a variety of factors, such as poor growing conditions, pests and diseases, and inadequate nutrition. To maximize the lifespan of your plant, it is important to provide it with the best possible growing conditions and care.
Outdoor plants
The average lifespan of an outdoor cannabis plant is 3-5 years. But, with the right care, some plants have been known to live for 20 years or more. The key to a long-lived cannabis plant is starting with a strong, healthy seed. From there, it’s important to give the plant plenty of sunlight, water, and nutrients. Outdoor plants also benefit from being protected from extreme weather conditions and pests.
How to Prolong the Lifespan of Your Cannabis Plant
The lifespan of a cannabis plant can vary depending on the strain, how it’s grown, and how it’s cared for. In general, most cannabis plants will live for around 3-6 months. However, with proper care, it’s not uncommon for cannabis plants to live for up to 9 months. Let’s take a look at how you can prolong the lifespan of your cannabis plant.
Proper nutrition
Cannabis plants are annuals, meaning they complete their life cycle — from seed to flower to death — in a single growing season. In the wild, most cannabis strains will flower according to the season, typically around October in the Northern Hemisphere and April in the Southern Hemisphere.
But when cannabis is grown indoors, growers can manipulate the light cycle to force their plants to bloom earlier or later than they would outdoors. This means that, with proper care, your cannabis plant can live for several years.
The key to prolonging your cannabis plant’s life is proper nutrition. Cannabis plants are heavy feeders and need a constant supply of nutrients to stay healthy and produce plentiful buds.
If you want your plant to thrive and live a long life, you need to fertilize it regularly with a high-quality nutrient solution designed specifically for cannabis. You should also make sure your plant is getting enough light, water, and air.
The right growing environment
Cannabis plants are annuals, meaning they complete their life cycle in one growing season and then die. However, with the right growing environment and care, you can prolong your cannabis plant’s lifespan and enjoy a bountiful harvest for years to come.
Here are a few tips on how to extend the life of your cannabis plant:
-Choose a suitable strain: Some cannabis strains are hardier than others and can better withstand stressors like extreme weather, pests, and disease. Do some research on the best strains for your climate and grow conditions.
-Give them plenty of space: Cannabis plants need room to grow. If they’re too crowded, they’ll be more susceptible to stress and disease. When planting outdoors, give each plant at least 3 feet (1 meter) of space. If growing indoors, ensure that your pots are big enough for the roots to spread out without being cramped.
-Provide support: As cannabis plants grow taller, they become top-heavy and may start to lean over or fall over. To prevent this from happening, provide some kind of support like a trellis or stakes. This will also make it easier to manage the plant as it gets larger.
-Prune regularly: Pruning is an important part of keeping your cannabis plant healthy. By removing dead leaves and branches, you allow more air and light to reach the inner parts of the plant. This helps discourage fungus and pests while promoting new growth.
With proper care, your cannabis plant can provide you with years of enjoyment. By following these tips, you can help ensure that your plant has a long and productive life.
Good genetics
As with any living thing, good cannabis plant genetics will result in a healthier, longer-lived individual. When you’re shopping for cannabis seeds, look for a reputable source that provides information on the parents of the seeds, as well as the expected characteristics of the resulting plants.
You can also clone cannabis plants to ensure that you have a new generation with the same desirable traits as the original. Cloning is a bit more complicated than just planting seeds, but it’s worth the effort if you want to preserve your prized strain.
