Stage 3 of 6
Vegetative
The plant builds the structure — height, branching, root mass — that everything else depends on.
Typical duration:3–16 weeks (grower's choice — this is the flexible stage)
What happens here
Rapid leaf and branch growth. For photoperiod plants, this stage continues as long as the plant gets 18+ hours of light a day; growers choose how long to keep plants in veg based on the size they want before flowering.
Key tasks
- 1Increase feeding gradually as the plant's appetite grows — this is when nitrogen needs are highest
- 2Consider training techniques (topping, LST) here if aiming for a bushier, higher-yielding shape — doing this in veg gives the plant time to recover before flowering
- 3Keep watering consistent as the root system and water needs expand
What to watch for
- Nutrient burn (dark, crispy leaf tips) from feeding too aggressively is the most common veg-stage mistake
- Uneven growth or one-sided stretching usually means uneven light coverage
Ready for flowering when…
Plant has reached the desired size, and (for photoperiod strains) the light schedule shifts to 12/12 to trigger flowering