How to Germinate Cannabis Seeds
A simple, beginner-friendly guide to getting your seeds to sprout successfully — with our recommended paper towel method.
Before You Start
Gather everything you need before opening your seed pack. Preparation takes 2 minutes and makes the whole process smoother.
Paper Towel Method — Step by Step
This is the most reliable home germination method. It gives you full visibility of the root tip as it emerges so you know exactly when to plant.
-
1
Layer the towels
Lay two paper towels flat on your plate. Spread them out so the whole plate surface is covered.
-
2
Place your seeds
Space seeds at least 3 cm apart on the towel. Leave space around each one — they’ll swell as they absorb water.
-
3
Cover with two more towels
Lay two more paper towels on top, covering all the seeds completely.
-
4
Moisten thoroughly, then drain
Pour lukewarm water over the towels until fully saturated. Then tilt the plate and let the excess drip off for about a minute. The towels should be damp — not soaking or dripping.
-
5
Cover and store somewhere warm
Place a second plate on top (or cover with cling film) to trap moisture. Put in a warm, dark spot — 20–26 °C. A kitchen cupboard near the oven, an airing cupboard, or on top of a router all work well.
-
6
Check every 12–24 hours
Lift the cover and peek without disturbing the seeds. Most will show a white root tip (the taproot) within 24–72 hours. When the taproot is 3–5 mm long, it’s ready to plant.
Planting Your Sprouted Seed
Once the taproot appears, move quickly — the longer the root grows in the paper towel, the more fragile it becomes.
-
1
Prepare your growing medium
Lightly moisten your soil, coco coir, or seedling plugs. It should feel damp like a wrung-out sponge — not wet. Use a pencil or chopstick to make a hole about 5–10 mm deep.
-
2
Transfer with care
Using tweezers (or very gently with fingers), pick up the seed by its outer shell. Do not touch the white taproot — it snaps easily and any damage will stunt growth.
-
3
Place root-tip down
Drop the seed into the hole with the taproot pointing downward. Cover lightly with 5 mm of soil. Don’t pack or press it down — just let it sit naturally.
-
4
Maintain warmth and humidity
Cover with a humidity dome or loosely draped cling film to keep moisture in. Keep the temperature at 22–26 °C. Your seedling should emerge through the soil within 1–3 days.
Seedling Care — First 2 Weeks
Once your seedling pushes through the soil with its first round leaves (cotyledons), it enters the seedling stage. This is a delicate period — keep conditions stable and don’t overdo anything.
Light
Seedlings need plenty of light to avoid stretching. 18 hours on / 6 hours off. Keep lights close (5–10 cm for LEDs) but watch for heat stress. Outdoors, a bright windowsill works for the first week.
Watering
Water in a small circle around the seedling stem, not directly on it. Use a spray bottle or low-flow watering can. Let the top layer dry slightly between waterings — overwatering is the #1 seedling killer.
Temperature
Aim for 22–26 °C during the day. Avoid cold drafts, windowsills in winter, or spots near AC vents. Consistent warmth = faster, healthier growth.
Humidity
Keep relative humidity at 65–70% during the seedling stage. If your space is dry, keep a humidity dome over the seedling for the first week, then gradually remove it.
Nutrients
Do not add nutrients in the first 2 weeks. Quality seedling compost has everything the plant needs. Over-feeding young seedlings causes nutrient burn and stunted growth.
Seed Shell Stuck?
If the seed shell doesn’t fall off as the cotyledons open, dab it with a few drops of warm water and wait a few hours. Only remove manually as a last resort — very gently with fingernails.
Troubleshooting
My seed hasn’t sprouted after 72 hours — is it dead?
Not necessarily. Some seeds with thicker or harder shells take 4–5 days. Keep the towels moist and the temperature stable. Check again after another 24–48 hours before concluding the seed has failed. If you reach 7 days with no taproot, contact us for a replacement under our germination guarantee.
The towels dried out — did I ruin my seeds?
Possibly not. Re-moisten the towels immediately with lukewarm water and check the seeds. If they haven’t opened yet, there’s a good chance they’ll still sprout. A single dry period of a few hours usually won’t kill the seed, but repeated drying will.
The taproot is growing sideways or curling — is that okay?
Yes — roots follow moisture and gravity. When you plant it, position it root-tip down in the hole and the root will naturally correct its direction within a day or two.
My seedling is tall and thin (stretching) — what’s wrong?
It’s not getting enough light. Move it closer to your light source, or add more light. Stretching (etiolation) weakens the stem. You can gently support the stem with a small stick and bury the stretched stem deeper when you next transplant.
The leaves are yellowing on my seedling — why?
In the first 2 weeks, slight yellowing of the round cotyledon leaves is normal — they naturally yellow and drop as the plant grows true leaves. If your first serrated (true) leaves are yellowing, check: overwatering, too-cold temperatures, or nutrient deficiency in later weeks.
My seeds floated when I soaked them — are they bad?
The paper towel method doesn’t require soaking, so floating isn’t a concern. If you did pre-soak and they floated, tap them gently — most will sink. Seeds that still float after a few hours may have hollow shells and lower viability, but it’s not always a definitive test.
Do’s & Don’ts
✓ Do
- Wash your hands before handling seeds
- Keep temperature steady at 20–26 °C
- Check towels every 12–24 hours
- Plant when the taproot is 3–5 mm long
- Place root-tip downward when planting
- Keep humidity high during seedling stage
- Use tweezers to avoid touching the taproot
- Let the medium dry slightly between waterings
- Give seedlings 18 hours of light per day
- Be patient — some seeds take up to 5 days
✕ Don’t
- Touch the taproot with bare fingers
- Let the paper towels dry out completely
- Leave towels waterlogged or sitting in water
- Use cold water (under 18 °C)
- Place in direct sunlight during germination
- Add nutrients in the first 2 weeks
- Overwater your seedling
- Plant the seed root-tip upward
- Move seeds repeatedly once placed
- Give up before 5–7 days have passed
Quick FAQ
How long does germination take?
Most seeds sprout within 24–72 hours using the paper towel method. Some harder-shelled seeds can take up to 5 days. Temperature is the biggest factor — a stable 22–25 °C gives the fastest results.
Does your germination guarantee apply if I use this method?
Yes. Our germination guarantee covers seeds that fail to sprout when using the paper towel method as described on this page. Take a photo of your setup as evidence and contact our support team — we’ll replace failed seeds, no questions asked.
Can I germinate directly in soil?
Yes, and many experienced growers prefer it as it avoids transferring fragile taproots. Plant 5–10 mm deep, keep soil moist and warm, and the seed will typically emerge in 3–7 days. The downside is you can’t see what’s happening underground, making it harder to diagnose issues.
Should I soak seeds in water before using the paper towel method?
It’s optional but can help with older or harder-shelled seeds. Soak in a glass of room-temperature water for 12–24 hours maximum. If you see the seed crack or a taproot emerge, plant immediately. Don’t soak fresh premium seeds — they don’t need it.
What soil should I use for seedlings?
Use a light, airy seedling compost with good drainage — look for products labeled “seedling mix” or “propagation compost.” Avoid heavy garden soil or mixes with high nutrient levels, which can overwhelm young seedlings.
Ready to grow?
Browse our full range of feminized, autoflower, and CBD seeds — all backed by our germination guarantee.
Shop SeedsSeeds are sold as novelty/collectible items only. Always check and comply with local laws before germinating. 18+ only.