Legalized! Cannabis is now legal in Germany – at least under certain conditions! As more people trade in their joints for a shovel, it’s time to dive into the home-growing trend, whether you’re growing a small plant on your balcony in the city – small windowsill wonder – or tending a full-blown garden crop. We’ve gathered the best tips on why growing can be more relaxing than consuming, and how to do it right.
Disclaimer: We’re not encouraging anyone to start toking up! If you’re underage or simply not interested in mind-altering substances, feel free to scroll past. If you’re curious about cultivation, we’ll show you how to grow successfully and why some find the process even more rewarding than consumption. Just to be clear, we’re neither moral crusaders nor secret stoners. We’re not aiming for exhaustive coverage, nor do we want to trivialize cannabis. THC – the psychoactive compound in cannabis – can have different effects, from euphoria to pain relief, but also some nasty side effects. Fact is, THC can have a detrimental effect on short-term memory, particularly in adolescents and even cause psychosis, with potentially long-lasting damage. So, if you’re on the fence about using it, a chat with your GP might be a good idea. Cannabis might be legal now, but users still face stigma and stereotypes on a regular basis. That’s why we’ve kept the pictures anonymous, while firmly calling for de-stigmatization and decriminalization.
Cannabis Cultivation – Hey Mr. green thumb
Whether it’s oregano, marjoram or marijuana – everything grows and everything thrives. Since cannabis was legalized in Germany on April the 1st 2024, there’s been a boom in private cultivation, particularly of female plants. Why? Only females have the ability to produce buds that can be harvested to smoke, vape, dab, and ingest. Across the EU, cannabis policies are generally quite liberal, as we can see in the Netherlands, Czech Republic, and Luxembourg. Now, Germany joined the pot-party, inspiring many to swap their trips to Dutch coffee shops for some hands-on gardening. But what grows best and when? And how can you maximise production?
Legalize What?
What and how much cannabis is actually legal
In Germany, adults are allowed to own up to 7 seeds or 5 cuttings per person and month – a maximum of 5 in total, for example, 2 seeds and 3 cuttings. But here’s the catch: you can only cultivate up to 3 plants per person. This means that any additional cutting must be given away or disposed of before they find their way into a large pot or garden. In shared flats or households with more family members, the “per person” rule means that you could easily end up growing 9 plants or more! Each adult is also permitted to possess up to 50 g of dried cannabis. For private individuals, that’s where the story ends – cannabis is strictly intended for personal use. Sharing isn’t allowed, except through so-called Cannabis Social Clubs. These CSCs are non-commercial associations for collective cultivation, consumption, and distribution of cannabis. They’re just starting to form and, naturally, they can only supply you once they’ve harvested their first crop.
Different cannabis seeds & strains
So, where do you get the basics – the seeds – to kick off your cannabis cultivation? Licensed shops known as “grow shops” are where you’ll find seeds. You can also buy them online, in your local CSC or even in pharmacies. Pharmacies often stock strains approved for medical use, while well-stocked shops typically offer a wider selection, including:
Regular seeds: these can produce either male or female plants.
Feminised cannabis seeds:, which are genetically modified to produce almost exclusively female plants.
Autoflowering seeds, which begin to flower after a certain time, regardless of the light exposure, and grow fast – a popular choice amongst beginners.
“Premium” strains: a selection of feminised and/or autoflowering seeds combined with a specific cannabis strain.
You can also choose from different THC levels in the plant. Less psychoactive strains contain up to 10% THC, while higher levels can exceed 30%. CBD content is important too. Cannabidiol isn’t psychoactive but is known for its calming and medically beneficial effects: it’s considered pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory, and can improve sleep. There are even special strains with minimal THC (under 0.3%) but high CBD content.
As you can see, the selection is nearly limitless, so it’s best to seek extensive advice or explore the “Seedfinder” to discover the strain that suits you best. Whether you’re after something stimulating or calming, or a certain flavour profile, whether earthy or citrus-fresh – there’s something for everyone. Prices range broadly from € 5 to € 15 per seed.
Cannabis Cultivation:
one step at a time…
Let’s start with sowing the seeds! First, germinate your seeds – a damp piece of kitchen paper or a germination kit works perfectly for this. It’s crucial to keep the seeds constantly moist, without letting them rot. Once the first roots appear, it’s time to plant them in soil. Use loose soil mixed with clay pellets, and make sure to avoid waterlogging. Pros often mix their own soil, but beginners can opt for premixed “cannabis soil.” During the growth phase, regular care is essential: watering, fertilising, and checking the plants – cannabis is a “heavy feeder,” meaning that it draws plenty of nutrients from the soil. Inspect your plants on a daily basis, keep an eye out for pests like aphids and spider mites and deal with them straight away if necessary. Nematodes, for instance, can be a natural solution as they feed on the eggs of pests in the soil, tackling the problem at its roots. If that doesn’t work, pesticides might be unavoidable – though that’s not ideal for those planning to consume the cannabis once you’ve harvested the buds . Fortunately, there are gentle home remedies, like baking soda and vinegar mixtures, which can be sprayed directly onto the leaves. For a sustainable and successful crop yield, treatments should be targeted and effective. During the growth phase, the plants ideally need 18 hours of light followed by 6 hours of darkness.
Once your plants have entered the flowering stage, you should adjust the light cycles: 12 hours of light, 12 hours of darkness. The nutrients also need tweaking – special bloom fertilisers will help your plants thrive. Things can move quickly, too: with autoflowering seeds, your seedling can start blooming after just 74 days. If you’re using UV lamps, you have perfect control. However, if you prefer to grow with natural sunlight, you can move your pots to different spots and time the growth phase for early summer, when the days are longest.
And when is it time to harvest? You can check the trichomes (resin glands) with a magnifying glass – when they turn from milky white to amber, it’s time to roll up your sleeves. One to two days before harvesting, remove all the fan leaves – these are the typical cannabis leaves with 5 to 7 fingers – to redirect the plant’s energy into the THC-rich buds. Ideally, you should cut the buds early in the morning before the sun rises. If you’re growing with artificial light, you can turn off the lights two days before harvesting. This reduces the plant’s chlorophyll content, which improves the taste of the weed. After that, it’s time to dry and cure the buds. Drying can be done gently in the air over a longer period of time or – for those eager to enjoy their smoke quickly – in an oven at around 50–65°C with the door slightly open to get rid of the moisture. Pros typically air-dry the buds until the stems don’t bend anymore, and then use a humidity regulator (e.g., Boveda Hygro-Pack). Afterwards, you can ferment your harvest in jars. This ensures the best flavour and can even increase the THC concentration.
How to nail your cannabis harves
When it comes to home-growing, there are a few key rules to keep in mind. First off, you’ll need good soil that is rich in nutrients and well-aerated – specially formulated cannabis soil is ideal for this. Next, lighting and water are crucial: when growing indoors, grow lights can be a lifesaver, especially during the darker months. As for watering, it’s all about balance – not too much, not too little. The soil should always be slightly moist, but not wet – cannabis plants hate waterlogged soil.
Now it gets technical! Cool gadgets and tools make home-growing truly exciting. Grow tents are perfect for indoor cultivation – think of them as little green houses in your home – and promise big results. With UV lights, reflective walls, and fans, these tents create the ideal environment for your plants to thrive. Fans keep the air fresh and prevent mould, while automatic watering systems ensure your plants don’t dry out, even when you’re on holiday. A pH-metre helps you monitor the soil’s pH levels – this is where science meets gardening! High-tech systems even let you water your plants remotely using an app,allowing you to manage your crop from afar. However, given that it’s legal now,, you could always ask your neighbours to help you out ;).
How to grow cannabis for fun:
gardening for a dopamine boost
It’s not just about the crop yield – the joy of gardening is part of the experience too! Need a few tips? Music in the garden works wonders – a few chilled beats or nature sounds can really lift your mood. And let’s bust the myth that stoners only listen to Bob Marley and reggaeton – that’s just a cliché.
Gardening with friends is twice as fun – grab your mates and get growing together. And if you’re feeling super motivated, keep a little journal about your plants. This way, you can track progress and learn from your mistakes. Growing cannabis slows down the pace of daily life and requires you to stay focused. But the reward is a deep connection to your final product, making the consumption experience all the more satisfying.
What to do with your harvest?
From joints to cannabis edibles
Smoking or vaping cannabis
Alongside the classic methods of smoking and vaping cannabis, there are plenty of other ways to enjoy your beloved resin buds – but let’s start with the basics. The classic joint is probably familiar to everyone: you grind the buds and roll them into a long paper, with or without tobacco – and then you smoke them. Wrap the flower in a tobacco leaf, and you’ve got yourself a blunt. Alternatively, weed can be consumed through a pipe or a bong. If you prefer a more futuristic approach, you might want to try a vaporizer. This electronic device heats up the cannabis gently and evenly, and can be powered with a power bank or plugged in directly into the mains.
For the foodies – Cannabis edibles
If you can’t stand the smell of smoke or simply prefer not to inhale, you can easily process THC from cannabis into food. THC is highly lipid soluble, which works to your advantage. First, though, you need to convert the inactive THCA of the buds into the active compound THC by applying heat. This process, known as decarboxylation, happens when you bake the flowers in the oven at around 110°C for 30–40 minutes. When smoking or vaping, this step happens automatically. Once cooled, the activated cannabis can be gently blended into a variety of oils at a ratio of your choice. The possibilities are almost endless: whether you prefer olive oil, coconut oil, or butter, the THC binds with the fats and can be used for cooking or baking. Beyond the classic “hash brownie,” you can whip up delicious cannabis-infused chocolate, spicy aglio e (cannabis) olio, or even add THC coconut oil to your morning coffee for a whole new “Wake and Bake” experience. But beware: Edibles have a delayed effect, kicking in after about 30–45 minutes as they’re absorbed through the stomach lining. So don’t keep eating just because you’re hungry and you don’t feel anything straight away!
Our final word on growing cannabis at home
Growing cannabis at home can be a fulfilling and pretty relaxing hobby. Not only does it allow you to control the quality, strain, effects, and THC content of the cannabis you consume but also fosters a deeper understanding of the plant and its needs. Yes, the plants require a lot of attention, care, and love. But a successful harvest can bring immense joy and a sense of achievement – even without consumption. Stay tuned, as we’ll explain the ideal setup for home cultivation in an upcoming article – so it’s definitely worth sticking around 😉
Words: Julian Schwede Photos: Jan Richter
