The Best Time: When to Transplant Cannabis Seedlings Into Individual Pots

In the early stages of growing weed, it may seem intimidating at first to transplant your marijuana plant. Skipping the transplanting step of planting cannabis can lead to your plants having stunted growth, being rootbound, and low yields. If you want a thriving cannabis plant, learning when and how to transplant cannabis after the seedling stage is essential. In this guide, we’ll break down the steps and signs for transplanting cannabis.

Your seedlings may look small at first, but they grow fast after a few weeks, and the young roots of the plant grow even faster. If you leave young plants in a small starter container too long, the roots can become crowded in a dense and tangled ball. When a plant is rootbound, it can lead to a lack of nutrients, oxygen, and space to grow, limiting your plant’s full potential.

When you transplant your cannabis plant, you’re giving the roots more space to breathe and grow. Your weed plants will thank you if you follow these signs and tips on how to transplant your cannabis plant properly.

When growing weed, the majority of cannabis plant seedlings should be ready to move into a larger container around 2 to 3 weeks after being planted in the initial growing medium and a smaller container.

Keep in mind that different cannabis varieties and growing conditions can speed up or slow down growth. Autoflowers, for example, tend to grow quicker and might need to be transplanted around 10 to 14 days after germination. Some growers even prefer to plant autoflowers directly into their final pot to avoid transplanting altogether. On the other hand, photoperiod plants are typically ready to transplant closer to the 3-week mark.

Instead of relying only on the calendar, watch your plant’s development and look for signs that your cannabis seedlings are ready to be transplanted.

If you’re curious about when to transplant cannabis seedlings, here are seven clear signs you can look for that tell you it is time to transplant:

Visible roots at the drainage holes: If you can see the plants roots poking out from the containers drainage holes, your cannabis seedling is definitely ready for a larger container.

True leaves develop (3-4 sets): Once you can see 3 to 4 sets of fan leaves developing on your young cannabis plant, the plant is ready to be transplanted into a new container.

Leaves grow beyond the container edge: If your cannabis plant’s leaves are growing beyond the container, it’s time for a larger pot size, as the roots are likely feeling cramped in the smaller container.

Plants require more water: If you find that the seedlings are drying out shortly after watering, it may be a sign that the root ball is too large for the pot size.

Plants stop growing or start wilting: Leaving the plant in a small solo cup for too long may hinder root development and lead the seedling to become stunted and begin to wilt.

Plant height grows to approximately 3 times the container height: The taller your plants get, the more space the root ball needs for the plant to survive.

Roots start to circle around the soil in the container: If you can visibly see the roots surrounding the top layer of soil, the plant is due for a transplant to a larger pot.

Are your seedlings ready for transplant? Learn how to transplant cannabis seedlings carefully with our full guide here.

Properly transplanting your cannabis plant may seem challenging, but here are some of the most common mistakes and how you can avoid transplant shock:

• Transplanting too early: After you germinate cannabis seeds, it’s best to wait until the cannabis plant roots are established. Give your seedlings time to fill out their starter container without letting them become rootbound.
• Transplanting too late: If you wait too long to transplant the cannabis plant, you may be dealing with a rootbound plant, where the roots circle tightly around the inside of the container. This makes it harder for the plant to absorb water and nutrients and can permanently slow growth.
• Wrong container size: It’s recommended to transplant the cannabis plant into a medium-sized pot before moving straight to a larger container. Moving a small seedling into a large container can cause the soil to stay too wet, which increases the risk of overwatering and root rot. A good rule of thumb is to step up gradually: solo cup, then a 1-3 gallon pot, and finally a 5+ gallon container.
• Skipping watering: You should always water the plants right after transplanting. Watering helps settle the soil around the roots, filling in any air pockets and helping the plant adjust to its new environment. Be careful not to overwater, however, as this can cause waterlogging and damaged roots.
• Handling without care: Seedlings are very delicate. Handle them by the base of the stem or gently cradle the root ball when transplanting, and never yank or squeeze the main stem. Try to keep as much of the surrounding soil intact as possible to avoid disturbing the roots.

Taking care of seedlings after they have been transplanted is also an important step in the growth process of young plants, before the plants enter the vegetative stage. Some of the best practices to care for your transplanted cannabis plant and avoid transplant shock include:

• Avoid direct and intense lighting for up to 48 hours after transplanting marijuana plants unless you are growing outdoors.
• Water the seedlings thoroughly, but carefully, to avoid overwatering and causing root rot.
• If you’re indoors, keep the temperature between 70°F and 80°F.
• Add a nutrient solution to your water or use a compost tea to feed your plants some nutrients.
• Avoid moving plants around too much. Once you transplant them, leave the plants in the pot until the next stage.

After a short time, your newly transplanted seedlings will enter the vegetative growth stage, and the plant will begin to grow larger.

How old should cannabis seedlings be before transplanting?

Cannabis plant seedlings should be around 2 to 3 weeks old. You’ll know it’s time to transplant when the seedlings have 3 to 4 sets of fan leaves, along with a visible root system.

What happens if I transplant cannabis seedlings too early? 

If you transplant cannabis plants too early, it can damage the root development and stress the plant, leading to stunted or slowed growth.

What size pot should I transplant my cannabis seedlings into? 

Cannabis plants should be transplanted into a bigger pot that is roughly 3 to 5 gallons; this can be your final pot before the flowering stage, depending on how much space your plant needs.

Should I water cannabis seedlings before or after transplanting?

Cannabis seedlings should be watered and have a bit more soil added after transplanting to help their root system settle into the new soil.

Do autoflowers need to be transplanted?

Autoflower plants can be transplanted into new containers, but you don’t necessarily need to do so, as long as the plants are in a large enough pot.

How do I reduce cannabis transplant shock?

To reduce the shock from transplanting cannabis plants, it is recommended to handle the roots with care and water immediately. It may also be best to reduce the intensity of the lights if you’re growing the plants indoors.