How Long Do Weed Clones Take to Root and Grow?

Cloning is a popular method among cannabis growers to replicate their best plants without starting from seed. It’s a reliable way to preserve genetics, shorten grow times, and maintain consistency in your harvest. But if you're new to cloning, you might wonder: how long do weed clones take to root and grow? The answer depends on several factors including the environment, the strain, and the method used. Let’s break it down.

What Are Cannabis Clones?

A cannabis clone is a cutting taken from a healthy, mature “mother” plant. This cutting is then encouraged to grow roots and become an independent plant, genetically identical to its parent. Cloning can seem like magic, but it’s really a science rooted in horticultural principles and careful attention to detail.

Rooting Time: When Clones Start to Establish

In general, cannabis clones take about 7 to 14 days to root, though some may root in as little as 5 days under optimal conditions. Here's how the process typically goes:

1. Day 1–3: After taking the cutting, the plant is in shock. It will droop and look unhealthy, but this is normal.
2. Day 4–7: Clones begin to recover. You may see new leaf growth and the beginnings of root formation.
3. Day 7–14: Most clones will start developing a strong root system. You’ll notice white roots poking out of the medium.

The exact time depends on the health of the cutting, the rooting hormone used, and environmental factors like humidity, temperature, and lighting.

Factors That Influence Rooting Speed

Several variables can impact how quickly your clones root:

• Temperature: Keep the environment between 72–78°F (22–25°C).
• Humidity: Aim for 70–80% relative humidity during the rooting phase.
• Light: Clones need gentle light, such as from CFLs or LED grow lights at low intensity.
• Rooting Hormones: Using a rooting gel or powder can significantly speed up the rooting process.
• Medium: Clones root well in rockwool, peat plugs, or perlite mixes. Choose a medium that holds moisture without being soggy.

Growing Stage: From Rooted Clone to Mature Plant

Once rooted, the clone enters its vegetative phase. Here's what to expect:

• Vegetative Growth (2–4 weeks): After roots form, the clone will start growing foliage. During this time, provide 18–24 hours of light daily and ensure it's receiving nutrients suitable for vegetative growth.
• Pre-Flowering (1 week): As the plant matures, you'll notice more vigorous growth and branching.
• Flowering (8–10+ weeks): Once switched to a 12/12 light schedule, the plant will begin to flower. The length of this stage depends on the strain.

In total, it may take 10–14 weeks from cloning to harvest, but the early rooting stage is a critical foundation.

Final Tips for Successful Cloning

• Always sterilize your tools to prevent infections.
• Take cuttings from healthy, pest-free mother plants.
• Keep the medium consistently moist but not soaked.
• Don’t give up if the clone droops initially—it’s part of the process.

In Conclusion

Weed clones typically take 7 to 14 days to root, and several more weeks to grow into full-sized plants ready for flowering. While cloning may seem intimidating at first, it's a skill that gets easier with practice. With the right conditions and care, cloning can save time, money, and guarantee high-quality yields from proven genetics.