Wie viele Cannabispflanzen darf man in Deutschland legal anbauen?

Seit dem KCanG (Cannabisgesetz) dürfen Erwachsene ab 18 Jahren bis zu 3 lebende Cannabispflanzen am Wohnsitz gleichzeitig anbauen. Verkauf und Weitergabe bleiben verboten. Pflanzen müssen für Minderjährige unzugänglich sein.

Wie lange dauert der Anbau von Cannabis von Samen bis Ernte?

Indoor: 3–4 Monate (Keimung ~1 Woche, Vegetationsphase 4–8 Wochen, Blütephase 7–12 Wochen). Outdoor: Pflanzung ab Mai, Ernte September/Oktober. Dazu kommen 2–3 Wochen Trocknen und 4–8 Wochen Curing für optimale Qualität.

Was ist der Unterschied zwischen Indoor und Outdoor Anbau?

Indoor: Volle Kontrolle über Licht, Temperatur, Feuchtigkeit. Mehrere Ernten pro Jahr möglich. Höhere Setup-Kosten. Outdoor: Sonne als Lichtquelle (kostenlos), natürlicher Rhythmus, größere Pflanzen möglich — aber wetterabhängig, nur eine Ernte jährlich (September/Oktober in Deutschland).

Woran erkennt man den richtigen Erntezeitpunkt?

An den Trichomen unter Lupe oder Mikroskop: Klare Trichome = unreif. Milchig-weiße Trichome = Höhepunkt (energetischer, zerebraler Effekt). Bernsteinfarbene Trichome = überreif (sedierender, körperlicher Effekt). Pistillen (Härchen) als Zusatzindikator: 70–90% orange = erntebereit.

Cannabis Cultivation: All Phases from Germination to Harvest Explained

Since the Cannabis Act (KCanG), the private cultivation of up to three cannabis plants for adults in Germany is legal. What sounds simple has a clear biological process: cannabis goes through several growth phases, each requiring different conditions. A guide through the complete cultivation cycle.

Overview hide

What KCanG allows (and doesn’t allow) for personal cultivation

Phase 1: Germination (3–10 days)

Phase 2: Seedling (2–3 weeks)

Phase 3: Vegetative phase (4–8 weeks indoor / longer outdoor)

Phase 4: Flowering phase (7–12 weeks indoor)

Phase 5: Harvest, Drying and Curing

Frequently Asked Questions About Cannabis Cultivation

What KCanG allows (and doesn’t allow) for personal cultivation

Before buying the first seeds, the legal framework:

Allowed: Up to 3 living cannabis plants at the same time, for people aged 18 and older, at the place of residence or usual place of stay
Storage: Up to 50 g of personal cultivation harvest at home (the 25 g outdoor limit does not apply to cultivation)
Child protection: Plants must be inaccessible to minors — a lockable room or greenhouse is recommended
Not allowed: Sale, distribution, more than 3 plants, cultivation in public areas
Seeds: Seeds may be purchased for personal cultivation — from social clubs or authorized sellers

Phase 1: Germination (3–10 days)

It all starts with the seed:

Seed preparation: Soak the seeds in lukewarm water (21–24°C) for 12–24 hours — the hydrophobic shell softens, the germination process begins
Germination method: Place the seeds between damp (not wet) paper towels, keep them warm (22–25°C) and in the dark. After 1–5 days, the radicle appears
Planting: Once the radicle is 5–10 mm long: plant it with the radicle facing down 1–2 cm deep into a light germination substrate (e.g. coco, peat). Do not touch — the germinating plant is very sensitive
Light: After germination: 18 hours of light / 6 hours of darkness (indoor). Weak LED or T5 tubes are sufficient
Substrate: Nutrient-poor germination substrate — too many nutrients can burn the seedling’s root system

Phase 2: Seedling (2–3 weeks)

The first true leaves appear:

Cotyledons (seed leaves): The first two oval leaves — provide the seedling with energy from the seed
First real leaves: Cannabis-typical, serrated leaves appear after 3–7 days. First single-fingered, then three-fingered growing
Light: 18/6 hours. Lamp not too close (heat stress) — LED: approx. 50–60 cm distance
Watering: Water sparingly. Too much water = most common mistake with seedlings. Let the surface dry slightly
Humidity: 60–70% ideal. If you place a clear dome over the seedling, you retain moisture

Phase 3: Vegetative phase (4–8 weeks indoor / longer outdoor)

The plant builds mass — the foundation for the harvest:

Indoor light cycle: 18 hours light / 6 hours dark. Photoperiodic strains remain in vegetative growth as long as the light cycle is correct. Autoflowering strains flower regardless of this
Nutrients: Nitrogen-heavy (N-P-K: high-low-medium). Cannabis needs a lot of nitrogen during the vegetative phase for leaf and stem growth
Watering: More than in seedling phase, but always do a “Lift-Test” — lift the pot, if light → water, if heavy → wait
Training (Topping, LST): Vegetative phase is ideal for training techniques. Topping (cutting off the tip) promotes multiple main colas. LST (Low Stress Training) bends branches horizontally — more light surface
Outdoor: Plant from May/June — cannabis grows vegetatively until the natural light change in August (under 14–16 hours of daylight flowering begins)

Phase 4: Flowering phase (7–12 weeks indoor)

The most important phase — here buds and trichomes develop:

Indoor light cycle: Switching to 12 hours light / 12 hours dark triggers flowering in photoperiodic strains. The dark period must be absolutely lightproof
Early flowering (Weeks 1–3): Bud sites appear, plant stretches (stretching phase — can double in height). White pistils become visible
Full Bloom (Week 4–8): Buds grow tightly together, trichomes become visible and milky. Aroma becomes more intense. Nutrient demand: phosphorus and potassium focused (reduce N)
Maturity Phase (Week 8–12): Pistils change color from white to orange/brown. Trichomes: clear → milky → amber. Reliable determination of harvest time only with magnifying glass/microscope
Flush (Rinsing): In the last 1–2 weeks, water only – removes nutrient residues in the substrate. Improves the taste of the harvested buds

Phase 5: Harvest, Drying and Curing

The quality of the harvest depends largely on post-harvest processing:

Harvest: Cut branches, remove large leaves (Fan Leaves). Leave “Sugar Leaves” near the buds according to taste or trim them directly
Drying: Hang branches upside down on strings. Room: 18–21°C, 45–55% humidity, no direct light, slight air circulation. Duration: 10–14 days. Dried too quickly = hay taste
Curing (Curing): Flowers in airtight glass containers — open daily for 15–20 minutes (burping) for 4–8 weeks. Chlorophyll and residual moisture escape, terpenes and cannabinoids improve. Most important step for flavor and smooth effect
Control: Hygrometer in jars — 60–65% RH ideal. Over 70% = mold risk

Storing cannabis properly after harvest: Cannabis Storage. KCanG rules in detail: Cannabis Law Germany. Assessing the quality of homegrown cannabis: Recognizing Cannabis Quality.

What happens to cannabis after harvest — making oil or butter yourself: Making Cannabis Oil: Decarboxylation and Infusion — explained: decarboxylation, oil infusion, THC calculation, and safe dosing.