The Why, When, and How of Transplanting Cannabis Plants

To grow cannabis successfully, you’ll need to know how to transplant them. From a teeny, germinated seed to a magnificent, close-to-harvest female languishing in her final pot, transplanting is necessary to help your plant be the best that it can be. 

However, get it wrong, and you might have a stressed-out plant that doesn’t quite yield what she’s supposed to, or worse, falls extremely sick and doesn’t make it. 

We’ve transplanted hundreds of our plants, and many of them are transplanted by trial and error, as well as theoretical knowledge, close observation, and gut feel. It isn’t a cookie-cutter solution, either. Cannabis plants are living creatures, and what works for one strain, or even individual plants from the same strain, doesn’t necessarily work for others.  

In this blog post, we’ll share why you need to transplant and when and how to do so. With a little effort, you’ll be rewarded with a happy, vibrant plant that gives you a bountiful harvest and loads of gloriously scented, potent buds! 

Key Takeaways

• If you don’t transplant your cannabis plant, it might become root-bound and be unable to absorb nutrients, water, and oxygen.
• It is time to transplant your plant if the roots start looking tangled and discolored. Other symptoms of a root bound plant include stunted growth and flower production, discoloration in the stem, and nutrient deficiencies. 
• Don’t transplant during the flowering stage. Aim to transplant in the early vegetative stage. 
• Transplant a seedling to an intermediate pot before the final pot.
• The size of the new pot should be 2 to 3 times the size of the old. 

Why Do You Need To Transplant Cannabis Plants?

When we think of a cannabis plant, we think of the main stem, branches, leaves, and bud, but underground, there’s a whole lot of growing taking place. The roots are growing rapidly, forming a root ball, which is the key to a happy plant.

Transplanting a cannabis plant into progressively larger containers enables us to control the size of the root ball and the amount of water it gets. If you don’t transplant, the root ball might outgrow the pot, and the plant will become root-bound, struggling to absorb nutrients, oxygen, and water, leading to sickness or even death. 

Just think of any animal or living creature living in a home that is way too small for it. We all need space to thrive and grow to our full potential, and cannabis plants are no different! 

However, if you plant a small plant directly into a large, final pot, the roots will grow downwards seeking water and the root ball will not develop as much mass. 

Shop for fast-growing cannabis seeds from our collection.

When Is It Time To Transplant Your Cannabis Plants?

Each strain is different, and even plants from the same strain can have distinct phenotypes, but for experienced growers, most cannabis plants need to be transplanted two or three times. If you observe closely and make an effort to know each plant, they will tell you when it is time for transplanting. 

Broadly speaking, here are the three transplants you might need to do. 

• First, from a germinated seed into their first pot.
• Then, the seedlings from their first pot to an intermediate pot.
• Lastly, the plant goes from the intermediate pot to the final pot, where it will stay under it is harvested.

You can transplant your plant as much as you want, but keep in mind each time you do; you risk transplant shock that can get your plant sick. In addition, you’ll only want to transplant during the seedling and vegetative stages. Once a plant has flowered, DON’T transplant it! 

If you wait too long to transplant, you might have a root-bound plant that will have problems absorbing nutrients, water, and oxygen. It can then fall sick or, worse, die. Symptoms include:

• Weak new growth
• Slow flowering
• Reddening stem
• Wilting, droopy leaves
• Stretching
• Dry soil
• Spots, splotches, or discoloration on the leaves
• Slow water absorption.

Transplant seedlings when you see the first, 4th or 5th set of leaves. In older plants, regularly lift the plant gently to check the roots. If you see tangled, discolored roots clawing to escape, it's definitely time to transplant. 

Step-by-Step Guide: How To Transplant Marijuana Plants

First Transplant

Technically, the first transplant you’ll do is to put the germinated seed into a nursery pot or new container. However, the transplant we’ll talk about is when you take a seedling from its first pot to its intermediate pot. 

Step 1 

If you are using pots from a previous season, sterilize the pot. Also, wear gloves when working, which will prevent any contamination. 

Step 2

Make sure the soil in the new pot is relatively dry.

Step 3

Check the pH of the soil and the ambient temperature and humidity to maintain the conditions in which the seedling was growing. Generally speaking, cannabis plants like 68 to 77°F temps and pH levels of 6 to 7. 

Step 4

Remove the seedling by gently squeezing the nursery pot and flipping it. Put it straight into the new pot with its old soil to minimize the risk of transplant shock. Work quickly but carefully, and try to avoid exposing the roots to intense or bright light for extended periods or you’ll risk transplant shock. 

Step 5

Now that your seedling is in its new home, water the plant thoroughly, fully saturating the soil. 

Second Transplant

Hopefully, your seedling is now flourishing into the plant equivalent of a teen, and after a few weeks, it might be time to move it into its final home.

Step 1

Choose an appropriately sized pot. This differs according to strain, but the new pot should be at least 2 to 3 times the size of the previous pot. 

Step 2

Before transplanting, cut your plant's nutrients in half and make sure the soil is drier than usual, as being too wet can cause damage when lifting because of all the extra weight. 

Step 3

Prepare the soil and nutrient mix for the new pot. Keep the soil fluffy and light, and use the smaller pot containing the plant as form, building your soil around it. That is so you’ll have a perfectly sized space when you transplant the plant. 

Step 4

Gently remove the plant and place it in its new home. Try to avoid prolonged exposure to air and light. Cover the root ball with loose soil and water thoroughly.

Step 5

Closely monitor the light, humidity, and temperature of the environment until your plant seems happy in its new home. Don’t conduct any training for a few days until your plant shows signs of new, healthy growth. 

Do’s and Don’ts of Cannabis Transplanting

Do’s

• Transplant into the final pot during the early vegetative stage.
• Keep nutrient mix, humidity, temperature, and pH levels constant to avoid transplant shock.
• Transplant together with existing soil to minimize shock.
• Flush your soil and test its EC and pH before transplanting.

Don’ts

• Don’t transplant when your plant is flowering.
• Don’t expose them excessively to air and light.
• Don’t conduct any training for a few days until your plant shows signs of new, healthy growth.
• Don’t manipulate the plant into flowering just after it gets transplanted.
• Don’t transplant a seedling into the final pot unless you’re an experienced grower. 

Final Thoughts on Transplanting Cannabis Plants

One of the most important factors in how well your cannabis plant does is the quality of the seeds you plant. You can buy high-quality, fast-growing cannabis seeds from homegrown cannabis

Transplanting cannabis plants can be a tricky process, and you risk sending the plant into shock. However, with these tips in mind and some TLC, your plant will be even happier in its new home, and thank you with a bushy, bountiful harvest!