If you're new to harvesting cannabis or have tried different methods with mixed results, you might be wondering how to dry cannabis properly.
Drying happens right after you harvest, when the freshly cut plants are still wet and full of moisture. It involves putting the plants in a chosen environment to reduce the moisture content.
This step is crucial because it helps preserve the buds for longer, keeps their flavor and aroma, and enhances the potency of your cannabis.
In this guide, we'll show you step-by-step how to dry cannabis using different methods. You'll also learn what to do before, during, and after the drying process and common mistakes to avoid. There's a lot to cover, so let's go.
The Science Behind Drying Cannabis
Cannabis needs just the right amount of moisture to stay fresh and maintain its flavor and effects.
If the buds are too moist, they can develop mold and bacteria, which thrive in wet conditions. Inhaling moldy cannabis can cause breathing problems.
Also, weed with a high moisture content is difficult to grind because it’s damp and sticky, making it hard for the grinder to break it apart. Cannabis flowers with a high moisture content won't burn evenly.
Meanwhile, just as cannabis can be too wet, it can also be too dry.
If cannabis is too dry, it loses its terpenes (the chemical compounds in weed responsible for the aromas, flavors, and even colors) and flavonoids. This usually happens when the marijuana is exposed to too much light or heat.
In the sections that follow, you will learn three practical ways to dry marijuana buds properly. But before that, let’s review what you must put in place to dry weed effectively.
How to Dry Cannabis: Preparing For The Drying Process
Getting ready to dry cannabis starts even during the harvest. You need to know how to trim the leaves and carefully prepare the buds for drying. The environment in which you dry the cannabis is also essential. Let's look at these factors one by one:
Harvesting cannabis at the right time
You should harvest your weed when most trichomes (those tiny, crystal-like structures on the buds that contain cannabinoids) are cloudy with some amber.
It’s also a good sign to harvest when 60–70% of the pistils (hair-like structures on the buds that change color as the plant matures) have darkened into brown, red, or orange.
Pro tip:
- For a more energetic and cerebral high, harvest your cannabis plants slightly earlier, when most of the trichomes are still clear but not yet turning cloudy and THC levels are at their peak.
Trimming leaves and preparing buds
How you trim the leaves and prepare the buds for drying depends on your chosen method.
Some growers prefer to cut the plant at the base and hang the whole thing upside down to dry. Others prefer to cut off branches and hang them individually. Some even cut off individual buds and lay them on a mesh screen or rack to dry.
There’s no one correct way. You can cut the plant piece by piece. Some growers even trim the buds while still on the plant before hanging the whole plant upside down to dry.
However, cutting off branches one at a time is recommended. This makes it easier to hang them without the buds touching each other. If you're unsure, this is an excellent method to start with.
Choosing the right environment for drying
Another step to get ready is to check the relative humidity (RH) of the place where you'll dry your cannabis. You can use a mini hygrometer sold at hardware stores.
If the place is arid (below 40% RH), you want to slow the drying process because the buds can dry too quickly. You could hang the whole plant upside down instead of cutting off the branches.
Keeping the plant whole helps slow drying because water still moves through it. You can also leave most or all of the leaves on the plant to slow the drying process.
For places with 40–50% RH, cut off the branches, hang them upside down, and don’t cut the fan leaves. The more leaves you don’t cut, the slower the buds will dry because each leaf releases water vapor as it dries, creating humid spots.
For humid places (over 60% RH), your main goal is to prevent mold while the buds dry. Trim the buds well before drying, removing big fan leaves around the size of a hand or bigger.
Meanwhile, your space should be clean and secure, where you can easily control temperature, humidity, and light. Basements, closets, and grow tents are good options for drying rooms.
The space size should match the size of your harvest, with enough room for proper air circulation and easy access for monitoring and adjustments.
3 Best Methods for Drying Cannabis (Step-by-step Guide)
Here are various ways to properly dry cannabis buds, the steps involved, and the pros and cons of each method:
Hang Drying (a popular method)
The hanging dry method involves suspending individual branches upside down from a line, wire, or rack, allowing for excellent airflow and even drying without surface contact.
Step 1: Prepare your drying room with proper temperature, humidity, and light control, as discussed in the previous sections of this guide.
Step 2: Hang your cannabis branches or whole plants upside down. The branches shouldn’t touch each other to promote even drying and prevent mold growth.
Step 3: Monitor the drying process daily, checking for any signs of mold or uneven drying.
The drying process typically takes 7–16 days, depending on the size of the buds and environmental conditions.
Pros of hang drying method
- Better airflow around the plants or branches
- Individual branches can be easily monitored and removed as they dry.
Cons
- Sufficient vertical space is needed to hang the plants or branches.
- You may need to periodically rotate or adjust the hanging position to ensure even drying of all parts of the plant.
Screen Drying (For Smaller harvests and Space)
Screen (or rack) drying involves placing individual buds or small branches on mesh or wire racks, similar to a food dehydrator.
This method allows for excellent airflow and is suitable for smaller harvests or when space is limited.
After preparing your drying room with the proper temperature, humidity, and light control, follow these steps:
Step 1: Place your cannabis buds or small branches on the drying racks. Make sure they are not touching each other to promote even drying and prevent mold growth.
Step 2: Monitor the drying process daily, checking for any signs of mold or uneven drying.
Step 3: This process usually takes 7–10 days for the buds to be completely dry, depending on their size and environmental conditions.
Pros
- Easy monitoring during the drying process
- Optimizes space in limited drying rooms.
Cons
- You can’t do it without drying racks or screens.
Box Drying (an easy method for a smaller harvest)
Another option is to dry the buds in a cardboard box with slits or a paper bag, which keeps moisture close to the buds for longer. The steps involve:
Step 1: Use a large shoebox, packing box, or similar box. This method works for up to 75 grams of weed. For more volume, it’s better to choose a different technique.
Step 2: Place the box in a dark room with a temperature between 18 and 21 °C (64 and 70 °F) and humidity around 50%.
Step 3: Make two holes in the sides and run a string between them. If the box is large, run multiple strings, ensuring the buds do not touch each other.
Step 4: Check the humidity daily and open the box to provide fresh air, especially at the beginning.
This method takes 12 to 20 days for the buds to be dry enough. Ensure the buds are adequately spaced and the environment is monitored for optimal drying conditions.
Pros
- Many growers say this method is much easier to do compared to others.
- Drying is faster.
- You can control airflow by opening or closing the flaps.
- It doesn’t require too much effort, unlike other methods.
Cons
- With box drying, you need to be more aware of mold and flip the nugs a few times.
How to Dry Cannabis: Monitoring The Drying Process
It's not enough to just start drying your cannabis correctly. You also need to monitor it and make adjustments if needed.
Based on many growers' experience, weed drying usually takes between 8 and 20 days. Generally, the longer it dries, the better it turns out, though sometimes it can be quicker.
You'll know your cannabis is dry and ready to cure when you bend a stem and hear a clean snap. If it doesn't snap easily, it needs more time to dry.
While drying, if you notice any problems like uneven drying, mold, or a bad smell, you might need to change the drying room conditions. Here are some tips:
- If the cannabis is drying too fast or too slowly, change the temperature within the recommended range (60–70°F, 15–21°C).
- If you see mold or overly dry buds, adjust the humidity levels to stay within 45–55% RH.
- If the drying is uneven or there's mold, increase air circulation by adding or moving fans, making sure they don't blow directly on the buds.
Helpful tip:
- Aside from the stem snap test, you can also know that the drying process is done when the buds feel dry to the touch but not crumbly. Also, the grassy smell will fade, and the unique smell of the strain will become more noticeable. This will fully develop during curing.
Optimal Conditions for Drying Cannabis
The idea is to maintain consistent airflow during the drying process. An optional AC unit and/or dehumidifier can do this.
While hanging, keep the temperature between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. This helps your plants dry evenly and slowly. Also, use a hygrometer to monitor humidity levels, which should be 50–60%.
Remember, if the humidity is too low, your buds will dry out quickly, and the flavor won't be good. If the humidity is too high, the buds will dry slowly and could develop mold.
Tips For Successful Cannabis Drying
- If you’re unsure, stick to the standard humidity levels: To ensure your plants dry properly, keep the temperature between 6 and -70 degrees Fahrenheit and the humidity between 50-60%.
- Keep air circulating: Proper air circulation helps prevent pockets of stagnant air and promotes even drying. While optional, it's beneficial to include fans in the drying area.
- Avoid direct heat: Do not expose your drying plants to direct heat sources like heaters or sunlight, which can speed up drying and lower bud quality.
- Wet trim ahead of time: You can trim your plants wet or dry, but if you're concerned about over-drying, cut them before hanging. This reduces the surface area and slows down the drying process.
- Consider drying racks: If you can afford it, consider buying high-quality equipment like drying racks designed for cannabis. These racks ensure proper airflow around the buds.
- Storage: After drying, place the buds in airtight containers like wide-mouth mason jars and store them in a cool, dark place. Open the jars occasionally to let out excess moisture and check for mold or moisture.
- If you are curing multiple strains or batches of cannabis, label and date your curing containers. This helps you track their progress.
After Drying: Preparation for Curing Weed
Curing is what to do with your weed buds after drying. It involves storing dried cannabis buds in a controlled environment to break down chlorophyll and other unwanted compounds.
The idea of curing is to improve the flavor, aroma, and potency of your marijuana. To cure cannabis after drying, follow these steps:
Step 1: Place the dried buds in clean, airtight containers, such as glass jars or specialized curing containers. Leave ¼ space in the container for air circulation.
Step 2: Store the containers in a cool, dark place with a stable temperature between 60 and 70 °F (15 and 21 °C). Use a mini hygrometer to keep the humidity inside the jars around 58–62% RH.
Step 3: During the first week of curing, if the humidity inside the jars is above 65%, open the containers daily for about 10 minutes to release excess moisture and let in fresh air. This process, called "burping," helps prevent mold and ensures an even cure.
Step 4: After the first week, you can burp the jars less often, about once every few days.
Helpful Tip:
- The curing process usually takes 2-4 weeks, but you can extend it for several months for even better results. The longer you cure your cannabis, the smoother and more flavorful it will be.
FAQs
What is the best light cycle for growing cannabis?
An 18/6 light schedule during the vegetative stage is the recommended light cycle for growing cannabis. Then, you switch to a 12/12 cycle during the flowering stage.
How long does it take to grow cannabis?
Growing a cannabis plant can take 16 to 32 weeks, depending on where you're growing.
What type of soil works best for cannabis?
Loam is the best soil mix for growing marijuana. Other ingredients, such as peat, compost, coco coir, manure, worm castings, and perlite, can be added depending on the cultivar and growing conditions.
How often should I water my cannabis plants?
Water container-grown cannabis plants every 2-3 days, while soil-grown plants may need water daily. Test soil dryness with your finger; if it is still moist, wait a day or two before watering again.
What are the best cannabis seeds for beginners?
Feminized auto-flowering seeds are ideal for beginners.
The Northern Lights and
White Widow are great choices. These strains are easy to grow, fast-growing, resilient to pests and mold, and have a less pungent smell, making them beginner-friendly.
The Takeaway
Fresh cannabis buds contain high moisture content, so they need to be dried to make them more palatable and effective when consumed. When you properly dry and cure cannabis, it also helps avoid a hay-like smell.
Now that you know three practical ways to dry weed and the steps for each, you might be unsure which one to pick. Your choice depends on your resources and experience; you can’t go wrong with anyone.
But always allow enough air exchange and keep them out of the light. Also, patience is key when drying cannabis.
By Chris Bates
