Cannabis is an astonishing plant for many reasons, including its dizzying array of potential benefits and the fact that it naturally produces a distinctive, euphoric “high.” But while cannabis is a unique plant, it must be dutifully tended to before you can pluck off its ripe buds, stick them in a pipe, and puff away.
One of the least talked-about but most important steps in crafting quality flower is the drying and curing process. Weed requires this crucial “resting period” before it can truly be enjoyed. Below, learn the whats, hows, and whys of post-harvest cannabis, how long it may take to dry and cure your buds, and a few expert tips for growing exceptional cannabis at home.
Drying and Curing Cannabis: Why it Matters
The harvest period tends to be seen as the last act in a plant’s life cycle, but that’s not exactly true for cannabis. Fresh-picked weed is wet, sticky, and definitely not suited for smoking. Traditionally, cannabis was dried and cured by feel; it required someone with experience to carefully gauge variables such as moisture and optimum cure.
Today, we have access to tools that make it far simpler to observe and control the process, including:
- A thermometer to measure ambient temperature
- A hygrometer, a simple instrument that measures ambient humidity
- A fan to increase airflow and gently speed the drying process
- An air conditioner in case temperatures are too high, and a dehumidifier if the ambient humidity is too high
These items can be easily purchased and will set you up for success if you’re new to growing.
How Long Does it Take to Dry and Cure Cannabis?
Depending on your approach, it can take between 3 – 7 days to fully dry your cannabis harvest. Curing, however, can take much longer. This crucial—and often underappreciated step—can go anywhere from two weeks to six months or more.
That may sound like a long time to wait for your home-grown flower to be smokeable but trust us, it’s an absolutely crucial step. Curing “finishes” flower, taking it from a raw and potentially harsh state into one that’s rich, flavorful, and a delight to partake in.
Wet Trim vs Dry Trim: Which Should You Use?
While there are many sub-steps involved, drying and curing cannabis is, at heart, a two-stage process. First, the ripened cannabis is harvested and dried before it’s cured.
To dry your cannabis, you’ll need:
- A darkened room, as the UV rays in sunlight can degrade cannabis
- A drying rack or line to hang buds for drying
- A thermometer and hygrometer
- A fan
- Optional: AC unit and dehumidifier
You also have a decision to make: Are you going to do a “dry trim” or a “wet trim”?
How to Dry Trim Cannabis: Pros, Cons, and Procedure
A dry trim involves removing the “sugar leaves”—the tiny, trichome-dusted leaves that protect the flower—after the harvested plant has dried. Those sugar leaves are useful, especially for making concentrates, pre-rolls, or other cannabis products. But for premium-grade flower, you’ll want to remove them.
Dry trimming is conceptually simple: You dry the plant whole, then carefully separate sugar leaves and flowers from the dried stalks. Of course, there are upsides and downsides:
- Pros: The flower tends to cure better, as the large fan leaves on the whole plant extend the drying period and help break down chlorophyll. And since the flower itself is dried, it’s much less sticky (and potentially less irritating to sensitive skin).
- Cons: It will take considerably longer to trim, as the fan leaves will curl up and attach themselves to the flower. Since there’s so much dried plant matter, you’ll also need a larger space in which to trim. Finally, because the drying time is longer, there’s a greater chance of mold.
Here’s how it works: After harvesting the plant by cutting it at its base, hang it upside-down in your designated drying room. You’re aiming for roughly 50% humidity and a temperature of 70° F / 21.2°C (break out that hygrometer and potentially the AC and dehumidifier).
After about 3 – 7 days, check it by bending a dried stem. If it’s ready, you should hear a clean “snap”; if not, it still needs more time.
When the plant is truly dry, you’ll snip off the branches and trim each individually.
How to Wet Trim Cannabis: Pros, Cons, and Procedure
With a wet trim, you’ll separate the sugar leaves and flowers before the drying process. There are pros and cons to this approach:
- Pros: Trimming before drying is easier, as the leaves and flowers are far more accessible. The flower will also dry faster, saving you time. And finally, there’s a greater chance of preserving the plant’s precious aromatic terpenes.
- Cons: Trimming wet is a very sticky business. You’ll want to wear nitrile or other surgical-style gloves for the event. Some cultivators feel that a wet cure compromises the final product, as the curing time is reduced. It’s generally accepted that a wet trim also preserves more chlorophyll, which can contribute to a harsher flavor. You’ll also need drying racks, which you may not need for a dry trim.
Here’s how it works: Snip off the branches and trim each one individually after harvest. Once you’ve separated all the flower, you’ll spread it out on drying racks. The environment should be the same temperature and humidity as for a dry trim—roughly 50% humidity and a temperature of 70°F / 21.2°C—but the actual drying time will be shortened, generally to about 3 – 5 days. The test for dryness—a clean “snap” when you bend a stem—is the same as you would do for the dry trim.
How to Cure Cannabis: A Step-by-Step Guide
Curing cannabis demands a bit of patience, but the final product will be well worth it in the end. Here’s the process and how it works:
Step 1
Place your dried flower in jars filled about two-thirds of the way up. Screw the lid on tightly and place the jars in a cool, dark environment.
Tip: It’s a great idea to invest in hygrometers for each jar. You want the humidity to be around 55% – 65%. If the interiors are too dry, there are several individual humidity packs that will help preserve moisture. The goal is a long, slow cure; if the interiors are too wet, leave the lids off for a few hours to try and stabilize things.
Step 2
During the first week, open the jars to “burp” them once or twice a day.
Note: An ammonia-like smell indicates that the environment is too moist; if any flowers develop mold, toss them.
Step 3
After the first week, slow the burping process down—switch to a burp every few days.
Step 4
Enjoy the fruits of your labor. You can now use your cured flower for vapes, joints, bowls, or other consumption methods.
Timing, Quality Control and Testing
Some cultivators feel that a shorter cure results in fresher, more energizing flavors, while a longer cure can impart richness and depth. Depending on how the flower is curing, you can stop at as little as two weeks or go for as long as six months. It all depends on your personal tastes and how the flower is smoking.
And as should be obvious by now, mold and mildew are major enemies during the curing process. That’s why each and every cannabis product Mission sells is third-party tested for mold, mildew, pesticides, and other contaminants. If you’re aiming to produce top-quality smoke, we urge you to invest in a home test kit for yourself.
Looking for Expertly Handled, Locally Grown Cannabis Near You?
Now that you know how to dry and cure cannabis, you may be tempted to try it out yourself. Growing, drying and curing your own cannabis is a deeply rewarding and enjoyable experience. But if you’d prefer to let someone else do the heavy lifting, we can help.
Start by choosing the Mission dispensary closest to you, where you’ll find a huge selection of fresh cannabis flower, along with vapes, edibles, concentrates, and any other cannabis product you can think of. Still have questions about best practices when drying or curing your homegrown cannabis? Stop by any of our locations and ask your friendly budtender for more information. We look forward to seeing you!
