How Do You Tell Male from Female Pot Plants?

If you're growing marijuana, knowing the gender of your plants is extremely important, as it affects the potency of the buds and the yield you can expect to harvest. Male plants produce pollen sacs, while female plants produce buds that are high in THC. Here are a few ways to tell male from female pot plants;

1. Check for Pre-flowers

At around 4 to 6 weeks of growth, marijuana plants begin to show pre-flowers, which are small bumps that develop at the joints of the stem and branches. These pre-flowers can help you determine the gender of your plants - male pre-flowers usually look like tiny green bananas, while female pre-flowers resemble wispy white hairs.

2. Look for Pistils and Calyxes

Once your plant has matured to the point of flowering, you can use its pistils and calyxes to determine its gender. Female plants will have calyxes that are small and rounded, while male plants will produce long, skinny spiky flowers that eventually become the pollen sacs. Female plants will also have white pistils growing out of the calyxes, while male plants will have no pistils at all.

3. Smell and Taste Test

If all else fails, you can always rely on your nose and taste buds to tell male from female pot plants. Female plants will have strong, pungent odors that are often described as earthy or skunky. Male plants will generally have little to no smell at all, and they won't taste nearly as good as their female counterparts.

In conclusion, knowing the gender of your pot plants is essential to get the most out of your grow. By using pre-flower identification, observing your plant's pistils and calyxes, and smelling and tasting the buds, you can easily tell the difference between male and female plants and ensure that you're growing the highest quality weed possible.