Many cannabis cultivation workers instinctively discard male plants as soon as they appear, usually to prevent them from pollinating females. Pollination can significantly reduce the quality of buds, resulting in female plants producing seeds rather than focusing on potent, seedless flowers (a.k.a., sensimilla. However, male cannabis plants produce value beyond pollination, especially for breeders and home growers who know how to use them.
Let’s take a look at some of the major differences between male and female cannabis plants, how to identify males early on, the benefits of male cannabis plants, and tips for keeping them around.
Male and female cannabis plant differences
Male and female cannabis plants differ primarily in their reproductive roles, and these differences are crucial to note for both growers and breeders.
Male cannabis plants produce pollen sacs that release pollen to fertilize female plants, enabling seed production. However, they don’t produce buds, which makes them less desirable for growers focused on harvesting high-quality cannabis flowers for consumption.
Female cannabis plants are responsible for producing the resinous buds rich in cannabinoids like THC and CBD, making them the primary focus of most growers. When not pollinated, female plants focus their energy on developing these potent, seedless flowers.
The physical differences between male and female cannabis plants usually become apparent during the pre-flowering stage. As a result, it’s important to identify them early for optimal crop management.
Identifying male pot plants
It’s important to identify male bud plants early on. The differences between male and female plants typically become noticeable during the late vegetative stage or early flowering stage—usually around 1-3 weeks after transitioning to flower.
Male plants are easier to spot first, as they tend to show their sex slightly earlier than females. In addition to male and female cannabis plants, it’s also important to be aware of hermaphrodite plants. These plants develop both male and female reproductive organs, which can lead to self-pollination that affects the quality of the crop.
Visual indicators of male cannabis plants
- Pollen sacs: Small, round, ball-like structures that appear at the nodes (where branches meet the stem). These eventually open to release pollen.
- Fewer leaves: Males are often taller and lankier with relatively fewer leaves.
- No pistils: Male plants will not develop the thin, white pistils characteristic of female plants.
- Earlier maturation: Males typically show signs of sex 1-2 weeks before female plants.
Visual indicators of hermaphrodite plants
- Both pollen sacs and pistils: Hermaphrodites may show both pollen sacs and pistils at the nodes, leading to potential self-pollination.
Male weed plant characteristics
Male cannabis plants have distinct characteristics that set them apart from female marijuana plants:
- Seed production
When pollinated by males, female plants develop seeds. Male plants are essential for breeders to produce new strains or maintain specific genetics.
- Physical appearance
Males tend to be taller and less bushy than females. They have fewer leaves and a spindly structure, which allows them to grow quickly and reach heights to disperse male pollen effectively.
- Less aromatic
Male plants usually have a milder scent than females. Male pot plants lack much of the strong, pungent aroma associated with cannabis.
Female weed plant characteristics
Female cannabis plants are the primary focus for most growers, and they have quite a few defining traits of their own.
- Bud production
Female plants develop resinous flowers or buds, which contain the highest concentrations of cannabinoids and terpenes. These buds are what most consumers seek for their psychoactive and therapeutic effects.
- Pistils
As they mature, female plants produce white pistils that emerge from the calyxes. These are often mistaken for tiny white hairs. Pistils play a crucial role in attracting pollen.
- Bushy growth
Females typically have a bushier and more compact structure with many more leaves to capture light. This growth pattern supports the development of dense buds.
- Strong aroma
Female plants emit a strong, fragrant aroma, especially during flowering. This scent can vary widely depending on the strain and its terpene profile, ranging from sweet and fruity to earthy and skunky.
Why keep a male pot plant?
While many growers choose to discard male cannabis plants, there are several reasons to keep them in your garden.
- Breeding opportunities
Male plants are essential for breeding new cannabis strains. Growers can use males to create hybrids that combine desirable traits from both parent plants.
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Seed production
If you’re interested in cultivating seeds for future grows, male plants are a necessity.
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Genetic preservation
Keeping male plants allows breeders to preserve specific genetics. If you have a male plant that exhibits desirable traits, like high yield or disease resistance, maintaining that male can help safeguard those genetics for future breeding efforts.
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Testing for traits
Male plants are used to assess traits that may not be visible in females until flowering. Observing how the males interact with females can provide insights into their gene pool compatibility, growth patterns, and overall vigor.
- Pollen collection
For breeders, collecting pollen from male plants is an important practice. Stored pollen can be used later to fertilize their female counterparts selectively, allowing for more control over breeding.
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Potential medicinal uses
Some growers explore the medicinal properties of male plants, as they can contain beneficial compounds. While lower in THC, male cannabis may still offer therapeutic benefits.
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Composting
If you don’t need male plants for breeding or seed production, composting them can recycle nutrients back into your garden. Male plants can contribute to healthy soil when added to compost, enriching the ecosystem for future grows.
Challenges of growing male marijuana plants
Growing male marijuana plants comes with its challenges, especially for first-time cultivators.
“For the first-time grower, the most challenging part about male cannabis plants is identifying them before they produce pollen,” said Humboldt Seed Company Co-Owner and Chief Science Officer Benjamin Lind. “Early identification and removal of male plants is key to a successful sensimilla crop.”
This challenge is compounded by the common misconception that male plants can be turned into female plants. While some growers may search for methods to feminize male plants, it’s important to understand this is not feasible. Male cannabis plants are genetically distinct.
Pollination is another significant concern. If male plants are not removed promptly, they can pollinate female plants, resulting in seeded buds that are less desirable for both quality and yield. Cultivators aiming for sinsemilla (seedless cannabis) must remain vigilant in monitoring their grow space and promptly eliminate any males.
FAQ
Do male marijuana plants produce buds?
No. Buds are always produced by female cannabis plants.
When do male plants pollinate?
Male plants release pollen from small, ball-shaped pollen sacs that form on the plant. Once these sacs mature and open, male plants pollinate females by releasing pollen into the air, where it can be carried to the flowers of female marijuana plants.
Can you grow male and female plants together?
Yes, but doing so comes with significant consequences depending on your goals. For example, if male and female plants grow together, the males will release pollen and pollinate the female plants, leading to seed production in the buds. While this is essential for breeding and producing seeds, it’s undesirable for people aiming to harvest seedless, high-potency buds.
How many leaves are on a male weed plant?
This can vary depending on the strain, growth stage, and environmental factors of your weed plant. Typically, a healthy male cannabis plant will have leaves with 5 to 9 leaflets per leaf—sometimes up to 11 in certain strains. However, the total number of leaves on the plant itself is not fixed and is subject to increase as the plant grows.
How can you tell male vs female pot plants?
You can tell the difference between male and female cannabis plants by observing their physical characteristics, especially as they enter the pre-flowering or flowering stages. Said characteristics might include: the size and shape of pollen sacs, the presence (or lack thereof) of calyxes and pistils, and whether the plant has developed buds—male weed plants do not.
What should you do with male marijuana plants?
That depends entirely on your goals. If you want to grow high-quality, seedless buds, male plants should be removed as soon as they are identified to prevent them from pollinating female plants. If you’re breeding new cannabis strains, male plants are essential for producing seeds. If you’re interested in future breeding, pollen can be collected and stored for later use. And if you don’t need the male plants, you can compost them to recycle their nutrients back into your garden for future grows.
Do male and female cannabis plants smell different?
Yes, male and female cannabis plants can have subtle differences in smell, but both produce a characteristic cannabis scent. However, the strong, pungent aroma most people associate with cannabis primarily comes from female plants as they produce more cannabinoid and terpene profiles, especially during the flowering stage when they grow resinous buds.
