By Ryan Najjar

Everything you need to know about growing cannabis in Germany, month by month, this 2024.

Contents:

Unless you've lived under several rocks, you likely know that the cannabis market in Europe has reached new heights in recent years.

As with growing in any region, though, there are different legal issues, weather patterns, and other factors to consider before you can start.

In this blog, we'll be discussing how you can successfully grow your crop in Germany.

GROWING CANNABIS IN GERMANY IN 2024

Like anywhere else in Europe, you'll find a diverse range of mild and challenging climates in Germany. Whether you're way up on the coast in Schleswig-Holstein or in the heart of Bavaria, you'll still be able to grow a successful crop.

However, there's a lot more to consider than the weather when you want to grow cannabis in Germany.

IS WEED LEGAL IN GERMANY?

Before we can start talking about how to grow cannabis in Germany, we have to discuss whether it's legal. So... is it? Well, yes and no. Speaking recreationally, cannabis is still illegal, but it's classified as an Anlage III substance.

This classification just means it's not too dangerous to prescribe. Drugs like cocaine, however, are Anlage II, restricting prescription, and heroin autumns under Anlage I, restricting all distribution.

However, there's a certain loophole in the law thanks to three simple words: "a small amount". What are we on about, you wonder? Turns out, according to the 1992 reform of the Narcotic Drugs Act, someone possessing only a small amount of cannabis can avoid prosecution.

Getting more specific, this applies to anyone who only grows, produces, transports, imports/exports, or otherwise obtains enough for personal use. This wording, thankfully, has helped slowly ease Germany towards legalization.

The biggest sign of this is the fact that medical cannabis has been legal in Germany since 2017. Things started slow, with only 1,000 specially permitted patients before the law.

Even with hurdles in the way, there were 142,000 prescriptions written in 2018 alone, and demand is only going up. By 2024, the International Cannabis Business Conference estimates that Germany will become the biggest medical cannabis market in Europe.

This is exciting, of course, but we have to consider that there have already been issues with shortages. More international companies are being permitted to import into Germany, but their product is more expensive and relies on extensive trade.

A GUIDE ON GROWING CANNABIS OUTDOORS IN GERMANY

While Germany has many environments within its borders, we'll be focusing on the coast, the north-east, the west, and the south today.

There are unique advantages and disadvantages to growing in each region, whether it's the weather patterns, sunlight, or pests in the area.

How To Grow Cannabis Outdoors In Germany, March

MARCH

  • Daylength March 1st: 10 hours, 54 minutes
  • AVG. temperature: 1–9°C

As spring creeps in, preparations can begin for the growing season.

Whichever region you're in, you should start germinating your seeds by the beginning of the month. Feel free to begin preparing your outdoor grow area if it's warm enough, especially if you're in the west or warmer parts of the north-east.

Those near the coast or Bavaria, however, should keep an eye out for inclement weather. Regardless, you don't have to worry about getting plants outside immediately. Instead, you can take advantage of the longer days and slightly warmer temperatures by doing some windowsill growing.

How To Grow Cannabis Outdoors In Germany, April

APRIL

  • Daylength April 1st: 13 hours, 1 minute
  • AVG. temperature: 5–15°C

With the sun coming out longer and heating things up, the growing season officially begins.

If you're in a warmer area like Frankfurt on the Main or Dusseldorf in the north-east, you may have the chance to plant directly in the ground outside (assuming you've fertilised and dug out a bed).

You also have the option of planting them in large pots, which will give you the ability to move them inside in case of poor weather.

Otherwise, if you want to play it safe, you can erect a greenhouse and set your plants up in there. Although it'll limit your space, you'll be able to maintain a constant temperature and humidity level, while also protecting your plants from the elements.

Besides that, those in places with less sunlight, like Hamburg, may also choose a greenhouse with artificial lights to make sure plants get as much as they need.

Besides that, make sure you're regularly weeding your garden beds (if applicable) and keeping an eye out for any pests. A helpful tip: Grow some floriferous plants in the surrounding area to attract bugs that eat cannabis pests.

How To Grow Cannabis Outdoors In Germany, May

MAY

  • Daylength May 1st: 14 hours, 59 minutes
  • AVG. temperature: 9–20°C

As the temperature begins to kick up, your goal is to make sure your plants are happily settled. Keep them consistently watered, noting that plants grown in rainy conditions in Lower Saxony and nearby areas won’t need as much.

Those using greenhouses in the sunnier western and north-east regions will have a different factor to monitor—heat. Since outdoor temperatures of 17ºC (63ºF) and above can make greenhouses extra warm, opening windows and vents is highly recommended.

Besides monitoring weather conditions, damage prevention is the name of the game. Keep pulling out weeds that soak up the soil's nutrients, keep an eye out for pests, and start looking out for wildlife if you're in a rural area. Even a simple fence around the grow area can prevent an unwitting red fox or wild boar from ruining your plants.

How To Grow Cannabis Outdoors In Germany, June

JUNE

  • Daylength June 1st: 16 hours, 31 minutes
  • AVG. temperature: 13–24°C

Summertime! You know what that means: Beach days, music festivals—no we're just kidding, it means you get to watch your plants grow faster! This is thanks to the increased daylight (summer solstice is the 21st) and warmer weather, along with your caring hand.

You should also make sure you have a support system in place for larger plants.

If you're trying to be discreet, however, or have limited space, you've got some work to do here as well. Specifically, you should start low-stress training to keep your plants close to the ground.

Also note that rainfall increases throughout Germany during the summer, so make sure you strike a healthy balance between that and the heat.

How To Grow Cannabis Outdoors In Germany, July

JULY

  • Daylength July 1st: 16 hours, 44 minutes
  • AVG. temperature: 14–26°C

In the paraphrased words of the American poet Nelly, "It's gettin' hot out here". In fact, no matter where you are, it's the hottest month of the year, with temperatures ranging from 22ºC (72ºF) in Hamburg to a toasty 26°C (79°F) in Frankfurt on the Main.

With that, and the still-long days, your main concern will be making sure the soil stays hydrated. Even with rainfall still being high, actually peaking in Frankfurt with 44mm on average, things can get dry in the matter of a day.

If you haven't already, instal an irrigation system to take a lot of the work off your hands. That way, your only job is to maintain the irrigation system itself.

At this stage, your other main concern is sexing, if you’re growing regular seeds. Look for signs of pollen sacs starting to form around the nodes.

If you don't know already, removing the males on sight is vital to keeping the yield and potency of the females high. If left where they are, they'll pollinate the females later on and cause them to produce seeds. Unless you're looking to get seeds, this is far from ideal.

How To Grow Cannabis Outdoors In Germany, August

AUGUST

  • Daylength August 1st: 15 hours, 31 minutes
  • AVG. temperature: 14–26°C

Going into August, plants register the decrease in daylight hours, and growers raising photoperiod strains get to see something beautiful. This, of course, is the flowering phase.

Since your plants will be fully stretching out in the first couple of weeks, now is the time to defoliate and prune them—if you haven't already. Rather than discretion, though, the point of this maintenance is to make sure all the buds get some decent sunlight.

Keep up a regular watering routine as well, since heatwaves around this time aren't unheard of. Again, an irrigation system could save you a lot of hassle during this time of year.

How To Grow Cannabis Outdoors In Germany, September

SEPTEMBER

  • Daylength September 1st: 13 hours, 36 minutes
  • AVG. temperature: 11–23°C

As summer begins to transition into autumn, the flowers of your plants will get larger and larger thanks to increased production of pistils and trichomes.

With bigger flowers, of course, come pungent smells, and the fragrance of your plants will start to fill the air.

Don't get too distracted by the smell, however, as you'll need to make sure your plants have shelter when the rain comes. Rainfall won't be as severe as it was during the summer, but make sure your plants are in a greenhouse or under a tarpaulin when it comes.

How To Grow Cannabis Outdoors In Germany, October

OCTOBER

  • Daylength October 1st: 11 hours, 35 minutes
  • AVG. temperature: 6–17°C

Autumn has officially arrived, and you'll soon see the finish line after months of hard work.

Rainfall becomes even less frequent around this time, but root rot and overwatering can still be an issue. If you've still got some sunlight and warmth where you are, feel free to let your plants grow a bit longer to max out your yield.

If rainfall is more frequent in your area, though, choose a strain that will flower soon and go ahead harvesting, drying, and curing your crop.

How To Grow Cannabis Outdoors In Germany, November

NOVEMBER

  • Daylength November 1st: 9 hours, 33 minutes
  • AVG. temperature: 2–10°C

The growing season comes to a close in November, and anyone who hasn't already should begin harvesting.

Since no more growing can be done, your only responsibilities in the garden are clearing leaves, preemptive pest control, and burning any debris that can't be used as compost. After you've dried and cured your cannabis, you can finally enjoy the product of your labour.

PROS AND CONS OF GROWING CANNABIS IN GERMANY

Boiling it down, Germany has a lot going for it as far as a cannabis-growing country. For one, the temperatures are manageable, if not perfectly mild, in most regions.

Going along with that, the fact that rainfall decreases as autumn approaches removes a lot of stress from the process. However, the colder early spring makes the beginning a challenge, and the fact that rainfall peaks during the summer is a notable issue.

Besides the weather, legality is still a big question mark, and it's unclear when the government will start allowing for mass domestic cultivation.

Still, undoubtedly one of the advantages of growing weed in Germany—as opposed to other countries in Europe—is that there is already a medical cannabis programme in place.

Moreover, developments in one major EU nation are bound to trigger others to follow suit. Only time will tell.

TOP 3 RQS STRAINS RECOMMENDED FOR OUTDOOR GROWING IN GERMANY

In general, it’s wise to pick robust hybrids when growing outdoors in Germany—either photoperiod or autoflowering. There simply isn’t enough time to crop towering sativas in this region.

In fact, those growing further up north should select indica-dominant strains in order to harvest before the cold and rain of autumn set in.

To cap things off, we wanted to recommend some strains that are built to handle climates like Germany's.

  • Northern Light

While you might already know Northern Light is a classic strain, you might not have known that it's especially mould-resistant.

Given the heavy rainfall during German summers, this is an essential trait. On top of that, this indica boasts 18% THC, a fruity taste, and a relaxing, euphoric high. It will grow to 180–220cm outdoors and produce around 625g/plant.

Northern Light Royal Queen Seeds

Northern Light

Northern Light

Genetic background Northern Light S1
Yield indoor 500 - 550 gr/m2
Height indoor 100 - 160 cm
Flowering time 7 - 8 weeks
THC strength THC: 18% (aprox.) / CBD: Medium
Blend 0% Sativa, 100% Indica, 0% Ruderalis
Yield outdoor 575 - 625 g/per plant (dried)
Height outdoor 180 - 220 cm
Harvest time Late September
Effect A combination of stoned + high

Buy Northern Light

  • White Widow

If you're in a colder part of the country, you can count on White Widow to treat you right.

This perfectly balanced hybrid is comfortable in the north, and a warm, happy high will greet you once you spark up these 19% THC nugs. Expect it to reach up to 190cm by harvest time, leaving you with up to 600g/plant.

White Widow Royal Queen Seeds

White Widow

White Widow

Genetic background White Widow S1
Yield indoor 450 - 500 gr/m2
Height indoor 60 - 100 cm
Flowering time 8 - 9 weeks
THC strength THC: 19% (aprox.) / CBD: Low
Blend 50% Sativa, 50% Indica, 0% Ruderalis
Yield outdoor 550 - 600 g/per plant (dried)
Height outdoor 150 - 190 cm
Harvest time Late October
Effect Extremely stoned

Buy White Widow

  • Royal Moby

Lastly, we'd like to acknowledge one of White Widow's descendants, Royal Moby. A combination of White Widow and Haze, Royal Moby does her parents proud by staying potent and kicking mould to the curb.

Royal Moby gives you the regal treatment with 21% THC, and its sativa-heavy genetic makeup means you'll be extra cheery and alert.

And in case you were wondering, this strain is named after the fictional whale, created by the author Herman Melville. Why? Well, it towers over virtually any other strain, clocking in at 3.5m and gifting its grower 700g/plant.

Royal Moby Royal Queen Seeds

Royal Moby

Royal Moby Royal Queen Seeds

Genetic background Haze x White Widow
Yield indoor 500 - 550 g/m2
Height indoor 80 - 140 cm
Flowering time 9 - 10 weeks
THC strength THC: 21% (aprox.) / CBD: Low
Blend 65% Sativa, 35% Indica
Yield outdoor 500 - 550 g/per plant (dried)
Height outdoor 200 - 300 cm
Harvest time Late October
Effect A combination of stoned + high

Buy Royal Moby

IN CONCLUSION

The fate of cannabis in Germany is unclear in some aspects, but it's not all a mystery. We know it's become more popular, and we know it will continue to do so.

We also know that this means more cannabis will need to be grown, which means international suppliers aren't going to cut it much longer (many would argue they already don't).

All things considered, we'll likely see a rise in German growers soon enough.

There's only one more question from there: Will you be one of them?

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To ensure a safe online environment and guarantee adequate data protection, we strictly comply with all legal requirements. In this privacy statement, we provide information about how and for what purpose data is collected, safety measures, storage periods and contact details.


COMPANY NAME: SNORKEL SPAIN, SL (hereinafter ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS)

C/ Vilar d'Abdelà, 5 (nave 1) CP: 08170 de Montornès del Vallès

+34 937 379 846

[email protected]


The present Privacy Policy sets out the terms on which we will treat personal data at ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS; this includes any personal data collected through our website https://www.royalqueenseeds.com/ as well as any other data we process in the course of our business activities.

ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS collects the following personal data for the purposes listed below:

SECTION 1 – PERSONAL INFORMATION WE COLLECT

1.1 Account purchases

Account purchases can only be made if you are in possession of a personal account. When you create an account or purchase something from our shop, as part of the buying and selling process we collect the following personal information that you provide to us:

This information is required for delivery. In addition, when you browse our shop, we automatically receive the Internet Protocol (IP) address of your computer. Based on this information, we can optimise your online experience and at the same time protect our online environment.

Purpose of data collection

We collect and store account-related data for the following purposes:

(a) to carry out obligations arising from any contracts between you and us, and to provide you with information, products and services that you may request from us;

(b) to set up, manage and communicate with you about your account and your orders;

(c) to conduct market research and analysis;

(d) to confirm your age and identity, and to detect and prevent fraud.

1.2 Newsletters

With your explicit permission, we may send you newsletters about our shop, new products and other updates. We send newsletters based on your explicit consent. In the event that you purchase a product, and in accordance with current regulations, we may send you commercial communications in accordance with the legitimate interest of our company, always about products or services similar to those you have purchased or contracted. In any case, you may exercise your right of opposition through the channels announced in this Privacy Policy. The following information is collected in relation to the newsletter:

We do not need to know the sex of the person in order to send the newsletter (data minimisation: by law we must ask for data that is strictly necessary to provide the service, and in this case knowing the sex is not necessary to send the newsletter).

Purpose of data collection

The data collected is used to:

(a) personalise our emails, including your name and gender;

(b) provide gender-specific content.

You can withdraw your consent at any time by using the link provided in the newsletter or the contact information provided in section 2.

1.3 Customer service and contact form

In order to provide appropriate support, our customer service employees have access to information related to the account. Consequently, their support will be highly effective and friendly. The data provided in our contact form is used by our CRM provider, SuperOffice. We will only use your details to respond to your message.

SECTION 2 – LEGITIMATE INTEREST

If you have purchased any of our products, please note that we may process your personal data for promotional purposes, based on Royal Queen Seeds' legitimate interest only to offer you products or services from our company and about products or services similar to those you have purchased. You may exercise your right to opt out of future messages by the means set out in this Privacy Policy or through any notification you receive.

2.1 How do you withdraw consent?

If you change your mind, you can withdraw your consent for us to contact you for the purpose of collecting, using, or disclosing your data at any time by reaching out to us at: [email protected].

SECTION 3 – DISCLOSURE

We may disclose your personal information if we are required to do so by law or if you breach our Terms of Service.

SECTION 4 – HOW LONG DO WE KEEP YOUR DATA?

At Royal Queen Seeds, we will not retain your data for longer than is necessary for the purposes described in this Policy. Different retention periods apply for different types of data; however, the longest period we will normally hold any personal data is 10 years.

4.1 Account information

Data relating to the account remains relevant for as long as the consumer is in possession of an account. Therefore, the data remains documented for as long as the account exists. When our customers delete an account, the associated data will be deleted within a reasonable period of time. Requests regarding the inspection or correction of stored personal data or the deletion of an account can be sent to [email protected].

4.2 Newsletters

In the event that you give us your consent to inform you about our products or services, we will keep your data until you express your wish not to receive any further communications from us. However, we regularly (every month) carry out a relevance check. Registered customers (and their personal information) will be deleted whenever customers do not reply to our request. In addition, our newsletter mailing has an opt-out feature. Consumers can withdraw their consent by using this opt-out feature.

SECTION 5 – COOKIES

Cookies are small information files that notify your computer of previous interactions with our website. These cookies are stored on your hard drive, not on our website. Essentially, when you use our website, your computer displays its cookies to us, informing our site that you have visited before. This allows our website to function more quickly and remember aspects related to your previous visits (such as your username), making your experience more convenient. At Royal Queen Seeds, we use two types of cookies: functional and analytical.

5.1 Functional Cookies

Functional cookies are used to enhance your online experience. Among other things, these cookies track what is added to your shopping cart. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

5.2 Analytical Cookies

Analytical cookies are used for research and market analysis. The data collected with these analytical cookies is anonymous, making it unusable for third parties. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

SECTION 5 – THIRD-PARTY SERVICES

Third-party services are required to conduct transactions and provide our services. In general, the third-party providers we use will only collect, use and disclose your information to the extent necessary to enable them to perform the services they provide to us.

However, certain third-party service providers, such as payment gateways and other payment transaction processors, have their own privacy policies regarding the information we must provide to them for your transactions.

We encourage you to read the privacy policies of these providers so that you can understand how these providers will handle your personal information.

In particular, certain suppliers may be located or have facilities located in a different jurisdiction than yours or ours. Therefore, if you choose to proceed with a transaction involving the services of a third party, your information may be subject to the laws of the jurisdiction in which that service provider or its facilities are located.

Once you leave our website or are redirected to a third-party website or application, you are no longer governed by this Privacy Policy or the Terms of Service of our website.

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On this website we have integrated an element of a web analytics service (with anonymisation functionality). Web analytics can be defined as the gathering, processing and analysis of data about the behaviour of visitors to websites. An analytics service collects, among other things, data about which website a person came from (the so-called referrer), which sub-pages they visited or how often and for how long they visited a sub-page. Web analytics is mainly used for website optimisation and for a cost–benefit analysis of internet advertising.

Courier service

To complete deliveries we use a courier service. This courier service carries out the delivery between our company and the consumer's home. To complete these logistics, the company requires access to the consumer's name and address information.

Mailing service

Royal Queen Seeds uses a third-party mail service provider to send its newsletter. This provider has access to limited account information related to opt-in consent (e.g. email address).

Marketing services

Royal Queen Seeds has the support of a company that specialises in marketing and communication activities. Their access to personal information is very limited and mostly anonymous.

Payment services

At Royal Queen Seeds we use external payment services to handle our transactions (e.g. credit card payments).

SECTION 6 – SECURITY

To protect your personal information, we take reasonable precautions and follow industry standard best practices to ensure that it is not inappropriately lost, misused, accessed, disclosed, altered or destroyed.

If you provide us with your credit card information, the information is encrypted using secure socket layer technology (SSL) and stored using AES-256 encryption. Although no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure, we follow all PCI-DSS requirements and implement additional industry standards that are commonly accepted. Information related to the account is protected with a hashing method. This method transforms the information into a generated hash. As a result, confidential information is protected and invisible, even to us. In addition, our databases are exceptionally protected against unauthorised access. For example, access to the database is only possible and permitted via approved IP addresses (e.g. from Royal Queen Seeds headquarters). Other attempts and addresses are rejected at all times.

Furthermore, data is anonymised as much as possible, so it cannot be directly linked to a specific consumer. With this data, however, we may be able to carry out market research and analysis. In addition, the third parties concerned (e.g. mailing service) are examined prior to our collaboration, comply with the GDPR from the EU and receive a processing agreement. Within Royal Queen Seeds, employees are assigned different access permissions. Specific permission provides access only to information that is strictly required to perform a task. Digital security measures are subject to change and must meet high requirements to ensure the safety of online customers. That is why, at Royal Queen Seeds, we appoint a security officer. Regular verification and improvement of security measures (where necessary) are part of the role.

SECTION 7 – CHANGES TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY

We reserve the right to modify this Privacy Policy at any time, so please check back regularly. Changes and clarifications will be effective immediately upon being published on the Website. If we make substantial changes to this policy, we will notify you here that it has been updated so you will know what information we collect, how we use it and under what circumstances, if any, we use and/or disclose it.

SECTION 8 – YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO: