Why Are My Cannabis Seeds Not Germinating? (Troubleshooting Guide).

 

Why Are My Cannabis Seeds Not Germinating? (Troubleshooting Guide).

Few things are more frustrating than planting cannabis seeds… and seeing nothing happen.

If your cannabis seeds are not germinating, the issue is usually environmental — not genetic. In most cases, seeds fail due to incorrect moisture, temperature, handling, or storage conditions.

At Discount Cannabis Seeds, we help growers understand exactly why seeds fail and how to prevent it.

This guide explains the real reasons cannabis seeds don’t sprout — and how to fix them.

First: How Long Should Germination Take?

Healthy cannabis seeds typically germinate within:

24–72 hours (most common)

Up to 5 days in some cases

Occasionally 7 days for older seeds

If nothing has happened after 7 days, something may be wrong.

The Most Common Reasons Cannabis Seeds Don’t Germinate.

1. Too Much Water.

This is the number one mistake.

Cannabis seeds need moisture — but they also need oxygen.

If seeds are:

• Sitting in water too long
• Placed in soaked paper towels
• Buried in waterlogged soil
• They can suffocate.

Solution:
Keep your medium damp, not drenched.

2. Temperature Is Too Low.

Cannabis seeds germinate best between:

20–25°C

If temperatures drop below 18°C, germination slows dramatically or stops.

Cold environments are a major issue in UK homes during winter.

Solution:
Use a heat mat or place seeds somewhere warm and stable.

3. Temperature Is Too High.

Above 30°C, seeds can become damaged or dry out.

Excessive heat can:

• Kill the embryo
• Dry the taproot
• Prevent cracking

Solution:
Maintain stable, moderate warmth.

4. Old or Poorly Stored Seeds.

Cannabis seeds lose viability over time.

Factors that reduce viability:

• Heat
• Light exposure
• Humidity
• Improper storage
• Well-stored seeds can last years. Poorly stored seeds may fail quickly.

5. Planting Too Deep.

If seeds are buried too deeply:

The taproot may emerge

But the sprout cannot reach light

Recommended planting depth:
Around 0.5–1cm.

6. Handling Damage.

The taproot is extremely delicate.

If you:

• Touch it repeatedly
• Squeeze the seed
• Drop it
• You may damage the root before it establishes.

Always handle cannabis seeds gently and avoid touching the taproot directly.

7. Hard Seed Shells.

Occasionally, a seed may crack but the shell does not fully release.

This can stall the sprout.

In some cases, careful misting helps soften the shell.

Never forcefully remove it unless you are experienced.

8. Using Chlorinated Water.

Heavily chlorinated water can affect delicate seedlings.

Let tap water sit for 24 hours before use, or use filtered water.

9. Germination Method Issues.

Common methods include:

• Paper towel method
• Direct soil planting
• Starter plugs
• Each works — but consistency matters.
• Constant checking and moving seeds disrupts development.

Pick one method and leave them undisturbed.

Signs Your Cannabis Seeds Are Still Alive.

Even if they haven’t sprouted, look for:

• Slight swelling
• Colour darkening
• A hairline crack forming

If the shell is still hard and dry after several days, moisture levels may be too low.

How to Improve Germination Success Rates.

Follow these simple rules:

✔ Maintain 20–25°C
✔ Keep medium moist, not soaked
✔ Avoid touching the taproot
✔ Plant 0.5–1cm deep
✔ Use stable, fresh seeds
✔ Avoid constant disturbance

Germination is a simple biological process when conditions are correct.

What Is a Normal Germination Rate?

Even high-quality cannabis seeds rarely achieve 100% germination in all environments.

A realistic expectation:

• 80–95% with good technique
• Slightly lower with older seeds
• If multiple seeds fail, the issue is usually environmental.

Should You Try to Re-Germinate a Failed Seed?

If a seed hasn’t cracked after 5–7 days:

You can gently rehydrate it

But avoid repeated soaking cycles

Overhandling reduces viability further.

Sometimes, starting fresh is the better option.

When It Might Be Genetic.

True genetic failure is rare from reputable suppliers.

However, low-quality or unstable seeds may:

• Have immature embryos
• Be poorly stored before sale
• Show inconsistent viability
• Choosing reliable cannabis seeds from established suppliers reduces this risk significantly.

Why Germination Problems Feel Worse Than They Are.

Germination happens underground and out of sight.

When nothing appears above soil, it feels like failure.

In reality, most problems are fixable with small adjustments to:

• Temperature
• Moisture
• Depth
• Patience
• Cannabis seeds are resilient when given the correct environment.

Why Shop With Discount Cannabis Seeds?

Reliable germination begins with quality genetics.

At Discount Cannabis Seeds, we focus on:

Carefully selected cannabis seeds with strong viability
Stable genetics with predictable performance
Transparent strain information
Competitive pricing
Discreet worldwide delivery
Grower-focused support

Strong genetics give you the best starting point.

Real Customer Reviews.

“Great germination rates every time.” – James, Manchester

“No issues sprouting, very reliable.” – Sarah, Bristol

“Stable and consistent seeds.” – Tom, Leeds

“Excellent quality and support.” – Alex, London

Reliable starts lead to successful grows.

Ready to Try Again?

Explore carefully selected cannabis seeds at:

https://www.discountcannabisseeds.co.uk

Start strong. Grow confidently.

Author Bio.

Written by Molly – Discount Cannabis Seeds

Molly specialises in cannabis seed genetics, germination strategy and grow troubleshooting. Her focus is helping growers understand the biological factors behind seed performance and how to improve success rates.

Her mission is simple:
Make cannabis seed growing predictable, practical and successful.