Ready to start growing your own cannabis? In BC, households are legally permitted to cultivate up to four non-medical cannabis plants. Of course it’s a lot easier to hit your local cannabis shop, but if you’re up for a challenge, growing from home offers a rewarding learning experience and control over strain selection.
If you’re ready to begin, your first decision will be whether to start from seed or clone. Seeds require more time and patience but offer genetic diversity, while clones provide a faster route to harvest with predictable results. This guide breaks down everything you need to know about cannabis clones, including essential care tips and preparation steps. But first, what exactly is a clone?
What is a Cannabis Clone?
A cannabis clone is a vegetative cutting taken directly from a healthy, mature mother plant and plaed into a new growing medium. For home growers, starting with a clone provides a significant advantage because the plant has already completed the early life cycle stages.
The clone inherits 100% of the genetic traits of the mother plant, making it a genetically identical copy. This means the plant’s growth patterns, potency, terpene profile (flavour and aroma), and natural pest resistance are guaranteed to remain consistent.
Because so much of the early development is already complete, cloning removes much of the guesswork from home growing. You’ll achieve reliable results faster while knowing exactly what kind of cannabis you’re cultivating.
Cannabis Clones vs. Seeds: Which is Right for You?
Starting from seed means beginning with germination and growing through every stage yourself. Depending on the strain, full harvest typically takes 4–6 months. When purchasing a clone, you can expect to harvest in roughly 8–10 weeks, as the vegetative growth phase has already begun.
Seeds also introduce unpredictability. Standard (non-feminized) seeds naturally produce roughly a 50/50 split of male and female plants. Males only develop pollen sacs and cannot be smoked; if left near females, they will cause pollination, forcing the females to focus on seed production rather than bud development. With clones, you are guaranteed receiving a mature female plant every time.
Genetic variation is another factor with seeds. Some seeds may not germinate at all, while others produce unique phenotypes that result in varying heights, yields, and cannabinoid profiles. This inconsistency can be discouraging for new growers working with limited space or plants. Clones solve this by producing uniform plants identical to the mother strain.
Historically, sourcing clones carried risks regarding the unknown health of the mother plant. Today, licensed retailers, like Cheeky’s Cannabis, provide professionally grown, inspection-ready stock that is free from pests and pathogens, making it a reliable starting point for new home growers.
How to Care for Your Cannabis Clones: Environment & Setup
The first step in cultivating a clone is preparing your growing environment. You can grow indoors or outdoors, but both setups require careful attention to lighting, ventilation, humidity, and temperature.
Temperature & Humidity
Clones thrive in slightly cooler environments between 20–24°C with humidity levels maintained around 65–70%. Monitor these metrics daily using a digital hygrometer. A humidity dome is highly recommended during the first week to prevent dehydration while roots establish, followed by gradual ventilation as they develop.
Light
Cannabis plants respond strongly to light cycles. During the cloning and early vegetative stage, aim for 18 hours of light and 6 hours of complete darkness daily. Disruptions to this cycle can stress the plant or trigger premature flowering before it’s strong enough to flower properly. LED grow lights are ideal; ensure they’re dimmable and set to deliver approximately 200–300 PPFD for young plants, gradually increasing as foliage develops.
Nutrients & Water
For nutrients, you’ll want to start with a nutrient rich solution high in nitrogen high in nitrogen to support root and leaf development. Planting in living soil or bioactive substrates will ease the introduction of your plants and shield against irregular pH levels. When watering, cannabis is similar to many houseplants. The goal is to keep the soil moist but never soaking or overflowing. Once the top layer dries, you’re safe to water again. It also helps to mist the leaves and soil on a daily basis.
Oxygen & Airflow
Like most plants, healthy root growth depends on oxygen exchange. Roots can rot when they’re overcrowded, waterlogged, or cut off from their oxygen supply. It’s a tricky balancing act between maintaining both oxygen airflow and high humidity. Ensure all your tools and containers are clear in order to prevent airborne pathogens, and consider investing in small oscillating fans (not pointed directly at the plant) to keep air moving.
Outdoor Cloning in BC: Timing, Strains & Climate Tips
Growing outdoors is a great way to save money on equipment, as natural light, temperature regulation, and humidity are already present. BC’s mild climate offers one of the most favourable outdoor growing seasons in Canada, particularly for coastal and mainland regions like Vancouver, Mission, Maple Ridge and North Saanich on Vancouver Island.
While you can save on equipment, growing outdoors comes with additional challenges. First, timing is essential. You’ll want to grow your clones once the risk of frost has passed – May is a safe bet. This allows you to time harvest with August-October. Choose strains bred for shorter flowering times to avoid exposure that may drag into the fall rains.
Mold is the primary coastal challenge. Opt for hybrid or indica-dominant genetics specifically selected for humidity resistance, and ensure your planting site has excellent drainage and overhead coverage during heavy rain. Finally, BC law requires outdoor crops to be grown in a way that prevents public visibility from streets or neighbouring properties. Balance sun exposure with privacy screening carefully to stay compliant while maximizing yields.
Where to Buy Quality Cannabis Clones in BC
A healthy mother plant is the foundation of successful cultivation. Purchasing clones from a licensed retailer ensures you receive disease-free stock, accurately labeled strain information, and full legal compliance.
At Cheeky’s Cannabis, our mother plants are grown in controlled environments with rigorous quality checks. We offer a curated selection of varieties tailored to different experience levels, each selected for reliable growth profiles, distinct terpene blends, and consistent yields.
Visit us at any of our four locations in Maple Ridge, Kitsilano (Vancouver), Mission or North Saanich to speak with knowledgeable staff about strain compatibility, and begin your home growing journey with confidence.