THREE PLANTS. LEGAL.
Since Germany's Consumer Cannabis Act (KCanG) came into force, adults are allowed to grow up to three cannabis plants at home without a permit. This guide walks you through the process from seed to harvest, plus the legal basics you need to know along the way. No forum myths, just what actually matters if you want to do it right.
Know the legal framework
You're allowed a maximum of three living cannabis plants per adult, grown exclusively at your own residence. At home you may store up to 50g of dried cannabis; in public, the limit drops to 25g. Passing it on or selling it is prohibited in all cases, even as a gift among friends. Cultivation is legal only for people aged 18 and over.
Protecting minors
Plants, equipment, and harvest must be secured against access by children and teenagers, for example with a lockable grow tent or a locked room. This isn't optional; it's a legal requirement under Section 10 of the KCanG. If minors live in your household, plan your setup with this in mind before the first seed goes into the soil.
Choosing seeds and genetics
Seeds are the legal starting point; clones or ready-grown plants from unclear sources usually aren't. Feminized seeds avoid male plants, which you'd otherwise need to cull. Look for a reputable source and documented genetics rather than the cheapest listing with no breeder information.
Autoflower vs. photoperiod
Autoflowering strains switch to bloom on their own after a few weeks regardless of light schedule, and tend to forgive beginner mistakes. Photoperiod strains need a deliberate switch to a 12/12 light cycle, but usually reward you with higher yields and more control over plant size. For a first indoor grow, autoflowers are often the more relaxed choice; outdoors on a balcony, either can work depending on space.
Setup: indoor or balcony
Indoors: a grow tent from about 80x80 cm handles two to three plants, paired with full-spectrum LED lighting, carbon-filtered exhaust for odor control, and a timer. A budget indoor setup starts around €300 to €500. Outdoors or on a balcony: keep it shielded from view and secured against unauthorized access; in Germany, planting from May onward is realistic for a harvest in autumn.
Vegetative stage
18 hours of light, 6 hours of darkness. Keep the growing medium lightly moist, never soaked. Soil pH should sit between 6.0 and 6.5. Feed less than the package recommends; overfeeding is the most common beginner mistake and shows up as burnt leaf tips.
Flowering and mold prevention
Photoperiod strains get switched to a 12/12 light cycle; autoflowers bloom on their own schedule. Flowering takes roughly 7 to 10 weeks depending on the strain. Lower humidity to 40-50% and keep air circulating, since mold in dense buds is the most common cause of losing an entire harvest right before it's ready. Check dense flower clusters regularly, especially during humid outdoor weather.
Common beginner mistakes
Overfeeding, watering too often, keeping lights too close (heat stress), and harvesting too early are among the most common mistakes. A pot that's too small also restricts root growth and limits yield. Keeping a grow journal with photos helps you catch problems early and learn from your own results instead of forum panic.
Harvest, drying, curing
A plant is ready to harvest when its trichomes look milky-cloudy rather than clear under a magnifying loupe. Dry it in the dark for 7 to 14 days at around 18-20°C and 55-60% humidity, then cure it in jars, opening them briefly each day (burping). Patience here is what determines smell, flavor, and shelf life.
Storage and the 50g rule
You may store a total of up to 50g of dried cannabis at home, regardless of how many plants you grew. Keep the harvest airtight, dark, and secured against children, for example in a lockable cabinet. Amounts beyond 50g aren't permitted and can't be passed on to anyone else, even for free.
FAQ
Will my plant smell, and what if neighbors complain?
Yes, flowering cannabis plants have a noticeable smell, especially in the weeks before harvest. A carbon filter on your exhaust reduces it significantly but won't eliminate it entirely. Indoor grows are easier to control than a balcony or garden, where wind and proximity to neighbors matter more. Persistent, unreasonable odor nuisance can become a civil law issue, so it's worth planning for from the start.
Can I grow on my balcony?
Yes, as long as the plants are secured against access by third parties, especially minors, and aren't freely visible or reachable, for example behind a lockable screen. The three-plant limit and storage caps apply the same as indoors. Keep in mind a balcony grow in Germany is seasonal, typically viable from May into autumn.
I rent my apartment, do I need my landlord's permission?
The KCanG permits home cultivation in general, but your lease may contain additional restrictions, for example around structural changes, power usage, or balcony use. Some leases or house rules prohibit alterations like drilling for an exhaust system. If in doubt, check your contract or have a clarifying conversation before you invest in equipment.
How much does an indoor grow cost in electricity?
This depends heavily on light wattage, runtime, and your electricity price. A small LED grow light (roughly 100-150W) typically runs about 18 hours daily during veg and around 12 hours during flowering. Over a full grow cycle of roughly 10 to 14 weeks, that adds up to a rough estimate of ca. €30 to €60 in electricity, depending on current rates and equipment efficiency. A plug-in power meter gives you exact numbers for your own setup.
How much yield can I realistically expect per plant?
This varies a lot by strain, setup, and experience. For beginners growing indoors, roughly 20 to 60g of dried flower per plant is a realistic range, with experienced growers on optimized setups getting more. Autoflowers tend to yield less than photoperiod strains but finish faster. Claims of 200g or more per plant, which circulate in some forums, are unrealistic for home growing without professional equipment.
Can I share my harvest with friends?
No. Passing on home-grown cannabis to anyone else is prohibited across the board, even if no money changes hands and even to other adults. Only personal consumption by you, within the legal limits, is permitted. Violating this prohibition is an administrative offense or, depending on quantity, a criminal one.
What happens if I have more than three plants or exceed the storage limit?
Possessing more than three plants or more than 50g at home is a violation of the KCanG. Depending on the quantity and circumstances, this can lead to fines, and beyond certain thresholds, criminal consequences. If you're unsure how much a harvest will actually yield, it's safer to plan conservatively than to push the limits.
Do I need to register my plants anywhere?
No, private cultivation of up to three plants for personal use doesn't require registration or a permit from any authority. This is different from cultivation associations (cannabis social clubs), which operate under separate rules and do require a license.
Editorial beginner's guide, not an encouragement to consume. Home cultivation is only legal for adults 18+, the rules are set out in Sec. 9 and 10 KCanG.