How Long Marijuana Seeds Last

There's a lot to learn about growing your cannabis. The majority of the information will be picked up as you go. In this article you will learn how long marijuana seeds last.

One of the most often asked topics among producers is, "How long do cannabis seeds last?" " The answer isn't always obvious. Cannabis seeds will live longer if they are properly preserved and kept out of harm's way.

Continue reading if you don't know how to preserve your seeds properly. We'll address the question "how long do cannabis seeds last?" and offer some advice on getting the most out of your seeds.

Remember that there is no definitive answer to how long cannabis seeds will last. In reality, the sole certainty is that it is dependent on a variety of factors.

The longevity of your seeds will be affected by storage, strain, and other variables!

How Long Marijuana Seeds Last

Cannabis seeds may be stored for up to 5 years. However, this presupposes you have high-quality seeds and preserve them appropriately. Otherwise, the longevity will be significantly reduced.

It is crucial to remember, however, that the likelihood of successful germination diminishes with age. We strongly advise you to utilize your seeds as soon as possible, even if you purchased a high-quality variety from one of the greatest seed banks online.

Even if you merely keep healthy seeds in an envelope at room temperature, you should expect them to survive a year or two. You can extend that considerably if you consider the things listed below.

Factors Influencing How Long Weed Seeds Last

Genetics has a significant role. High-quality seeds outlast low-quality seeds. Poor seeds spoil soon. How the seeds were treated also has an impact.

If the seed bank where you purchased them preserves their seeds properly and sends them in the mail in a way that protects them from harm, they will survive a long time.

Except for selecting a high-quality seed bank, you do not influence these factors. What you can control is how your seeds are treated when they arrive.

Make every effort to offer as near to optimum circumstances as feasible. In a moment, we'll discuss the best approach to store them. Let's start with the primary aspects that influence the lifetime of cannabis seeds.

Light

Light stimulates the seeds to begin germination preparations.

Even if they do not germinate because the other conditions required for germination are not present, the chemical processes for germination can be initiated, and the seeds will then be unable to germinate when the time comes.

Keep your seeds in the dark if you want them to last as long as possible.

Heat

Germination is also signaled by high temperatures. Keep your seeds in an area that is as cold as possible without freezing.

You may store them at room temperature, but to maximize their lives, keep them at temperatures between 42° and 46° F, or 6° to 8° C.

Moisture

Moisture also signals the start of germination. Furthermore, rotting can occur in a damp atmosphere. You should store your seeds in a dry area with a relative humidity of 8% to 10%.

Environmental Fluctuations

Environmental variations are far worse than any of the aforementioned factors. Even if you just store the seeds in a drawer in your kitchen, they will keep for a long time at normal room temperature and humidity.

Perhaps a year or two. However, if the humidity, temperature, and light levels change, the lifetime becomes substantially shorter.

Oxygen

Finally, seeds remain far longer in a vacuum. They will remain good for a long time if stored in the usual atmosphere of the Earth, but a vacuum is superior.

Even simply storing them in a secure area can help. They will have oxygen, but not a constant supply of fresh air. A lack of fresh air not only prevents germination but also makes pests more difficult to flourish.

How To Make Cannabis Seeds Last Longer

Based on the elements listed above that influence how long weed seeds last, we can conclude that maintaining your seeds in a cool, dry, dark environment will help them last a long period.

If you want your marijuana seeds to stay longer, place them in a vacuum-sealed container first. They are usually well-packed when they arrive from the seed bank, and we recommend utilizing the packaging they came in if you haven't previously opened it.

If you have, use a non-porous container that completely closes and eliminates all of the air. If you don't have a vacuum sealer, simply place them in a dark paper envelope.

Place this product inside a mason jar made of glass. The box should already be black, but you should wrap the mason jar as well to achieve full darkness within. To maintain a low humidity level, use desiccants such as silica gel packs.

Place this mason jar in the fridge. To eliminate temperature and humidity changes caused by opening the door, utilize a fridge that is not used regularly.

If you follow those simple instructions, your seeds will be viable for many years. Much more may be found in our post on how to properly store marijuana seeds.

What Happens When Cannabis Seeds Are Stored Improperly?

When seeds are exposed to light or a quick temperature change, a series of processes occur that reduce their lifetime.

For starters, it may cause them to deplete their nutritional reserves before they should. This implies they won't have enough nutrients when it's time to germinate. Fungi may thrive when exposed to excessive humidity.

Royal Queen Seedlings has provided some further information regarding how humidity might damage cannabis seeds.

If the storage room has a humidity level of 8-9%, it may attract pests and insects. Fungi can develop inside and outside of your seeds if the humidity level reaches 12-14%.

When the humidity level rises over 18-20%, the seeds begin to sweat. It's a good idea to store your seeds after the humidity level reaches 20-30%.

Germination will occur at a humidity level of 40-60%. You don't want this if you haven't yet used your seeds. Finally, humidity levels of 80-100% will cause seeds to sink and wilt in less than a day.

The Best Ways to Store Your Cannabis Seeds

You now realize that you must keep the seedlings away from direct sunlight. We've also mentioned the importance of relatively low humidity and a refrigerator-like temperature.

Depending on how long you wish to keep the seeds, you have several alternatives.

Short-Term

A dark drawer or closet will suffice if you simply need short-term storage. The most important thing to remember, regardless of the storage period, is to minimize temperature and humidity variations.

Rapid temperature changes, in particular, can damage your seedlings. Avoid outdoor storage if you live in a climate with warm days and cold nights.

Place the seeds in a jar with desiccant for short-term storage. The area is in a cold, dark place after sealing it.

Medium-Term

After a few months of medium-term storage, it's time to utilize an airtight container. A mason jar or a Ziploc bag are two examples. Refrigerate this sealed container.

Keep in mind that opening your fridge might result in severe temperature variations. As a consequence, it is great if you have a secondary refrigerator that is rarely used.

It's also worth noting that new refrigerators have low humidity levels. Your seeds will begin to deplete nutrients if the humidity is too low.

Long-Term

Use a vacuum-sealed container to preserve your seeds for at least six months. Remove all of the air from a Ziploc bag to produce this effect.

Special vacuum-sealed containers are also available online. Place the sealed bag in a dark container and place it in the refrigerator.

You may also put the seeds in the freezer to keep them fresh. But keep in mind that they must germinate as soon as they are removed.

If you don't want to wait a long period, keep your seeds in a cold, dark spot. Refrigerate or freeze them if you want to be extra sure they will live.

You must safeguard your seeds from routine use when you refrigerate or freeze them. Because your seeds are in your fridge, you don't want them to be exposed to light and temperature fluctuations frequently.

To avoid frequent temperature changes, keep them in a gadget you use less frequently (or, better yet, a second fridge you rarely use).

The easiest method to keep them in a refrigerator or freezer is in an airtight container.

If your seeds are poorly kept in the refrigerator or freezer, they may be exposed to excessive moisture. If you don't want to keep them for an extended period, you may skip the fridge and store them in a dark, cold area.

However, if you do use the refrigerator to preserve cannabis seeds and want to avoid excessive moisture, you might add a little amount of uncooked rice to their container.

Some gardeners claim that this will absorb excess moisture and keep the seeds from rotting.

How to Tell If Your Cannabis Seeds Are Bad

Assume you've had some seeds for a long time. Is it possible to discern if they have endured or if they are no longer useful?

There are certain signs that the seeds did not survive, however, many seeds that appear to be OK will not germinate.

If a seed appears to be healthy, the only way to know if it has withstood the test of time is to attempt germination.

Cracks in the seed are the most visible. Cracks in the hard outer shell indicate that the seed is no longer viable. It is improbable that the seed will germinate successfully once the genetic material inside it has been exposed.

The appearance of the seed also provides hints. It should be black and have a thin waxy layer. Good seeds are often dark, black, or grey, with stripes or dots.

However, other strains have lighter seeds, so be sure you know what your specific strain should look like.

FAQs

How Long Do Marijuana Seeds Last?

There is a lot of disagreement over how long marijuana seeds last before going bad. Some claim that if stored properly, they can last for years, while others argue that they should be utilized within 6 months to a year of being packed.

So, how long do marijuana seeds last?

In certain circumstances, the latter may be true if the genetics are poor or the seeds have been stored in poor conditions.

The length of time the seeds will endure is entirely dependent on the conditions in which they are stored. If the seeds are moist or exposed to light, they will not germinate due to internal damage.

It is also necessary to mention that the seeds must be kept from being crushed.

Will Marijuana Seeds Germinate if They're Cracked?

Unfortunately, the answer to the question "would a fractured seed germinate?" is no.

It will not germinate since the important interior section of the seed that holds the plant's genetic information has been exposed.

To prevent the seeds from being harmed or crushed, they must be placed in vials filled with cotton wool to prevent them from rattling around and harming one another.

Cannabis seeds may be stored for extended periods if properly preserved. A cold, dark area with no humidity or strong scents is ideal for storing the seeds for a few months, but they must be refrigerated to extend their shelf-life.

How Long Do Marijuana Seeds Last Before Failing?

As previously said, marijuana seeds may be chilled and kept for an extended period. Marijuana seeds can last a few months without interruption, even up to a year if maintained in a cold, dry, and dark area, but if refrigerated, marijuana seeds can last up to a decade.

How Long Do Marijuana Seeds Last If Stored Correctly?

The lifespan of your seeds might vary. If the seeds are shielded from humidity and light and kept in a cold location, the core of the seed will remain dormant, allowing the marijuana seed to live longer.

Soaking the seeds overnight in water, then placing them in a wet tissue or Jiffy plug to sprout normally, will be all that is required to germinate them.

So, how long marijuana seeds will last depends on how carefully you store your marijuana seeds. Marijuana seeds may keep for a long time if you are cautious.

You may even stock up on strains to create your collection while being self-sufficient all year.

Conclusion

As with many aspects of cannabis and gardening, various people prefer different techniques. What works for you might not work for someone else.

However, when it comes to preserving seeds, you must exercise caution. It is critical to retain them in an environment that keeps them from becoming damaged and losing their capacity to germinate.

Many factors will influence how you keep your seeds. Before determining how to keep them, consider how long you intend to leave them, the quality of the seeds, and the storage space you have available. And best of luck!