Tips for Drying and Curing Fresh Cannabis Buds

Now that you’ve successfully grown a fresh crop of cannabis—using Harvest Hero’s Perlite Mix in your soil, of course—it’s time to harvest, dry, and cure the buds for long-lasting flavor and shelf-life. Here’s why the drying and curing cannabis process is crucial to preserving the quality of your product.  

Drying and curing fresh buds does more than remove moisture—preventing mold and bacteria growth. It also helps enhance the potency, flavor, and longevity of the cannabis for future use. If you’ve ever tried to sample fresh buds, they were probably hard to light and you were most likely hit with harsh flavor. Not ideal. Removing moisture helps to tone it down for a more pleasant experience.

Let’s go step by step through the drying and curing process:

Before picking any plant, you have to make sure it’s the right time. You can tell cannabis is ready when:

• Trichomes turn milky white or amber
• Pistils turn from white to reddish-brown or orange
• Buds are dense and sticky

You have two options here: wet trimming or dry trimming.

• Wet trimming is when you trim the buds right after harvesting.
  • Some find this easier since the leaves are straight, not curled into the buds. 
  • Remove the large fan leaves and trim sugar leaves close to the bud.
• Dry trimming requires you to hang the whole plant or large branches upside down to dry before trimming the leaves. Here’s how:

Proper drying prevents mold and bacteria from growing and contaminating stored buds. For best results, set up a designated drying space under these conditions:

• Dark, cool, and well-ventilated
• Between 60-70°F 
• Humidity levels around 45-55%
• Use a fan to circulate air, but avoid direct airflow on the buds.

1. Hang the trimmed buds or branches upside down on a line in a tent or closet. 
   • If you lay buds on a drying rack, be sure to spread them out evenly and flip them so they don’t flatten on one side.
   • You can also dry cannabis in a cardboard box in the empty grow tent or drying room. Place a hygrometer in each box to monitor temperature and humidity.
2. Keep them spaced out to allow air circulation, which is crucial for preventing mold contamination.
3. Drying time depends on the size of the buds. Large, dense buds and large branches naturally take longer. Typically it takes up to 12 days depending on the size, temperature, humidity, and airflow. 
4. Throughout the process, your buds will shrink in size and mass.
5. You’ll know when they’re dry once the stems snap instead of bend.

Even once the outer layer of buds are dry, they may still maintain some moisture deeper inside. Curing allows for the slow evaporation as chlorophyll breaks down. This enhances the flavor, aroma, and potency of the buds as they mature.

1. Place dried buds in airtight glass jars. Only fill about 3/4 of the way to allow some airspace.
2. Keep jars in a dark place with a temperature around 70°F and humidity at 60-65%.
   • A hygrometer will help monitor humidity levels inside the jar.
   • If the buds start to feel too dry, add a humidity pack to help maintain optimal levels.
   • Watch closely for signs of mold.
3. For the first week, “burp” the jars by opening them daily for up to 15 minutes to let moisture escape and check for mold or other issues.
   • Remove any affected buds to prevent spreading.
   • After the first week, open the jars every few days for the next four weeks.
4. You could start enjoying your harvest after about two weeks, but like a fine wine, they get better with time. Most growers cure for about a month. 

Once your weed has cured for up to four weeks, they’re ready for storage.

• You can keep them in the jars or transfer the buds to a vacuum-sealed bag—avoid plastic to prevent affecting flavor—for extended storage.
• Either way, keep them in a cool, dark, dry place out of direct light and heat, as this can add more moisture.
• Add a humidity pack to help maintain freshness over longer periods of time.
• They should last for months without losing potency or flavor.

The process of drying and curing your buds correctly takes time and care, but it yields flavorful results. Creating an optimal environment is a science, and helps ensure a high-quality product worth savoring.