Quick answer
Buy cannabis clones from a licensed dispensary in a state with legal cannabis. Expect to pay $10 to $30 per clone. Inspect for white roots, green leaves, and no pests. Quarantine new clones for 7 to 14 days before placing them near other plants.
Cannabis Clone Health Check Guide
What is a cannabis clone?
A cannabis clone is a cutting taken from a mother plant. The cutting grows roots and becomes a new plant. The new plant has the same genetics as the mother. Clones are not seeds. Clones produce female plants if the mother was female. Clones skip the seedling stage. A clone can be ready to flower 2 to 4 weeks faster than a plant grown from seed.
Where to buy clones
In the US, clones are sold at licensed dispensaries and licensed nurseries. Examples include California, Colorado, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Michigan, Illinois, Massachusetts, and Maine. Some states allow medical sales only. Some states ban clone sales. Check your state cannabis regulator before you buy. Do not buy clones from unlicensed sellers. Unlicensed clones can carry pests, mold, and viruses.
What to inspect before you buy
- Roots: Look for white roots at the bottom of the plug or pot. Brown or slimy roots mean rot.
- Leaves: Green leaves with no yellow spots, no brown tips, and no white powder.
- Pests: Look under leaves and on stems for spider mites, thrips, and aphids. Webbing is a sign of mites.
- Stem: Firm stem, no soft spots or dark streaks.
- Label: Strain name, breeder, and date cut. Ask for a pest and pathogen test result.
Price
Clones cost $10 to $30 each in US dispensaries. Rare or high-THC strains can cost $50 or more. A clone in a 4-inch pot costs less than a clone in a 1-gallon pot. Buy 1 or 2 extra clones to replace any that fail.
how to transport cannabis clones from store
Quarantine and planting
Keep new clones away from other plants for 7 to 14 days. Watch for pests and yellow leaves. Plant clones in a pot with drainage holes. Use cannabis-friendly soil or coco coir. Keep temperature at 68 to 78°F. Keep humidity at 60 to 70% for the first week. Give 18 hours of light per day for vegetative growth. Switch to 12 hours of light to start flowering.
Clones vs seeds
Clones give the same plant every time. Seeds give genetic variety. Clones are faster to harvest. Seeds are more resistant to stress and disease. Clones cost more per plant. Seeds cost less per plant but take longer. Beginners can use either. Clones need a clean space. Seeds need a germination step.
Legal notes
Cannabis is illegal under US federal law. State laws differ. You must be 21 or older in recreational states. You must have a medical card in medical-only states. Do not carry clones across state lines. Do not mail clones. Check possession limits. In some states, you can grow 6 plants per adult.
Common beginner mistakes
- Buying clones without checking roots.
- Mixing new clones with existing plants on day 1.
- Using hot soil or too many nutrients.
- Overwatering. Let the top inch of soil dry between waterings.
- Ignoring light schedule. Clones need 18 hours of light to stay in vegetative growth.