Starting From Seed vs. Starting From Clone – Pros & Cons

It’s a personal preference on whether or not you should start from a seed or a clone. If you’re a beginner, it may take some time and practice to learn how to take a seed or clone from start to finish as they each have their own challenges when it comes to success. As far as the end flower is concerned, you will not be able to determine if it came from a seed or a clone. Both methods are capable of producing top shelf flowers. When deciding on which route you should go, consider your skill set, environment, end goal, and preferred method. 

Starting From Seed

Seeds can be stored for several years, allowing you to start them whenever it’s most convenient. Although delicate, seeds are typically easier to get to root than a clone.

germinated seeds rooted seedling

Germinated seeds (left); A vegging seedling (right)

Pros

  • Easier to acquire
  • Ability to start as needed
  • Don’t require an indoor room
  • Develop a tap root
  • Increased vigor
  • Unique phenotypes
  • Bigger yields

Cons

  • Takes 4-6 weeks longer to veg or harvest
  • Variations with flowers
  • May have males

Starting From Clones

A clone is a cutting taken from a mother plant. Once cut, it will need to be closely watched, especially until it develops roots. For first-time gardeners, it is usually easier to start from a seed unless you’re working with an already rooted clone.

rooted clone vegging clone

Rooted clones (left); A vegging clone (right)

Pros

  • Guaranteed female plant
  • Faster time to veg or harvest
  • Consistent flowers

Cons

  • Harder to acquire
  • Require an indoor room
  • Lack a tap root
  • Decreased vigor
  • Possibly have a strain that many people have
  • Increased likeliness of developing or containing diseases or pests
  • Lower yields

Planning A Garden

In many places around the world, outdoor gardening is limited to certain months of the year; the summer months. Spring is quickly approaching, and it’s a good time to think about what kind of genetics and what size plants you want to grow for the upcoming outdoor season.

Planning ahead allows you to start seeds or get plants big enough to put outside once the weather warms up. Allowing a plant to veg indoors for 4-6 weeks will provide you with decent sized plants once the time comes to flower. If you are new to gardening, it can also give you enough time to ensure you can get a plant to survive and be big enough to flower.

The best advice when it comes to working with either seeds or clones is to make sure you have proven genetics. Genetics are one of the main factors when it comes to the overall health and quality of a plant, and the happiness of a patient.