How to Plant Hemp Seeds Indoors

Growing hemp indoors is both an enjoyable and practical task, ensuring you always have it on hand when needed. You might want to plant hemp indoors due to unfavorable local weather or because outdoor space for plants is limited. Start by germinating the seeds, then plant them in soil or a seedling tray. Once planted, proper care is necessary for healthy growth.

Soak the seeds. To improve germination, soak the seeds in a bowl of water for 12 hours. Seeds that can sprout will sink to the bottom, while those that won't will float.

• After soaking for 12 hours, place the viable seeds on a towel to dry.

Wet a paper towel and spread it out on a plate. The paper towel helps retain the moisture necessary for the seeds to sprout. Run water over the towel until it's wet but not dripping. It's best to use a ceramic plate because it provides enough stability to hold the towel and seeds. The towel should completely cover the plate.

Place the hemp seeds about 1.5 cm apart on the towel. Ensure the rounded side (the one without a point) of each seed is facing down on the plate, leaving enough space between them so their roots don’t intertwine.

Dampen another paper towel and cover the seeds with it. Make sure the wet towel is in direct contact with the seeds.

Keep the plate with seeds at a temperature of 20-30°C. Hemp seeds require a warm and stable environment for sprouting. Place them in a warm spot, away from direct sunlight, such as on top of a refrigerator.

Maintain the moisture of the paper towel. Spray water on it to keep it moist. It's important to check the towel regularly to ensure it doesn’t dry out.

Wait for the seed to sprout. Hemp seeds generally begin to crack open within 48 hours. Depending on the type of seed, you'll observe the roots starting to grow within a few days. Once the main root has extended about 1 cm, it's ready to be planted.

• Handle the seed with care once it cracks open. Avoid poking, pulling, or touching the seed to prevent damage to the root.
• Any seed that fails to crack or sprout roots within a few days should be discarded, as it won’t germinate.

Fill a small pot with about 5 cm of soil. Choose a small plastic plant pot that’s the right size for sowing seeds indoors. You can find these at gardening stores or order online. Use loose, breathable, and moist soil. Fill the pot up to ¾ full.

• Instead of directly sowing the seeds into the soil, you can opt for seedling trays purchased at a nursery or online. These seedling trays are pre-cut blocks made from tree bark mulch, with holes to place the seeds in a favorable environment. They're affordable and easy to use.

Create a hole about 0.5 cm deep in the soil. Use a pencil to create a hole in the soil for sowing the seeds. The hole should neither be too shallow nor too deep.

• If the hole is too shallow, the roots won’t have enough soil to develop properly. If it’s too deep, the seedling may struggle to sprout.

Use tweezers to place the seed into the hole. When placing the seed, make sure the main root is facing downward. The main root is the long root that grows from one end of the seed.

• Do not pull or tug when picking up the seed with tweezers. If the seed sticks to the paper towel, wet it slightly to make it easier to handle.

Cover the seed with soil. Gently cover the seed with a thin layer of soil, about 0.5 cm deep, to allow the plant to grow.

• Avoid pressing too hard on the seed when covering it to prevent disturbing it.
• If using a seedling tray, close the sowing hole by gently pressing the top around the hole.

Place the seed in a moist environment and avoid direct sunlight. Don’t put the seed pot on a windowsill or near a heater, as these areas tend to be too dry and hot. A cupboard or basement is a better spot for the seeds to sprout indoors.

• Maintain a temperature range of 24-29°C for optimal growth.

Spray the soil to keep it moist 1-2 times daily. Use a spray bottle to keep the soil moist. Ensure the soil is damp, not soaking wet or dripping. Avoid overwatering, as it can lead to root issues.

• Follow a watering schedule to maintain moisture for the plant. You can spray water on the plant once in the morning and once in the evening to provide adequate hydration.

Use a cold white grow light. Hemp seeds require 24 hours of light every day, 7 days a week, to grow. Use cold white light with a stable temperature of 22°C. Place the light 5 cm above the pot. Use a light with 3-5W power for each pot.

• Grow lights in Vietnam can range in price from a few dozen to a few hundred thousand VND, depending on the type and size.
• You can purchase cold white grow lights at gardening stores or online.

• In some areas, there are laws prohibiting the cultivation of hemp. Make sure that the place you live permits the growing of hemp.