Male, Female, or Hermie? Your Complete Guide to Identifying PlantsUpdated 3 months ago

Knowing your cannabis plant’s sex is essential for a successful harvest. Only female plants produce the cannabinoid-rich buds growers want, while male and hermaphrodite (hermie) plants can reduce yield by pollinating females. This guide will help you quickly identify male, female, and hermie plants to ensure a high-quality harvest.

How to Identify Male, Female, and Hermaphrodite Cannabis Plants

Why Identifying Plant Sex Matters

Prevent Unwanted Pollination – Male and hermaphrodite plants produce pollen that fertilizes females, resulting in seedy buds with reduced potency. Removing them early ensures seedless, potent flowers.
Maximize Your Yield – Female plants focus energy on flower production. Identifying and removing non-female plants early allows resources to go toward growing high-quality buds.

When to Start Checking Plant Sex

Pre-flowering typically begins 4–6 weeks after germination. During the first few weeks of flowering, look for pistils on females and pollen sacs on males for accurate identification.

Identifying Male Cannabis Plants

Male plants are useful for breeding but not for bud production. Remove them early to prevent pollination.

Key Features of Males:

• Pollen Sacs – Small, round sacs at the nodes that burst to release pollen.
• No Pistils – Males lack the white hairs (pistils) seen on female plants.
• Thicker Stems and Taller Growth – Males grow taller and sturdier to spread pollen.
• Fewer Leaves – Males typically have fewer leaves than females.
  Action Step: Remove male plants immediately unless breeding for seeds.

Identifying Female Cannabis Plants

Female plants are prized for their resin-rich buds. Identifying them early ensures that your focus stays on producing flowers.

Key Features of Females:

• Pistils – White or cream-colored hairs (stigmas) grow from teardrop-shaped calyxes at the nodes.
• Bushy Structure – Females grow shorter and bushier to prioritize flower production.

What Are Hermaphrodite Plants?

Hermaphrodites, or hermies, have both male and female reproductive organs. They can self-pollinate and pollinate nearby plants, leading to lower-quality buds.

Key Features of Hermies:

• Mixed Traits – Both pollen sacs and pistils appear on the same plant.
• Banana-Like Growths (Nanners) – Yellow, banana-shaped anthers grow among female stigmas.
• Staminate Flowers – Oval-shaped flowers with stamens grow alongside buds.

Causes of Hermaphroditism

Stress Factors – Light leaks, temperature swings, nutrient issues, over-pruning, or moving plants during flowering can trigger hermaphroditism.
Genetics – Unstable strains are more likely to hermie. Always purchase seeds from a trusted source like ILGM to reduce this risk.
Action Step: Remove hermies immediately to prevent pollination of female plants.

Tips for Accurate Sexing

Use a magnifying glass or loupe to catch early signs of plant sex. Inspect your plants daily during early flowering to catch males or hermies before they pollinate. Minimize stress by maintaining consistent lighting, proper nutrition, and stable conditions.

Need Help?

Our friendly Customer Success Team is here for you. If you have any questions, please get in touch. Happy growing, and harvest with confidence!

Male, Female, or Hermie? Leaf It to Us to Identify Your Plants!  💚