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Writer's pictureJim Jones

Hermaphroditism in Marijuana – What causes plants to go hermaphroditic?

Updated: Nov 26

Some have asked what strains are most likely to turn hermaphroditic. The answer is not so cut and dry.

Specific types of strains can turn hermaphroditic depending on their genetics.

A lot of different factors can determine whether a plant will turn hermaphroditic.

What exactly is hermaphroditism and is this likely to happen to your plants?

Marijuana and hermaphroditism


What is hermaphroditism?

Hermaphroditism is when your plants display both male and female parts.

Most plants are in fact hermaphroditic. Cannabis plants are one of the few species of plants that are grown to have separate genders.


Hermaphroditic marijuana plant

Hermaphroditic marijuana plant

Male plants display clearly visible seed pods with no buds.

Female plants display buds, but no seed pods. When growing cannabis for consumption, you want female plants.


Which marijuana plants are more likely to turn hermaphroditic?

Thai sativas are highly likely to turn hermaphrodite. As such, they are more difficult to grow than other strains because of the amount of time and care that they require.

You have to watch them very closely and control their environment. If you are a novice grower, it would be best for you to avoid growing this strain.

Another way to prevent hermaphrodites in your grow might be to use my own Bergman’s Plant protector, which you can use to protect the roots, against mold and even pests, in order to reduce stress.

Bergman’s Plant Protector

  1. Protect your plants from diseases and harmful pests.

  2. Consists of three 20 ml bottles

  3. Enough plant protection system supplies for up to 20 plants

  4. Suitable for soil, hydroponic and all other grow mediums




True hermaphroditism

When a strain is hermaphroditic strictly via genetics, it is known as a “true hermaphrodite.”

True hermaphrodites come from a hermaphroditic clone mother.

When you find a true hermaphrodite among your plants it is best to move it out of the vicinity of the other plants, to avoid having it pollinate the other plants.


Bisexual marijuana plants

Plants that become hermaphrodites due to environmental factors such as stress, are known as bisexual plants.


Bisexual marijuana plant

Bisexual cannabis plant

This happens on the female plant, when it begins to detect factors that can induce stress, it then begins to produce stamen along the pistils.

By doing this, the plant shortens its flowering time, ensuring that it is more likely to pass its genes to its offspring. When this happens, you should move the plant away from the others in your crop. In most cases, it should be harvested immediately.


To make sure you don’t see any issues with nutrients arise in your next grow, I have created a balanced nutrient package, specifically engineered for growing marijuana plants! This will ensure that with your next grow you will have the best chance to get an amazing harvest!



All-in-one nutrient package

  1. All the nutrients from seedling to harvest

  2. Enough nutrients for at least 5 plants

  3. Specifically balanced for marijuana plants

  4. Suitable for soil, hydroponic and other growing mediums



What environmental factors cause hermaphroditism?

Several environmental factors can cause your plants to turn hermaphroditic.

Most are caused by negligence and can be easily avoided. One such factor is poor temperature control.

If the temperature is too hot, your plants are much more likely to turn hermaphroditic.


A hermaphroditic cannabis plant

A hermaphroditic marijuana plant

Pruning too early is another common cause. Other causes include, incorrect fertilization, changes in the photoperiod during the flowering phase, and of course mite infestation.

Also read “Pruning marijuana plants

All of these can be prevented as long as you’re vigilant with your plants.

For instance, you should always do your pruning and topping when your plants are still in the vegetative stage, prior to flowering.

Using the correct nutrients and plant protector will get you a long way and your plants will have less chance of getting sick, in addition of being less vulnerable for pests and diseases. I have created multiple grow sets which features all you need in order to grow healthy plants from seed to harvest!



Buy your grow set

  1. Everything you need to grow your plants!

  2. 20 feminized seeds

  3. Marijuana Fertilizer Set for 5-10 plants

  4. Plant Protector for 20 plants



Are there uses for hermaphroditic marijuana plants?

You can still get smokeable buds from hermaphrodite plants, they will just be full of seeds.

It’s not ideal, but if you’re in a tight spot you can still use them.

If your hermaphrodite plants are female, then you can use the seeds for your next batch. Feminized seeds have a high likelihood of turning female.

Got anything to add? Tell us in the comments below!

Download my free marijuana Grow Bible and start growing healthy marijuana plants.

Happy growing! Robert

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