What Is a Clone?

Last updated November 3, 2025 | Published on November 3, 2025

Cannabis cloning is a growing technique that involves creating a genetic replica — a clone — of a parent cannabis plant, often called a “mother.” Essentially, a clone is a piece of a plant that’s cut from the mother plant and grows its own roots.

Unlike seeds, which yield genetically unique offspring, cuttings produce genetically identical cannabis plants. For example, if the parent cannabis plant has high tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) with a gassy flavour, its clones will have the same traits. That’s why cloning appeals to both Licensed Producers and home cannabis growers: It delivers predictability, quality and consistency.

In Ontario, you may grow up to four cannabis plants per residence (not per person). Find out more about what’s legal — and what's not — for Ontario cannabis consumers.

How are clones made?

The cannabis cloning process relies on cuttings. When a plant is in the vegetative stage (between five and 16 weeks of growing), the grower snips off pieces that are between 10 and 20 centimetres long and places them in a suitable environment to root. Rockwool rooting cubes are a great option to lock in moisture, but potting soil and water (hydroponic growth) are good alternatives.

Cuttings from cannabis plants can take two to three weeks to develop roots. When the roots are about eight centimetres long, the plants are transplanted into soil.

You may skip the rooting stage by buying rooted clones, which need to be transplanted into a new growing medium. Choose a four- to eight-litre pot and use a soilless peat- or sphagnum-based mixture for transplantation.

This technique works for not only cannabis but also many other plants — you can clone your favourite rose bush, Monstera plant or many other indoor and outdoor plants.

Why use cannabis clones?

Cloning cannabis plants offers significant advantages. It is a great alternative to growing plants from seeds for Legal Producers and anyone interested in growing their own cannabis at home. Cloning cannabis is a popular technique for the following reasons.

• Speed: Clones come from already mature plants, so they skip the time required for germination (typically one to seven days) and seedling growth (two to three weeks). Cloned cannabis is ready to be harvested sooner than plants grown from seeds.
• Sex certainty: Since clones are genetically identical to their parent plant, a female plant will always yield female clones. Unlike male plants, female cannabis plants produce cannabinoid-rich buds.
• Quality and predictability: By selecting a parent plant with the attributes you want, you can ensure the same quality, yield, flavours and cannabinoid profile in the clones.
• Beginner-friendly: Many people find growing cannabis from cuttings easier than starting from seeds, as it requires less experience because it skips the germination stage.

Where can I buy cannabis clones?

Some Farmgate stores in Ontario offer clones for sale to the public, which means you can buy legal cannabis clones from a trusted source.

Farmgate stores offer an interactive shopping experience, where you can buy cannabis products in the same space the cannabis was grown.

Available cannabis clones will vary among Licensed Producers. One of the first strains offered as a clone in Ontario is Tire Fire, an indica-dominant hybrid grown by local micro-cultivator Torrcann. This cultivar is a cross of High Octane and Do-Si-Dos, and has been extensively tested and chosen for its suitability to Ontario’s climate.

Safety tips for growing cannabis at home

Before growing cannabis at home, consider these safety and security tips.

• Limit cannabis odours as much as possible (air filters or odour-absorbing gels are good options for indoor growing).
• Use a tall fence, preferably with a locking gate, so plants are not visible from outside your property.
• Install an alarm system.
• Ensure any indoor growing areas are ventilated enough to remove extra moisture and humidity to help prevent mould on plants and in your home.
• Avoid pesticide use. Health Canada has not determined whether any pesticides can be used safely on cannabis grown at home, even though they may be labelled for use on all plants.

Whether you grow your own cannabis at home or buy cannabis products, remember to be mindful when it comes to storage, particularly if you have children or pets. While the cannabinoids in dried cannabis (such as THC) are typically inactive unless heated, the cannabinoids in ingestible products (including edibles, beverages and oils) have already been activated, so their accidental consumption can have serious health implications. To play it safe, store any cannabis product like you would medications or cleaning chemicals — clearly labelled and up and out of reach of children and pets.