How Many Plants Can I Grow in Germany?

Detailed Answer

Under the Cannabis Act (Cannabisgesetz), each adult aged 18 and over in Germany is permitted to cultivate a maximum of three flowering (female) cannabis plants simultaneously in their private residence. The three-plant limit specifically applies to plants in the flowering stage. Seedlings, clones, and plants in the vegetative growth stage do not count toward this limit, meaning growers can maintain mother plants and prepare the next generation of plants while three are flowering.

The per-person rule means that in shared households, each adult resident can grow their own three plants. A couple living together could grow six flowering plants total. However, each person's plants should be identifiable as belonging to them — shared grows where it is unclear which plants belong to whom could create legal ambiguity.

Growing more than three flowering plants is an administrative offense (Ordnungswidrigkeit) for moderate excesses and a criminal offense for significant overages. The exact threshold between administrative and criminal penalties depends on the extent of the violation, but growing 10 or more plants would likely be treated as a criminal matter. Authorities may also consider whether the quantity of cannabis being produced exceeds what could reasonably be for personal use, as commercial-scale production without a license remains a serious criminal offense.

For context, three well-maintained indoor plants can yield approximately 100 to 300 grams each per harvest cycle, potentially producing 300 to 900 grams over a 3-to-4-month period. Since the home storage limit is 50 grams of dried cannabis, growers need to manage their production to avoid exceeding this threshold. Excess harvest must be destroyed, and growers should be able to demonstrate that their stored quantities are within legal limits.