Here are the ideal light cycles for the different cannabis growth stages:
Seedling Stage (2-3 weeks):
Light cycle: 16/8, 18/6, 20/4, or 24/0
LED grow lights
Seedlings don't need high-intensity light, but should be placed 2-4 inches from the plants to prevent stretching
Vegetative Stage (2-8 weeks):
Light cycle: 18/6 or 20/4
LED grow lights
Provide a minimum of 16 hours of light, with 18/6 being the ideal cycle
Outdoor plants should get at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day
Flowering Stage (6-8 weeks):
Light cycle: 12/12
LED grow lights
Provide exactly 12 hours of uninterrupted darkness to trigger and maintain flowering
Outdoor plants will naturally transition to 12/12 as daylight hours decrease in late summer
The key things to remember are:
Seedlings and vegetative plants need 16-24 hours of light per day
Flowering plants require exactly 12 hours of darkness per day