One of the worst things that can happen to your weed stash is to let it go bone-dry. Maybe you have had this experience before?

Last night, you inadvertently left your baggy out in the peak of summer. Today, you reach in for a bud, only to have it disintegrate into almost a powder in your hands. As you light up, you immediately notice the harsh sting in the back of your throat, with none of the pleasant tastes and aromas you’re used to.

Novice growers will tell you how uncertain they are when it comes to drying their crops. It is not uncommon to overdo it. Drying in the middle of winter is very different from mid-summer. Even if a bag of weed is at its perfect moisture level, if transported to a new, dryer climate, it can dehydrate at record speeds.

Luckily, this is not the most disastrous of situations. It is possible to rehydrate cannabis with a few simple techniques. Some of them may even bring new flavours, while others can simply destroy your stash if done recklessly. Nevertheless, your pot will never be exactly as it was before.


The two most common reasons why weed gets dry beyond its optimal point are overdrying after harvest and inadequate storage.

Cannabis dries from the outside in. The outer leaves may seem dry, while the inner bud and stems might still hold considerable amounts of water. Therefore, it is common for growers to judge dryness by using the stem-snapping trick.

When a plant is cut down to dry, soon after, the stems lose a lot of their rigidity and stiffness. If you handle a stem, it will bend without snapping. As such, the general rule of thumb is, when you can snap a bud’s stem clean in half, it is sufficiently dry. If the stem still bends, it needs more time. While this trick works great for the more experienced, it is by no means the most scientific method. In moderate climates with average humidity, a slow and even drying period can be expected. In arid climates, however, a humidifier and frequent close-inspection of buds may be needed.

After a final trim, the buds should be placed in an airtight container to cure. If left in a paper or plastic bag, they will continue to exchange water with the surrounding air—eventually drying up altogether. By placing the weed in an airtight container, you will preserve its water content, as well as promote the best conditions for curing, which will enhance its taste, smell, and potency.

Curing Cannabis Plant


Fortunately, in the same way cannabis can release water into the air, it can also suck water molecules back into the bud.

The solution is relatively simple. All you need is an airtight container (again!), or something very close. In this remedial situation, being airtight is not essential to success. But after rehydration and for long-term storage, airtight containers are indeed necessary.

The general idea is to increase the relative humidity inside the container to create a microclimate. Water molecules will disperse from high concentration zones to lower concentration zones until it has evened out.

There are several ways to achieve this—some you can even do regardless of excessive dryness. All these methods are slight variations on one another (except for the super express methods described below), but they do have their nuances.


This is a non-flavour-adding technique. Grab a slice of bread and moisten it (don’t soak it). Alternatively, lettuce leaves work great too. A damp paper towel can also be used, though beware of excessive water content.

Place it on top of the weed in a thick plastic or Ziplock bag, close it tight, and let it sit for an hour or two. When the time has elapsed, check your weed and move it around a little. Check the lettuce, bread, or towel for how much drier it is. This is a clear indication of the amount of water retained by the buds.

Depending on the size of your stash, you may need to repeat this a couple of times. The trick is not to rush it. For instance, do not excessively moisten the bread or leave the same lettuce leaf in there for too long. This could lead to the formation of mould, which could transfer onto the buds.

Inspect thoroughly, and when satisfied, move the weed to a proper airtight container for prolonged storage.

Ways of Rehydrate your Weed Stash


This trick adds a little fun factor and is great for experimentation. You can use several types of fruit peels and herbs to rehydrate your weed, in precisely the same way as described above. The difference is that there will also be a transference of taste and smell.

The most commonly used fruits are oranges and limes. They are very useful in rehydrating your buds, but also lend their citrusy flavour to the weed. They should not be used for long-term storage and curing, as they could cause mould or bud rot. Close inspection is needed on a daily basis to avoid any sort of fungal outbreak. Simply substituting the peel every couple of days will ensure the added taste lingers.

Banana peels are also quite popular. Quicker in action too, but they also rot much quicker. Some people swear it makes the weed more potent, though there is no concrete evidence to support this.

Apple peels do not transfer their taste quite as effectively, but they do release moisture slowly and consistently, which is great for an even rehydration.

Regardless of the fruit of choice, the trick is to leave the peels in there for a couple of hours and check. It can take from a few hours to a day until the buds are in good, smokeable shape.

You can also add in things like mint, cilantro, rosemary, thyme, or any other fragrance-rich cooking herb. Not only will they work for rehydration, but they will also add a zing to your palate.


If you are in a hurry and cannot afford to wait that long, there is a way to speed up the procedure. But a big warning; you run the risk of cooking your weed or rendering it too soggy to smoke.

Grab a large pot, fill it with water, and bring to a boil. Once it is in full boil, take off the heat and place it on a safe surface. Next, cover the pot with a study cloth or piece of fabric, and secure it around the rim of the pot, making sure not to burn yourself (use oven mitts!).

Now, place your weed on top of the cloth, and let evaporation do the rest. The hot vapour will pass through the cloth and the buds, providing maximum hydration in record time.

Be sure to turn the buds regularly to evenly distribute the vapour. After 30 minutes to an hour, your buds should be ready to use!

Are you aged 18 or over?


Ensure you are aware of the laws of your country.

By clicking ENTER, you confirm
you are
18 years or older