Written by Joshua Sosin

Moldy weed is a big issue that you'll probably encounter at some point in your cannabis journey.

Even with proper storage, your cannabis flower can sometimes get moldy, and smoking weed with mold growth on it is always a bad idea. Mold exposure can lead to allergic reactions, severe infections, breathing issues, and other serious problems that make it never worthwhile to take the risk.

So, what do you do about mold on weed? let's take a look at the primary causes of moldy weed and the best ways to reduce the chances of mold growth spoiling your stash.

Table of Contents

• What Causes Mold on Weed?

  • Excess Moisture

  • Poor Air Circulation

  • Improper Storage

  • Contaminated Growing Conditions

• How To Identify Moldy Weed

  • Visual Signs

  • Smell

  • Texture

  • Taste Test Warning

• What To Do If You Have Moldy Weed

  • Get Rid of It Immediately

  • Avoid DIY Fixes

  • Rethink Your Storage

• Keep Your Stash Fresh

What Causes Mold on Weed?

Mold thrives on many different types of organic material, and the cannabis plant is, sadly, not an exception. There are a few key culprits behind mold growth on weed, including too much moisture, bad air circulation, improper storage methods, and problems during growing and harvesting.

Let's take a closer look at each of these common causes of moldy weed.

1. Excess Moisture

Moisture is the biggest contributor to mold growth on cannabis flower.

When weed isn't dried or cured properly after harvesting, it creates a perfect breeding ground for mold. The same goes for when cannabis flower is stored at warm temperatures in a humid environment.

Ideal humidity levels for cannabis storage range between 55-62% relative humidity (RH). Anything higher than this threshold can make it much harder to keep your weed mold-free.

2. Poor Air Circulation

Lack of airflow during storage is a key cause of mold on otherwise healthy cannabis plants.

This is because not enough airflow can lead excess moisture to build up and produce high humidity. At this point, fresh weed starts to become vulnerable to mold growth. This issue is especially common when flower is shipped in tightly packed storage containers.

High-quality growers and distributors work hard to prevent mold growth by optimizing the way their flower is dried, harvested, packed, and shipped. That's just one of the many reasons to invest in better flower grown by reputable farmers.

3. Improper Storage

Always take the time to store your flower correctly. Proper storage is the best way to keep weed safe from mold growth.

Storing cannabis in plastic bags, in warm areas, or in contact with excess moisture can, as you can imagine, lead to mold. Ideally, store your dried flower in an airtight container and avoid direct sunlight or extreme temperatures. If you notice that your flower tends to get too dry during storage, a humidity pack can help.

4. Contaminated Growing Conditions

Mold is one of the main reasons why growing weed at home can be very risky.

We recommend leaving the work to experienced, credentialed growers. Trying to cultivate weed in a damp basement or a room with poor ventilation can contaminate the crop with mold spores long before it's harvested.

Professional growers are extremely careful with their spaces, and they prioritize good air circulation and moisture control to protect their crops from mold. Temperature and humidity are monitored constantly throughout the growth process, and standing water, ventilation problems, and decomposing plant material are always taken care of right away.

The care and attention that pro growers give to their weed is second to none. Since it's their job to protect their crops from mold and other threats, you're much better off purchasing weed grown professionally than trying to do the job yourself at home.

How to Identify Moldy Weed

It's not always as easy to identify moldy weed as you might think. However, there are a few telltale signs that just about guarantee that you're dealing with mold growth.

1. Visual Signs of Moldy Weed

Look for any of the following, as they're all indicators of moldy bud:

• White, gray, or fuzzy patches on the buds

• Powdery or web-like texture

• Black or brown spots indicating decay

• Discolored trichomes (they should be clear or milky, not fuzzy)

2. A Distinct Smell

Moldy weed has a musty odor that you may recognize right away. This musty smell is probably familiar to you if you've ever been around serious mold growth before.

It's usually one or a combination of the following:

• A mildew-like smell

• A sour or ammonia-like smell

• A lack of the typical spicy, pungent aroma of fresh weed

3. Texture and Feel

Checking on the texture of a plant is one of the easiest ways to spot moldy weed:

• Moldy weed feels damp or overly sticky in most cases

• It sometimes has a coating of powdery mildew

• It may crumble too easily or have a slimy texture

Taste Test Warning

Just to be clear, it's never a good idea to smoke moldy weed. Doing a "taste test" isn't going to help you spot signs of moldy weed any better than judging the flower by its smell, appearance, and texture. Always avoid consuming moldy weed, even if you think you can remove the affected nugs by hand.

What to Do if You Have Moldy Weed

If you've discovered mold growth on your own cannabis buds, here’s what you should do:

1. Get Rid of the Affected Weed (Immediately)

Sadly, moldy weed simply can't be saved. Toss it out and clean any containers or tools that may have come in contact with it. This process is a chore, but it's worth it to prevent mold spores from lingering.

2. Avoid DIY Fixes To Remove Mold

You might be tempted to try and get rid of mold by heating weed or drying it out in some other way. However, this won't work, and it can end up making the problem worse and causing you to accidentally inhale mold spores.

3. Rethink Your Storage Conditions

If your weed is moldy, you might have some issues with your storage. Check your mason jars or bud bags to make sure they're truly airtight containers. If you've had the mold problem multiple times, consider trying a different storage method.

Keep Your Stash Fresh

Moldy weed is a serious problem that can ruin your stash and have some major health risks. Now that you understand what causes cannabis to develop mold, you can avoid the key risk factors: high humidity, extreme temperatures, and lack of airflow.

If you want to take another step to prevent mold growth on weed, invest in high-quality cannabis flower from the Mood Shop. Our weed isn't immune to mold growth, but it comes from trusted USA-based farms run by passionate growers. Our partner farmers take every possible step to keep weed fresh and potent through responsible cultivation, harvesting, curing, and shipping.

Check out the full selection of premium cannabis flower in the Mood Shop and use the code "FIRST20" to save 20% on your order.