Last reviewed: October 2026. This page summarises German law for information only and is not legal advice. Laws change; check the current text of the Cannabis Act (CanG) and the Consumer Cannabis Act (KCanG) before acting on anything here.
The short answer
| Buying cannabis seeds | Legal for adults, including ordering from other EU countries |
|---|---|
| Possessing seeds | Legal; seeds are not counted as plants |
| Germinating and growing | Legal: up to 3 living plants per adult, at home, for personal use |
| Possession of dried cannabis | 25 g in public, 50 g at home |
| Selling or giving away your harvest | Illegal |
| Cannabis social clubs | Legal since July 2024; members may receive up to 7 seeds or 5 cuttings per month |
What changed in 2024
On 1 April 2024 Germany took cannabis out of the Narcotics Act (BtMG) and put it under its own law, the Cannabisgesetz. For home growers the operative part is the Konsumcannabisgesetz (KCanG). Adults aged 18 and over may possess up to 25 grams in public and 50 grams of dried cannabis at their residence, and may cultivate up to three living cannabis plants at the same time for their own consumption. Cultivation associations — the “cannabis social clubs” — followed on 1 July 2024, licensed non-profit clubs of up to 500 members that grow collectively and hand out limited quantities, plus a small monthly allowance of seeds or cuttings.
A second pillar covering licensed commercial sale was planned but has not been enacted; as of 2026 there are no retail shops for adult-use cannabis in Germany. Home growing and the clubs remain the only legal supply routes outside the medical system.
Seeds specifically
Section 4 of the KCanG permits dealing with cannabis seeds as long as they are not intended for unauthorised cultivation — and for an adult growing three plants at home, cultivation is authorised. There is no legal cap on the number of seeds you may buy, though the quantity should bear a sensible relationship to a three-plant grow. Seeds may be bought in Germany or ordered from sellers in other EU member states, which is how most German growers source them, since the domestic seed trade is still thin. Seeds must not be supplied to minors.
Seeds do not count as plants. Cuttings, seedlings and young plants do — so a tray of ten germinated seedlings exceeds the limit even if you only intend to keep three.
The three-plant rule in practice
- The limit is per adult, at the residence. Two adults in one household may have six plants.
- “Living plant” includes vegetative and flowering plants alike. Harvested, dried material counts toward the 50-gram limit instead.
- Plants and harvest must be secured against access by children and young people — a locked room, tent or cabinet is the usual answer.
- Growing on a balcony is permitted if the plants are secured, but the smell and visibility can create neighbour disputes; indoor is simpler.
- Anything above three plants is a criminal offence, as is passing cannabis to anyone else, however informally.
Penalties
Exceeding the plant or possession limits is punishable under the KCanG with fines or imprisonment, scaled to the quantity. Supplying minors and commercial cultivation carry the heaviest penalties. People convicted before April 2024 for conduct that is now legal (possession up to 25 g, cultivation up to three plants) have been able to apply for expungement from the Federal Central Criminal Register since 1 January 2025.
What this means when you choose seeds
With three plants, every plant has to count. Most German home growers therefore avoid regular seeds (half the plants would be males to discard) and choose feminised photoperiod strains for yield, or feminised autoflowers for a quick turnaround. A medium-height, high-yield feminised strain grown under a 1.2 m tent comfortably covers personal use within the 50-gram storage limit; harvesting in stages keeps you under the cap. Germany’s climate suits autoflowers and 8–9-week photoperiod strains outdoors; longer-flowering sativas belong indoors. See the seed buying guide for the type comparison and the strain pages for flowering times.
Frequently asked questions
Can I order seeds from the Netherlands or Spain to Germany?
Yes. Importing seeds from other EU member states for lawful home cultivation is permitted under the KCanG.
How many plants can I grow in Germany?
Three living plants per adult at your residence, for personal consumption only.
Can I grow on my balcony?
Yes, provided the plants are secured against access by minors. Many growers prefer indoors to avoid odour complaints.
Can I give seeds or cuttings to a friend?
Seeds can be shared between adults. Cuttings and harvested cannabis cannot be passed on outside a licensed cultivation association.
Sources
- Gesetz zum Umgang mit Konsumcannabis (KCanG), §§ 3, 4, 9 — gesetze-im-internet.de
- Bundesministerium für Gesundheit, FAQ on the Cannabis Act — bundesgesundheitsministerium.de
Disclaimer
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