Why Did My Cannabis Plant Stop Growing After I Topped It?

Topping your cannabis plant is supposed to boost yields - not bring everything to a screeching halt. But if your plant suddenly stopped growing after you made the cut, don’t panic. This article explains exactly why it happens, what’s normal, what’s not, and how to get things growing again.

What Is Topping and Why Do We Do It?

Topping is a training technique where you cut off the tip of the main stem to encourage your plant to grow two new main colas instead of one. This redirects energy into side branches, giving you a bushier, more productive plant.

Sounds great, right? But here’s the catch: Topping is a form of high-stress training. That means your plant needs time to recover - and that recovery phase often looks like everything has stopped.

Is It Normal for Growth to Pause After Topping?

Yes, it’s completely normal. After being topped, most cannabis plants will take 2–7 days to bounce back, depending on their:

• Age and size
• Genetics (some strains are tougher than others)
• Health before topping
• Environmental conditions (light, temp, humidity)

During this time, your plant is reallocating energy to heal the cut and redirect hormones (mainly auxins and cytokinins) that control growth. You might see little to no vertical growth, and that’s expected.

When a Pause Becomes a Problem

It’s not normal if your plant shows no new growth at all for over a week and shows signs like:

• Leaves drooping or yellowing near the cut
• Stems soft or mushy around the topping site
• No new branches forming
• Overall plant looking sick or stressed

If that's the case, something else may be going on.

Common Reasons Your Plant Actually Stopped Growing

1. You Topped Too Early

If you topped a plant with fewer than 4–5 nodes, it might not have had the strength or energy reserves to bounce back. Young seedlings don’t have a solid root base yet.

➡️ Fix: Let the plant recover naturally. Don’t top again until the plant is visibly thriving.

2. Poor Environment Slowed Recovery

After topping, your plant becomes extra sensitive to its surroundings. Things like:

• Too much heat or cold
• Low humidity
• Weak lighting
• Wind stress or poor airflow

can all drag out the recovery process.

➡️ Fix: Make sure temps stay 70–80°F, RH stays around 50–65%, and your light is strong but not too close.

3. Overwatering or Underwatering

Stressed plants need steady hydration, not extremes. Overwatering can suffocate roots and slow nutrient uptake. Underwatering leaves them dehydrated and limp.

➡️ Fix: Water when the top inch of soil is dry. Use containers with drainage.

4. Nutrient Deficiencies or Toxicities

Right after topping, your plant needs a solid balance of nitrogen and micronutrients to build new stems and leaves. But overfeeding can burn it, and underfeeding can stall regrowth.

➡️ Fix: Use a balanced veg formula (e.g., 3-1-2 or 4-2-3) and avoid adding new nutrients right after topping. Let it heal first.

5. Poor Cut or Botched Topping

If your cut wasn’t clean - or worse, you damaged surrounding growth - it can delay healing or even kill the main stem.

➡️ Fix: Always use sterile scissors. Cut just above a node with visible side shoots.

6. Root Problems

If your plant was already dealing with root rot, pH issues, or being rootbound, topping can tip it over the edge.

➡️ Fix: Check roots if you suspect trouble. Make sure the pH of water/nutrients is 6.0–6.5 in soil.

How to Get Your Plant Growing Again

• Be patient. 2–7 days is normal.
• Dial in the environment. Give it the best conditions possible.
• Watch for new growth. Once you see side shoots forming, you’re back in business.
• Don’t top again yet. Wait until the plant fully recovers before any more stress training.

What to Expect After Recovery

Once your plant rebounds, it will begin growing two new dominant stems from just below the cut. Side branches will get more light and energy, and your plant will take on a bushier structure. You’ve successfully redirected its growth.

Topping is a powerful tool - but it comes with a pause. If your cannabis plant stopped growing after you topped it, that’s usually part of the process. As long as you didn’t top too early, damage the plant, or leave it in a bad environment, it should bounce back just fine.

Give it a few days, keep conditions ideal, and soon you’ll see new growth - and bigger yields.

At Homegrow Helpline, we make growing cannabis at home easier, smarter, and more rewarding. Whether you're working with a closet setup or building a backyard grow, we provide real advice, realistic solutions, and region-specific guidance to help you succeed - no fluff, no hype, just good weed grown your way.