10 Tips for Mother Plant Selection

10 of the Most Important Traits When Selecting a Mother

Commercial growers understand that careful mother plant selection can make or break their businesses. These mother plants must provide the highest-quality cuttings, as their genetic traits will be replicated throughout the growing facility. Hobby growers typically focus on vigor, yield, and rooting times—but there’s a lot more to it than that! 

When selecting the perfect mom, consider this. Are high yields and pleasing fragrances enough to become a mother plant? 

Here are 10 of the most important traits to look out for. Score plants from 1 (worst) to 5 (best) for each trait and multiply by the weighting (in brackets). Rate, multiply, and total!

1. Vigor (x10):

When starting from seed, note which seeds sprout first. Vigorous growth generally indicates good genetics and health. It’s one of the most apparent characteristics and is always desirable.

• Rate from 1 to 5. Multiply by 10 = _____

2. Fungal, Disease, and Pest Resistance (x9):

A plant that shows natural resistance to molds, pests, and diseases is invaluable. Commercial growers also grow ‘monitor plants’ — specific strains attractive to pests. Not only do these plants serve as ‘yellow sticky traps’ to alert you to pests, but they can also keep them ‘distracted’ from your main crop.

• Rate from 1 to 5. Multiply by 9 = _____

3. Uniform Growth (x8):

In an indoor commercial setting, uniform growth can help growers space their plants optimally and aid in the efficiency of care and harvesting.

• Rate from 1 to 5. Multiply by 8 = _____

4. Short Internodal Distance (x7):

Regarding the space between nodes (or branches) on the stem, a shorter distance often results in bushier plants, making plants more stable, easier, and more efficient to illuminate with grow lights.

• Rate from 1 to 5. Multiply by 7 = _____

5. Rooting Potential (x8): 

If cuttings from this mother plant root quickly, that’s a big plus, as quick rooting reduces susceptibility to fungal attacks. 

• Rate from 1 to 5. Multiply by 8 = _____

6. Stress Tolerance (x9): 

How well does the plant handle environmental stresses, such as high light intensity, unusual temperatures, or high root zone salinity/inconsistent watering?

• Rate from 1 to 5. Multiply by 9 = _____

7. Resin Production (x6):

A higher resin production can indicate better quality, especially for plants like cannabis. Artificial light sources often lack UV (especially UV-B), so plants that develop lots of resin in these conditions can be true keepers.

• Rate from 1 to 5. Multiply by 6 = _____

8. Taste, Color, and Aroma (x7):

These can be defining traits, especially for culinary or aromatic plants.

• Rate from 1 to 5. Multiply by 7 = _____

9. Post-harvest Shelf Life (x7):

 How long can the harvested material maintain quality? Are the terpenes still present after three months in a mason jar, or can you only detect the aroma of wet cardboard and the jar’s rubber seal?

• Rate from 1 to 5. Multiply by 7 = _____

10. Density of Foliage/Response to Defoliation (x6): 

The density of leaves on a plant can indicate its health and growing conditions—but an excess of leaves can be a negative for indoor cultivation. How well does the plant respond to defoliation practice? Does it go into overdrive or get stunted for a week?

• Rate from 1 to 5. Multiply by 10 = _____

The Final Score

Plants with the highest score (in the above system, the maximum possible score is 385, but a more realistic target would be 300) represent the strongest candidates to be your next mother plant.