# Drying room

> A dark, ventilated space where freshly harvested cannabis is dried under controlled temperature, humidity and gentle airflow, usually for 7-14 days.

- Canonical: https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/drying-room.html
- Also written: dry room, drying space, drying tent, dry tent, drying area
- Glossary category: Harvest, drying and curing · Evidence: Grower practice
- Status: Draft: awaiting expert review · Updated: 2026-10-31
- Licence: CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/), attribute "GenetixBay cannabis glossary"

A drying room (or drying tent) is any space set aside to dry harvested cannabis. The goal is to remove water slowly and evenly, without mould and without driving off volatile [terpenes](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/terpene.md), before the buds go into curing containers.

## In practice

Common targets (Grower practice, aligned with post-harvest benchmarks and drying research):

| Factor | Target |
|---|---|
| Temperature | about 15-21 °C (60-70 °F) |
| [Relative humidity](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/relative-humidity.md) | about 55-62% |
| Light | darkness |
| Air | gentle circulation around, not onto, the buds; slow exchange |
| Duration | about 7-14 days |

Equipment is usually a small [dehumidifier](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/dehumidifier.md) or [humidifier](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/humidifier.md), a fan aimed at a wall or the floor, a [carbon filter](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/carbon-filter.md) for odour, and a calibrated hygrometer at bud level.

Warm, dry rooms dry too fast and give a grassy, [hay-like smell](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/hay-smell.md), harsh smoke and [terpene loss](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/terpene-loss.md). Cold, damp rooms risk mould. The dry is where quality is kept or lost; a cure can't fix a bad dry.

## Don't confuse with

- **Curing**: the finishing phase in sealed containers.
- **Grow room**: different climate targets and lights on.
- **Freeze dryer**: a machine, not a room (Contested method).

## Related terms

[Hang dry](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/hang-dry.md), [60/60 rule](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/60-60-rule.md), [Water activity](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/water-activity.md), [Case hardening](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/case-hardening.md), [Terpene loss](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/terpene-loss.md)

## Read more

- [Drying cannabis: the 60/60 method and water activity](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/harvest-cure/drying.md)
- [Humidity by stage: RH targets from clone to cure](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/environment/humidity-by-stage.md)

## Sources

1. University of Georgia (thesis). Effects of drying method and storage on cannabinoids and terpenes in hemp. https://openscholar.uga.edu/record/27813
2. Ross SA, ElSohly MA. 1996. The volatile oil composition of fresh and air-dried buds of Cannabis sativa. Journal of Natural Products 59(1):49-51.
3. Cannabis Business Times. Special report: cannabis post-harvest benchmarks (grower survey; average drying ~53 % RH, ~65 °F). https://www.cannabisbusinesstimes.com/business-issues-benchmarks/cannabis-post-harvest-operations/article/15689633/post-harvest-benchmarks-with-room-to-experiment