# Nugs

> Nugs is slang for whole, trimmed buds of dried cannabis flower, as opposed to shake or trim.

- Canonical: https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/nugs.html
- Also written: nug, nuggets, buds, nuggs
- Glossary category: Grower slang and culture
- 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"

Nugs (from "nuggets") are whole, dried and trimmed buds. Saying "nice nugs" means the buds are intact, dense and well formed.

## In practice

A "nug shot" is a close-up [photo](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/photoperiod.md) of one bud, the standard way flower is shown off. Nug size depends on how the plant was trained and on how the [cola](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/cola.md) was broken down: big nugs look impressive, but over-large ones dry unevenly and carry a higher risk of internal mould. Many growers break colas into medium-sized nugs before the cure for a more even moisture decline. Store nugs whole and grind just before use: an intact bud keeps its aroma far longer than ground flower.

## Don't confuse with

- **Cola**: the whole terminal flower cluster on the plant, before it is cut into nugs.
- **Shake**: loose fragments.

## Related terms

[Popcorn buds](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/popcorn-buds.md), [Shake](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/shake.md), [Larf](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/larf.md), [Cola](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/cola.md)

## Read more

- [Drying cannabis: the 60/60 method and water activity](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/harvest-cure/drying.md)