# Schwazzing

> Schwazzing is an aggressive defoliation method that strips almost all fan leaves on day 1 and again around day 21 of flower.

- Canonical: https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/schwazzing.html
- Also written: schwazz, schwaz, the schwazz, heavy defoliation
- Glossary category: Cultivation and training · Evidence: Contested
- 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"

Schwazzing is a named, very heavy defoliation schedule: nearly every [fan leaf](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/fan-leaf.md) is removed at the start of flower, the plant regrows foliage over the next three weeks, and it is stripped again around day 21. Proponents say it pushes more light and energy into bud sites and improves airflow; critics say it simply removes [photosynthetic](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/photosynthesis.md) capacity.

## In practice

It is used mainly on vigorous, healthy [photoperiod plants](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/photoperiod.md) with dense foliage in high-light rooms. Plants that are stressed, under-fed, slow or [autoflowering](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/autoflower.md) are poor candidates. Responses vary widely by cultivar.

## Myth check

House position: "tuck, don't pluck". Stripping within reason does not appear to hurt yield, and some cultivars tolerate even heavy stripping, but others suffer, and in the founder's experience tucking helps more. There is no controlled cannabis trial showing schwazzing raises yield or [cannabinoids](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/cannabinoid.md); it is an open question for [Bay Trials](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/bay-trials.md). Evidence: Contested. See [defoliation and lollipopping](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/training/defoliation-lollipopping.md) and [Mythbusters](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/mythbusters.md).

## Don't confuse with

- **Lollipopping**: removes lower growth only.
- **Light defoliation**: removing a few shading leaves.

## Related terms

[Defoliation](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/defoliation.md), [Lollipopping](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/lollipopping.md), [Tucking](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/tucking.md), [Fan leaf](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/fan-leaf.md)

## Read more

- [Defoliation and lollipopping: what to remove, when, and the evidence](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/training/defoliation-lollipopping.md)