Training Method Low Stress Training

Low Stress Training (LST) is a cultivation technique where growers gently bend and tie down cannabis plant stems to alter their natural vertical growth pattern. Rather than removing plant tissue, LST uses external support—typically stakes, strings, or clips—to redirect branches toward a more horizontal orientation. This approach is commonly associated with increasing light exposure to lower canopy branches and promoting a wider, bushier plant structure. Lineage records and cultivation documentation frequently report that LST can influence yield distribution across the plant without triggering the stress responses associated with high-stress methods like topping or defoliation. The technique is particularly relevant in space-constrained growing environments and is compatible with most photoperiod and autoflowering cultivars.

Breeders working with LST-responsive genetics often prioritize branch flexibility and internodal spacing as selectable traits, as plants with more pliable stems typically tolerate training better. Understanding how specific cultivars respond to LST informs breeding decisions around plant architecture and vigor.