Perpetual vs Sequential Harvest

See how rotation growing maximizes your annual yield

Sequential
0.9kg
yield/year
plants/year14.9
cycle14 wk
cycles/year3.7
Perpetual
1.6kg
yield/year
plants/year26
harvest every2 wk
veg slots needed2
+75% more yield with perpetual
⚠ Perpetual requires separate veg zone (2 slots)
Same flower zone capacity for both methods
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4
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12
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8
2
4
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1
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2
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140
60

Plan your perpetual rotation visually with Plantegia

Perpetual vs Sequential: Two Approaches

Sequential (batch) growing means all plants veg together, flower together, and harvest together — then you clean up and start over. Perpetual harvest staggers plants so you harvest continuously. Both methods have trade-offs: sequential is simpler to manage but leaves your flower zone empty during veg and cleanup. Perpetual is more complex but maximizes the time your flower zone is producing.

Yield Comparison: 4-Slot Flower Zone

MethodPlants/YearHarvests/YearNotes
Sequential~153-4All at once, then reset
Perpetual~2626One every 2 weeks

Based on 8-week flowering, 4-week veg, 2-week cleanup. Actual results vary.

How This Calculator Works

This calculator compares annual yield for both methods assuming the same flower zone capacity. Perpetual requires an additional veg zone, but uses your flower space more efficiently.

Key Differences

  • Sequential: One batch at a time. Simpler management, but flower zone sits empty during veg and cleanup phases.
  • Perpetual: Continuous rotation. Flower zone always full. Requires separate veg zone and more planning.
  • Cleanup Time: Time between harvest and next cycle for drying, curing, and resetting the space. Only affects sequential.

Choosing the Right Method

  • Start with sequential if you're new — it's simpler to learn the basics
  • Switch to perpetual once you're comfortable with the grow cycle
  • Perpetual requires two separate light schedules (veg 18/6, flower 12/12)
  • Consider your usage: perpetual provides steady supply, sequential gives bulk harvests

Frequently Asked Questions

Is perpetual harvest really that much more efficient?

Yes — typically 50-80% more annual yield from the same flower zone. The efficiency comes from eliminating downtime: your flower zone is always full rather than sitting empty during veg and cleanup.

What do I need for perpetual harvest?

A separate veg zone (can be smaller than flower), the ability to run two light schedules, and a system to track plant stages. The calculator shows how many veg slots you need.

Can I do perpetual with autoflowers?

Yes — autoflowers simplify perpetual because they don't need separate light schedules. However, you lose control over veg duration and plant size.

How does cleanup time affect sequential yields?

Significantly. Every week of cleanup/reset between cycles means fewer total cycles per year. Minimizing this downtime is key to sequential efficiency.

Plan Your Perpetual Rotation

This calculator shows the yield advantage. Plantegia helps you actually plan it — visualize when each plant starts, moves to flower, and harvests.

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