Nether Wart is one of the most important crops in Minecraft, especially for players interested in brewing potions. Found naturally in Nether Fortresses and Bastions, this crimson plant is essential for crafting Awkward Potions the base of almost every potion in the game. While Nether Wart is easy to farm, it grows slowly, and many players seek ways to grow Nether Wart faster to increase efficiency. By understanding how Nether Wart works and optimizing your farming setup, you can speed up your Nether Wart production significantly.
Understanding Nether Wart Growth Mechanics
Basic Growth Stages
Nether Wart grows in three main stages. Once planted on Soul Sand, it progresses through its life cycle randomly. The stages are
- Stage 1Just planted, appears as a tiny sprout.
- Stage 2Grows slightly taller with more stalks.
- Stage 3Fully mature, ready for harvesting.
It’s important to note that Nether Wart cannot grow on Soul Soil or any other block only Soul Sand supports its growth. This means that your entire Nether Wart farm must be built upon Soul Sand blocks for optimal growth.
Random Tick Updates
Nether Wart relies on a mechanic called random ticks” to grow. In Minecraft, a random tick is a chance-based update that affects blocks such as crops, leaves, and fire. Nether Wart has a small chance to grow to the next stage each time it receives a random tick.
Because of this mechanic, you cannot force Nether Wart to grow instantly using Bone Meal or similar fertilizers. Instead, your goal should be to increase the chances of random ticks occurring around your Nether Wart crops.
How to Grow Nether Wart Faster
Maximize Crop Coverage
The more Nether Wart you plant, the greater the chance some of them will receive a random tick at any given time. A larger farm increases overall yield over time. Avoid small patches and expand your farm across a wide area of Soul Sand to boost production.
Use Multiple Layers
One way to increase efficiency is by building a multi-layered Nether Wart farm. You can create platforms of Soul Sand stacked vertically, with a 3-block space between layers for walking and harvesting. This design allows for compact, high-volume farming, ideal for fast growth and efficient harvesting.
Farm in the Overworld or Nether?
Contrary to what some players believe, Nether Wart grows at the same rate in both the Overworld and the Nether. However, farming in the Overworld offers some benefits
- Easier access to water for convenience and movement (though Nether Wart doesn’t need water).
- Safer environment no Ghasts or lava hazards.
- Better lighting control using Redstone lamps or torches.
Still, if you’re already stationed in the Nether, growing Nether Wart there works just fine. Just make sure the area is well-protected and enclosed to avoid mobs and environmental dangers.
Chunk Loading Techniques
Since Nether Wart growth depends on random ticks, it will only grow while its chunk is loaded. If you plant Nether Wart in an area far from your base or AFK spots, it may never grow unless you’re actively nearby. To maximize growth
- Build your Nether Wart farm close to your main base or AFK spot.
- Use chunk loaders in mods or on servers that allow them to keep chunks loaded.
- Stay within the area while performing other tasks to let the farm grow passively.
Increase Random Tick Speed (Cheats/Commands)
For players in Creative mode or running a server with cheats enabled, you can manually increase the random tick speed to accelerate growth rates
/gamerule randomTickSpeed 100
The default value is 3. Setting it to 100 will make crops grow much faster. Be cautious this affects all random tick-related events, not just Nether Wart. Fires may spread faster, and leaves may decay rapidly.
Best Practices for Harvesting and Replanting
Wait for Full Growth
Only harvest Nether Wart once it reaches its third stage. Harvesting too early yields fewer drops and slows down your farming cycle. Fully grown Nether Wart provides 2-4 nether warts per block, ensuring a better return.
Use Fortune Enchantments
Harvesting Nether Wart with a tool enchanted with Fortune increases drop yield. Use a Fortune III hoe to maximize your harvest, although any Fortune level helps. This does not increase the chances of growing faster but improves your efficiency when you harvest.
Dedicated Farming Area
Build a designated farm area with pathways for easy movement. Leave at least one block gap every few rows for walking and replanting without trampling or slowing yourself down. Use slabs or trapdoors to create paths without interfering with plant growth.
Automating Nether Wart Farms
Manual vs. Semi-Automatic
Since Nether Wart cannot be bonemealed or fully automated in vanilla Minecraft, most farms require manual harvesting. However, you can design semi-automatic farms using pistons, dispensers, and Redstone to speed up collection
- Use pistons or flowing water to break fully grown Nether Wart in one action.
- Funnel the drops into hoppers and chests for collection.
- You will still need to replant manually, unless using mods or plugins.
Lighting and Aesthetic
Nether Wart does not require light to grow. However, adding light sources like Redstone lamps, glowstone, or shroomlights can make the farm safer and more visually appealing, especially in the Overworld. Avoid torches placed directly on the Soul Sand, as they block planting.
Common Myths About Nether Wart Growth
Does Water Help Nether Wart Grow?
No. Nether Wart does not require water and will not grow faster near it. It grows only on Soul Sand and is not influenced by nearby water sources.
Does Light Level Affect Growth?
Again, no. Nether Wart grows regardless of light level. It can grow in total darkness or full sunlight with no difference in speed.
Can You Use Bonemeal on Nether Wart?
No. Bonemeal has no effect on Nether Wart. This makes it different from overworld crops like wheat or carrots, which benefit greatly from fertilizer.
Final Tips for Efficient Nether Wart Farming
- Use large, multi-layered farms to maximize plant count and tick opportunities.
- Stay near your farm as much as possible to ensure chunks are loaded.
- Harvest with Fortune tools and wait for full maturity to improve output.
- Avoid placing blocks that could interfere with planting, like torches or carpets.
- Consider building your farm near other passive farms or AFK areas for convenience.
While you can’t directly accelerate Nether Wart growth with bonemeal or hydration, you can influence how fast it grows by optimizing your farm’s layout, maximizing crop count, and staying within the chunk to trigger random ticks. Understanding the mechanics behind Nether Wart allows you to harvest more efficiently and keep your potion supply stocked. Whether you’re a potion master, a builder, or a survival player, a well-designed Nether Wart farm is a vital part of long-term gameplay in Minecraft.