Growing weed at home is the best way to ensure that you will never be short of something to smoke, allows you to pick what flavors you want and gives you total freedom. If you are new to the cannabis scene and are setting up your first-ever grow room or grow space, you may not be sure exactly what you need to get started.

Well, I have you covered, and in this article, I will explain everything you need to know to have the confidence and knowledge to start your hobby as a home grower.

Grow space and structure

The beauty of growing cannabis at home is that you are the decision-maker when it comes to allocating the grow space. You will have the option of using a grow tent, converting a cellar, working in an attic, or preferring a discreet micro-style grow room. Below, I outline your different options and what you will need along the way.

Choosing between grow tents, cabinets, or full rooms

I would recommend kick-starting your career as a green finger enthusiast with a grow tent. They are easy to assemble, come in all shapes and sizes and provide the ideal growing environment for a bedroom grower.

Your other options are to convert a clothes cupboard that you have decided would make a good grow space. This grow space is often smaller than a grow tent; however, it can be an excellent starting point for first-time growers.

For those who are feeling more adventurous, have the necessary tools and equipment, and have access to a spare bedroom, why not convert the room into an ample grow space? You can choose to have a multi-light room that rewards you with a big harvest every crop, or fill the space with a smaller-sized grow tent and execute a perpetual harvest.

Reflective lining, light-proofing, and ventilation ports

The first thing you will need to consider is that the grow room should be light-proof, reflective and able to ventilate air. The efficiency of your ventilation and airflow plays a significant role in environmental control, available carbon dioxide, and plant health.

Lighting systems

If you’ve been in a grow shop, you may be overwhelmed by the numerous lighting options available. There are many different grow lights available on the market nowadays, ranging from LED to HID. Below is a breakdown of the difference, as well as spectrum needs and light intensity.

Comparing LED vs HID (HPS/metal halide) vs fluorescent

Professional light for growing. Best LED Grow Lights for Cannabis

Way before LED grow lights took over the indoor grow scene, the only option a home grower had was to use HID grow lights. These are lights that require a ballast and a reflector. An example of HID lighting is HPS (high-pressure sodium).

I used HPS grow lights for almost 10 years in my earlier days. They are available in 250-w, 400-w, 600-w, and 1000-w models, depending on the size of your grow space and the amount of electricity you can afford to use.

Metal halide lights are similar to those found in car parks or football stadiums. They are particularly suitable for the vegetation stage, as they emit a dominant amount of blue light. HID lights, unfortunately, produce a significant amount of heat from the bulb and ballast.

CFL (compact fluorescent) lights are low-power grow lights that use minimal power and are highly efficient during the seedling stage, cloning, and the vegetative phase. CFL grow lights do not possess enough intensity of PAR to produce top-quality cannabis buds like HID or LED lights do.

LED grow lights have been designed to produce the optimal growth spectrum for growing cannabis, making them highly efficient in terms of PPFD and electricity consumption. LED lights are well known for creating a minimal heat signature, which is one reason indoor growers find them highly effective.

Spectrum needs at different growth stages

Cannabis plants require different light spectrums for the vegetative and flowering stages. Below is a breakdown of the difference between blue light and red light.

The Blue Light Spectrum

Ideal for the vegetative stage when cannabis plants are growing under 18/6
The spectrum is classed as 6400 K blue light
Blue lights promote compact, bushy and robust plant growth
Cannabis plants require blue light to produce strong stems and root development
Metal halide grow lights will produce a dominant blue light spectrum.

The Red Light Spectrum

Red light ranges from 600 – 700 nanometers.
Flowering cannabis plants rely on red light to promote stem development
Red light promotes cannabis flowers and bud development
Red light enhances root growth and development

Light placement, intensity, and timer setup

Hanging your grow light in the correct place above your plants will play a significant role in the outcome of your crop. Typically, grow lights can be placed between 18 and 24 inches above the top of the canopy and should be raised as the plants mature and develop.

The Seedling Stage – 100-300 µmol/m²/s / Grow timers set to 18/6
The Vegetation Stage – 400-600 mol/m2/s / Grow timers set to 18/6
The Flowering Stage – 800-1000umol/m2/s / Grow timers set to 12/12

Airflow, ventilation, and odor control

Indoor cannabis growing, using ventilator and lights

Cannabis plants are susceptible to temperature and humidity. Making sure that you have the optimal growing environment will be the deciding factor in plant health and production levels. Below is an explanation of what you will need to have the ventilation well dialled in.

Inline exhaust fans and ducting best practices

Inline exhaust fans are designed to pull fresh air into your grow space and are available in various sizes. The inline fan will be connected to ducting, which in turn is connected to the carbon filter. When sealing the ducting to your inline fan and carbon filter, you can use either industrial tape, cable ties or metal clips to ensure an air-tight fitting.

Carbon filters and odor suppression methods

A carbon filter’s job is to suck the air inside the grow room out and scrub it of any odor, making it carbon fresh. It is essential to have your carbon filter inside any grow space, especially during the flowering stage, to prevent unwanted attention from neighbours and to allow you to remain as discreet as possible.

Oscillating fans and managing humidity

Cannabis plants require a higher humidity level during the seedling and vegetative stages, between 65-75%, and a lower humidity level once flowering begins, between 45-55% humidity. Oscillating fans are an excellent way to maintain a consistent humidity level and keep your grow space well-ventilated and fresh. Suppose you are unable to achieve the ideal humidity levels when setting up your grow space. In that case, consider investing in a humidifier or dehumidifier.

Containers, medium, and nutrients

Not every grower will use the same pot size, growing medium or nutrients, and this is where the fun part comes in. As a grower, you will be able to choose if you want to grow organically, with coco coir or try your hand at hydroponics. Below is an explanation of what you should consider.

Soil, coco, hydroponics: pros and cons

Soil Pros

Using soil is the best starting point for novice growers.
Soil is readily available and can be customised to meet specific requirements.
Soil has a 72-hour buffering period, making it a safe option for growers.
Only water is needed when using soil if working on a tight budget.
Soil can be reused after each grower, saving the grower money.
The taste and terpene profile of soil-grown weed is often top quality.

Soil Cons

Soil is heavy to carry around and can be impractical.
Grow rooms can become messy when using soil.
Yields will be average when using the soil.
Soil can contain pathogens and disease if not cared for.

Coco Coir Pros

Cannabis plants produce a prolific root mass when grown in coco coir.
Coco coir is an inert growing medium and contains no nutrients.
Growers can achieve big yields come harvest time with coco coir
Coco coir can be washed and reused after a harvest.
There is a high amount of oxygen inside the coco coir.
Coco coir can hold a large amount of water.

Coco Coir Cons

The pH levels must be within the range of 5.5 to 6.5 to avoid nutrient lockout.
Some coco coir bricks contain high levels of salt.
The EC level of some coco coir can start as high as 1.3.

Hydroponic Pros

Yields of hydroponically grown plants are far greater than those of soil-grown plants.
A wide range of diverse systems is available for use.
Hydroponic systems are ideal for small-sized grow rooms.
A grower can build their own hydroponic system.

Hydroponic Cons

You must ensure that your pH and EC levels are dialled in.
Plants can grow too big in hydroponics.
Systems can be expensive to buy.
Hydro systems can require lots of space.
Hydroponics depend on electricity to power pumps.
Nutrients can become costly over time.

Selecting pots: fabric vs plastic vs net

cannabis plant growing in a fabric growing pot

There are different types of pots you can use to grow indoor cannabis. The most common is the standard plastic pot, which can be found in a garden center and is available in either round or square shapes. Plastic pots will be the most cost-effective and practical option for a grower working on a limited budget.

Felt pots will be the more expensive option and are available in either round or square shapes. They are made from a layer of fabric that allows air to pass through the sides, encouraging root pruning and resulting in a larger root mass and yield. Net pots are plastic pots that have gaps or small squares. These are used in hydroponic systems and will be filled with hydroton.

Nutrient schedules, pH & EC monitoring

Once you have decided which pots you will use and the preferred growing medium, the next step is to determine the nutrient feeding schedule. When developing with soil, you have the option to use either plain water or organic nutrients. Coco coir and hydroponic grows are far more demanding and will need a timer and dripper lines to maintain a consistent feeding schedule.

The pH levels of your water source or nutrient solution are crucial to promote optimal nutrient uptake and availability. Using a digital pH pen is the most accurate way to determine your exact pH levels, which helps avoid nutrient lockout and growing deficient or stunted plants.

Soil – 6.0 – 7.0 pH
Coco coir – 5.5 – 6.5 pH
Hydroponics – 5.5 – 6.5 pH

Environmental control and monitoring tools

Cannabis plants thrive on consistency, and one way to ensure this is always maintained is to invest in monitoring tools. Below is a list of what you will need to become a professional indoor weed grower and maintain the ideal growing environment.

Thermometer, hygrometer, and controllers

Thermometer

Your grow room should be maintained at a temperature of approximately 24 degrees Celsius during the 18/6 and 12/12 cycles. Placing a digital thermometer in the grow room is the best way to monitor the temperature.

Hygrometer

A device that will display the relative humidity levels of your indoor grow room. Most hygrometers come with both temperature and humidity levels, making it easy to check at any time of day.

Controllers

A temperature controller is a device that can be programmed to the desired temperature and humidity and will be connected to the equipment in your grow room. Controllers are ideal for growers who may spend time away from the grow room, allowing them to have peace of mind knowing their growing environment remains consistent at all times.

Humidifiers/dehumidifiers and AC options

Once you set up your grow room and pull in the air from outside, you may notice that the temperature or humidity is not where it needs to be. One easy way to combat humidity imbalances during the vegetation or flowering period is to use humidifiers or dehumidifiers.

Air conditioning units can be programmed to retain the same temperature and humidity. AC options are a lifesaver when the air outside is too hot or cold. While they may be expensive in terms of electricity, they work wonders, especially when it comes to drying out your crop.

CO₂ supplementation and smart controllers

If you want to give your cannabis plants the absolute best chance in life, then supplementing them with extra carbon dioxide has been proven to increase yields and enhance photosynthesis. CO2 supplementation can be achieved using a basic tank setup or smart controllers that operate on a timer.

Timers, sanitation, and extra gear

The final step after setting up your equipment is to purchase a grow timer, which allows the lights to be on for 18 or 12 hours a day (or 20 hours a day, using autoflowering genetics). Keeping your grow room clean should be a top priority. If you enjoy using gadgets and technology in your grow space, then consider the following breakdown.

Automating lights, fans, and irrigation

Your lights will be set to a grow timer that is plugged into the wall. Irrigation systems for coco coir or hydro will also be independently run off a timer. Fans, intake and outtake fans should be left on 24 hours a day.

Cleaning tools: alcohol, filters, replacement parts

Grow rooms can become dirty over time; however, keeping your grow space as clean and tidy as possible is a great habit to develop. I always recommend keeping a sweeping brush, dust pan and cleaning products close by.

After every harvest, be prepared to bleach and clean the floor and walls. Carbon filters should also be replaced once they have been used for 2-3 grows, as they can begin to lose efficacy and need new carbon inside. Hydroponic growers should also consider purchasing a spare air pump, aquarium pump, air tubes, and air stones to ensure extra safety.

Optional accessories: PH meters, EC pens, PAR meters

I find that the more gadgets you can buy to make life easier, the better. I suggest buying only digital meters, such as pH meters and EC pens. For those who love gathering data and want to know precisely how much light coverage, intensity and PPFD their lights are emitting, then invest in a PAR meter!

What equipment do you need to grow weed indoors?