Cultivating cannabis indoors lets you control the many variables marijuana plants face while growing. Indoors, you can grow cannabis plants year-round, train them to stay small or trigger them to flower when needed. All of these things are quite hard to do outdoors. That’s why, whether you’re just starting out or if it is a lifelong passion, growing an indoor cannabis garden is an excellent option. You just need to decide where to put it.
Even though cannabis can grow in many conditions, this article will help you determine where your best home grow should be.
Determine how to grow cannabis first
No two cannabis grows are the same; plus, there’s an almost unlimited combination of cultivation styles, cultivars, techniques, and equipment. When you are ready to grow, start by considering the size and output you’d like your weed plants to achieve. Then use ILGM resources such as the Grow Bible and Harvest Guide to determine your cultivation methods and techniques before considering the space needed to reach your goals.
Indoor growing has three main categories: grow rooms, grow tents, and micro grows. For some, the decision is easy; if there’s no space in the house for a grow tent or room, then a micro grow makes sense.
Budget is another thing to keep in mind. The cost of a grow will go up as it gets bigger, more complicated, and more secure. You can build or buy a micro grow box for a few hundred bucks (USD) instead of renovating an entire grow room. The grow tent falls between those extremes, bridging the mobility of a micro grow with the space and capacity of a grow room. If you plan to maintain mothers, cut clones, and run a perpetual harvest indoors, you’ll need two grow tents/micro grows to cover your vegetative and flowering stages.
Where to place a micro grow
Micro grows can pack a punch for a small footprint. With sizes ranging from window-side grows under a light to small enclosed boxes like old PC cases, they’re also stealthy and easy to start.
One of the best features of Micro grows is the ability to put them just about anywhere. Due to their easy setup, they’re great for experimenting with new methods, running autos, and other small-batch projects. They are especially ideal if you’re not ready for a tent or room.
However, Micro grows have their drawbacks. They have hard limits on your capacity and harvest output since they’re small. They can also be tricky to control. In fact, the smaller the grow, the more temperamental it can be.
Read our articles “What You Need to Know Before You Micro Grow” and “Cannabis Micro Growing: Grow Weed in a Small Space” to learn more about setting up your own micro grow.
Placing a grow tent
Grow tents can be a flexible option if you’re interested in growing marijuana in larger batches indoors. You can choose from small 2x2x3 tents to large 10x10x6 tents with no restriction on where they can go.
In terms of space, a tent has a bigger footprint than micro-growing; however, using a grow tent can better control the temperature, humidity, and airflow. Plus, the increased capacity means you can cultivate bigger plants and harvest more flower.
If a tent seems like a lot to put together, do not fear. Many companies sell complete solutions with everything you need to set up your tent. If you prefer to do things yourself, check out our articles on how to build a DIY grow tent and our grow tent buyer’s guide for all the ins and outs of the possibilities.
Building a grow room
Indoor grow rooms are the Cadillac option, offering the most versatility, space, and security. Unused spaces, including basements, garages, attics, closets, or converted bedrooms/bathrooms, are ideal grow rooms. Once you identify the location of your room, everything from simple grow light setups to complex CO2 (Carbon Dioxide), temperature, and humidity controls can exist in it. Thanks to their bigger space, increased number of grow lights and resource availability, you can customize grow rooms for every type of growing technique. If you have the space, budget, and time, consider creating your own grow room. Check out our various articles on indoor setups and methods to build a dream grow room in your home.
Basement Grow
A basement is the classic solution when growing cannabis indoors since it provides privacy and security for your grow. The basement also has added perks like temperature and humidity stability, good ventilation options, and less concern about noise and smell. But basements can be a problem. If the humidity is too high, stagnant air can grow mold and mildew. You may also have lower ceilings, which limit how tall plants can grow. Your budget, space, and goals will determine whether a room or tent placed in the basement is the best place to grow cannabis at home. On a lower budget, a tent can help control some of the moisture and keep the temperature higher, but it can’t replace the benefits of a room.
Attic Grow
Even though the basement is often the first place people think of, an attic cannabis grow can be a close second. Like a basement, an attic offers a high degree of privacy and security, but height can be an issue. Some attics might be tall enough for full-grown plants, whereas others have ceilings that cannot support mature sativa plants.
Certain attics aren’t suited for a grow room; either they’re too small or low, or the temperature and humidity are too hard to control. A grow tent might help keep your plants cool and stabilize other factors, but that’s not always guaranteed. You’ll have to be critical about your available space and determine if your attic is a good spot for growing marijuana indoors.
Garage Grow Room
You can grow weed indoors in your garage; it’s private, secure, and easy to keep discrete. Ventilation is also fairly easy to handle. However, temperature and humidity can be problematic, like in the attic. It may also be easier for others to break in or discover your grow compared to a basement or attic. Be smart and critical when deciding if your garage is a good option for growing weed indoors.
A garage can house a grow room or a tent. If you prefer a room, make sure to consider insulation and space. If you still need to park a car or store stuff in the garage, a grow room can take up a lot of space. However, a tent can be a more manageable garage option. You can place a grow tent to the side and have it take up very little space.
Growing cannabis in a bedroom
A bedroom grow space is also an option. In some instances, it might even be ideal, giving you full-height ceilings, convenient space to work with your plants, and the most temperature-controlled option in your home. However, it may be difficult to secure a room and keep it private, but that depends on where you live. Odor and noise may also be a concern depending on the living situation.
In most cases, it’s easier to start with a grow tent when you’re growing in a bedroom. However, if you’ve got the time, money, and interest, a bedroom makes a great grow room because you can run perpetual harvests with multiple smaller spaces or one large canopy.
The Summary
Choosing where to grow indoors can be tricky, thanks to many different options and cultivation methods. Where you grow depends on your goals as a cultivator; your budget and living situation determine the rest. Consider a Micro grow if you’re just starting out or want to be stealthy. A grow tent is the next step, giving you more space and harvest potential. And for those ready to invest, grow rooms offer unlimited potential.
As a long-time grower, I like growing in tents in the basement or a bedroom because it balances space, mobility, and control. However, cultivation is about finding out what works best for you and your environment. With time and care, any method will create quality cannabis.
Keep on Growing!
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