{"id":1062,"date":"2018-10-23T22:46:47","date_gmt":"2018-10-23T22:46:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/weedmaps.com\/learn\/cbd\/an-intro-to-indoor-cannabis-cultivation"},"modified":"2026-02-22T15:15:50","modified_gmt":"2026-02-22T15:15:50","slug":"growing-cannabis-indoors-intro","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/weedmaps.com\/learn\/the-plant\/growing-cannabis-indoors-intro","title":{"rendered":"An intro to indoor cannabis cultivation"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/div>\n

\n\tWhat are the basics of growing weed?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Indoor <\/span>cannabis<\/span><\/a> cultivation is a rewarding endeavor that basically can be done in any climate. Growing pot takes attention to detail and the right equipment, time, and money, but the benefits reaped from growing your own weed are more than worth the time and expense. Not only is the practice of gardening itself therapeutic, it also lends a connection to the plants that cannot be experienced outside of a hands-on approach. Having trained and grown out a favorite cultivar to fruition is one of life's great joys for a marijuana enthusiast.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Indoor cultivation provides many benefits compared to outdoor cultivation, including control, reproducibility, and risk mitigation \u2014 not to mention location, location, location. The goal is to artificially create the ideal environment for your plants at all growth stages. This is achieved through precise lighting, temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide content, and air movement within each indoor growing space.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ultimately, the costs of equipment and recurring utility bills are more expensive than in outdoor and greenhouse settings. However, specialized indoor cultivation equipment allows cultivators to achieve multiple harvests per year and a more reproducible product. If you're detail-oriented and technologically inclined, indoor gardening is a fun and rewarding pastime, or could even be a full-time job. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\tHow to start growing weed<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To set up an indoor garden, you will need equipment to help create a stable environment that mimics the necessary periods of light and darkness to grow plants through the flowering stage. This includes horticultural lighting, fans to recreate a gentle breeze, dehumidifiers to maintain the proper humidity, HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning), and all the basic supplies that a plant needs to survive, from water to grow media to nutrients.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Planning, designing, and implementing an indoor garden can seem daunting, but having a firm understanding of the basics goes a long way in helping a new indoor grower get started on the path to a healthy and bountiful harvest.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\tWhat Is the best way to grow marijuana indoors?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The first step in creating a proper indoor growing environment is to decide on the medium and irrigation methods you'll be using to supply your plants with the proper nutrients throughout their growth cycle. The medium is a shelter for your plants' roots that retains moisture. The irrigation method is the way you deliver nutrients to the plants.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unlike outdoor cultivation \u2014 where you almost always use soil to grow your plants \u2014 growing indoors offers several different options for growing systems and media. Some media are easier to work with than others, while some are a little trickier, but offer more control over the finer details. Different media retain moisture at different rates, which in turn determines how often plants need to be watered. Some media harbor beneficial microbes that can help roots absorb nutrients better.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The two main options for an indoor garden are soil and <\/span>hydroponic<\/span><\/a> media. Consider the following:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Soil<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Soil is a great choice for beginners. It can be much more forgiving and requires less precision when watering and feeding plants. Less-frequent watering and a stable pH foundation can drastically increase the likelihood of a successful first harvest. Soil also contains beneficial microbes and nutrients that help keep plants healthy, though it also creates favorable conditions for pests, mold, and mildew to spread. Working with soil and hand-watering plants can also be messy, but it will allow you to get familiar with the pace in which your plants consume water and nutrients.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\t\t\t

\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\"cannabis\n\t\t\t<\/a>Photo by: Gina Coleman\/Weedmaps<\/cite>
Soil can be much more forgiving and requires less precision when watering and feeding plants additional nutrients. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\t\t\t