Many cannabis growers are looking for a way to grow cannabis indoors. Indoor cannabis cultivation is becoming more popular as cannabis becomes legalized in more states and countries around the world. Growing cannabis indoors provides many benefits, but it can be tricky deciding which method to use and what size cannabis grow tent or cannabis grow space one should get. In this article, we will discuss how to choose an indoor tent so you can decide which medium you want to grow in, what strain of cannabis you want, and whether or not you need a grow tent at all.
What size cannabis grow tent will I need?
Indoor cannabis growing is a popular choice for cannabis enthusiasts. It can be quite expensive to set up your grow tent or grow space, so it’s important to think about what size of an area you need before making any purchases. Do you have enough room in your home? What are the dimensions of the room where you plan on setting up all your equipment? There are many different types of cannabis strains that will thrive indoors under certain environmental conditions but choose wisely. If you’re a beginner grower, we recommend choosing an indica cannabis strain as they are easier to grow indoors due to being shorter than sativas.
The main problem that will determine the size of your grow tent will be your limitations of space wherever you decide to establish your grow space in your place. If you have a large room with lots of floor space and high ceilings for vertical space, then you might be able to get away with a larger grow tent. However, if you only have a small bedroom or closet to work with, you’ll need to find a cannabis grow tent that is smaller in size and will probably take up the entire space. There are many different sizes of cannabis grow tents on the market today so it shouldn’t be difficult to find one that works for your space and design plans.
Lastly, the laws in your area may determine the size of the tent for you. For example, in Michigan, all adults can grow up to 11 recreational marijuana plants whereas in Maine you can only grow 3 plants at a time. Some states will even limit you based on the number of mature (flowering stage) and immature (seedling or vegetative stage) plants you can grow at one time so it is important to always check your local laws before you start gathering your supplies for growing. Medical marijuana patients may also have different laws depending on the state.
What size light should I get for my cannabis grow space?
Once you’ve decided on the size cannabis grow tent you need, it’s time to decide what kind of lighting system will work best with it. There are many different types of indoor cannabis lights available today including but not limited to fluorescent, metal halide (MH), high-pressure sodium (HPS), and LED cannabis grow lamps.
Your cannabis plants will need different lighting requirements during the seedling or vegetative stage than they do for the flowering stage so it’s important to plan accordingly, but you can use the same light source throughout your grow as long as you can control its height or intensity. Make sure you know which cannabis strain(s) you want to grow and find cannabis grow lights that will meet the needs of your plants during each stage. Some grow lights now come equipped with dimmers to help acclimate plants at different stages of development.
Another thing to consider when shopping for cannabis grow lamps is whether you want a full spectrum cannabis light or not. Full-spectrum cannabis growing lights mimic natural sunlight much more closely than other types of lighting technology, but they can be quite expensive compared to non-full-spectrum grow lights.
If you’re just starting out, we recommend using an LED cannabis grow lamp until you become more experienced. LED cannabis lamps use less energy and produce less heat than other types of cannabis grow lights, making them ideal for small spaces.
What cannabis strain should I use to grow indoors?
If you’re looking to get the most yield possible out of your cannabis grow, it’s important to choose a cannabis strain that is suited for indoor growing. Some strains are better than others when grown under artificial light and tend to produce more buds per watt of light used. Also, depending on the size of your tent or grow space, you may want to choose something shorter so the plant doesn’t stretch into your light and get light burn. This is why we recommended indica strains earlier since they tend to be shorter and bushier. There are tents tall enough for sativa strains, especially if you use low-stress training (LST) or high-stress training (HST) to train your plants and maximize your plant size and space.
Do I have to use a grow tent when growing cannabis indoors?
No, you don’t have to use a grow tent when growing cannabis indoors but they can be helpful in many ways. A tent will help to contain the smell of your buds and keep your plants warm and humid, which are both important factors for indoor growers. They also can come (although most do not, there is a growing prevalence of starter kits) with built-in light fixtures, ventilation systems, and other helpful features.
If you don’t have a grow tent using an empty closet or room will also work. Just make sure you have a space that is well ventilated and has proper ventilation for hot air to escape so your plants won’t get heat-stressed.
Which room should I set up my cannabis grow tent?
The best room to set up your cannabis grow tent in is one that doesn’t get a lot of direct sunlight. A space near a window where the sun shines in for part of the day could work but you’ll likely need to use some blackout curtains or shades to keep light from reaching your plants during the other parts of the day. A room that has a relatively stable temperature and relative humidity are also preferable.
If you don’t have a lot of space, set up your cannabis grow tent in the smallest room that will fit it. If using blackout curtains to cover windows where the sun could possibly shine during part of the day is not an option then purchase some heavy-duty lightproof fabric or paint and stretch over any potential holes or gaps between your cannabis grow tent and the walls. We also realize the size of the tent and your availability of space will also be factors so often you will have to settle for the best available option. Please be cognizant not to set it up in a very hot or very cool room as extreme temperatures could cause problems with your grow.
Any tips for indoor cannabis growing?
You should also keep an eye on the humidity levels in your cannabis grow space and make sure they are generally between 40-60%. Too much humidity can cause cannabis mold problems and too little humidity can lead to cannabis dehydration. You can use a humidifier or dehumidifier to adjust the levels as needed.
Another important factor for indoor cannabis growers is temperature. Keep your grow space at around 75 degrees Fahrenheit during the vegetative stage and then around 70 degrees for flowering marijuana plants to get optimal flavor and smell.
The light you choose should cover your whole grow space in light. Choose one that reaches every corner of your space so as to maximize your yield. Some LED lights also come with detachable drivers (the motor on top of the light that powers it) which give off heat. Having this adaptability for your grow space can be crucial in helping your space achieve the optimal temperature as it can be completely removed from the grow space while still powering the light. Using a light meter, or even using some of the apps available for your smartphone that measure light intensity will help you determine if your light coverage is in the optimal range at the furthest points from your light in the grow space.
Whether using a tent or a grow room, it is important to look for light leaks so you do not stress your plants. Once your grow space is established, leave lights on outside your space and darken the grow space to see if any light leaks through, and then patch up any leaks.
The ambient temperature and humidity should also play a factor when choosing the room to set up your tent or grow space.
Summary
What size tent you will need will largely be dependent on the space available to you. Using this information and knowing the local laws where you live will be very helpful in determining where you should set up your tent. The light size you choose should be dependent on your grow space and should shower light to all corners of it to maximize your yield. You should also choose a strain that suits your grow area, if your tent is shorter you may be forced to use strains that tend to be smaller. Tents are not a necessity when growing indoors, and you can create a grow room too. This is also largely dependent on the space that is available to you. The room you choose to grow in shouldn’t receive much sunlight and should not have extreme temperatures or humidity.
Thank you for reading our article, should you have any further questions we recommend you read our other articles on lights, fans, odor control, temperature, and humidity.
To learn more about growing cannabis at home consider checking out our guides on: Getting Started, Troubleshooting, and Optimizing your Grow or search our Knowledge Base.
We strive to help your plants thrive.
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