Basic Indoor Cannabis Growing Guide

This guide is designed for beginners who want to grow cannabis indoors successfully. Follow these core steps to ensure a healthy grow from seed to harvest.

1. Choose Your Grow Space

Decide on the size of your grow area. This could be a small tent, a closet, or a dedicated room. Key considerations:

• Lightproof and ventilated
• Temperature and humidity control
• Access to power outlets and water

2. Select Lighting

The most important factor for indoor growing is lighting. Common options:

• LEDs: Energy-efficient and low heat
• HPS: Great for flowering but hot
• CFLs: OK for seedlings or micro-grows

Use 18–24 hours of light daily during vegetative stage, then 12/12 during flowering.

3. Choose a Growing Medium

You can grow in soil or use hydroponics. For beginners, soil is easiest:

• Use high-quality organic soil
• Add perlite for drainage
• Avoid Miracle-Gro or pre-fertilized mixes

4. Germinate Your Seeds

Start your seeds using the paper towel method or directly in soil. Keep them warm (20–25°C) and moist until they sprout.

5. Vegetative Stage

During this stage, your plant focuses on growing stems and leaves. Maintain:

• Light cycle: 18/6
• Temperature: 22–28°C
• Humidity: 40–70%
• Balanced nutrients (focus on nitrogen)

6. Flowering Stage

Switch lighting to 12/12 to trigger flowering. During this stage:

• Reduce humidity to below 50%
• Increase phosphorus and potassium intake
• Watch for male plants if growing from regular seeds

7. Harvest

Plants are ready when trichomes turn cloudy/milky with some amber. Use a magnifier to inspect. Cut the plant at the base and hang it upside down in a dark, ventilated area for drying.

8. Drying & Curing

Dry for 7–14 days until branches snap. Then place buds in glass jars, opening daily for 1–2 weeks to let moisture escape. Proper curing enhances flavor and potency.

Tips & Reminders

• Always pH your water to 6.0–7.0 for soil
• Use oscillating fans to strengthen stems and prevent mold
• Don’t overwater—only water when the top inch of soil is dry
• Start small and keep a grow journal

Growing cannabis can be incredibly rewarding. With patience and attention, you’ll soon have your own homegrown harvest.