Growing marijuana is accessible now more than ever before due to the laws on marijuana use and cultivation gradually changing. In states where it’s legal, many cannabis enthusiasts are already enjoying the perks of cultivating marijuana houseplants. Some of them are branching out and producing weed on a larger scale, while some keep it minimal and do it for personal use and satisfaction.
And indeed, what’s better than a hobby which results in resinous buds that you can enjoy with gusto? And who knows, maybe someday you’ll want to branch out too. So, if you’ve been thinking about getting into growing weed at home and want to start small, you’ve come to the right place. In today’s article, we’ll introduce you to the art of cultivating a single plant indoors.
Can I Grow a Healthy Cannabis Plant in My Room?
There is one rule of thumb for growing any plant indoors, not just cannabis, and that is to simulate the same environment as nature. This means that you should satisfy the plant’s most fundamental needs regarding nutrients, water, light, air, and temperature.
That being said, whether you grow a dozen plants or just a single marijuana plant doesn’t matter. As long as you ensure your plant gets everything it needs, it will thrive. Plus, a single plant is much easier to take care of than having a whole indoor garden, so a small grow space will not make that much of a difference.
Why Grow a Single Plant at Home?
You might be wondering about the point of growing a single plant at home and if it’s even worth the effort. Well, apart from the personal satisfaction you get, you will, of course, get smokable weed.
But that’s not all. Growing at a small scale is a great entry into growing cannabis. It’s much easier to manage and it’s especially convenient if you have a busy lifestyle and can’t commit to growing more plants than one at a time. You get to learn the ropes and still end up with a usable product.
Growing a single plant is also not as big an investment as growing at a larger scale. You can focus all your energy and resources on a single plant to get the maximum yield (which can be pretty impressive for a single plant). You will have a stash to last you for a while and get to pick your favorite strain to cultivate as well. What’s not to like?
The Basics of Growing a Weed Plant in Your Room
Simulating the natural environment in your room isn’t as complicated as it may sound. At the end of the day, marijuana is just a plant. In this part, we’ll introduce you to the most fundamental elements of cultivating a cannabis plant, how you can get started, and what to expect during the different stages of growth.
Fundamental Elements for Growing a Healthy Plant
To meet your darling plant’s needs, you should optimize your environment to meet the following conditions:
Light
Light is the most important source of energy for plants as they use it for photosynthesis. The marijuana plant is a photoperiod plant, meaning that the light cycle in nature dictates its growing stages. It typically needs a lot of hours of light, especially during the vegetative stage when it rapidly grows and expands.
Airflow
Fresh air and oxygen exchange are also crucial for a healthy plant. There should be proper air circulation at all times in your grow room because stale air encourages mold formation and pest infestations. Not to mention that it can stunt your plant’s growth.
Water
Cannabis needs water to thrive and function normally. For indoor growing, cultivators add nutrients to the water so they can feed the plants and boost their growth. The pH level of the water is also important to keep a healthy nutrient uptake.
Temperature
Cannabis is a plant that likes warm temperatures, but it can also survive in colder climates. However, extreme temperature changes can destroy it. The ideal room temperature for indoor marijuana is about 70-85 °F.
Humidity
Like all other plants, cannabis’ leaves breathe and aspirate moisture as part of their normal daily function. If there is a buildup of extra moisture around them, it can create the perfect breeding ground for mold formation. Therefore, keeping balanced humidity levels is integral for the development of your plant.
Nutrients
Finally, providing your plant with the right amount of nutrients will ensure you get high-quality buds with solid THC and CBD content. Organic soil as a growing medium is usually enriched with nutrients, but using an additional boost is also good (as long as you don’t overdo it!).
Getting Started as a Grower
Now, let’s see how you can get started with your marijuana plant.
Set Up Your Grow Space
Think about where in your room you’re going to grow your marijuana plant. Since it’s not your usual houseplant, like a flower, it should have a designated grow space. Some growers convert the closet or cupboard for growing, while others get a good grow tent or a grow box.
Pick the Cannabis Seed
Since you will be potting one seed, you should choose whichever Indica, Sativa, or hybrid you want. If you’re an absolute beginner and want to make things slightly easier for you, you can choose an autoflowering strain. Unlike photoperiod plants, autoflowering cannabis strains don’t depend on the light cycle to enter their flowering phase.
Choose a Grow Container
You might be thinking that potting your plant in traditional plastic or clay pots is the best, but in reality, they can stunt your plant’s growth, preventing it from reaching its full flowering potential. Instead, choose a breathable and loose container, such as a fabric pot. It’s roomy and it will allow your plant to breathe.
Install the Right Grow Lights
Even if you put your plant near a window where it will get direct sunlight (which is great), you will still need a supplementary light. You’ll find many types of grow lights for indoor growing (LED, HPS, HID), but most of them would be too much for a single plant. Instead, you can look for a T5, a T8, or a CFL light to provide your plant with an adequate amount of light.
Set the Correct Temperature and Humidity in Your Grow Room
For the sake of precision, you should know that the temperature should be different during the day, or when the grow lights are on, and during the night, or when they’re off. Typically, when the lights are on, the temperature should be 68-78°F and when the lights are off, it should drop by about 15 degrees.
When it comes to moisture, you should keep the area around the plant more or less dry to encourage the formation of more trichomes. However, you should also not make the temperature too warm because the combination of dry air and warm atmosphere can dry out the plant.
That being said, the relative humidity should be 70-40%. Any extremes are not good for the plant. If your room is too humid, you might want to invest in a dehumidifier, but only if it’s necessary.
Odor Control
Odor control is not a must, but it’s recommended. Not only for discretion, but also because weed has such a strong odor that can become overwhelming after a while (especially if you grow it in your room). Most growers just use extraction fans connected to a carbon filter to keep the smell out.
Your Marijuana Plant During the Different Stages of Growth
Now, let’s see an overview of the different stages of growth of your plant, what it needs, and what you can expect.
Germination Stage
The germination stage is the first stage your plant goes through once you buy the seed. Germinating the seed is necessary to begin the growing process, and most growers germinate the seed before they plant it. For this method, you should place the seed between a few moist (not wet) paper towels and place the towels between two plates so no light gets in. Keep the plates in a warm area between 70-85°F.
Then, you wait. The seed should sprout in 3-7 days, but sometimes it takes about 24 hours, depending on the strain. You should keep checking up on it frequently and reapply moisture if you notice the paper towels have gone a little dry.
Once the seed has sprouted, you should plant it in your potting soil and provide it with lots of light as it starts to grow. In fact, young plants can do very well with 24/7 light until they perk up and enter the vegetative stage.
Vegetative Stage
The veg stage is when your plant will strengthen its roots and grow most of its stalks and leaves. This is a fast-growing stage when the plant needs lots of hours of light and nutrients. The plant grows fast and it can absorb more energy from the sun (or grow light), so it can thrive and grow big, and produce those buds. During this stage, it’s crucial to provide your plant with 18 hours of light and 6 hours of darkness.
Flowering Stage
The flowering stage is when the pre-flowers and the flowers begin to appear, and you’ll start noticing a distinct odor coming from your plant. In nature, the flowering stage is triggered when the seasons change and the days get shorter, meaning the plant receives fewer hours of light. This is what you should do too. Changing the light cycle to equal amounts of light and darkness (12 by 12) will induce the hormone in the plants responsible for flowering.
Harvesting and Curing Your New Buds
Harvesting is the most rewarding part. It’s when you start getting ready to enjoy the fruits of your labor. Your buds are ready to be harvested when the trichomes have a distinct amber hue. Some growers prefer to cut whole branches with the flowers still attached, hang them to dry upside down, and harvest the flowers once they’re dry enough. Others like to cut off the buds from the branches right away and lay them on a mesh rack to dry. This method is good if you live in a humid area because it dries the buds faster and reduces the risk of mold. In the end, how you choose to harvest the buds is completely up to you.
After the drying process, it’s recommended that you cure the buds. This prepares them for long-term storage, but it also increases the cannabinoid content and the flavor. Basically, all the dank weed varieties you see in dispensaries have been cured. You can check out our detailed guide on curing here.
Once your buds have been properly cured, it’s time to sample them, kick back, and enjoy. You’ve earned it!
Bottom Line – Growing a Single Plant in Your Room Has More Advantages Than You Think
Growing a single marijuana plant in your room can really be a fun and rewarding activity. It’s definitely not hard and it’s a great introduction into the world of growing cannabis. Whether you plan to start growing on a larger scale eventually or not, starting off with a single plant has more benefits than you think. You’ll have the opportunity to perfect your craft and smoke high-quality buds every single time, so why not try it?
