Indoor vs. Outdoor Cultivation

Cannabis was originally cultivated outdoors. As it became outlawed, people began to harvest the plant indoors. It is important for those who plan to purchase or cultivate cannabis to know the differences between plants grown indoors versus plants grown outdoors.

Pros – Indoors

• Control

    Growing cannabis indoors give the grower control over the environment in which the plant is being cultivated. As with any aspect of our lives, being in control is a major advantage. It is no different when it pertains to growing cannabis. Indoor growers have control over the lighting, temperature, humidity and CO2 production within the space. These factors help prevent the risks associated with outdoor elements like the rain.

• Higher Quality

    Indoor cannabis plants generally have a higher percentage of THC and that matters when we are talking about dollars and cents. Indoor growers often generate a higher return on their investment because their plants are in high demand (lol, see what I did there? High demand!)  Another quality control advantage of an indoor harvest, is the growers ability to create more unique hybrids and consistency produce year round harvests. Most importantly, indoor plants typically have better quality buds and flavors.

Pros – Outdoors

• Better Yield and plant health

While indoor plants have higher THC levels and nicer flavors, cannabis plants grown outdoors often produce a higher yield and are more resilient than plants grown indoors. The fact is artificial lighting cannot replicate the unique light of the sun, which stimulates robust growth. Outdoor plants also get more support against bugs in the form of wasps, ladybugs and other creatures that eat these mites. Controlling mites indoors often include the use of pesticides and insecticides, which can be harmful to the crop. Most cannabis users prefer organically grown strains.

• Cost

    While both indoor and outdoor cannabis cultivation require a good amount of money to get up and running, outdoor cultivation is less expensive…control comes at a hefty price. The bulk of the expense associated with outdoor cultivation is spent during the startup phase. Smaller yields also mean higher turnover rates, which requires more watering, feeding, trellising and pruning.

• Size

    Plants cultivated outdoors usually have larger buds; and those cultivated indoors are usually smaller and more dense. Indoor plants normally have more trichome density too, and are aesthetically more appealing than outdoor plants. Outdoor elements can affect the trichomes (those little tiny crystal-like hairs that cover the buds, and hold all the good stuff!) which in turn produce a less than pristine looking crop versus that of the indoor grown plant.

• Color

    Color is one of the easiest ways of differentiating indoor vs. outdoor grown strains. Outdoor cannabis strains are naturally darker than those grown indoors. Outdoor plants have a tendency to turn almost brown, if they are not cured properly. Whereas plants grown indoors generally have a bright, green color. You will notice most of the coloring at the base of the bud, so next time you’re in a “bud garden”, drop down and get your eagle on, I mean bend down and take a look at the plants base.

• Strains

    Strains that are ideal for indoor cultivation include: Critical, Royal AK, Royal Cookies, Royal Moby and Amnesia Haze. Strains that are perfect for outdoor growing are: Honey Cream, Speedy Chile, Critical Kush, Royal Domina and Special Queen.

That’s all folks…hope this motivates some of you to start growing. Until next time, stay irie friends!