7 Differences Between Growing Marijuana Indoors vs Outdoors

Everyone who smokes cannabis seems to have an opinion on the difference between an indoor vs. outdoor weed high. Some people swear up and down that their best high came from an outdoor grow while others stand by their decision to smoke indoor-grown weed and only indoor-grown weed in a marijuana grow tent. But what's the reality behind this age-old cannabis debate? Well, indoor vs. outdoor weed highs depend on way more factors than just where they grew, which is probably where all this confusion comes from. After all, a master farmer's cannabis crop will (almost certainly) always come out better than any novice's weed, no matter where they grew it. The reason for this is skill, not LED lighting vs. the sun! And that's just one example of how indoor vs. outdoor weed highs depend on so much more than where they grow. 

Growing Marijuana Outdoors

• Only one harvest per year unless you live near the equator


• Grow area must avoid detection for several months by potential thieves, you must secure your plants from animals and/or thieves


• You should have easy access to grow area and should be able to visit once every 1-2 weeks


• There needs to be a convenient source of water nearby


• Area should be well lit by the sun and optimally have direct sunlight from at least 10am-4pm (more is better)


• The climate should have a warm growing season, the longer the better


• Plants must be planted at a certain time of the year and often there can only be one crop a year


• Longer Grow Time


• Potential interference from bugs, animals, flooding, and other uncontrollable factors

Benefits

• Easiest method since marijuana plants need less tending in their natural environment; if you live in an area with the right growing environment you can pretty much let mother nature do her thing


• Cheapest start-up costs since there is free light and ventilation, you don't need to consider grow light for weeds.


• Often have bigger yields than indoor crops, since outdoor plants usually have plenty of room to grow and unlimited sunshine


• Many people feel that outdoor growing produces the most flavorful buds (this is likely due to the light from the sun, though there's some evidence that certain lights like LEDs may be able to mimic the sun in ways that cause buds to grow with increased scent and flavor).

Biggest Cons

• Impractical for most city-dwellers, who would have to travel to a remote grow site


• At the mercy of mother nature, so a drought, torrential downpour, bug infestation, early frost, or even a hungry family of deer can destroy your whole crop, which means you lose your entire crop for the year


• Must be close to a water source, or must lug water to and from the grow spot

Growing Marijuana Indoors

• Ability to produce perpetual harvests


• Must have enough room to grow indoors and be able to avoid detection


• Start-up costs can be pretty high depending on grow system


• You can control all aspects of growing environment, which means you will be able to produce a more consistent quality of buds, but also means…


• You must produce entire growing environment, including light, growing medium, nutrients, air conditions, etc, if you are a beginner, you can consider marijuana grow kit.


• You pay for electricity to run lights, which can get expensive if you’re using many lights. A single 600W HPS light uses about as much electricity as a refrigerator


• If you get caught growing, then there’s no way out since the plants are inside your house

Benefits

• Shorter grow time


• Easier to be discreet about growing


• Ability to control all aspects of environment to produce a consistent high-quality bud


• Can have many crops a year (perpetual harvest is possible)


• Many growers believe that indoor buds are the highest quality buds. In medical states, indoor buds are sold at much higher prices than outdoor buds

Biggest Cons

• High start-up costs 


• Maintenance cost (electricity) can get expensive depending on the grow system and number of plants


• More upkeep than an outdoor grow


• Must keep good ventilation such as inline duct fan and maintain clean grow area

While choosing either one won’t generally affect the actual potency of the plant, there are several differences between growing cannabis indoors versus outdoors. Here are seven of the biggest differences:

1. Control

Obviously, the biggest difference between growing outdoors and indoors is control. With an indoor control, you can maintain the temperature, lighting, water levels and every other aspect related to growing cannabis. But outdoors you’ll have to deal with the changing weather. For some people that’s part of the fun. For others, it’s just a pain.

2. Cost

Another major difference is cost. While setting up an indoor and outdoor grow will cost a decent amount at the beginning, over time growing indoors is more expensive. Whether it’s the cost of the lights or how expensive your temperature control system is, indoor growing will be a larger long-term investment. That’s the price of maintaining that control.

3. Quality

Going along with control, the quality of indoor grows are generally better than outdoor ones. The actual plant receives less damage, so the end product is a mostly pristine bud. However, experienced outdoor growers will be able to produce just as a high quality a strain whether indoors or outdoors, although they might be a little less beautiful if grown outside.

4. Trimming

Similar to quality, but cannabis grown outdoors will require more trimming than indoor marijuana. This is particularly important if you’re someone who’s actually growing to sell to other people. People want to buy a clean, sleek bud, not one that looks like it was just ripped right out of the ground.

5. Effort

While outdoor grows may require more trimming, indoor grows will require more effort overall. Outdoors grows may require watering and monitoring, but ultimately you won’t have to worry about lighting or temperature. But indoor grows mean you’ll need to constantly monitor and tweak your setup to produce the best product possible.

6. Size

Generally, marijuana grown outdoors tends to be larger than plants grown indoors. This is because the plant is naturally supposed to be outdoors, which means it’s able to adapt to the conditions for the best grow possible. It won’t be a major difference, but you may find outdoor plants are slightly larger.

7. Time

For some people the amount of time it takes the cannabis plant to grow is the biggest factor. People want their plant to finish growing as soon as possible. If that’s the case, then indoors is probably best for you. Controlling all those elements means you can optimize it for quickest grow time possible. So if you care about quick turnaround, then indoors may be best for you.

All in all, there is no single ‘right’ answer to the question “Is it better to grow marijuana indoors or outdoors?’

In reality, you simply need to ask yourself which one is best and most convenient for you. If you live in a suitable climate and have access to a decent-sized plot of land that is well secured, you should consider growing indoors. Your start-up costs will be a lot less, and you’ll enjoy organically grown weed once it is harvested.

Downsides of indoor growing include extremely high start-up costs, and a ton of maintenance. On the plus side, you can grow several batches of crops per year, and once you get used to indoor farming, you’ll find that it is much easier than you initially imagined.

Today, there has been an increase in commercial greenhouse farming, as it strikes a balance between indoor and outdoor growing. To date, weed grown in this manner has produced high-quality results, which is an exciting development. Above all, it is crucial that you continue to educate yourself if you wish to grow marijuana. Ultimately, the more you learn – and the more you grow – the better the results will become.