Growing Weed in an Apartment - 5 Tips
If you live in a large town or city, the chances are that you live in an apartment or flat. If you fancy doing a bit of urban weed cultivation, it is certainly possible, but it is worth doing a bit of research first.
Let's look at the main dos and don'ts of growing weed in an apartment or small urban space:
What you should do when growing cannabis in your apartment
1. Check the terms of your lease
Even if growing cannabis in your area is permitted for medical reasons, it is worth checking the terms of your lease if you live in rented accommodation, especially if you live in a house share.
Growing weed is fun, but it isn't worth potentially losing your accommodation if you end up being evicted.
There may well be a clause in your lease that prevents you from growing anything that can increase levels of humidity or risk electrical fires from the lights, so get things checked out first.
2. Take preventative measure to reduce the impact of the smell
Now, if you love weed, there is a good chance that the lovely if somewhat pungent aroma won't bother you at all.
Still, if you want to stay on good terms with your neighbors and/or flatmates, it is wise to take some steps to eliminate the aroma that will inevitably come wafting from your grow tent.
You need to use an exhaust fan that is connected to the activated carbon filter in the grow room and a general ventilation system that works well. This will also reduce the risk of mold affecting your weed, so is a win-win all round.
Try and keep your grow tent air-tight, and this should allow someone to stand a meter away from your set-up without smelling any weed. If you are still worried about the smell, odor eliminating sprays can be very useful.
3. Soundproof your walls
Everyone worries about the smell, but few consider the increased noise levels of a grow room. Think about it, fans whirring, pumps and water gurgling if you use a hydroponic set-up.
Choose a grow box that is soundproof, or take steps to soundproof all the walls of your apartment. Remember, a quiet grow room is a secret grow room.
4. Choose a strain that is suitable for indoor cultivation
Growing in a relatively restricted space means that some thought is required regarding the choice of strain. Whether you plan to use a grow box, closet or grow tent, you'd be well-advised to choose more compact strains for apartment cultivation.
This really means choosing Indica's or Indica-dominant hybrids, as they grow in compact, bushier ways than leggy Sativa'. Autoflowers may also be a good choice.
Another aspect to think about is the level of difficulty of a particular variety - some are much harder to grow than others. If you're a novice grower or are growing in a minimal space, it makes sense to choose a strain that has a reputation for being easy to grow.
Autoflowering seeds are a sensible option if you don't want to worry about photoperiod. These strains begin to flower without altering the lighting cycle and are ready for harvest in as little as seven weeks after flowering and stay manageable compact.
Best strains to grow in an apartment
5. Consider the growing space
There are several options for weed growing in an apartment: grow tents, wardrobes or grow boxes.
Wardrobes or closets are perhaps the first choice for growers considering a stealth grow. They offer privacy from curious flatmates, are often already in the room, and can be easily adapted with Mylar to optimize lighting.
Related article: Growing weed in closet
Wardrobes, however, can be problematic in terms of controlling temperature, airflow, and humidity. Installing an effective exhaust/ ventilation system is a must.
Grow tents are also a popular choice and are available in a wide array of styles and sizes, often for very reasonable prices. They are usually straightforward to set up and are designed for apartment growing - a significant plus point.
Grow tents are ideal at preventing the damage that often occurs in closet grows - water spills, damp etc. And they are also brilliant at preventing light leaks!
If this is your first time at growing weed, grow boxes are highly recommended. These compact grow spaces are usually supplied with virtually everything you need to grow marijuana - even hydroponics.
Cost-effecting and time-saving, investing in a grow box takes away the uncertainty so you can look forward to the enjoyment of raising your first weed crop.
The don'ts for growing marijuana in your apartment
Use traditional HPS lights
We recommend using the latest generation of LEDs if you’re growing in a flat. They are much quieter than other types of lights, so make it less likely your secret garden will be discovered.
Growing weed with LED is also an economical choice with lower electricity cost and make it easier to control heat levels as they produce hardly any heat.
LEDs don't shine as brightly as traditional HPS lights, so are less noticeable when glimpsed by a neighbor.
Control humidity
High humidity can lead to mildew or mold, which can quickly destroy your crop. Ventilation, as mentioned previously, is essential to keep the air moving and allow the plants to create.
Many growers use a humidifier to lower moisture levels in the air. Invest in a hygrometer to remove any uncertainty. As a rule of thumb, humidity levels should be 50 - 70 percent during the vegetative phase and 50 - 60 percent during the flowering season.
Final words
Growing in an apartment has never been easier, especially with the convenience of online stores.
Choose the right variety and use a grow box, and you should be able to cultivate a good harvest of delicious weed without worrying about losing your deposit or facing eviction. For high-quality cannabis seeds, check our mouthwatering selection of weed plant seeds suitable for apartment grows.