The short answer to the question "does growing weed smell?", is yes. Cannabis does indeed smell, there's no getting away from it. Some love it, while others loathe it. One thing's for sure, weed plants emit an often overwhelming scent.
How can you neutralize or mask cannabis odors? How do you get rid of the whiff of cannabis in the house? We have the answers, so keep reading to find out how to keep your neighbors happy.
Why does weed smell?
This might sound like a bit of a silly question, but why does weed smell? Cannabis contains many different compounds.
The substances responsible for the spread of cannabis plants' smell are primarily terpenes and terpenoids. These substances often give weed its delicious taste.
Weed has a very specific odor - once smelled never forgotten! Different cannabis strains can also have different undertones. These undertones are caused by the terpenes and terpenoids. Examples of these undertones are lemon, licorice, earth, pepper, vanilla, incense, diesel, and more.
You can imagine that a cocktail containing all these scents would be pungent, and that is something you always have to keep in mind, both outdoor and especially indoor growers: growing a cannabis plant smells.
Which strains are low in odor?
The smell and the odor intensity of growing cannabis (indoors) depend mainly on the strain of the cannabis plant. Fortunately, there are many types of strains that emit less of a marijuana smell.
To help you out with the search for cannabis plants with less of a smell, we have collected the 10 Best Low Odor Strains (Low odour cannabis strains for our non-US customers).
When do cannabis plants start to emit odor?
Many novice growers wonder when the weed smell can be expected during cannabis cultivation. Of course, the more cannabis plants you grow, the more fragrance they will emit. Here is an overview of what you can expect during the different phases of the weed growing process:
| Stage | Odor |
| Germination | No smell |
| Seedling stage | No smell |
| First weeks vegetative phase | No to little smell |
| Last week vegetative phase | Little smell |
| First weeks flowering phase | Smell becomes more intense |
| Last weeks flowering phase | Smell strongly presented |
| Harvesting | Strong smell |
| Drying / curing | Strong smell |
The odor is different for each strain/type of weed as is the extent to which you can smell the plant. The strength of the marijuana plants smell also varies according to the strain.
If you are keen to avoid the smell of weed in the house, it is important to do some research into which species you will grow before investing in your weed seeds.
How to control the smell in your grow room?
Weed odor can be a considerable problem for home growers, especially if it becomes a nuisance to others in your neighborhood. When the plants start to bloom and enter their flowering stage, the cannabis smells start to become more and more present. Neighbors might start to smell it with often unfortunate consequences.
The police could be called and be at the door in no time. This is annoying for the grower, but, in fairness, unwanted cannabis plants smell is pretty anti-social towards your neighbours.
So, how can you neutralize weed odour? There are several solutions.
Carbon filters
The most well known form of cannabis odor control is the carbon filter. They come in two forms: large carbon filters for the weed growing room and very small activated carbon filters for joints. These are designed to make smoking less damaging for your lungs and to reduce odor during smoking.
Carbon filters in your extractor can vastly reduce the impact of weed odor. You can easily buy a carbon filter online. Placing the filter in your extractor or air filtration system can be a little tricky but it is well worth researching ways to do this.
If you want to keep your operation private, the best solution is a carbon filter which can also be used during harvesting and drying. Other types of filters and generators can help you, but they are very expensive and generally only suitable for industrial-scale growers.
Don't forget to regularly clean and maintain the filters if you want to successfully reduce the odour in your growing room.
Climate control
Keep an eye of the humidity and temperature levels of your growing room. The higher the levels of humidity, the greater the odor. Air must be circulated in the growing room to reduce the smell, as well as to reduce the likelihood of mold and viruses that thrive in stagnant conditions.
Odor absorbing gels
Odor absorbing gels are substances designed to capture and neutralize unwanted smells. Think of them as sponges for scents. Just as a sponge soaks up water, these gels "soak up" and neutralize bad odors.
They're typically made of a combination of natural and synthetic ingredients that have the ability to trap odor molecules, preventing them from reaching our noses.
This is where odor absorbing gels come into play when growing weed. Here's how they help:
Ease of Use: The gels are usually sold in jars or tubs. All you need to do is open the container and place it near the source of the odor. As the air around the gel circulates, the gel will start to capture the weed's scent.
Long-Lasting: Depending on the brand and the environment, a jar of odor absorbing gel can last anywhere from a few weeks to a couple of months.
Safe and Non-toxic: Most odor absorbing gels are made with non-toxic ingredients, making them safe for use in homes and indoor growing areas.
Portable and Discreet: They are compact and can be easily moved around, making them a flexible option for different spaces and stages of the growing process.
Complement to Other Solutions: While gels are effective, for stronger odors or larger growing areas, they can be used alongside other odor control methods like carbon filters or air purifiers for maximum effectiveness.
How to hide the smell of weed after harvest?
After harvesting, drying and cutting, it's time to cure your weed. If you use a normal container, you can guarantee that your entire house will smell of weed in no time. However, weed smell is easy to prevent, you just have to know the correct tools to use.
Ziplock bags are the most common products for storing weed. Yet these resealable bags are not 100 percent odour-free and airtight. They are more suitable for smaller quantities that will be consumed within a few days. Do you want to get rid of the weed smell and not draw unwanted attention from your employer or neighbours? These are the best options:
Tightvac containers
Tightvac containers are the ultimate choice when it comes to storing weed in an odor-free manner. In the lids of these storage canisters, there is a unique vacuum system that ensures that air can go out during closing, but no air can enter.
The result: a vacuum storage space. A Tightvac is 100% airtight, odour-free, water-repellent and impressively sturdy. You can store everything in it and even put it in the freezer. They come in all shapes and sizes, and they are affordable too!
Ironing bags
Ironing bags are a very good solution if you want to a long term storage solution for you cannabis buds. Unsurprisingly, ironing bags are closed with an iron. When it is closed shut, the bag is completely airtight and odor-free.
If you want to open it, you will need to use a pair of scissors, but you only need to cut open the tightly ironed part to reuse the bag. It will be a bit smaller, but luckily buying a new one won't cause too much of a dent in your wallet.
Mason jars
Storing your weed in a mason jar is old-fashioned, but effective. They are large glass jars that you can open and close whenever you want. The beauty of such a glass jar? You can view the contents and admire the tops you've worked so hard for?
After sealing your weed in the jar, it's best to store it in a cool, dark place. This helps preserve the weed's potency and flavor. Direct sunlight or heat can degrade the quality over time.
Also make sure to mason jar is clean and dry. Any moisture or residue can affect the quality of your stored weed. If you're storing small amounts of weed, you don't need a large jar. Choose a size that's just right. This prevents the weed from shuffling around too much and ensures a snug fit.
Plastic storage boxes
Some types of plastic storage boxes are also super useful for storing small amounts of weed. They're not only easily available but can be very effective if used right. Here's a beginner-friendly guide on how to use them:
Look for boxes that are made of high-quality, durable plastic. The clearer the box, the better. This lets you easily check the contents without having to open it up every time.
The lid of the box must seal tightly. This is crucial! A good seal ensures that no air gets in or out, keeping the weed fresh and preventing it from drying out. It also keeps external odors at bay and retains the weed's natural aroma inside.
You can see that there are plenty of ways you can eliminate weed smells at each stage of the growing process. Don't forget to appreciate the wonderful aroma though, and take some deep breaths of the young plants when growing weed.
What have we learned?
Growing weed indeed produces a distinctive smell, thanks to compounds called terpenes and terpenoids. The intensity varies based on the strain and the growth stage. To maintain discretion, especially during the flowering phase, growers use carbon filters, odor-absorbing gels, and climate control in their grow rooms.
After harvesting, storing cannabis correctly can prevent lingering odors. Options include Tightvac containers, ironing bags, mason jars, and certain plastic storage boxes with tight seals. Always store weed in cool, dark places to preserve its quality.
In essence, with the right tools and knowledge, managing the smell of growing and storing weed is achievable, ensuring both quality storage and happy neighbors.
Want to learn more about the ways of growing cannabis plants, make sure to visit our Learning Center for more guides like this. If you want to stay up to date on everything WeedSeedsExpress, including new strains and the best weed seeds discount deals? Scroll down to the bottom of the page and subscribe to our newsletter!