Many people already grow herbs like basil, cilantro, and thyme in the kitchen, so why not cannabis?
Growing cannabis in your home is easy, and purchasing it from a company or organization can be expensive. Plus, growing cannabis yourself lets you control the entire process, so you know exactly what you’re using.
No matter the reason why you’re growing, we want to help make sure you’re successful. Here are six easy steps to start growing cannabis in your kitchen.
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Keep in mind that growing cannabis at home is only possible if you live in a state where growing marijuana in your home is legal, for recreational or medicinal purposes. See the cannabis laws in your state here.
1. It’s All About the Dirt
When it comes to growing plants, what you put them in can make a big difference in how well they grow. Great soil for first-time growers is soil that can retain water well. The more it can retain water, the less you have to worry about remembering to water your plants.
When you start growing marijuana, you want to make sure the acidity of the soil is stable. The best way to do this is by picking soil that is meant for indoor plants or general usage. This soil will also have nutrients preadded to the soil that you can use to feed your plants.
Hand-watering cannabis yourself can help you bond with the plant and get invested in the growth process. It might take some time to learn how often you need to water your plants, so keep an eye on them. If the leaves start to wilt or turn brown, you might need to adjust how often you water.
Dirt Alternatives
If you feel like dirt is going to be too messy, there are alternatives you can use. But keep in mind that dirt alternatives can sometimes mean more work for you.
Coco Coir is a material made from the outside of coconut shells and is easy to find at any garden store. The pH level is neutral, so you don’t have to worry about the soil acidity damaging your cannabis, but you do have to adjust it yourself. However, it won’t provide additional nutrients like soil.
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Rockwool is mineral and rock fibers that can hold water just like regular dirt, but without the mess. You do have to make sure you water your plants perfectly, otherwise your cannabis can easily not get the water it needs.
2. Your weed gets the munchies, too
Soil can come with nutrients already, but if you want a perfect plant, you need to give it extra food.
When growing with soil. drain-to-waste systems are ideal. This system collects nutrients that are used by the pants and replenishes them. Every time you feed your cannabis, the plant will get more nutrients.
If that sounds too complicated, you can also use fertilizer in your plants. Liquid fertilizer can be mixed into your watering can, and it will be absorbed by your plant with the water.
Look for a fertilizer that contains the following:
- Potassium
- Phosphorus
- Nitrogen
- Copper
- Magnesium
- Iron
- Calcium
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Liquid fertilizer will have instructions on the container about how to mix it with water. Follow this closely so you don’t overfeed your plants.
3. Pot sizes for pot
What you grow your cannabis in is just as important as what you feed it. If you’re growing in your kitchen, you might only have so much space. Figuring out how much space you have can determine how big of a pot or how many plants you can grow.
One-gallon pots are the most common size to start with. As your plant grows, your plant should be moved to a five-gallon pot. This gives your cannabis more room to grow and spread its roots.
No matter the size of your pot, you need to make sure your pot has a drainage hole so excess water can be let go. The dirt will always retain a certain amount of water, but you never want water just sitting in the pot. This will kill the roots.
4. Make sure your cannabis is getting enough light
Plants need light to grow. Wherever you’re growing your cannabis, you need to make sure it’s close enough to an electrical outlet to use some of these tools.
Cannabis plants need different levels of light through the growing process. You need to give your plant 18 hours of light at the beginning, and 12 hours when it begins to flower. You might have light coming in through windows, but having a plant light is the best solution.
Fluorescent plant lights and grow lights are the easiest fixtures to install. In some cases, you can just replace lightbulbs that already exist. Fluorescent light fixtures just need to be set up over your plant and plugged into the wall.
LED grow lights last a long time and use less electricity. You can keep your lights on without worrying about heat. Grow lights can help you regulate the amount of light your cannabis gets, and help them flourish.
5. Keep Your Plants Comfortable
You don’t want your plants to get too cold, but you also can’t have your cannabis get too warm. If the temperature fluctuates too much, your plants might get stressed out. Keep in mind the type of cannabis you’re growing, because some varieties prefer it warm but others prefer it cooler.
Your AC unit helps regulate your home, and it can help your plants. Purchasing a personal AC and humidity unit for your cannabis can make it easier to control. You can also benefit from a humidifier if you experience dry skin!
Otherwise, try to keep your plant in a room that has the appropriate temperature. For example, if your plant prefers heat and humidity, keep it in the bathroom. Humidity from hot showers will help it thrive.
6. Deciding How Visible You Want It
Cannabis is legal in many states, but there can still be stigma from neighbors if they see you growing it. Whether you’re growing in a legal state or not, it’s important to keep in mind how visible you want the plant to be.
Growing marijuana away from windows is a good idea if you don’t want your neighbors seeing what you’re growing. Closing shades at night when you leave the plant lights on can also help protect your plants from prying eyes.
You now know the basics when it comes to growing cannabis! The longer you do it, the more advanced you can get. You will end up with a well-grown and happy plant that is sure to make you happy, too.