Quick answer:
To start growing cannabis at home, you will need high-quality seeds, a dedicated space with adequate lighting and airflow, containers with drainage, a suitable growing medium, nutrients, water with the correct pH level, and a few basic tools.
Here’s what each item is and why it’s important.
Quick start checklist
- Cannabis seeds
- Clean, light-proof grow space
- Full-spectrum LED light
- Ventilation with fresh air intake
- Pots with drainage holes
- Potting mix
- Cannabis nutrients
- Water with pH 5.5 – 6.5
- Timer, thermo-hygrometer, pH meter, scissors, gloves
- Carbon filter (optional for odor control)
1. Cannabis seeds
Seeds determine the genetic potential of your plants, including growth habits, flowering time, and cannabinoid profile.
Here are some options:
Feminized photoperiod seeds
These seeds produce only female plants, which will grow buds without seeds if not pollinated. They are the most beginner-friendly option because you don’t need to identify and remove male plants.
Regular photoperiod seeds
Regular seeds can produce either male or female plants.
They require you to identify plant sex early to prevent pollination, which can be challenging for first-time growers.
Here’s a guide to easily identify male and female cannabis plants.
Autoflowering seeds
Autoflowers begin flowering automatically after a set number of weeks, regardless of light cycle.
They grow quickly and remain compact, but have less flexibility in recovering from mistakes.
Recommended seeds for beginners
For beginners, feminized photoperiod seeds are the most forgiving because they ensure female plants that will produce buds without seeds if not pollinated.
Tip: Buy from a trusted seed bank or breeder to avoid poor germination or unstable genetics.
2. Grow space
Your grow space can be a tent, closet, or small room; it must be clean, light-proof, and well-ventilated.
Your grow space can be as small or as large as you prefer, but it must have lighting and ventilation that suit the plant’s needs.
Many grow tents come with integrated lighting and ventilation systems, which can help beginners avoid mistakes and save time.
3. Lighting
Cannabis plants require a specific light spectrum, intensity, and daily duration to thrive, and these requirements vary between the seedling, vegetative, and flowering stages.
These are the best light options for each growing stage:
Fluorescent lights (CFL, T5, T8)
Fluorescent grow lights are gentle, affordable, and great for seedlings, clones, and early vegetative growth.
They produce little heat but don’t have enough intensity for large plants or high-yield flowering.
High-Intensity Discharge (HID: MH & HPS)
Metal Halide (MH) lights are usually used for the vegetative stage, and High-Pressure Sodium (HPS) lights for flowering.
HPS lights are excellent for both vegetative and flowering stages and produce abundant yield.
HID lights produce high yields but also generate significant heat, requiring strong ventilation and temperature control.
Be careful to choose lamps according to your growing space. Always ask the manufacturer or seller about coverage area and exhaust needed.
LED grow lights (full-spectrum, red+white, adjustable)
Modern LED grow lights are today´s most efficient option. They are long-lasting and can cover the entire cannabis growth cycle.
They produce less heat than HIDs and often allow spectrum adjustments for different plant stages
.For more details on each type of light and how to select the right one for your setup, read our guide on how to choose the best grow light for cannabis.
4. Ventilation
Proper ventilation keeps your plants healthy by supplying fresh air, removing excess heat and humidity, preventing pests, and avoiding mold infections.
Fresh air should constantly enter the grow space, while stale, warm air is expelled.
Exhaust fan
An exhaust fan at the top of the grow space removes hot, humid air and helps maintain a stable temperature.
Internal circulation fans
Small oscillating fans keep air moving inside the grow space, preventing stagnant spots where pests and mold can develop.
Air movement also strengthens plant stems.
Air conditioning
In warm climates or during summer, an air conditioner can help keep temperatures within the optimal range for cannabis growth.
Humidifier and dehumidifier
A humidifier adds moisture to the air if the humidity is too low.
A dehumidifier reduces humidity when it’s too high.
Both tools help prevent stress and diseases in your plants.
5. Containers
Containers hold the growing medium and roots. The size of your pot affects how big your plant can get.
Choose pots with drainage holes so excess water can escape, preventing root rot.
Start seedlings in small pots and transplant into larger ones, 5 – 15 liters / 1 – 4 gallons for indoor grows.
6. Growing medium
A good growing medium should be airy, well-balanced, and suitable for cannabis, allowing roots to breathe while holding enough water and nutrients.
Here are some substrate options for growing cannabis:
Peat-based mixes
Peat-based potting mixes with perlite and vermiculite are ideal for beginners.
They are easy to manage, drain well, and hold moisture without becoming waterlogged.
Pre-fertilized substrates
Some commercial mixes come enriched with nutrients, allowing plants to grow for several days with just water.
Always check how long the nutrients will last so you know when to start feeding.
Avoid placing small seedlings in heavy pre-fertilized substrates, as they are too strong and there’s a risk of overfertilizing and burning the seedling.
Coco coir
Coco provides excellent aeration and water retention but requires daily or multiple waterings and constant pH and EC monitoring.
Coco coir needs nutrients from the very first day, making it less beginner-friendly.
Hydroponics
“Hydroponics” includes many popular and effective methods of growing cannabis, in which plant roots are exposed to a nutrient-infused and air-pumped water solution.
You can choose between different setups, such as deep water culture, ebb and flow, or drip system, to name a few.
There are also many kinds of substrates to help the roots anchor themselves. Some of them are perlite, clay pebbles, and Rockwool.
Hydroponic systems can produce fast, high yields but require precise control over water, nutrients, and environmental conditions.
Complex hydro systems are best left for when you have more experience.
Tips:
Avoid garden soil, which can suffocate roots, and skip coco or hydroponics until you’re comfortable with pH and EC monitoring.
7. Nutrients
Cannabis needs macronutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, along with secondary and micronutrients, in different amounts during each growth stage.
Calcium is especially important for healthy plant development, and it becomes even more critical when growing in coco or using soft water, as a calcium deficiency can quickly lead to stunted growth and other visible problems.
Use a nutrient line designed for cannabis or flowering plants. Overfeeding can burn roots and leaves, so “less is more” at first.
Always follow the nutrient schedule provided by the manufacturer and try not to mix products from different brands or use them without understanding their purpose.
In coco and hydroponic systems, plants need nutrients from the very beginning, while in pre-fertilized substrates, they can grow for several days with just water.
Here’s a growing guide with all the essential nutrients needed for growing cannabis.
8. Water
Water quality affects how well cannabis plants can absorb nutrients.
Poor water quality or the wrong pH can lead to nutrient deficiencies or toxicities.
For growing cannabis, the ideal pH is between 5.5 and 6.5.
Types of water and considerations:
- Soft water contains very few minerals and may require adding calcium and magnesium to avoid deficiencies.
- Hard water has high mineral content, which can cause nutrient lockout if levels are excessive.
- Reverse osmosis (RO) water is very pure and free of contaminants but needs to be supplemented with essential minerals.
- Tap water is often suitable if chlorine or chloramine levels are low. Chlorine can be reduced by letting water sit for 24 hours before use, while chloramine requires a filter to remove.
For tap water sources with high levels of chlorine, use a carbon filter or any water filter for chlorine and heavy metals.
If you don’t have a filter, you can let the water sit in a bucket or bottle to let the chlorine evaporate. Chlorinated water may be harmful to the plants.
Test your water and adjust pH if needed before watering your plants.
9. Basic tools and cleaning items
Having the right makes plant care easier and helps keep your grow space in top condition.
Essential tools for growing cannabis:
- Pruning scissors for clean cuts
- Gloves to protect plants and hands
- A spray bottle for foliar applications
- A watering can or bottle with a fine spout
- An EC/pH meter to check your water and nutrient solution.
Cleanliness is crucial; regularly wipe surfaces, remove dead leaves, and keep tools clean to prevent pests and fungal infections.
Cleaning items for a grow tent:
- Microfiber cloths for wiping down walls, poles, and equipment.
- Isopropyl alcohol at 70 percent, made by diluting 99 percent alcohol with clean water, for disinfecting tools and surfaces without leaving harmful residues.
- Hydrogen peroxide at 3 percent for disinfecting trays, pots, and tent surfaces, especially after a harvest.
- Small handheld vacuum for removing dust, debris, and fallen plant matter.
- A bucket with a mild cleaning solution for deep cleaning between grows.
10. Why keeping a grow log is essential
Growing cannabis involves many variables: watering times, nutrient doses, light settings, temperature, and key dates.
Without a Growlog, it’s easy to forget what you did and when.
You can keep notes on paper, but the Grow with Jane app lets you track everything, waterings, feedings, photos, and reminders, all in one place.
This saves time, helps you learn from each grow, and increases your chances of success from the very first plant.
Grow with the best cannabis growing app
Easily create plants and environments
Measure your success and share with the Community
Get professional Grower Support from seed to harvest.
Tip: Safety and legality
Check your local laws before you start.
Keep your grow space safe by protecting electrical equipment from water and high humidity.
If odor is a concern, use a carbon filter with your ventilation system.
While you get everything you need, it’s a good idea to start learning how to grow Cannabis.
Read these blog articles about growing Cannabis to learn more about these topics and how to take care of your plants.
Happy growing!
