How to start growing cannabis like a houseplant

Shot of a cannabis plants growing on a patio

Those who cultivate herb gardens on their kitchen counter may have looked upon the greenery and wondered if they could do the same with cannabis. Growing weed in the kitchen is not impossible, but it requires a tiny bit of extra setup for success. While the plant is an herb, it does not flower with the same simple steps as oregano or chives. Those who prepare accordingly can start growing cannabis like a houseplant.

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A marijuana plant in a pot on a sunny day next to a balcony. Photo with copy space

Start growing cannabis at home

Successfully growing cannabis requires an understanding of the plant life cycle. Different methods are necessary at each stage to develop the most well-rounded, dense cannabis flowers. Before even considering where to buy cannabis seeds, look up home-grow laws. Many states with legalized adult-use cannabis do not allow people to grow their weed at home. Washington state passed recreational weed reform over 10 years ago, but only medical patients can plant it in a home garden.

When people imagine growing weed indoors, they often think about a windowless room setup with powerful lights and temperature control systems. Others might consider a grow tent inside the space, which creates the same highly controlled environment without committing an entire room to the process.

As cultivation technology advances, plants are being freed from these boxes. These are excellent methods for dialing in a cultivation space to produce perfect pot. However, not everyone loves the aesthetic or has the room in their living space.

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gardener holding a young marijuana plant with soil in hand

How to grow weed in the kitchen

The first step to growing kitchen cannabis plants is meeting their basic needs. Select a growing medium, size of pot or vessel, and nutrients that will set the plant up to thrive. These could be somewhat related to the light source used to grow, which is the most vital aspect of the setup when considering cultivating in the kitchen.

Various grow boxes grow excellent weed and seamlessly hide in your living space. The Annaboto looks like a floor lamp, but is actually an intricate hydroponic grow robot that manages almost every aspect of the cultivation. The Green Goddess Supply Armoire and Hey Abby are similar. But instead of being open to the room, the plants are enclosed in a grow box that looks like a cabinet.

As for using the natural light cycle, make sure that the plant receives no more than 12 hours of darkness per day to avoid flowering. This is not the only environmental factor that needs monitoring.

Those hoping to grow weed on the counter should note the temperature and humidity in their homes and plan accordingly. If the house runs dry and cold in winter, maybe save the seeds for spring and summer. Alternatively, if the summer reaches over 100°F, the plants might need to be timed for a different season.

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Grow your own cannabis anywhere

Anyone can grow weed, but cultivating fantastic cannabis takes a bit more effort. Tech lovers could opt for one of the more pricey plug-and-play units like the Annaboto. Others may want to lock the temperature, grow medium, nutrients, humidity, and other aspects locked in manually. Whatever you choose, know that it is possible to grow cannabis on the kitchen counter with the correct knowledge.

 

Cara Wietstock


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