If you're new to cannabis growing, you have questions. Here are honest answers to the 25 most common ones — no jargon, no upselling equipment, just what you need to know before and during your first grow.
Getting started
1. How long does it take to grow cannabis?
14–20 weeks from seed to dried, cured flower for photoperiod strains. Autoflowers are faster: 10–14 weeks total.
Breakdown (photoperiod):
- Germination: 3–7 days
- Seedling: 1–2 weeks
- Vegetative: 3–8 weeks (you control this)
- Flower: 8–12 weeks (genetics determine this)
- Drying: 7–14 days
- Curing: 2–4 weeks minimum
2. How much does it cost to start?
A functional first-grow setup costs $300–600:
- Grow tent (4×4): $80–120
- LED light (300W): $100–200
- Inline fan + carbon filter: $80–120
- Pots, soil, nutrients: $40–80
- pH pen, timer, fans: $30–60
See our equipment guide for specific recommendations.
3. How much will I yield?
A single plant in a 4×4 tent under a 300W LED typically yields 1–4 ounces dried for a first-time grower. Experienced growers with the same setup get 3–8 oz. Multiple plants (4 in a 4×4) can yield 6–16 oz total.
Variables: light quality, training, strain genetics, and grower experience all matter more than any single tip.
4. Is it legal to grow?
Depends on your jurisdiction. In New York State, adults 21+ can grow up to 6 plants (3 mature, 3 immature) per person, maximum 12 per household. See our Local NY page for details.
Even where legal, landlords and HOAs may prohibit it. Check your lease.
5. Can I grow without a tent?
Yes, but a tent makes everything easier. A tent gives you:
- Light containment (no light leaks)
- Odor containment (with carbon filter)
- Environmental control (temperature, humidity)
- A clean, reflective growing surface
You can grow in a closet, spare room, or cabinet, but you'll need to solve each of these problems individually.
Seeds and genetics
6. Where do I get seeds?
Reputable seed banks that ship to the US:
- North Atlantic Seed Co. (US-based, fast shipping)
- Multiverse Beans (US-based)
- Seedsman (international)
- MSNL (international)
Buy from established banks with reviews. Avoid random "seeds" from social media sellers.
7. Feminized, regular, or autoflower?
- Feminized: 99%+ female. Best for beginners — no need to identify and remove males
- Regular: 50/50 male/female. You need to sex plants and remove males. Cheaper per seed, required for breeding
- Autoflower: flowers automatically based on age, not light. Faster but typically lower yield per plant
For your first grow: feminized photoperiod seeds. See our seeds guide and autoflower guide.
8. How many plants should I grow?
Start with 2–4 plants. One plant is risky (if it dies, your grow is over). More than 4 can be overwhelming for a beginner. 4 plants in a 4×4 tent is the standard beginner setup.
Environment and equipment
9. Is the smell really that bad?
Yes. A flowering cannabis plant produces a strong, distinctive odor that can fill a house and carry outdoors. During weeks 5–8 of flower, the smell is intense.
A carbon filter on your exhaust fan eliminates 95%+ of the odor. This is not optional for indoor growing. See our privacy guide.
10. How much electricity does a grow tent use?
A typical 4×4 tent draws 400–700 watts continuously, adding $40–80/month to your electricity bill. LED lights are significantly more efficient than older HPS lights.
11. What light should I buy?
For a 4×4 tent, a 300–480W LED from a reputable brand: Spider Farmer, Mars Hydro, HLG, AC Infinity, or VIPARSPECTRA. Budget $100–250 for a light that will last 5+ years.
Avoid: cheap Amazon "1000W" lights that actually draw 100W (the name is misleading). Check the actual wattage draw.
See our lighting guide.
12. Do I need a carbon filter?
Yes. Unless you live in a rural area with no neighbors and don't care about smell. Even then, the smell during flower is overwhelming for most people inside the house.
13. What temperature and humidity should I maintain?
| Stage | Temperature | Humidity |
|---|---|---|
| Seedling | 72–78°F | 65–75% |
| Veg | 75–82°F | 50–65% |
| Flower | 72–80°F | 40–55% |
See our VPD guide for the full breakdown.
Growing medium and nutrition
14. Soil, coco, or hydro?
Soil is best for beginners. It's forgiving, buffers pH swings, and can feed the plant for weeks without additives. Coco is more precise and higher-yielding but requires more attention. Hydro produces the fastest growth but is most complex.
See our growing medium guide.
15. What nutrients do I need?
A basic nutrient system has two parts: grow (veg) and bloom (flower). General Hydroponics Flora series, Fox Farms Trio, or Canna are reliable, widely available options.
Start at 50% of the recommended dose and increase if the plant looks hungry (pale leaves, slow growth). See our feeding guide.
16. Do I need cal-mag?
If growing in coco: yes, always. If growing in soil with tap water: usually not. See our cal-mag guide.
17. What pH should my water be?
6.0–6.8 for soil. 5.5–6.5 for coco and hydro. Check pH EVERY time you water. This is the single most important habit in cannabis growing. See our pH guide.
During the grow
18. How often should I water?
When the pot feels light. Lift the pot — heavy means wet, light means dry. In soil, this is typically every 2–4 days. In coco, every 1–2 days. Never water on a fixed schedule. See our watering guide.
19. Why are my leaves turning yellow?
Depends on WHERE:
- Bottom leaves: nitrogen deficiency (normal in late flower, may need more N in veg)
- Top leaves: light burn, iron deficiency, or pH lockout
- Between veins (bottom): magnesium deficiency
- Between veins (top): iron deficiency
- Everywhere: pH lockout
Always check pH before adding anything. See our deficiency chart.
20. Should I train my plants?
Yes — even simple training helps. Bending the main stem to the side (LST) takes 5 minutes and can increase yield by 20–30% by exposing lower bud sites to light. More advanced training (topping, SCROG) helps further. See our training guide.
21. When should I switch to 12/12?
When the plant is about 50% of its maximum height in your space. Cannabis doubles in height during the first 2 weeks of flower (the stretch). If your max height is 4 feet, flip at 2 feet.
See our flower stretch guide.
22. How do I know when to harvest?
Check trichomes with a loupe or USB microscope:
- Clear: too early
- Milky/cloudy: harvest window is open
- Amber: harvest window is closing
Target 70–80% milky, 20–30% amber for most growers. See our trichome guide.
After harvest
23. How long should I dry?
7–14 days in a dark room at 60°F and 60% RH. The buds are dry when small stems snap (not bend). Faster drying produces harsh smoke. See our drying guide.
24. Do I really need to cure?
Yes. Curing (storing dried buds in sealed jars for 2–4 weeks, burping daily) dramatically improves smoothness, flavor, and potency. Uncured cannabis is harsh and lacks depth. Curing is the difference between "homegrown" and "premium." See our curing guide.
25. How should I store my cannabis long-term?
Glass mason jars in a cool, dark place. Add a Boveda 62% humidity pack to maintain optimal moisture. Stored properly, cannabis maintains quality for 6–12 months. See our storage guide.
The one thing to remember
If you only remember one thing from this entire guide:
Check your pH every time you water.
More problems are caused by incorrect pH than by any other single factor. A $30 pH pen and 2 minutes per watering prevents the majority of issues you'll encounter. Everything else — nutrients, training, environment — matters, but pH comes first.
For a step-by-step first-grow walkthrough, see our start guide. For the complete guide library, see our grow guides.