Indoor Vs Greenhouse Vs Outdoor Cannabis Cultivation and Effects

With the cannabis industry growing, consumers are now able to choose from a wider selection of strains, consumption methods, and even different growing environments.

Even though individual cannabis strains have different terpene and cannabinoid content, as well as effects, how the strain is grown also does make a difference. For example, there are significant contrasts between growing it indoors or outdoors when you consider cost and environmental impacts.

Many consumers are now left wondering what exactly is the difference between indoor, outdoor, and greenhouse-grown options - and which would be best for them.

It's easy to rank the alternatives right after reading them, but there is no "best" option. Each growing environment offers certain benefits and drawbacks. 

In this blog article, we'll look at the benefits and drawbacks of each one so you can make an educated decision about which is best for you.

Introduction to Indoor, Outdoor and Greenhouse grown Cannabis

Cannabis is a versatile plant that can be grown for a variety of purposes, including the production of CBD or THC based products.. While Cannabis can be grown outdoors, many growers prefer to control the environment in which their plants are grown. 

Indoor Grown Cannabis

Indoor Cannabis plants are grown in controlled environments where temperature, humidity, and light can be closely monitored. This allows for consistent conditions that are ideal for Cannabis growth. 

However, growing Cannabis indoors can be more expensive than other methods due to the need for special infrastructure, equipment and lighting. 

Check out our collection of Lab-tested and Chemical Free Indoor Grown Flowers.

Outdoor Grown Cannabis

Outdoor growing is the most affordable option and can be done with little to no equipment.

Growing Cannabis outdoors is the simplest option, but it is important to choose a location with well-drained soil and ample sunlight.

The sun offers a wider spectrum of light, which then encourages the development of a greater diversity of cannabinoids and terpenes in cannabis plants.

However, it is important to keep in mind that outdoor growing is subject to the whims of mother nature, so you will need to be prepared for anything. 

This can make it more difficult to produce a high-quality product. However, outdoor cultivation has the advantage of being less expensive than indoor or greenhouse methods. 

Light Deprived (Greenhouse Grown Cannabis)

Greenhouses offer many of the same benefits as indoor growing with the added bonus of being able to take advantage of natural sunlight. 

Greenhouses offer growers a middle ground between indoor and outdoor growing. They provide more control over the environment than growing outdoors, but typically require less work than growing indoors. 

Let's look at some of the distinctions between producing cannabis indoors and outdoors.

Indoor Vs Outdoor Vs Greenhouse Cannabis

The most significant distinctions between Indoor Grown cannabis and Outdoor cannabis are as follows:

Cost

For growers, it is usually less costly to grow crops outdoors as opposed to indoors. When dealing with large farms, outdoor growth almost always costs less than indoor growth would. If all conditions are favorable, watering expenses decrease since rain does some of the work for you. No expensive lighting or ventilation is necessary either.

Look and Feel

Generally, people believe that cannabis grown indoors looks much fresher than outdoor-grown Cannabis because it's not affected by harsh weather conditions like wind, rain, and hail.

Growers can control the environment to create the finest plants feasibly when cultivated indoors. Some individuals, on the other hand, prefer cannabis that has been grown outside and has an organic look and feel.

Aroma

The main scent distinction between indoor and outdoor cannabis is that outdoor buds tend to have a more natural, earthy aroma because of their exposure to the elements. Indoor-grown cannabis often has brighter, more concentrated smells due to growers' ability to control lighting and other variables.

Size

A good way to tell if weed was grown indoor or outdoor is by looking at the size of the buds. Outdoor grown cannabis buds are usually bigger, and their stems tend to be thicker than those of indoor grown cannabis. Additionally, an indicator that it's an outdoor plant is when you see big clunky buds as opposed to small and dense ones.

Trichome Density

A key way to tell the difference between indoor and outdoor weed is by looking at the trichome density. Indoor buds are typically smaller because they're closer to their light source and are in a controlled environment, so they usually have a very high trichome density. 

Outdoor-grown cannabis nugs are larger than indoor ones. This means that the trichomes would have to spread out more to cover the entire surface of an outdoor bud. Furthermore, since outdoor plants are exposed to harsher conditions like bad weather, this can damage and hinder trichome development. 

As a result, you'll usually find that there's less trichome density on outdoor-cultivated nugs when compared to those grown indoors where it's controlled.

Cannabinoid and terpene Content

Cannabinoid and terpene content depends on the strain being cultivated. Some people argue that when cannabis is grown outside, its cannabinoid and terpene content is decreased as a result of the various environmental dangers it faces. Others will disagree and claim that cultivating outdoors in the plant's natural environment allows it to reach its full potential.

Environmental Effects

Needless to say, growing cannabis indoors uses a lot more energy than growing it outdoors. And when it comes to the environmental impacts of indoor vs. outdoor-grown cannabis, there’s no contest – outdoor grows are much more environmentally friendly in almost every respect.

Challenges with Indoor, Outdoor, Greenhouse Cannabis cultivation

Indoor Challenges

One common problem with indoor Cannabis cultivation is that the plants can quickly become root-bound. This happens when the roots of the plant fill up the entire pot and have nowhere else to grow. 

As a result, the plant may stop growing and begin to die. Another common problem is nutrient deficiencies. Cannabis plants need a lot of nutrients to grow, and if they don't get enough from the soil, they may become stunted or yellow. 

Cannabis plants can be susceptible to mold and mildew growth if the environment is too humid. So it's very important to maintain the optimum humidity while growing indoors.

Despite these difficulties, controlled indoor Cannabis growth is feasible with sufficient care and attention.

Outdoor and Greenhouse Challenges

Greenhouse and outdoor cannabis cultivators must also confront their own set of challenges when they're outside.  A common issue that greenhouse cannabis producers face are plant illnesses. Mildew and mold can develop on plant materials if the temperature and humidity vary significantly between day and night in particular regions.

A greenhouse can be outfitted with artificial coolers, heaters, and traps to regulate both day and night temperatures. Humidifiers or foggers may be installed to increase humidity. To regulate light and dark cycles, a greenhouse may also have artificial lighting and light deprivation sheets added.

Grow Lights : What kind of lighting is best for growing Cannabis indoors?

When it comes to indoor Cannabis cultivation, lighting is one of the most important considerations. Cannabis plants need a minimum of 12 hours of light per day in order to flower, so growers must carefully select a light source that will meet this requirement. 

While natural sunlight is always the best option, it is not always practical, especially for indoor growers. In these cases, artificial lighting is typically used. However, not all lights are created equal.

Fluorescent lights are a popular option for indoor growers because they are relatively inexpensive and emit little heat. However, they also provide relatively weak light, which can slow down the growth of Cannabis plants. 

HID (high-intensity discharge) is a term that encompasses both MH and HPS bulbs.

High-intensity discharge (HID) lights are more expensive, but they generate much more intense light, making them ideal for stimulating robust growth.

High-pressure sodium (HPS) lamps are often considered the best option for growing Cannabis indoors, as they provide a full spectrum of light that closely mimics sunlight.

LED lights are becoming increasingly popular as well, as they offer both high intensity and low heat output. 

Ultimately, the best type of lighting for growing Cannabis indoors depends on the specific needs of the grower.

Read more about the different types of Grow Lights

What are the costs associated with growing Cannabis Indoors?

When it comes to growing Cannabis indoors, there are a few things you need to take into account in terms of costs. 

For starters, you'll need to invest in some high-quality grow lights. Cannabis plants need a lot of light, so you'll want to make sure you have plenty of bulbs. You'll also need to invest in fans and other ventilation equipment to keep the air circulating. 

Once you've got everything set up, you'll also need to factor in the cost of water and electricity. All told, growing Cannabis indoors can be a bit pricey, but it's definitely doable if you're willing to put in the upfront investment.

We have mentioned that Indoor Grown cannabis is much more expensive than Outdoor grown, but the question arises is, is the extra money spent on Indoor Grown cannabis really worth it?

Is Indoor Grown Cannabis worth the premium?

Cannabis flowers that are grown outside are generally less expensive because they can yield more per crop and don't require as much financial investment. However, the indoor Cannabis flower is often seen as a premium product, due to the higher level of care and attention that is required to grow it. As a result, indoor Cannabis flowers often command a higher price tag. 

But is it worth the premium?

There are several factors to consider when deciding whether or not indoor Cannabis flowers are worth the extra cost. 

One is the quality of the product. Indoor-grown Cannabis flowers are typical of higher quality, as it is less likely to be damaged by weather conditions or pests. In addition, indoor-grown Cannabis flowers have a more consistent appearance and aroma, due to the controlled environment in which it is grown. 

Finally, indoor-grown Cannabis flowers may have a higher concentration of CBD or THC, due to the lack of light and air exposure during its growth cycle. 

When taking all of these factors into consideration, it is clear that indoor-grown Cannabis flowers are worth the premium price tag.

At Hemp Hop we offer a variety of strains grown indoors, so you can get the relief you need without having to leave the comfort of your home.

All of our flowers are organically grown or hydroponically produced. Many of our farms utilize distinct farming strategies such as KNF (Korean Natural Farming), and the majority of our flowers are indoor or greenhouse produced. We're pleased to be able to provide such a broad range of floral options for our clients.

We sell indoor grown cannabis that has been lab tested for potency and purity. Our products are always pesticide free and we never use artificial flavors or colors.

Check out our collection of Indoor Grown Flowers