Want to grow your own weed without the whole neighbourhood knowing?
A closet grow is about as intelligent of entry into the game as you can get. It’s discreet. It’s self-contained. And with a little forethought, that empty cabinet in your bedroom can be yielding pots of upper-room bud every couple months.
Here’s the thing:
Many people believe you need a massive outdoor garden or expensive grow tent to grow quality bud. This could not be farther from the truth. Indoor grows are becoming extremely popular….Even small-space indoor closet grows by new and experienced growers.
Inside this guide:
- Why Choose a Closet Grow?
- Prepping the Space
- Lighting, Airflow & Odour Control
- Picking the Right Strain
- Common Mistakes to Avoid
Why Choose a Closet Grow?
Closet grows are booming right now.
A poll recently revealed that 66% feel more confident growing now that regulations have loosened. Despite regulations loosening, many people still prefer to keep it discreet.
Why? A few reasons:
- Nosey neighbours
- Roommates or kids in the house
- Landlords
- Just wanting privacy
One space that fulfills all of those requirements is a closet. Closets are out of sight, they can be closed off and they only take up space you probably aren’t using anyway. Another benefit to growing weed in a closet instead of outdoors is you have 100% control over your temp, humidity and light cycles throughout the entire year. Plus if you’re growing sativa dominant strains such as these Pure Haze seeds that prefer to grow in warm weather outdoors, you can create the perfect environment those plants crave without Mother Nature stealing your crops.
Best part about it is you get outdoor results in quarters less than your bathroom.
It also keeps things contained. You won’t be dragging gear all over the yard. Plus no worries about critters, pets, or a rogue storm toppling over your plants. It’s a clean, private area just steps away for watering and leaf treating.
Prepping the Space
Properly preparing your closet is essential before purchasing any equipment.
Begin by stripping it bare. Take out all of the clothing, shelves, rod, etc. Empty it entirely. You’ll want a clean slate to work with.
Next, take some measurements:
- Height
- Width
- Depth
Keep this in mind. You’ll want to remember these when you buy grow tents/lights/fans. You can easily fit 1-2 plants in a small closet (2ft x 2ft) comfortably, so don’t worry if you think you are limited on space.
Now the important stuff…
The walls should be reflective. This will reflect light back to your plants and increase yields.
You have two main options:
- Paint the walls flat white
- Line the walls with mylar sheeting
Mylar is less expensive and easier to hang. You just tape it to the walls.
Step 7. Eliminate light leaks. Cannabis plants require complete darkness while they are sleeping, so make sure to weatherstrip the door to your closet. All light sources will stress your plants and affect your final harvest.
Lighting, Airflow & Odour Control
This is where most closet grows either succeed or fail.
Lighting
LED’s are ideal for closet configurations. They operate cooler, consume less energy, and yield excellent results. Target about 30-40 watts of LED per square foot of grow area.
Skip outdated HID lighting. They produce excessive heat for a tiny closet and could start fires. New York State warns of electrical fire risks for indoor growing and recommends LEDs.
Airflow
Stale air is a plant killer. You need:
- An intake fan (to bring in fresh air)
- An exhaust fan (to push hot air out)
- A small oscillating fan (to move air around the plants)
Good airflow strengthens plant stems and prevents mould from forming on your buds.
Odour Control
Here’s something people forget until it’s too late… Weed plants smell. A lot.
Especially during flowering.
Solution numero uno: A carbon filter on your exhaust fan. It cleans the air before it exits the closet, preventing the entire house from smelling. You can also add a small ozone-free odour absorber outside the closet for good measure.
Picking the Right Strain
Not every strain works well in a closet.
Look for strains that are:
- Short and bushy (indica-dominant)
- Auto-flowering (finish faster)
- Bred for indoor growth
You can grow tall sativa varieties in your closet if you top them and train them using LST (low stress training).
Do your homework before you purchase. Reputable seed banks will provide estimated height, yield, and flowering times for each strain. This information is priceless when growing in confined heights.
Buying feminized seeds is worth the extra money. You won’t have to worry about male plants appearing to compromise your harvest. This is great when you only have space for two plants or so.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even seasoned growers slip up. Here are the biggest mistakes to watch out for:
Overwatering
Overwatering kills more plants than underwatering. Allow the top inch of soil to dry out between watering.
Overfeeding
Nutrients are great, but OVER-NUTURING will torch your plants. Begin at half dose and build up if necessary.
Ignoring pH
Pay attention to pH. Keep soil between 6.0-6.5 and hydro between 5.5-6.0. Invest in an inexpensive pH pen. You’ll save yourself a lot of grief.
Neglecting temperature and humidity
Ideal temperatures are between 70-80° Fahrenheit during the day and 65-75° Fahrenheit at night. Humidity should be around 60-70% when young then 40-50% when flowering.
Nail these basics and your closet grow will thrive.
Bringing It All Together
Turning a closet into a discreet grow station is easier than most people think.
You don’t need a spare room or a six-figure budget. Just some know-how, the proper equipment and a little patience.
To quickly recap:
- Empty and prep the closet properly
- Line the walls for reflection
- Install LED lights, fans, and a carbon filter
- Pick a strain that fits your space
- Avoid the beginner mistakes above
Home growing is only becoming more and more mainstream. If you’re saving money, avoiding dispensary prices, or just love the hobby, a closet grow is an awesome place to start. Cultivation has never been easier or lower risk than growing indoors and you’ll skip all of the weather woes that come with outdoor cannabis cultivation.
Done properly and you’ll be grabbing jars of homegrown flower from the shelf in no time.