Cannabis Growing | Indoor Soil Grow Checklist

• Space: A closet, tent, or spare room - ideally 2x2 ft or larger
• Power Access: At least one dedicated outlet (more if using multiple devices)
• Ventilation: You'll need airflow in and out - either passive or powered
• Lightproofing: Prevent light leaks during dark cycles (especially during flowering)

☑ Extension cords and power strips (surge-protected)
☑ Thermometer/hygrometer combo
☑ Oscillating fan for air circulation
☑ Duct fan and carbon filter (if not using a sealed tent)
☑ Reflective material like Mylar (if not using a tent)

Estimated Budget: $75–$200 depending on room size and components used

Pick a tent size based on how many plants you want to grow and how much space you have.

• 2x2 ft: 1–2 small plants — fits in closets or corners
• 3x3 ft: 2–4 plants — ideal for most hobby growers
• 4x4 ft or larger: 4+ plants — needs more space and airflow

Look for tents with:

• Sturdy frame and poles
• Mylar or reflective interior
• Multiple ports for power cords and ducting
• Heavy-duty zippers and viewing window (optional)

☑ Grow tent (choose your size)
☑ Duct ports for fan/filter setup
☑ Lightproof zippers
☑ Reflective interior (Mylar lining)
☑ Optional: Waterproof floor tray and viewing window

Estimated Budget:  $80–$250+ depending on size and quality

Your light is your plant’s sun — it controls how fast your plants grow, how healthy they are, and how much they yield. The right light setup is one of the most important decisions in your grow.

Choosing the right type, wattage, and coverage will depend on your space, budget, and grow goals.

• LED: Energy-efficient, low heat, beginner-friendly
• CMH: Great spectrum, more heat, higher power draw
• HPS: Mostly used for flowering — high output, high heat
• Fluorescent: Best for clones and seedlings

☑ Full-spectrum LED or CMH grow light
☑ Adjustable hangers or ratchet ropes
☑ Light timer (24-hour programmable)
☑ Optional: Light meter or PAR meter
☑ Proper mounting height based on light type

Estimated Budget: $100–$400+ (depending on light type and tent size)

Plants need different amounts of light depending on their growth stage. Getting the schedule right helps your plants grow faster, stay healthy, and flower at the right time.

A simple timer can automate your lights so you don’t have to think about it every day.

• Seedling/Clone: 18–24 hours of light
• Vegetative Stage: 18 hours light / 6 hours dark
• Flowering Stage: 12 hours light / 12 hours dark (strict!)

Keep your schedule consistent - light leaks or missed cycles during flowering can cause stress or reduce yield.

☑ 24-hour plug-in or digital timer
☑ Set daily on/off cycle (same time every day)
☑ Place timer between outlet and your grow light
☑ Avoid light leaks during dark cycles
☑ Optional: Dual-timer setup for multi-light grows

Estimated Budget: $15–$50

Temperature, humidity, and airflow are just as important as light and nutrients. A stable environment helps your plants thrive — and prevents problems like mold, pests, and stunted growth.

Dialing in your climate is the key to happy, high-yield plants.

• Seedling Stage

  • Temperature: 70–75°F (21–24°C)
  • Humidity: 65–70% RH
  
  

• Vegetative Stage

  • Temperature: 72–82°F (22–28°C)
  • Humidity: 50–70% RH
  
  

• Flowering Stage

  • Temperature: 65–80°F (18–26°C)
  • Humidity: 40–50% RH
  
  

Use tools like exhaust fans, clip-on fans, humidifiers, or dehumidifiers to stay in the right zone.

☑ Oscillating fan for airflow
☑ Exhaust fan for heat/humidity control
☑ Optional: Humidifier (veg) or dehumidifier (flower)
☑ Check daily - consistency > perfection

Estimated Budget: $50–$200+

The pot you use and the soil you fill it with will shape your entire grow. Roots need room to breathe, drain, and grow strong — and your media needs to hold just enough moisture without drowning your plants.

Getting your containers and soil mix right sets the foundation for healthy, productive plants.

• Start small and transplant up as roots develop
• Fabric pots or air pots help prevent root rot and promote oxygen
• Match pot size to your grow space and veg time
• Drainage is critical — always use pots with holes
• Use saucers or trays to catch runoff

• Beginner-friendly: Organic soil with nutrients already added
• Intermediate: Coco coir + perlite for faster growth and more control
• Advanced: Soilless or hydroponic setups (not recommended for first grow)
• Avoid heavy, dense soils or garden dirt — they don’t drain well indoors

☑ Well-draining soil or coco mix
☑ Perlite or pumice (for aeration)
☑ Saucers or trays to catch runoff
☑ Optional: Mycorrhizae or organic amendments

Estimated Budget: $30–$100

Watering seems simple — but overwatering is the #1 mistake new growers make. Your plants need a balance of moisture and oxygen at the roots.

Whether you hand-water or set up a drip system, the goal is the same: consistent, thorough watering with proper drainage.

• Only water when the top inch of soil feels dry
• Lift your pots -- light = dry, heavy = still wet
• Water slowly until you see runoff from the bottom
• Avoid letting pots sit in standing water
• In late flower, reduce watering frequency slightly

• Hand Watering: Great for small grows, low-cost
• Gravity-fed Drip Kits: Simple automation, no power needed
• Pump-Based Systems: Timed watering for larger or multi-plant setups
• Blumat or AutoPot: Passive, moisture-sensing systems that self-regulate

☑ Measuring cup or graduated jug
☑ Drip tray or saucers to catch runoff
☑ Optional: Drip irrigation kit or AutoPot system
☑ Optional: pH meter or drops (for water testing)

Estimated Budget: $10–$150

Plants need more than water and light — they need the right nutrients at the right time. From nitrogen in veg to phosphorus in flower, feeding your plants properly can mean the difference between a weak harvest and a thriving one.

Whether you’re growing in soil or coco, it pays to understand how nutrients work.

• Use a cannabis-friendly nutrient line -- don’t use Miracle-Gro
• Start with lower doses and increase gradually
• Feed during active growth stages (veg and flower)
• Always water until you get runoff (especially in coco)
• Watch for signs of overfeeding (burned tips) or deficiencies (yellowing leaves)

• Base Nutrients: N-P-K formulas for veg and bloom
• Supplements: Cal-mag, silica, amino acids, bloom boosters
• Organic vs. Synthetic: Organic feeds the soil; synthetic feeds the plant
• Soil vs. Coco: Soil often needs less feeding; coco needs more frequent, dialed-in feeding

☑ Cal-mag supplement (especially for coco)
☑ Measuring syringes or spoons
☑ pH meter or pH drops
☑ EC/PPM meter (optional but helpful)
☑ pH up/down adjusters (if needed)

Estimated Budget: $40–$150+

Knowing what to feed is one thing-- knowing when to feed and how much to give is where real results happen. A clear nutrient schedule keeps your grow on track from start to finish.

Whether you’re in soil or coco, our tools help you build a custom feeding plan based on your strain, medium, and grow goals.

• Prevents underfeeding in veg or overfeeding in flower
• Helps you balance nutrients with watering frequency
• Avoids nutrient lockout or buildup from overuse
• Makes flushing and transitions smoother
• Keeps you organized week by week

• Stage breakdowns: seedling, veg, early/mid/late flower
• Dosage chart: how many mL per gallon (or tsp per liter)
• Frequency: how often to feed vs. just water
• Supplements: when to add cal-mag, bloom boosters, etc.
• Flush timing: when to stop feeding near harvest

☑ Nutrient line (veg + bloom bottles)
☑ Feeding chart or schedule
☑ Measuring tools: syringe, pipette, or spoon
☑ pH and EC meters (optional but highly recommended)
☑ Clean water source
☑ Notebook or app to track feedings

Estimated Budget: $30–$120

Whether you're sprouting seeds or taking clones, strong roots are the foundation of a successful grow. The early days are delicate — your goal is to create a warm, humid, and stable environment that encourages healthy root development.

This section covers the tools and techniques to kickstart your grow the right way.

• Seeds germinate best in warm, moist (not soaked) conditions
• Use a humidity dome or plastic cover to retain moisture
• Clones need high humidity and low light while rooting
• Dip cuttings in rooting hormone or gel before planting
• Keep temps around 72–78°F (22–26°C) for fast rooting
• Don't overwater — roots need oxygen too

• Seeding: Paper towel method, root plugs, or direct sow
• Cloning: Cut from healthy mother, dip in gel, place in plug or aeroponic cloner
• Rooting: Maintain high humidity, mist daily, and wait 7–14 days for roots

☑ Starter tray or dome
☑ Root plugs or seed starter cubes
☑ Heating mat (optional but helpful)
☑ Rooting gel or powder
☑ Spray bottle
☑ Low-intensity grow light or CFL

Estimated Budget: $25–$80

From plant ties to trimmers, the right garden tools can save you time, improve plant health, and keep your grow clean and efficient. These aren’t fancy gadgets -- they’re the everyday essentials that make growing smoother from seed to harvest.

• Trimming scissors: For pruning, shaping, and harvesting
• Trellis netting / plant ties: To support and train plants
• Spray bottles or pump sprayers: For foliar feeding or pest control
• Gloves: For clean handling during pruning or harvest
• Measuring tools: For nutrients, pH adjusters, and foliar sprays
• Cleaning brushes / wipes: Keep your tools and tent clean

• Clean tools regularly with alcohol or diluted bleach
• Wipe down grow tent surfaces every 1–2 weeks
• Keep your trimmers sharp and sanitized
• Replace worn-out stakes, ties, or nets before the next cycle
• Organize your gear so it’s easy to access when you need it

☑ Trimming scissors or shears
☑ Spray bottle or pump sprayer
☑ Garden gloves
☑ Plant ties or trellis netting
☑ Cleaning wipes or isopropyl alcohol
☑ Small bin or drawer for tool storage

Estimated Budget: $15–$60

Training your plants is all about controlling how they grow -- encouraging bushier shapes, better airflow, and more even light exposure. Whether you’re using gentle techniques like LST or more advanced methods like SCROG or super cropping, plant training helps you maximize your space and harvest more from every plant.

• Topping: Cutting the main stem to encourage multiple colas
• FIMing: Similar to topping, but less precise -- may produce 3–4 new tops
• LST (Low Stress Training): Gently bending and tying stems to open the canopy
• Defoliation: Removing fan leaves to improve airflow and light penetration
• SCROG (Screen of Green): Using a trellis net to spread branches horizontally
• Super Cropping (advanced): Crushing stems to control height/stretch

Each technique has its place -- and many growers combine them for best results.

• Topping/FIM: When plants have 4–6 nodes (early veg)
• LST: Start in early veg and continue through stretch
• Defoliation: Light pruning throughout veg; heavier right before flower
• SCROG: Start weaving branches during late veg
• Super Cropping: During early flower to control height/stretch

☑ Soft plant ties or coated wire
☑ Garden stakes or clips
☑ Trellis netting (for SCROG)
☑ Gloves (optional)
☑ Training clips or LST anchors (optional but helpful)

Estimated Budget: $10–$50

A healthy grow starts with prevention. Pests and diseases like spider mites, fungus gnats, powdery mildew, and root rot can sneak in fast -- and ruin a crop if not handled early. This module gives you the tools and strategies to keep your plants healthy, resilient, and productive.

• Spider Mites: Tiny bugs that leave webs and speckled leaves
• Fungus Gnats: Small flies that lay eggs in wet soil
• Aphids & Thrips: Sap-sucking bugs that weaken plants
• Powdery Mildew: White, powdery fungus on leaves
• Root Rot: Caused by overwatering and poor drainage
• Bud Mold: Dense buds + poor airflow = disaster

• Keep humidity and airflow in check -- especially during flower
• Use sticky traps to monitor flying pests
• Water only when needed; avoid soggy soil
• Quarantine new clones or plants before introducing them
• Clean tools, pots, and tents regularly
• Use neem oil or insecticidal soap as a preventive spray
• Add beneficial bugs for organic pest control (e.g. ladybugs, predatory mites)

☑ Neem oil or insecticidal spray
☑ Soil drench for fungus gnats (e.g. mosquito bits)
☑ Beneficial microbes (e.g. Bacillus subtilis)
☑ Clean gloves and scissors
☑ Disinfectant for tools and tent surfaces

Estimated Budget: $20–$60

Even experienced growers run into issues — yellowing leaves, curling tips, nutrient burn, slow growth, spotting, or strange discoloration. The good news? Most problems have clear signs and simple solutions. This module helps you spot plant problems early, understand their causes, and fix them before they get worse.

• Yellowing leaves: Could be nitrogen deficiency or overwatering
• Purple stems: May indicate stress, cold temps, or magnesium issues
• Dark green, clawed leaves: Nitrogen toxicity (too much)

Leaf Damage & Deformities

• Brown spots: Calcium or magnesium deficiency
• Curling tips: Heat stress or nutrient burn
• Drooping leaves: Overwatering or underwatering
• Slow growth: Often pH imbalance or lack of light

• Mushy roots: Root rot (overwatering, poor drainage)
• Thin, weak stems: Lack of airflow or insufficient lighting
• Stunted plants: Can be due to pH, genetics, or rootbound pots

• Check your pH: Many deficiencies are caused by poor pH, not lack of nutrients
• Flush with clean water if you suspect nutrient lockout
• Raise your lights or dial down intensity to reduce stress
• Let soil dry between waterings to avoid root rot
• Keep a grow journal or use a tracker to spot patterns and changes

☑ Digital PPM/EC meter
☑ Cal-Mag supplement
☑ Clean water for flushing
☑ Grow journal or digital tracker
☑ Troubleshooting chart or mobile app

Estimated Budget: $25–$80

You’ve grown your plants from seed to flower — now it’s time to dry, trim, and cure them for maximum flavor, potency, and shelf life. Harvest is more than just chopping plants — it’s a process that requires patience, precision, and the right tools.

This step can make or break your final product.

• Harvest when trichomes are milky/cloudy with some amber
• Trim leaves before or after drying (wet vs dry trim)
• Hang in a dark room at 60°F / 60% humidity for 7–14 days
• Use hygrometers in jars to monitor curing RH (ideal: 58–62%)
• Burp jars daily during the first 1–2 weeks of curing
• Cure for at least 3–4 weeks for best results

• Wet Trim: Trim before drying for faster dry time
• Dry Trim: Hang whole plant and trim after drying
• Curing: Store buds in airtight jars, monitor RH
• Long-Term Storage: Use glass jars, CVaults, or vacuum-sealing

☑ Drying rack or clothesline setup
☑ Hygrometers (mini for jars)
☑ Glass jars or airtight containers
☑ Burp lids or humidity packs (optional but helpful)
☑ Clean gloves and scissors

Estimated Budget: $40–$150

Once your flower is properly dried and cured, it’s time to process it — whether that means trimming for presentation, extracting for concentrates, or prepping for long-term storage. Great results require clean tools, the right accessories, and an understanding of key techniques.

This section gives you what you need to take your flower further.

• Final Trim: Clean up buds for appearance and storage
• Sifting: Use screens or trim bins to collect kief
• Pressing: Use a rosin press to extract solventless concentrates
• Infusing: Prep flower for edibles, oils, or tinctures
• Storage: Use airtight containers to preserve aroma and freshness

• Use a trim tray to collect kief while you work
• Keep scissors clean with alcohol wipes or resin remover
• Use food-safe gloves when handling processed bud
• Sift gently to avoid contaminating kief
• Store trimmed flower in cool, dark, airtight containers

☑ Fine mesh screen or kief sifter
☑ Rosin press or pollen press (optional)
☑ Food-grade gloves
☑ Airtight jars or storage containers
☑ Alcohol or resin cleaner for tools

Estimated Budget: $40–$300+