Grow Tents: Benefits, Disadvantages, And Everything You Need to Know About Them To Grow Cannabis

There are many ways to grow cannabis. You can chuck a few seeds in your backyard and water your grass until a couple of cannabis plants pop up or you can take a leaf from NASA's book to grow aeroponics cannabis plants in your high-fi grow room. 

Most growers shift to indoor growing once they learn about the advantages. Sure, outdoor growing offers hefty yields, but it also comes with a lot of headaches, whether you have to deal with thieves or neighbors. Moreover, indoor growing offers control over the plants like none other. 

But if you want the benefits of an indoor setup without dedicating your bedroom to your plant, what do you do? The solution is a grow tent. These nifty boxes are excellent environments for cannabis plants to thrive in. 

One cannot underestimate the importance of a grow tent when growing indoors. The efficiency, versatility, and possibility to grow the best cannabis plants make them invaluable for both beginners and experienced users. 

Whether you're a beginner looking to grow his first few cannabis plants or an expert who's just shopping for new ones, we will cover everything from choosing the tent size to getting the best out of your grow tent in this article. 

Learn everything you need to know about grow tents and how to purchase one or even make your own in this article. 

What is a Grow Tent for Cannabis?

A cannabis grow tent is exactly what it sounds like; it's a tent-like structure that you can use to grow cannabis in your home. A grow tent features an ideal environment for the cannabis plant to thrive, and it keeps you from redesigning the entire grow room to suit your plant's climate. 

Grow tents come in all shapes and sizes; some are small enough to fit in a closet and some are so large they can accommodate even the largest cannabis species. They also come in various configurations — not just plastic boxes — most high-quality grow tents feature air exchange vents and other ports for water, power, and other peripherals. 

High-quality grow tents are also made of special materials that keep the light inside the grow tent, ensure complete darkness during dark hours, and make it much easier to maintain the temperature and humidity levels within. 

What are the Benefits of Using Grow Tents?

Grow tents offer various benefits for indoor cannabis growers, including beginner and experienced growers alike. So, if you are planning to grow cannabis in your home, grow tents are worth considering. But what are these benefits?

Here are some major benefits of using grow tents to grow cannabis:

• Affordable

One of the best aspects of grow tents is their affordability. Starting at $100, small grow tents offer an option for both beginners and experienced cannabis growers. You can reduce the cost further by building your own DIY grow tent, but it's not necessary as you won't save much if you're going to build a small tent. The best option is to go with a premade grow tent as a beginner. However, the rates will increase if you choose bigger grow tents, so you can try and build your tent if you want to grow multiple plants. 

• Optimal Growing Conditions

Grow tents provide controlled environments that allow you to create the best conditions for growing your precious cannabis plants. With features like lighting, ventilation, and humidity control, you can fine-tune the environment according to your plant's specific needs. Ultimately, catering to the plant leads to great yields and improved quality. 

• Protection against pests and pathogens

Since grow tents are enclosures, they keep most pathogens and pests away from your plant along with dirt and dust. This physical barrier promotes a healthier growth environment; Although it doesn't mean that the plants are immune to pests, growing in a grow tent is much better than cultivating it without any protection. 

• Helps with discretion

Grow tents are great for those who want to maintain discretion as the enclosed design allows you to cultivate cannabis without drawing attention. Cannabis plants release a lot of odor (fragrance, to most of us) depending on the stage of growth. Even during the vegetative stage, a non-user can easily identify that you're growing cannabis. Thus, discretion is very important. 

If you want to avoid this, you can include carbon filters or scrubbers that effectively neutralize and control cannabis odors. This ensures that the surrounding environment remains free from any smell associated with cannabis cultivation, so people won't be able to tell if you're growing tomatoes or cannabis. 

• Insulation

Some grow tents also offer insulation features that add a layer of control over the growing environment. This will help in areas with fluctuating temperatures as it helps maintain an optimal climate inside the tent, thereby reducing the need for excessive heating or cooling measures.
With this, you can maintain optimal growing conditions throughout the year.

• Helps separate the mother plant 

Grow tents offer versatility to accommodate plants in various stages of growth. This is very beneficial for those who want to clone their plants. However, since you'll be cloning photoperiod plants (autoflowers can be cloned too but it's not worth it) that depend on the light to progress into the flowering stage, you'll need a separate space for the mother plant. 

A grow tent allows you to do this and clone as many plants as you want. You can use a grow tent for the clones and a small cabinet for the mother plant. Or, you can use a grow tent with a separate enclosure for the mother plant — just customize it any way you want. 

• Contains and maximizes light

Grow tents are specifically designed in such a way that it contains and maximizes light. The reflective material ensures that light is bounced back onto the plants minimizing loss so that all parts of the plant get uniform light. This way, the plants use more of the light, which is a crucial resource when you're growing plants indoors. In addition, the efficiency of your lighting setup increases, resulting in better photosynthesis and overall plant development.

• Space efficiency

One remarkable aspect of grow tents is their design which allows growers to grow plants even with limited space. The compact and enclosed structure allows you to cultivate plants effectively. Also, these tents are designed to support the installation of growing systems so you can cultivate layers of plants within the same footprint.

• User-friendly and portable

Grow tents are user-friendly and often come with instructions for assembly, making it easy for you to set up and start growing plants in a matter of a few hours. They are portable too, so you can rearrange your growing space or move the tent whenever needed. This portability is especially beneficial for people who rent their space or have limited growing areas.

• Reducing water usage

As grow tents are enclosed, they minimize water evaporation to a certain extent. This can be more beneficial if you grow in hydroponic or soilless setups as you can conserve more water that way. Also, this means that you don't have to water your plants very frequently. All you need to do is set up a schedule and stick to it. 

In short, the advantages of using grow tents go beyond saving money. They include control over the environment, protection against pests, discreet cultivation, insulation, and the ability to accommodate mother plants. These factors together create a more efficient experience for cannabis growers even if you're a beginner. 

Disadvantages of Grow Tents

Cannabis grow tents offer excellent features, but they are far from perfect. They do have a few downsides, such as the following:

• Not affordable for big setups

While cannabis grow tents offer many features it's important to consider the cost factor. Yes, we mentioned that they are cheap, but that only applies to smaller grow tents. Depending on the type and specifications of the grow tent, you could end up spending a lot of money. The more elaborate your setup, meaning more grow lights, fans, etc., the more expensive it gets. Naturally, the costs get higher if you want to grow too many plants at once. 

That's why, it's important to plan and consider your budget before cultivating cannabis. However, this doesn't mean that you should start with the cheapest and try to scale up later. This way, you'll have to buy too many grow tents. So, go with an average size after considering the space you have and you can switch to newer tents after using it for about 2-3 years or when it starts deteriorating. 

• Space requirements

Despite their compact design, grow tents still require space in your home. Finding an area that accommodates your needs may be challenging, especially if you have limited living space. You don't want to buy a huge grow tent only to find out that it doesn't fit in. To overcome this problem, consider factors like the size of the room, ventilation options, and ease of access. Planning ahead is crucial to incorporate the grow tent into your living space without causing any inconvenience or disrupting your routine.

• Limitations on plant capacity

One thing to keep in mind about grow tents is that they have a capacity when it comes to accommodating plants. This can be problematic if you want to grow several plants. To increase production, you'll have to invest in bigger grow tents that can increase the costs at the end of the day. With bigger grow tents, you'll have to face challenges in increasing the ventilation and airflow, so you'll have to invest in bigger fans and ventilation systems to keep the system up and running. Again, this leads to more costs. 

• Height issues

The size of a grow tent increases in proportion to the height and length. So, if you purchase a small grow tent, you'll have problems with the height. And, if you purchase strains that tend to grow tall, you'll not be able to control the height. While some tents offer options for adjusting the height, these adjustments may not be enough for sativas or strains that grow vigorously. Thus, try and invest in a grow tent that offers proper vertical height. You can tackle this problem by training your plants so they don't stretch too much during the flowering stage as well. 

The cons aren't as many, but they are worth considering when growing cannabis. If you are okay with the cons, you should try growing cannabis in grow tents — you'll be surprised by the results they produce. 

What Factors to Consider When Purchasing a Grow Tent?

When you shop for grow tents, the first thing you're likely to experience is confusion. Grow tents come in so many types and varieties, it's easy to get confused. So, to ensure you pick the right one for your cannabis operation, here are a few factors that you should consider. 

• Grow Tent Cost 

One of the first things you should consider is your budget — how much are you willing to spend on your grow tent? You can purchase grow tents for as cheap as $100 and can go up to thousands of dollars, depending on the model and its specifications. 

It's not that the cheap tents lack crucial features or are bad inherently; cheaper grow tents come with basic features like Mylar lining, inlets and outlets, and observation windows, but the quality can be a bummer. You may even need to be creative with a cheaper grow tent. 

If you want to avoid all that headache, you should pick the more expensive ones. They come with the best features and minimize your effort. Again, it's all about your spending appetite. 

• Grow Tent Materials 

Grow tents come in various constructions. Here, one of the important ones is the outer tent material. It must be tough and long-lasting. Another crucial element of a grow tent is the inner wall lining, which needs to be reflective and lightproof. Apart from that, everything else is fairly basic. 

Here are some of the most popular reflective materials that are used in grow tents:

• Aluminum Foil 

Aluminum foil is 55% to 60% reflective and hence it is the cheapest option. Cheap grow tents tend to come with aluminum foils lined on the inside. The downside of aluminum foil is that it won't produce excellent results and will eventually start tearing, especially if you are not careful. 

This is not a bad thing. If you are a first-time cannabis grower, this shouldn't be a concern. The benefits you get from improving light distribution within the grow tent aren't big for new growers. Plus, aluminum foil grow tents are cheap, making them an excellent option for beginners who want to learn the ropes of growing cannabis. 

• Emergency Blankets 

Have you ever seen people wrapped in a shiny blanket after they've almost drowned or suffered an accident? That's an emergency blanket — it has 70% reflectivity and is meant to stabilize people by trapping their body heat in colder regions. 

They also come in handy for grow tents, thanks to their high reflectivity. They are more reflective than aluminum foil and are relatively cheap to purchase. Most grow tents won't feature emergency blankets, but you can opt for this if you have to DIY your grow tent or add a reflective layer to your store-bought grow tent. 

• Mylar Film 

Mylar is the most common material used in grow tents with a reflectivity rating of 90% to 95%. This film is highly reflective and relatively cheap compared to panda or orca films. The only downside of mylar is that it is delicate, so you need to be careful with it and it does require a bit of maintenance if you want to extend its life to multiple growing seasons.

• Panda Film 

Panda film has a high reflectivity rating of 85% to 95%, and this film is white on one side and dark on the other — hence the name. The white side is highly reflective and faces inside the grow tent and the other part faces outside to keep the light out. 

Panda film is a common material used in store-bought grow tents because it is highly reflective and tough — it can withstand the abuse cannabis growers tend to throw at the grow tents — very normal. The downside? Panda film is expensive, so grow tents that use it also tend to be on the higher side of pricing. 

• Orca Film 

Orca film is very similar to panda film — the same type of black/white construction and similar reflectivity ratings. However, they are one of the toughest materials for grow tents so they can last years with minimal maintenance. 

As a result, orca film is expensive and not worth it for many beginners. Unless you're sure you want to use a single grow tent for many seasons, orca film is probably overkill. But if you are in the mood to splurge and want something that will last a long time, you can never go wrong with orca film.

• Grow Tent Size

One of the most important aspects when choosing a grow tent for growing cannabis is the size of the tent itself. This can be a difficult process if you are new and what do you do if your goals change after one season?

Nonetheless, you need to pick a size that shows the most promise and stability in the long run. For this, you need to figure out what kind of cannabis plant you are growing in terms of its size, the training methods you plan to use, and how tall is your cannabis plant likely to grow. 

Once you have this figured out, you will know how many square meters of space you need and you can pick a tent accordingly. Inversely, you can pick a tent that fits your space — whether it is an attic or a closet — and figure out which plant will grow best in it later. It's the same process as picking the right refrigerator for your kitchen. 

• Grow Tent Features 

You can have your grow tent be as high-tech as you want it to be, but they don't need to be since it's possible to grow a decent cannabis plant with basic features. However, you should never compromise on some basic features, such as the following:

• The grow tent should be lightproof, so there should be no light leaks at all. This is the most important feature or you'll risk revegging the plants when they have reached the flowering stage. Also, having a lightproof tent is not great just for photoperiod plants, but for autoflowers too. The more light the grow tent contains, the better the plants grow, so this should be the first feature you should look for when choosing a grow tent. 
• The grow tent must have a sturdy frame that can support the hanging grow lights, fixtures, fans, and all the other peripherals it will support — look for the minimum weight ratings — otherwise your grow tent will collapse due to weight 
• Ventilation is crucial for a healthy cannabis plant, so make sure the grow tent comes with a good number of air exchange ports — you need at least two, one for inlet and one for exhaust 
• A decent entrance so you can access your plant easily; otherwise, you'll be too busy fighting the grow tent than focusing on your plant 
• A grow tent is likely to be discreet, so it should come with accommodations for odor control like a carbon scrubber built within 
• If you are splurging, look for a grow tent that can be automated with timers and pumps 
• Enough ports for power extension cables, so you are not left with too many loose cables without an electrical supply 

How to Build Your Own Grow Tent?

Do you want a big grow tent but only have a budget for a small grow tent? Worry not — you can always DIY cannabis grow tents and save some money. It will take time and effort, but the process is totally worth it. Here is a comprehensive guide on building your own grow tent.

Things You Need

The first step is to gather the supplies for your DIY cannabis grow tent. Here are the things you will need:

• PVC Pipes

PVC pipes will make the skeleton of your grow tent and are super important. For this, there's a simple formula to use. You need to measure the dimensions of your grow tent and calculate how long the PVC pipes should be to create the basic structure. Generally, the best starting point is using at least 15 meters if you want to build a grow tent that is 1 x 1 x 2 meters in dimensions. 

Apart from that, you should have at least 10 3-way elbows with three inputs and 6 T-joints. 

You can also use wood for the skeleton but we don't recommend it as wood can go bad fairly quickly in a humid environment and is a lot harder to work with. This is best suited for massive grow tents, where PVC may not support all the weight of the grow lights and peripherals. 

• Lightproof Materials 

You'll need a material to cover the skeleton; this should serve the dual purpose of keeping the outside light out and maximizing the indoor light exposure for the plant. We have listed the materials in the above section, so pick one that suits you best. 

Avoid aluminum foil and emergency blankets here because they are not so good. Instead, invest in mylar film, and if you can, you can never go wrong with panda film, either. Orca film should be reserved for experienced growers looking to maximize the life of their grow tents. Remember, you can always upgrade to orca film later!

• Air Exchange Peripherals

Next, you'll need to ventilate the grow tent. For this, you at least need an intake fan and an exhaust fan. Depending on the size, you can even get away with a few computer fans. You can go a step further and invest in a small oscillating fan that will be kept within the grow tent along with carbon scrubbers. 

• Grow Lights 

Next, you need to pick grow lights. You have a few options here:

1. CLF lights for beginners as they are cheap, easy to use, and don't heat up a lot 
2. HPS or CMH lights for expert growers who don't mind maintaining the lights and controlling the heat produced from them 
3. LED lights are the best for growing cannabis but can be fairly expensive, but they work well for both beginners and expert growers

• Waterproof Material 

You will need to line the grow tent's floor with a waterproof material so any spilled water does not damage your house or get into the wiring. For best results, you can use plastic or rubber, and if you are sure there won't be a lot of water spillage, you can also use drip pans. 

• Other Materials

You'll also need some other materials, such as:

• A hacksaw to cut the PVC 
• A lot of duct tape and zip ties 
• Tape zippers 
• HVAC foil tape 
• Clips and clamps 
• Box knives 
• Duct collars 
• Tape measures 

Part One: Build the Skeleton

To keep things simple, we will be focusing on a small grow tent that is 1x1x2 meters in dimension, but you can rework the measurements to suit your liking. The basic steps remain the same. For part one, let's build the skeleton.

Follow these steps:

1. Cut appropriate-sized PVC sections 

• 8 sections for the base and ceiling frame 
• 4 pieces for the vertical poles that connect the base and ceiling frame 
• 3 pieces as support bars that will attach to the top frame 

2. Construct a square base using the 4 pieces and attach them using a 3-way elbow with three inputs
3. Take two of the four pieces you will use for the top frame and measure where you want bars for support to be, cut the pieces, and reconnect the pieces using T-joints
4. Then, make a square frame for the top and install the three support bars to the T-joints. Don't forget to remeasure since T-joints can add a couple of inches to the structure 
5. Connect the base and ceiling frames with the four pillar pieces and ensure they are sturdy 
6. Cut panda film in the same size as the bottom and place it under the frame with the reflective side facing inward — add the waterproof layer under the panda film — use duct tape to secure the reflective film to the frame

Call it a skeleton, frame, or chassis for your cannabis grow tent — it is ready.

Part Two: Cover the Frame of the DIY Grow Tent

Now, we'll start covering the grow tent frame with panda film or other material of your choice. Follow these steps:

1. Hold the reflective film to the frame and clamp the top of it to the top PVC pole; make sure the reflective side is facing inward 
2. Gently wrap the reflective material around the frame until three sizes are covered well — be very gentle as the material, while touched, is still delicate to harsh handling 
3. Secure the ends of the reflective material with duct tape — start from the top and work your way down and outward. Ensure you don't leave any gaps — cover each side with tape so no air escapes — you need a complete seal 
4. Add another layer and repeat the steps; this time, secure the material with HVAC tape as it blocks light from leaving the tent and is as good as duct tape at sealing the tent 

Part Three: Build a Door 

Here, you'll build a door for your grow tent so you can easily access your plants. Follow these steps:

1. Cut two sections of the reflective film that you're using — make sure the two pieces are longer on the sides and overlap the film on either side of the “door” — the overlapped part will be used to cut out air exchange holes 
2. Use duct tape to install the first reflective material layer followed by another layer that you'll secure with HVAC tape. Leave some slack at the top so you can pass cables through to the grow lights 
3. Lay two sections of reflective film on the base, with no wrinkles, and use duct tape to secure the edges all around 
4. Secure with HVAC tape to the frame's open side and ensure there is overlap on either side 
5. Figure out where you will stick the sticky zipper over the piece you just installed to make a door 
6. Attach the sticky zipper to the reflective material you fixed in Step #4
7. Unzip and cut the reflective material between the zipper using a box knife and secure the layers you just cut with HVAC tape 

Your DIY grow box is almost ready. 

Part Four: Add the Air Exchange Vents

Finally, you need to add vents to the grow tent you've just built. Follow these steps:

1. On either side, there will be a lot of place that has four reflective film layers thanks to overlapping 
2. Secure the reflective film to the frame with duct tape — pick a size between 4 to 6 inches 
3. Once the duct tape frame is ready, make two diagonal cuts within the frame  
4. Push the duct collar from within so it pushes the cut panda film outside the tent
5. Tape the collar and ensure no light passes through to prevent light leaks 
6. Hang an exhaust fan within the tank and connect it to the output collar you just installed 
7. Follow the same steps on the other side, hang an intake fan within, and attach it to the second collar you installed
8. Position your grow lights on the top support bars and secure them 
9. Connect the power cords of the fans and grow lights to a power strip at one corner
10. Place a drip tray at the bottom 
11. Secure and seal any holes or gaps in the grow tent except for the zipper door

Congratulations, your grow tent is ready. 

Summary: Grow Tents: Benefits, Disadvantages, And Everything You Need to Know About Them To Grow Cannabis

Grow tents are excellent structures that can support a healthy cannabis plant by creating a microenvironment that has the right kind of light, temperature, humidity, et al. 

These structures come in a variety, so pick the one that suits your goals the best without breaking the bank. And if you want to save some money and want a setup that's specially tailored for your space, preferences, and plant, you can always DIY it. All it takes is one afternoon and a couple of cold ones to make a do-it-yourself grow tent. Just make sure you stay patient and use the right steps to make one.