How Much Weed Can You Get From Growing One Plant?

Growing cannabis at home is the best — you get spectacular buds, have complete control over the growth, and it's a fun hobby to invest some time in. 

And if you take it seriously, you can even scale it to a full-fledged business!

But many beginners have one common question — how much weed can you get from one plant?

An ounce? A pound or two? Is growing one plant enough to have all the fun?

The answer isn't so simple, though. All cannabis plants vary, and many factors are responsible for good yields.  

In this article, we take you through these factors to give you more clarity and even share some tips that can help you get a better yield for your cannabis plant.

General Yield From One Cannabis Plant

Gelato Auto from Fastbuds by Hawkbo

Many beginners often hesitate to grow cannabis plants because they don't want to invest in a full-fledged setup before gaining confidence. Moreover, not everyone has the space to grow too many cannabis plants. All they can think of is a small closet. 

In addition, if you have nosy neighbors or family that doesn't appreciate your hobby, growing a small plant in a closet may be your only option. 

But is it even worth growing one plant? Or, is it best to stick to dispensaries? The effort you put in to grow several plants or one cannabis plant is pretty much the same, except it's slightly easier to cultivate one plant. 

Perhaps you can make up your mind once you understand the amount of cannabis a single plant can yield. So, let's get to it. 

Many factors affect the bud's size, but you can expect at least 150 grams of buds outdoors if you grow a decent strain with good genetics. However, if you have no option other than cultivating indoors in a tiny closet, do not expect more than 40-50 grams per plant. If you get a small grow tent enough to fit one plant, the yields can significantly increase to 75-100 grams. 

Why do you find a difference between plants grown indoors and outdoors? Unlike indoor plants, outdoor plants get massive because they are not restricted by space and light.

Note that the weight of the buds will decrease as you dry them. This is also why you see growers mentioning wet and dry and weight. Cannabis buds, once harvested, can lose almost 70-80% of their weight. 

For example, if the buds weigh 100 grams at the time of harvest, or wet weight, they will lose 80% of their weight or lose all the water as they dry and cure. So, in the end, you may be left with 20 grams. 

Factors That Determine One Plant's Yield

Strawberry Star from Irie Genetics by GrowBandit

When growing cannabis at your home, you want high yield and high-quality buds, and while it can be a bit tough for a beginner, it's not impossible. 

Before we dive deep, remember — a bigger plant doesn't always mean bigger buds.

Strains, Genetics, and Breeders

Like any other living organism, the cannabis plant's development depends largely on genetics. Some strains naturally grow big buds, and some just don't.

For example, Sativa strains tend to grow tall and lanky, and Indica ones grow short and stout.

Even specific strains of cannabis vary in size and height. Blue Dream and Lemon Skunk are two terrific examples of cannabis strains with a high buds yield. On the other hand, strains that were first introduced years ago do not produce as much as the cultivars we see today.

So how do you choose strains that are likely to yield lots of buds, even if it's just one plant? 

Well, that's where the diaries come in. But, first, take a look at what works for other growers that grow and harvest buds from a single plant. 

A few examples include:

https://growdiaries.com/diaries/19793-first-grow-1-plant

https://growdiaries.com/diaries/23521-first-indoor-photo-chemdawg

https://growdiaries.com/diaries/13090-1-plant-test

https://growdiaries.com/diaries/34391-3x3-single-plant-scrog

As you can see, all strains are different. In addition, the growers have opted for different training methods, including SCROG, LST, etc. From their training techniques to the nutrients and lighting equipment used, there's a remarkable difference between all the growers. Some of them are beginners!

Coming to the yields, most of these growers have harvested anywhere from 2-10 ounces of buds in dry weight! 

So, as a starting point, check out seeds from Royal Queen, Big Buddha, Grower's Choice, and Crop King, to name a few. You can also browse through the seed bank to get a better idea. 

On a side note, you must remember that there will be a difference in the yields between photoperiod and autoflowering strains. While photoperiod strains take anywhere from 5-6 months from seed to table, including drying and curing, autoflowering strains are faster and take only 3-4 months. However, most autoflowering strains do not produce as much as photoperiod strains. 

That said, autoflowers are an excellent choice for those looking to grow just one plant in small spaces. Take this grow diary, for example. The grower has harvested almost 1.7 ounces of buds in dry weight with just one autoflowering plant and a 300W light. Therefore, if autoflowers interests you, Fastbuds is a good starting point. 

In conclusion, take a good look at all the breeders and then make your decision. 

Growth Duration

Another factor determining your cannabis yield is the growth duration, i.e., how long you allow the plant to grow between germination and harvest.

We recommend growing seeds in March rather than May, as it gives the plant two more months to grow big. And if you live in cold weather where you can't grow in May, you can cultivate the plant indoors in a controlled environment.

Light

Light is another variable that significantly affects cannabis yield.

If you grow your cannabis plant outdoors, the size depends on where the plant is located and how much light it receives every day. Ideally, your cannabis plant needs sunlight for at least 12 hours per day.

For indoor cannabis plants, it all depends on your lighting system. A small 200 W LED is only suitable for a small grow tent, but it's enough if you only want to grow one plant. 

Climate

Cannabis likes warm temperate climates to grow best. If you reside in a cold region, you may grow indoors. Or, you could check out your particular zone to see when to plant and grow plants like tomatoes. If you can grow tomatoes in your area, you can undoubtedly grow cannabis as well. 

If you live in a region where it rains during the fall season, you should grow plants ready to harvest by early October. However, for tropical weather, you don't need to worry.

Also, some strains grow better in particular climates — for instance, Indica strains like cold and dry weather but Sativa ones like warm and humid weather.

Soil Type

Lastly, the soil or growing medium and its nutrient content affect your cannabis yield. If you use soil lacking micro and macronutrients, your plant won't grow as big. But if you provide the right amount of nutrition solution to your plant on time, you can expect better yields.

Optimizing Yield

Blue Dream from Nirvana by ScottW

Even beginners can grow big buds as long as you provide the right conditions to your plants. 

It is simply a matter of providing the right growing conditions and using good strains to get better cannabis yields. And here are some tips to help you.

• Light:

Use at least 150-300 watts LED or HPS lights to grow one plant in a small area. If you're using HIDs or High-Intensity Discharge lights, use Metal Halides during the vegetative stage and switch to HPS lights during the flowering stage.

• Temperature and Humidity:

Ideally, your plant needs 22-28 C° with a relative humidity of over 40-70% during the vegetative stage. And during the flowering stage, the temperature can be constant between 20-26 C° while you should reduce the humidity to about 50%.  

• Nutrition and NPK Ratios:

Cannabis plants do well when maintaining a good pH balance between 5.5 to 6.5, depending on whether you're growing in soil or hydroponically. 

As the plants grow, they will need varying levels of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium or NPK. You can either buy commercial nutrients or use an all-purpose fertilizer containing all nutrients throughout its life cycle. 

• Training:

To make the most of one plant, train the plant using several techniques like LST, topping, etc., to get bigger buds. Both LST and Topping methods ensure that all parts of the plant get uniform light. 

• Genetics

As mentioned already, genetics plays an important role in producing better yields. For instance, you cannot expect good yields if you grow plants that tend to remain small. Plus, you cannot modify your plant's genetics, so we recommend that you always choose seeds that are ideal for your situation, preferences, and climatic conditions.

How Long Will the Buds Last?

Wedding Cheesecake from Fastbuds by Sincimilia

Wondering how long the buds you get from one plant will last? 

Well, this depends on the yield again. If your plant produces 150 grams at the time of harvest and loses about 80% water, you'll end up with 30 grams or 1 ounce. You possibly won't have enough to share with your friends, but most people get by with 1 ounce for at least a month. 

For instance, a gram of cannabis buds is enough for one joint. However, some users make two joints with just a gram by mixing it with tobacco. 

Users that don't use cannabis every day may use 1 ounce for a long, long time. But, as you can see, all of these factors are based on assumptions. Therefore, you will know the exact answer to this question once you grow some plants. 

Summary: How Much Weed Can You Get From Growing One Plant?

So, is it worth it to grow one cannabis plant?

Yes.

Absolutely. Don't believe me? The diaries speak for themselves. Thousands of growers, including beginners, are harvesting way more buds than you can imagine. If they can, you can do it too!

Your cannabis yield depends on several factors, and to get the best results, you must provide the right conditions to the plant to promote healthy growth. And, remember to be patient.

Lastly, keep practicing. A single cannabis plant is enough for most people, but only if the plant is taken care of and grown under the right conditions. And doing this takes a little practice.