Outdoor, Greenhouse, Indoor? What’s The Difference?

May 11, 2023

As consumers have gotten more informed about the world of cannabis, they might know about different strains, terpenes, and consumption methods. However, when it comes to cannabis produced in different growing environments, many people make some false assumptions. Many users assume that indoor cannabis is the best, while outdoor cannabis pales in comparison, but this is not always the case.

There is no “best” type of cannabis, and each growing environment has its own unique advantages and liabilities. The final choice comes down to the individual consumer and the cannabis experiences that they desire.

Methods Of Growing Cannabis

Growing methods for cannabis are divided into three distinct groups, namely:

Indoor (grown with light manipulation)
Greenhouse (sun-grown with monitored light deprivation)
Outdoor (full-term sun-grown)

Each method of cannabis cultivation has its own strengths and weaknesses – which one you will use depends on your unique user preference.

Indoor Grown Cannabis

When growing cannabis indoors, the grower has full control of the whole production process. This includes complete control of room temperature and air-circulation, both of which are important for preserving the qualities of the specific plant. Artificial light is also manipulated to make sure that the plants rest when necessary and boosts growth towards the end of the plants’ growth cycle.

However, this advantage has the potential to turn against the grower. If your grow room becomes contaminated with toxins, the impact spreads much faster since all the plants are kept together in a small environment. When growing cannabis indoors, you should keep an eye on your CO₂ levels and the appearance of your plants for signs of CO₂ poisoning. Other issues to look out for include leaf spotting, mildew, blight, canker, root rot, and wilting.

On the other hand, some of the newer and stronger cannabis strains grow much better within controlled indoor environments. Since the majority of strains on the market are hybrid plants, most cannabis retailers prefer the extra control and safety provided by growing cannabis indoors.

Skunk #1, Big Wreck, and Strawberry Haze grow best within fully controlled environments and produce dense buds with a bunch of trichomes.

Pros Of Indoor Grown Cannabis

Every choice or process that would normally be dictated by nature can now be controlled by the grower
Allows the grower to fine tune the flavour profile of the flowers
Denser buds with more trichomes
Usually very potent as the trichome ratio is much bigger than the foliage ratio
Can be grown at any time of the year
Safest option for growing hybrid strains
Most discreet method of growing cannabis

Cons Of Indoor Grown Cannabis

Takes a lot of time, money, and effort
Requires high-quality equipment that will have to undergo maintenance and repairs
Often has a higher selling price
Plants have to be monitored constantly
Pests spread much faster in controlled indoor environments

Greenhouse Grown Cannabis

Growing cannabis in a greenhouse allows growers to use natural sunlight as well as light deprivation. Growers can cover their greenhouses with tarps to block out sunlight when necessary, which can trick the plants into growing at a faster rate.

Furthermore, the use of natural sunlight supports the plant to keep its full and natural terpene and flavour profile. Even though indoor cannabis plants grow full and big with artificial lighting, there are some major differences in the terpene-concentrations when compared to plants that are grown in natural sunlight.

Greenhouse grown cannabis also has a much smaller impact on the earth’s natural resources, making it more sustainable and better for the environment. Cannabis grown with natural sunlight takes a lot less energy than using artificial lights and fans necessary for indoor cultivation. The light deprivation used in greenhouses produces a high-quality cannabis plant, which has a much smaller impact on the environment than indoor cultivation does.

However, indoor growers have the advantage of growing cannabis year-round, while greenhouse growers have to work around different climates and seasons. This may yield production at various points during the year.

Jack Flash, Northern Lights, and Tahoe OG flourish in greenhouses since they can grow to be very big, have developed a resistance to mould and most pests, and can withstand slight temperature fluctuations with ease.

Pros Of Greenhouse Grown Cannabis

Exposure to natural sunlight with the ability to manipulate light sessions for full terpene profiles
Combines the advantages of indoor and outdoor growing methods
Reduces the ecological impact of growing cannabis
Plants are protected from external environmental conditions (wind, heavy rain, storms)
Moderately discreet method of growing cannabis

Cons Of Greenhouse Grown Cannabis

Plants are still bound to seasonal sun cycles, which can yield growth
Growers have to time their production and harvests perfectly
Does not give the grower as much control over conditions as indoor growers
High humidity is more likely to present as an issue in greenhouses where it is not carefully monitored, which can damage the plant

Outdoor Grown Cannabis

Full-term outdoor cultivation is the most inexpensive and natural way to grow cannabis. There is no need for artificial lights, fans, or tarps. Outdoor growers only need tents, natural sunlight, and soil.

This can also be a bit of a disadvantage as plants cannot be protected from natural elements such as wind, temperature and pests. This exposure can have a detrimental impact on the quality of the flowers that are produced.

On the flip-side, outdoor flowers will always get exposed to a broader and more intense spectrum of light. This allows the plant to fully express their genetic potential and yield more intense flavour profiles.

Strains such as Critical Mass, Sour Diesel, or Killer Queen are great for outdoor growing as they can easily withstand intense heat and produce a big yield.

Pros Of Outdoor Grown Cannabis

Produces big and full plants with huge flowers
Most inexpensive growing method
Expresses fuller and more complete terpene/flavour profiles
Most environmentally friendly cultivation option

Cons Of Outdoor Grown Cannabis

May not present as visually appealing as other methods (due to natural elements)
Plants are at a higher risk of not surviving the season due to constant exposure to natural elements with no protection
The use of pesticides may alter the flavour and purity of the produce
Directly accessible to pests and animals
Least discreet method of growing cannabis

When choosing the “best” cannabis, it all comes down to your personal preference. Outdoor, greenhouse, and indoor cannabis growing methods have distinct advantages and disadvantages, so the best method depends on what the grower can afford, work with and what they want to achieve. Be sure to check out Cannarite for cannabis-related products, accessories, and informative articles.