Marijuana Growing Supplies

Are you looking for the best marijuana growing supplies? You have come to the right place! Hydroponic growing is more popular than ever before. There are several reasons for this phenomenon. First, gardeners are becoming aware of the many benefits of using hydroponics instead of soil-based growing. Increased yield, the speed of production, and the quality of crops are just a few notable advantages. Secondly, there are more hydroponic options on the market than ever before. These products improve by the day. Lastly, the desire to grow marijuana is stronger than ever, thanks in part to legalization and societies’ changing attitudes towards cannabis. Marijuana growing has become a popular gateway to the world of hydroponics.

While it is certainly possible to grow cannabis outdoors and in a soil-based medium, indoor hydroponic weed is a popular choice for hobbyists. This option is more discreet and less reliant on the whims of Mother Nature. Indoor marijuana growing conditions are tightly controlled by the grower to ensure they remain optimal. This gives hydroponics an edge over soil-based cannabis cultivation.

If you are new to hydroponic cannabis, the most common question is, “which marijuana growing supplies are needed to get started?” We have searched for the most essential marijuana growing supplies, tools, products, and equipment and listed some of the best options here.

Hydroponic Systems for Growing Marijuana

The first consideration on your marijuana growing supplies checklist is choosing a hydroponic system. Hydroponic cannabis can be grown using a variety of techniques, including Ebb and Flow, Deep Water Culture (DWC), Drip, Nutrient Film Technique (NFT), and aeroponics. There is no correct system to use, so you are free to choose the hydroponic system which suits your growing environment and time limitations.

While some cannabis growers construct their own DIY hydroponic systems, the easiest option is to purchase a hydroponics kit. We compare a variety of different hydroponic systems and kits in our “Hydroponic Weed System” page. This page includes a variety of the best hydroponic systems for growing marijuana, so be sure to read this before choosing your other marijuana growing supplies. Here are a couple examples from the page:

Best Grow Mediums for Growing Marijuana

Hydroponics uses soilless grow media to suspend roots of cannabis plants. Cannabis grow mediums act to support the plants and to keep roots oxygenated and hydrated. These mediums are inert and do not possess any form of nutrients. They act only to suspend roots as nutrient solution floods the grow bed.

The most popular grow mediums for marijuana include clay pebbles (also referred to as LECA and Hydroton), coco coir, rockwool, oasis cubes, perlite, and vermiculite, to name a few. Each media has slightly different properties, but most function just as effectively for cannabis as for other types of plants. See our Hydroponics Growing Medium page for more information. Note that – if you purchase a marijuana growing system – grow media may be included with the kit. Here are a few examples of mediums you may consider using for growing weed:

Nutrients for Growing Marijuana

In hydroponics, nutrients are mixed with water, forming the nutrient solution. This nutrient-rich water is essential for the health and hydration of the cannabis plant’s roots. The main nutrients in plant fertilizers are nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P), and potassium (K), and are labeled according to the values of these three key elements. For example, a fertilizer labeled 2-1-6 means that there are 2-parts nitrogen, 1-part phosphorus, and 6-parts potassium. Nitrogen is especially important during the vegetative, foliage stage of the plant, whereas phosphorous and potassium are more essential to the flowering stage.

See our Best Nutrients for Hydroponics page for more information.

Optimal N-P-K Values for Growing Marijuana

Most marijuana fertilizers contain other nutrients besides N-P-K. These including calcium, magnesium, sulfur, as well as the important micronutrients of zinc, iron, manganese, molybdenum, chlorine, cobalt, silicon, boron, and copper.  While organic nutrient solutions are natural and tend to produce fragrant weed, most hydroponic marijuana growers prefer synthetic (chemical) fertilizers. Why? Synthetic nutrients make cannabis grow faster, increase the potency of marijuana buds, and they are less prone to clog-up your hydroponic system. With that said, here are a few of the most popular nutrient solutions for growing hydroponic marijuana (including an organic option):

Marijuana Grow Lights

During the vegetative stage of growth, cannabis growers should provide lots of light to their plants (14 up to 24 hours of light). During the blooming stage, we recommend alternating between 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness. There are very few locations which provide this amount of natural sunlight. Therefore, grow lights are a necessary component of your marijuana growing supplies shopping list.

Choosing the best grow lights for marijuana is a difficult task. There are many great options on the market these days. LED (light-emitting diode) lights are a top choice for cannabis cultivators because they produce quality cannabis, high yields, electrical efficiency (i.e., cheaper per wattage vs other lighting choices), and do not overheat. Besides LED lighting, cannabis growers may opt for fluorescent lighting (including CFL and T5 lights), or High-Intensity Discharge (HID) (including Metal Halide (MH), High-Pressure Sodium (HPS), Ceramic Metal Halide (CMH), and Light Emitting Ceramic (LEC) lighting). While each type of grow light has its strengths, LED lighting – or a combination of LED and HID – is the most popular choice for weed growers.

We created a comprehensive list of the best LED grow lights for your consideration. See our “Best LED Grow Lights” page for reviews and ratings of each light. Here is one example from our page:

Timers for Marijuana Grow Lights

Grow light timers are often overlooked on marijuana growing supplies checklists. Nobody wants to flip a switch every time a grow light needs to be turned on or off. Fortunately, grow light timers can do this work for you. Just program the timer for the specific times you want lights to switch on/off, then go about your day without worrying about this aspect of growing cannabis.

Climate Control and Ventilation for Growing Marijuana

Thermometer

When growing marijuana indoors, proper temperature and air flow are crucial for achieving maximum yields. Typically, an optimal range for cannabis is somewhere between 68-77 degrees (20-25 Celsius).  Anything higher than this range will speed the metabolism of the plants and requires higher inputs of water, carbon dioxide, nutrients, and lighting. Consider adding a thermostat to your marijuana growing supplies (if you don’t already have one).

Humidity Gauge (electric hygrometers)

Cannabis plants perform best when humidity levels are somewhere between 40-70%.  Optimal humidity levels are higher at beginning stages of growth and lower as the cannabis approaches harvest. Low humidity causes transpiration (plants use water at a higher rate). On the other hand, keeping humidity too high runs the risk of fungus. Thus, adhering to the cannabis humidity guidelines is recommended. Electric hygrometers are a good choice for marijuana growers because they give precise readings of humidity in the growing environment.

Ideal Humidity Range

Carbon Dioxide for Growing Marijuana

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is essential for the photosynthesis process of cannabis growing. Without it, cannabis risks not growing at all. When plants are cultivated outdoors, nature provides a CO2 reserve of 300-500 ppm. However, this level fluctuates indoors and should be monitored.  Raising CO2 levels to 1000-1500 ppm can greatly increase marijuana yields. Thus, marijuana growers often supplement their growing spaces with CO2 tanks and emitters.

Ventilation

Cannabis growers use ventilation and exhaust systems to move oxygen and CO2 within their growing space. Solutions can be as simple as osculating fans, while more serious venting utilizes inline fans and ducting. Speed controls can also be used to regulate airflow.

Marijuana Odor Control

Exhaust fans help with removing odors in the growing area. However, they may not be adequate enough to eliminate the strong, skunky odor of cannabis in the rest of your home. Luckily, there is a solution to this common problem. Carbon binding filters are devices which effectively sucks in air, runs it through carbon filtration, and then releases odorless air back into the room.  This also decreases heat and mold spores in the cannabis grow area. Many hydroponic weed home growers consider carbon filters a must-have item on their marijuana growing supplies checklist.

Marijuana Grow Tents

Grow tents are a sensible addition to anyone’s marijuana growing supplies. These enclosed areas are great for keeping everything you need in a contained space. Temperature and humidity can be more adequately controlled, and grow lights work at a more efficient state. This is because grow tents are comprised of reflective materials (mylar lining) so the light hits cannabis plants from all sides. Most grow tents are made of thick, durable fabric, heavy-duty metal framing and have vents for easy access and air flow. Many models have fixtures for hanging grow lights within the tent.

Marijuana pH Testers, Adjusters, and Meters

The pH is a measurement of acidity in a solution, ranging from 0 (acid) to 14 (alkaline). 7 is considered neutral. Weed grows best when pH is around the 5.5 to 6.5 range, meaning marijuana likes a slightly acidic environment. Monitoring pH should be done routinely to ensure the proper conditions for your plants. Simply mix in pH-adjusters to keep acidity in the optimal range. We also recommend testing your water before adding to your hydroponic system.  Tap water (if you use it) should contain 400ppm or below, nutrient water 400-800ppm, and DWC reservoir water 400ppm-1000ppm. A TDS meter can help you determine these readings.

We hope that you found this marijuana growing supplies list helpful. Best of luck on all your hydroponic cannabis growing adventures!

Featured image by Lenny Montana (modified)