How to Grow Weed in a Small Space: Strains, Watering and Training for Micro Grows

You can grow weed in a small space, like a closet, cabinet or corner of an apartment, by picking compact indica or autoflower genetics, watering by hand and training your plants with LST, topping, ScrOG and defoliation so they grow wide instead of tall. Growing cannabis in tight quarters is more and more popular with growers who want to make the most of every inch, whether you live in a small apartment, a house without much room, or just want a low-key, discreet grow.

From choosing low-growing strains to using vertical growing or plant training, you can adapt your setup to maximize efficiency and pull off a successful grow, no matter how small your space is.

Choosing the right type of cannabis plant for a small grow

When it comes to growing weed in a small space, picking the right type of plant is crucial. There are different kinds of cannabis (sativa, indica, sativa- or indica-leaning hybrids, and autoflowers), each with traits that affect its size and how you grow it.

Depending on your space and your experience as a grower, you'll want genetics that suit your setup best.

Growing sativas in a space with low ceilings

If your grow space doesn't have much height and you don't have an air-cooled reflector like a cool tube, it's best to skip sativas. They tend to grow much taller, so the tops can end up touching the bulb, getting burned and ripening poorly.

A glass-shielded reflector, on the other hand, lets you bring plants closer to the light without burning them, so you make better use of the height you have.

Small-space grows with SOG and a low-power 250 W light

When height is limited, indicas or autoflowers are the way to go. Indicas grow more compact and dense, so you can get a solid yield in a small space without sacrificing quality or quantity. Autoflowers are also a great pick here thanks to their manageable size and how fast they flower.

If you have a grow cabinet, you've got more freedom in strain choice, since the environment is more controlled and lets you manage space more efficiently, without limiting your seed options.

Growing techniques for small spaces

Once you've picked the right strain for your small space, you need to decide which growing technique to use. There are several popular ones, but some are a better fit for small grows.

Conventional growing

One of the most common approaches is a conventional grow, with 12 to 16 plants per square meter (about 11 sq ft). It's ideal if you want a less intensive grow and like keeping things under control from the start.

This kind of grow doesn't call for complicated pruning or tying, just a couple of transplants into bigger containers and, in some cases, trimming the lower branches and staking each plant to hold up the weight of the buds.

Indicas, which are more compact, usually double in size during the first two weeks of flowering, which makes it easier to estimate their final height and avoid problems down the line.

If you have 1.5 meters (about 5 ft) of height to work with, make sure you figure out how tall your plants can get so you don't run into trouble mid-grow.

How to water cannabis plants in a micro grow

Watering weed plants in a small indoor micro grow can be tricky because of the limited space. Plan ahead and leave enough room around the base of the plants to make watering easier. When you water, avoid splashing the leaves and buds, since that can lead to mold problems and hurt your plants' health.

Watering strategies for tight spaces

If you're growing in a space so small you can't move around or get in a comfortable position to water, make sure you can pull the plants out to water them. That makes watering more efficient and also helps keep your grow area tidy and free of excess humidity.

Since micro grows are so small, you usually don't need an automatic watering system. Instead, water by hand with a watering can or a small bottle.

It might take a bit more time and patience, but it gives you much more precise control over how much water each plant gets, which is crucial in such a tightly controlled environment.

Plant training techniques for a cannabis micro grow

Micro grows usually call for smaller, bushier plants. To maximize yield in tight spaces, it's key to use specific training techniques like LST (low-stress training), HST (high-stress training), ScrOG (Screen of Green) or defoliation. Here are some tips for adapting each one to a micro grow.

LST (Low-Stress Training)

LST is a super useful technique in small spaces. In a micro grow, the goal of LST is the same: open up the plant and improve light penetration. But in a tight space, you need to think carefully about which direction the plant grows so you get the most out of your light. By bending and tying down branches, you can control vertical growth and spread out your bud sites across a limited area.

HST (High-Stress Training)

High-stress training techniques like topping, super cropping and FIMing can be trickier in a micro grow, but they're not impossible. In grow spaces with low height but enough width, super cropping or FIMing early on can help you build a low, even canopy with fat colas. These techniques make the plant stronger and, just like LST, let you steer growth where you want it to make the most of your light and space.

ScrOG (Screen of Green)

ScrOG is another training technique that's perfect for micro grows. It uses a screen to train your plants into an even canopy. In narrow vertical spaces with side lighting, a vertical screen can be extremely effective at maximizing light exposure.

Or, in a small horizontal space like a closet, ScrOG can create a thick, even canopy that's ideal for maxing out your bud yield at harvest.

Defoliation

Defoliation is essential in a micro grow, especially in narrow vertical spaces with side lighting. By stripping away unnecessary leaves, you make sure every part of the plant gets enough light, which helps it build big, dense buds. It's key to maximizing yield in small spaces, since it lets light reach every productive part of the plant.