GROWING

Vegan Cannabis Growing: How to Grow Veganic Weed Without Animal Products

Blood meal, bone meal, guano: most fertilizers aren't vegan. Here's how to feed your plants with compost, alfalfa and minerals instead.

BY CosechaLibre Editorial6 MIN READ

What does vegan mean?

Being vegan means not using or eating anything that comes from animals, and a vegan (or "veganic") cannabis grow takes that into the garden: no blood meal, bone meal or guano, only plant- and mineral-based nutrients. That includes avoiding any edible or consumable animal by-product, and refusing to use or buy animal-derived products of any kind, from clothing to bags to jewelry.

Is weed vegan?

Not always. Cannabis is a plant, so you'd think it's free of animal products, but most standard fertilizers contain animal-derived ingredients, so weed is only truly vegan when it's grown "veganic," with plant- and mineral-based nutrients.

Most of the fertilizers recommended for the different stages of a cannabis grow contain animal-derived nutrients. So even if you're not smoking animal parts directly, the bud you're inhaling may have grown with help from animal by-products in the fertilizer. Technically, that means weed grown that way isn't 100% vegan. It's extremely hard to find out exactly which fertilizers commercial growers use, so if you want a vegan grow, your best bet is to do it yourself.

Photo: CosechaLibre.com

What is vegan cannabis?

So what makes weed vegan, and how do you grow it? Step one is to stop using any fertilizer that contains or relies on animal products at any point in growing your plants.

That's easier said than done, because the vast majority of common fertilizers contain a wide range of animal sources, like pig and chicken blood, worms, bone meal and all sorts of manure or guano. There's a reason all the top-rated fertilizers use them: they work really well.

Finding a fertilizer with none of those ingredients can be a bit of a hunt, but it's doable.

How do you make homemade vegan nutrients?

The best way to control what your weed plants are eating is to make your own compost. You can do it with a bunch of stuff you probably toss in the trash every week, so it costs next to nothing. Here are some vegan ingredients you can throw in the compost pile:

Seeds
Plant scraps
Fruit peels and scraps
Grains
Loose tea leaves
Dolomite lime
Rock dust
Wood ash

Alfalfa meal is a plant-based substitute for blood meal, which is often added to commercial fertilizers to boost nitrogen in the soil. One of the most popular vegan methods is a good compost tea, made by steeping compost in aerated water to get an extremely nutrient-rich fertilizer.

Fans of vegan fertilizers also say they improve bioavailability, meaning how much of the nutrients the plant can actually absorb. The idea is that synthetic fertilizers hit the soil as something foreign, while the organic nutrients are closer to what plants would encounter in nature, so they're taken up more easily and leave the soil richer and more fertile.

Cannabis bud on grass

Does vegan weed taste different?

In theory, yes. Vegan weed is said to be much cleaner than non-vegan weed because it leaves a lot less residue when you smoke it. With fewer industrial fertilizers in the mix, vegan bud is often described as smoother and less harsh on the throat.

More and more veganic strains are winning awards for their rich, standout flavors.

How many types of cannabis plants are there?

There are several kinds of cannabis plants, each with its own traits. They're classified by genetics and growth habits, as well as by the cannabinoids and terpenes they produce. Even though there are countless strains, three main types stand out:

Cannabis sativa:

This type tends to grow tall and lanky, with long, slender leaves. Sativa plants usually have a longer flowering period and can reach serious heights. They're associated with more energizing, euphoric effects.

Cannabis indica:

This type is usually shorter and more compact, with broader, denser leaves. Indica plants have a shorter flowering period and tend to be hardier. They're associated with more relaxing, sedating effects.

Cannabis ruderalis:

A less common type found mainly in northern regions. It's known for being tough and for flowering regardless of the light cycle (photoperiod). Breeders often cross it with other strains to create autoflowers.

Each type has its own traits and associated effects, so growers and consumers can pick what best fits their preferences and needs.

How do you grow weed?

You can grow weed indoors or outdoors, and either way it takes some care and the right conditions to get healthy, high-quality plants. Here are the basic steps:

1. Pick your location:

Decide whether you'll grow indoors or outdoors. Indoors, you'll need a suitable space with enough light, ventilation and temperature control. Outdoors, choose a spot with plenty of direct sunlight and nutrient-rich soil.

2. Choose your seeds:

Pick quality seeds of a strain that suits your preferences and needs. Different strains have specific traits in terms of effects, flavor and yield.

3. Germination:

You can germinate seeds between two damp paper towels until the taproots pop out, or use other methods like soaking them in water or using peat pellets (Jiffys).

4. Prep your growing medium:

Get the right growing medium ready for your plants. You can use soil, peat or coco mixes, or a hydroponic system, depending on your preferences and experience.

5. Planting:

Transplant the sprouted seedlings into your growing medium, making sure they sit at the right depth and have enough space between plants.

6. Lighting:

Give your plants the right light for growth and flowering. Indoor growers usually use high-pressure sodium (HPS) lamps or LED grow lights designed for cannabis.

7. Watering and feeding:

Keep your watering balanced, avoiding both overwatering and underwatering. Provide the essential nutrients, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, plus micronutrients, according to each growth stage.

8. Pest and disease control:

Keep a close eye on your plants to catch and treat any pests or diseases. Use organic methods or targeted pest-control products, following the manufacturer's directions.

9. Flowering and harvest:

Control the light cycle so your plants switch to flowering at the right time. During this stage they'll develop buds, which you should harvest once they're mature, usually when the pistils (hairs) and trichomes hit their peak.

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