Growing cannabis doesn’t always require a full room or a large garden. With the right techniques, you can successfully cultivate healthy plants in even the tightest spaces.
What Is Micro Growing?
Micro growing is the practice of cultivating cannabis in very small spaces, such as cupboards, closets, or even converted computer towers. Instead of reaching heights of 80–120 cm (about 2.6–3.9 feet) like a typical indoor plant, micro-grown cannabis usually stays between 20–40 cm (about 8–16 inches) tall. The goal is simple: grow discreet, compact plants without sacrificing quality.
While yields are naturally smaller, micro grows still produce high-quality flowers when supported by good genetics, proper lighting, and careful attention.
Why Consider Micro Growing?
Micro growing offers several advantages for people who don’t have space for a traditional setup:
- Fits anywhere: Even a small cupboard or corner can be converted into a micro grow.
- Lower costs: Smaller pots, fewer nutrients, and minimal lighting keep expenses down.
- Discreet: Tiny setups draw less attention than larger grow tents or outdoor grows.
- Faster cycles: Plants can be flipped to flower earlier, allowing more harvests per year.
- Beginner-friendly: Managing one or two small plants is easier than handling a full grow room.
How to Set Up a Micro Grow
Getting started doesn’t require much equipment. Here are the basics:
- Containers: Use pots with a capacity of around 3 liters (about 0.8 gallons U.S.) to naturally limit root growth and plant size.
- Lighting: Opt for small LED grow lights. They run cool and prevent burning when placed close to the canopy.
- Ventilation: Drill a few holes for airflow or use a small fan to reduce humidity and mold risk.
- Reflective surfaces: Line the space with Mylar or aluminum foil to maximize light exposure.
- Water and nutrients: Small pots dry out quickly, so check daily. Use less fertilizer than the bottle instructions suggest, since plants are smaller.
Where Can You Micro Grow?
- Closets or cupboards: The most common option; simply clear a shelf and add lighting.
- Computer towers: A creative, discreet choice with built-in fans for ventilation.
- Mini grow tents: Purpose-built options with ventilation ports and reflective walls.
- Stealth boxes: Commercially available, insulated to reduce odor and noise.
Managing the Bloom Phase
Unless you choose autoflowering seeds, you’ll need to adjust the light cycle to trigger flowering. Many growers switch from 18 hours of light to 12 hours once plants are around two weeks old. This early flip keeps the plants short while still producing quality buds.
Autoflowering strains are often preferred in micro setups since they switch to flowering automatically without needing light cycle changes.
Techniques to Improve Yields
Even small plants can benefit from training techniques:
- Low-Stress Training (LST): Bend and tie down stems to encourage horizontal growth.
- Topping: Cut the top of the main stem to encourage the development of additional bud sites.
- Defoliation: Remove some leaves to improve light penetration.
- ScrOG (Screen of Green): Train plants under a small screen to keep them flat and maximize canopy coverage.
High-stress training methods (like super cropping) are not recommended for autoflowers, but can be tried with photoperiod strains.
Best Strains for Micro Growing
Some strains are naturally compact and adapt well to limited spaces. Here are three popular choices:
- Royal Dwarf: A Skunk hybrid bred to stay small while still producing dense, potent buds.
- Auto Banana Blaze: Fruity, indica-dominant, with strong yields even when restricted.
- Auto Blackberry Kush: Produces colorful purple flowers and delivers a relaxing body buzz.
Autoflowering strains are particularly recommended for micro grows, as they require less management and tend to be shorter by nature.
Final Thoughts
Micro growing allows enthusiasts to enjoy cultivating cannabis at home without needing a spare room or outdoor space. With a small pot, compact light, and careful attention, you can harvest high-quality buds from a plant that fits inside a cupboard or desktop case.
Growing small doesn’t mean compromising on quality; it just means working smarter with the space you have.