One of the biggest debates amongst cannabis users is the subject of indoor vs. outdoor weed.
Some will tell you that indoor weed is more potent, while others claim outdoor marijuana is superior. The truth is, they’re all technically correct.
Small details determine the general quality of all marijuana. Anyone claiming one way is outright better than another isn’t entirely accurate, but many of the reasons they give are factual.
We’re going to unearth the truth about outdoor vs. indoor weed and show you why there’s no difference in most instances.
Let’s do a quick test. In the picture below, you see two Diamond Kush Strains. The only difference is that one plant is growing outdoors, and the other is developing indoors.
Can you guess which plant is outdoors? Read on to find out the answer.
If you’re guessing that strain A is the outdoor plant and B is indoors, you’re correct!
So, how is it this easy to differentiate one from another, and why do they look so different? Join us as we provide some indisputable facts and explore contrasting opinions.
Let’s delve in and work it out!
Indoor vs. outdoor weed: Let’s compare
The difference between indoor and outdoor cannabis is apparent in many ways. Most disparities are subject to variables, but some differences are indisputable. Let's take a look at how they compare.
Size
Size is a massive part of the discussion around indoor weed vs. outdoor. It’s one area where growing cannabis outside is indisputably different from inside cultivation. There are two main reasons for this; both have to do with space.
Growing outside means there are no spatial limitations compared to an indoor setup. Without a ceiling or walls, marijuana plants can reach as tall as 10 feet and get extremely wide.
A bigger plant generally leads to a greater yield. The extra quantity is worth considering if you’re trying to decide where to grow.
The lack of limitations below ground also plays a massive role in why weed gets so big outside.
The roots can only expand so much when using pots inside, which stops a plant from getting bigger. Outdoors, the roots develop much broader and deeper, so marijuana grows much larger than it does indoors.
Is indoor weed better? That’s subjective; what we can tell you is it’s smaller.
High and potency
Many cannabis connoisseurs claim the potency of indoor weed is higher, which isn’t technically correct.
Marijuana potency depends on how you grow it more than where. Various other factors determine the THC levels of a cannabis plant, from your growing ability to the strain.
Some tokers say the high from outdoor cannabis is better, but that’s a personal preference.
The debate over the indoor vs. outdoor weed high is similar to potency. Wherever you grow, your ability, personal preference, and the type of cannabis are the primary factors set in stone.
The high is different from the potency in that it refers to how you feel instead of how strongly it hits you. Many stoners claim a more natural buzz from using outdoor weed, but this is purely anecdotal.
Regarding indoor vs. outdoor weed, there’s logic to the notion that cannabis growing outside produces a more natural high. Avoiding external chemicals and allowing plants to derive natural nutrition from soil affects the experience.
It makes sense to feel a more organic buzz if you grow all-natural. The counter to this argument is that it’s possible to replicate outdoor conditions with an indoor set-up.
Much like potency, the level of high is determined primarily by the type of weed. Whether you grow sativa seeds indoors or outdoors, they’re still sativas. The same applies to indicas and hybrids. There are thousands of strains offering unique effects
Flavor
The flavor is another big talking point in this discussion. The taste of weed varies for many reasons. Let’s first look at some of the ways indoor growing can impact flavor:
- The quality of your water supply used for feeding indoor plants
- The nutrients you use and how well you flush them out
- Your choice of soil
- Using a hydroponic setup
Is hydroponic weed stronger? In short, no. The only significant benefits of cultivating this way are faster development times and higher yields.
You control the environment when growing indoors. Outdoors brings additional elements to consider concerning the flavor, such as:
- The climate you live in
- The quality of the soil in your location
- The rain feeding your crop
- Whether you choose to use external nutrients or just the natural minerals in the soil
Many of these circumstances are outside your control unless you live somewhere with the perfect climate.
There are ways to get around the conditions in poor climates, like using a greenhouse, where you choose the soil and nutrients. In that sense, there’s no difference between the taste of indoor and outdoor weed.
The type of weed primarily determines the flavor. If all conditions are the same, the strain influences how your weed tastes, whether harvested inside or outside.
Color
Color is one of the other fixed differences between indoor and outdoor weed.
Outdoor buds are generally a darker green and can turn brown if not dried and cured correctly. Indoor weed is usually bright, vivid green with many other exotic colors.
Indoor cannabis often has tints of purple, orange, red, and even blue throughout the bud. The wide array of hues is due to the chemical structure of the plant. Direct sunlight doesn’t allow for these colors to appear.
If you want to produce buds that are (almost) too beautiful to grind, check out our Purple Urkle feminized seeds.
Trichome development
Trichomes are the tiny, shimmering strands that make buds glisten. They also contain most of the terpenes and cannabinoids and dramatically contribute to the flavor.
This area of the debate is a decisive win for indoor growing. The potential for harsh conditions means there’s usually much less trichome development on outdoor plants.
Premium indoor weed generally has much more dense trichome development than outdoor cannabis. The trichomes are also an easy way to visibly differentiate outdoor vs. indoor weed.
Energy consumption
The biggest issue with indoor cultivation is the consumption of energy. The amount of electricity used to run an indoor grow setup can be astronomical. The good news is that the cost is reducing with the move toward LED light systems rather than HPS bulbs.
Lights aren’t the only difference concerning energy. Consider the amount we use just for air. From circulation to high-powered intake and heater fans, we use a lot of power!
When it comes to energy consumption, there’s no debate. Indoor weed requires far more electrical power and water than growing outdoors. There's no way around this if you want an expert indoor setup.
Is indoor weed better than the outdoor variety? Not in terms of energy consumption.
Environmental impact
Much like energy use, the environmental impact of growing indoors is much bigger than outdoor cultivation. The difference is night and day.
As we just covered, indoor cannabis production requires copious amounts of energy from fossil fuels such as coal and gas. The use of these has detrimental impacts on the environment.
Then there’s the issue of soil and water. Outdoor plants can rely on rain for hydration, and the earth is reusable. Harvesting indoors means the soil is unusable a second time. We’re also constantly drawing water from the environment unnaturally.
In this debate over two grow methods, the environmental impact is a clear pro in favor of outdoor cultivation.
Is outdoor weed stronger than indoor weed?
Regarding the strength of indoor weed vs. outdoor cannabis, let's explore which type is the most potent in more detail. It’s time to explain why the discussion is such a gray area.
The range of variables dictating the strength of a cannabis plant is vast. Here are some key examples of what can influence THC levels in weed.
- Your growing experience and techniques
- The quality of your indoor setup
- The climate and temperature
- The quality of soil in your region
- The rain you get
- Your choice of nutrients
If your indoor setup has the same conditions as outside, the results are the same. If the environment is identical, the strain is the only thing that differentiates any weed’s strength.
If you want guaranteed potent marijuana or specific effects, it’s all about the strain and how you tend to it. Indoor and outdoor weed plants thrive under set conditions, with lots of attention from the grower.
Cultivars with the same THC level can also produce different effects depending on their genotype and terpenes. The variations within strains outweigh all claims that outdoor marijuana is stronger than indoor or vice-versa.
If you’re looking for the most potent weed, go for seeds with a high THC content, like the classic Amnesia Haze Feminized seeds.
Perhaps you’re choosing to grow in your home? Once you know the strain you want, it's worth investing in specifically designed indoor cannabis seeds.
Wherever you decide to grow, give yourself the best chance with seeds intended for the purpose. They maximize all aspects of the plant’s development, and the benefits include stronger weed.
Indoor or outdoor growing: Does it affect quality?
Grow conditions affect the quality of cannabis plants significantly. Quality is another difference between indoor and outdoor weed cultivation worth noting.
There are many pros to growing outside, but indoor cultivation has massive advantages if done correctly. The ability to create and maintain the perfect environment for the entirety of the plant’s development is significant.
Growing inside with the right equipment and knowledge allows you to optimize every aspect of the plant’s potential. Here are some of the advantages that make it easier to maximize bud-quality compared to outdoors:
- You control the light in terms of time and intensity
- It’s easier to avoid pests and other diseases
- You can typically create the best soil in a controlled environment
- Regulating pH levels in soil and guaranteeing the perfect nutrient supply is elementary
- Unpredictable weather isn’t a concern unless your electricity goes
All these factors make achieving bud-perfection a bit easier than growing outside. It still doesn’t mean indoor weed is better, so don’t be put off sowing your seeds under natural sunlight. With the ideal climate, it’s possible to harvest premium quality buds too.
An outdoor operation usually has the benefits of consistent fresh and clean air. Constant ventilation is essential for ensuring quality and can be a little more challenging to organize inside.
There’s no definitive on which cultivation method produces better quality bud. If you have the perfect set-up and expertise, it’s difficult to argue against indoor weed. Having said that, If you’re fortunate to live in an ideal climate, your outdoor cannabis can be just as good.
As with all areas of cannabis cultivation, quality is relative, whether you’re growing indoor weed or outdoors.
Time to get growing
So, now you have the lowdown on growing indoors compared to outside. It’s impossible to say one is better than the other. In many ways, it just depends on what “better” means to you.
Wherever you’re growing, what matters most is choosing the right type of weed. Check out the best varieties, and find the ideal one to suit you.
To find the perfect strain for either indoor or outdoor growing, why not explore our incredible range here at Seed Supreme?
