How To Grow Cannabis Outdoors (with Pictures) - WikiHow

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How to Grow Marijuana Outside: A Step-by-Step Guide Download Article Everything you need to know about growing marijuana outdoors Co-authored by Aaron Justis

Last Updated: October 7, 2025 Fact Checked

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• Choosing a Location
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• Starting & Transplanting Plants
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• Maintaining Your Plants

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This article was co-authored by Aaron Justis. Aaron Justis is a Cannabis Expert and the President of Buds & Roses dispensary based in Los Angeles, CA. Buds & Roses is a premier Los Angeles cannabis retailer serving customers and the LA community since 2006. Since 2010, Aaron and the Buds & Roses team have been the proud recipients of 26 High Times Medical Cannabis Cup awards, including multiple first-place victories, solidifying their reputation as a top provider of premium cannabis products. As a recognized thought leader in the cannabis industry, Aaron has played a pivotal advocacy role in the Cannabis community. His thought leadership has attracted attention from mainstream media, including features and profiles in notable outlets such as CNN and Variety. There are 21 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 398,835 times.

Growing marijuana outdoors produces a higher yield, gives your buds a unique flavor, and is far less energy-intensive than using indoor grow lights. Outdoor cannabis plants can grow up to 14 feet (4.3 m) tall and produce 4–8 pounds (1.8–3.6 kg) of quality weed per plant–and it’s not rocket science to grow cannabis outdoors. We’ve put together a comprehensive guide to tell you everything you need to know about picking a location, germinating marijuana seeds, and maintaining your crop to get the highest possible yield with advice from cannabis expert Aaron Justis.

How to Grow Cannabis Outside: Quick Tips

Start cannabis plants inside with clones or seeds. Transfer them outdoors when temperatures are above 70°F to a spot with 5-6 hours of direct sunlight per day. Water your plants weekly, and stake them as they grow for stability. The buds should be ready to harvest in the fall.

Steps

Part 1 Part 1 of 3:

Choosing a Location to Grow Bud Outside

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1. 1 Follow your local, state, and federal laws on growing marijuana. Some regions require you to participate in a medical program in order to grow marijuana, register your plants, and/or limit the amount of plants you grow. Verify the exact regulations on the number/size/maturity of your plants before you start growing legal cannabis. Look at local regulations, as well–many cities may not allow you to visibly grow marijuana.
   • States that allow growing marijuana (with restrictions): Alaska, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, Oregon, Vermont, Washington D.C.
   • States that allow growing marijuana for medical purposes (with restrictions): Arizona, Hawaii, Illinois, Missouri, Montana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Rhode Island
2. 2 Grow in a location that's 70-85°F (20-30 °C) during the day. That's the ideal range for cannabis growth.[1] However, cannabis plants can comfortably tolerate weather down to 60 °F (16 °C) during the day, with cooler temperatures at night. After temperatures drop below 45 °F (7 °C), the plants won’t do well. For that reason, start your growing cycle in spring to avoid dealing with harsh cold weather.[2] Advertisement
3. 3 Pick a spot with 6 hours a day of direct sunlight and 5-6 hours of indirect sunlight. Sunlight stimulates growth, while darkness regulates the plant’s flowering cycles. Marijuana plants need around 6 hours of sunlight a day to grow well.[3] If you live in the Northern Hemisphere, pick a spot with southern exposure to maximize sunlight. If you live in the Southern Hemisphere, pick a northern-facing location.[4]
   • Try to remove shade-creating obstacles from your garden.
4. 4 Blend your soil medium with perlite for better drainage. You can use either soil or coco coir as your primary growing medium. Choose coco coir if you live in a hot environment, since coco coir’s loose structure lets it soothe roots and prevent heat stress. No matter your potting medium, mix it with perlite for a 70% soil/coco coir to 30% perlite ratio.[5]
   • Perlite is a mined volcanic glass that prevents the soil from getting too soggy.
5. 5 Use growing containers if you need to cap your plant size. Some states might restrict the size of your plant, and restricting the root space with a container will limit how big the plant grows. Choose breathable fabric growing containers rather than plastic ones.
   • Breathable containers allow more oxygen to get to the roots to promote growth and overall healthier plants.
   • Pick a larger container if you want a larger plant and a higher yield. 10–20 gallon (38–76 L) pots are standard, but you can get 100 gallon (380 L) pots.
   • Growing in containers also lets you have more control over the soil (if you want to use a proprietary soil blend).
6. 6 Grow your cannabis in the ground to maximize your yield. Planting your cannabis in the ground allows the roots to spread out so the plant can reach its maximum size (and therefore produce the most buds). Space the plants 6 feet (1.8 m) apart so that you don’t end up with overcrowding.[6]
   • Plant your cannabis in raised beds alongside vegetables for a stealthier approach.
   • Keep in mind you’ll have to water your plants daily. If you’re planting far from your own property, try to plant near a water source.
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Part 2 Part 2 of 3:

Starting Pot Plants & Transplanting Them Outside

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1. 1 Begin with clones to guarantee you get female plants. Female plants are the only ones that produce buds. If you start from seed, you’ll have to prune away the male plants “before they pollinate the whole crop and turn it into a seed crop instead of a flowered bud crop,” advises Justis.[7] Clones are also easier for newbies because they’re already-sprouted cuttings, so you don’t have to worry about germination or dealing with delicate seedlings.[8]
   • Justis adds, “The male plant just looks a little different. It can be a little thicker. It can get a little taller…You have to basically just check them and make sure they're not starting to produce seed pockets.”[9]
   • The downside to clones is that you can inherit pests from the original plant. Clones have a secondary system of roots instead of a taproot, which many believe makes the plant less stable.
   • Depending on your region, you might not find the strain you want available in cloned plants.
   • Starting with clones shaves roughly 3-4 weeks off the growth timeline.[10]
   • Sativa grows taller and is better suited to outdoor growing than indica.[11]
2. 2 Start from seed if you want to produce specialty strains. For instance, if you live in a hot environment, you might want heat-tolerant seeds of the sativa, Haze, African, or Hawaiian variety.[12] Look for seeds labeled “feminized,” which are better for first-time growers, recommends Justis.[13] Feminized seeds (in contrast to autoflower or regular varieties) are guaranteed to produce buds, and they have a higher yield due to the longer growing cycle.[14] “Seeds are still probably more popular in general because clones are harder for people to get their hands on,” adds Justis.[15]
   • From seed to harvest, the growth cycle will take roughly 5 months.[16]
   • Germinate your seeds on a moist paper towel in a plastic bag. Let the bag sit in a sunny spot for a few days. Once you see a root come out of the seed, poke a hole in the soil of a 2 inch (5.1 cm) container. Put the seed in with the taproot facing down and lightly cover it with soil.[17]
3. 3 Harden your seedlings or clones by gradually introducing them to the outdoors. Plants grown from seed are ready for the outdoors when they have at least 5 full leaves. Transplant your plants into 1 gallon (3.8 L) containers.[18] Move the plants outside for direct sunlight and fresh air in the early mornings and late afternoons for 1 month. After 1 month, they should be acclimated to the strength of direct sunlight and ready to be transplanted outdoors.
4. 4 Dig a hole, place the root ball of the plant in it, and fill it with soil. Transplant your cannabis outdoors. To transplant your plant, gently water the soil and dig a hole about ⅓ deeper and ⅓ wider than the root ball of your plant.[19] Turn the pot containing your plant upside down, and support the weight of the plant as you pop it out of the container. If the roots are tightly bound together, gently pull them apart with your hands to encourage growth. Place the plant in the hole, backfill the hole with soil, and water the plant until the soil is moist but not flooded.
   • Squeeze the container sides if you’re having a tough time getting the plant out.
   • The root system of a cannabis plant is sensitive, so be very gentle as you handle it.[20]
5. 5 Stake your plants to add stability as they grow. Install a heavy-duty tomato cage to stake your plant when you transplant. Add 4 metal T-post poles around the outside of the container, bed, or growing area.[21] Then, lay 1 wire horizontal trellis across the top of the tomato cage and another that will act as a “roof” for the top of the poles. Finally, add outer wire caging around your 4 poles to create “walls” that will support the flowering plant.
   • Buy T-posts that are 6–10 feet (1.8–3.0 m) tall, depending on the eventual height of your plant.
   • Use heavy-duty, vinyl-coated wire caging with 4–6 inch (10–15 cm) square holes for the caging.
   • The caging walls should sit 1 foot (0.30 m) above the ground or container.
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Part 3 Part 3 of 3:

Maintaining Your Cannabis Plants Outdoors

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1. 1 Water your cannabis plants weekly (for most climate zones). As a rule of thumb, when the soil is dry 1 inch (2.5 cm) down, it’s time to water. For rainy climates, add more perlite, gravel, or clay pebbles to the soil if you’re concerned about fungus and overwatering.[22]
   • If you notice your soil is wet or moist, you may be overwatering.
   • Consider setting up drip irrigation on a timer to make your life easier.
2. 2 Add a high-nitrogen fertilizer every 3 weeks during the vegetative phase. In terms of the growth timeline, that means you’ll apply high-nitrogen fertilizer until mid-summer. Once the plant enters the flowering phase, switch to a high-phosphorus fertilizer to promote bud growth.[23]
   • Standard fertilizer is often called NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium).
   • The ideal NPK ratio for the vegetative period is 6-3-9. For the flowering period, change the NPK to 3-6-9.[24]
   • When you buy commercial fertilizer from your local garden store, it’s regulated and shouldn’t affect the safety of your buds. Just wear gloves and rinse off after applying it to avoid burns from the concentrated nutrients.[25]
   • Mixing your own nutrients might result in a nutrient imbalance or deficiency.
   • However, if you’d like to try an organic fertilizer, you can try manure, compost, fish emulsion, or worm castings.
3. 3 Prune the outer 30% of major new shoots every week. Cannabis plants can grow up to 12 feet (3.7 m) tall, and your state may regulate the height of your plants. Furthermore, pruning can create a bushier shape which encourages more side shoots, in turn encouraging more buds.[26] Clip off shoots with clean, sharp cuts at a 45° angle.[27]
   • Stop pruning by mid-summer or you’ll interfere with bud production.
   • Pruning increases airflow and light exposure.[28]
   • Always remove any yellowing, dead, or dying leaves where disease could take hold.
4. 4 Prevent pests from eating your buds. Apply Bacillus thuringiensis sub. kurstaki (BTK), a naturally occurring bacterium safe for humans and pets, just before bud season to prevent budworms. If you suspect an infestation, check for budworm caterpillars (also called tobacco budworms) in the evening. Remove any caterpillars from the buds and discard infected buds. [29]
   • Sprinkle diatomaceous earth around your plant to ward off fungus gnats and other pests naturally.[30]
   • Plant rosemary, marigold, and basil around your weed, as these act as natural insect repellents.
5. 5 Harvest when the wispy “hairs” turn reddish-brown. For people in the Northern hemisphere, that means you’ll harvest around October. Cut the buds from the plant with 6–8 inches (150–200 mm) of stem below each bud.[31]
   • Hang the buds by their stems to dry for a week.
   • Cut the buds off the stems and save them in a glass jar. They’re now ready to use!
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References

1. ↑ https://www.growweedeasy.com/temperature
2. ↑ https://www.ilovegrowingmarijuana.com/growing/growing-extreme-climates/
3. ↑ https://modernfarmer.com/2018/08/how-to-grow-cannabis-in-your-garden/
4. ↑ https://www.ilovegrowingmarijuana.com/growing/marijuana-outdoor-basic-light-needs/
5. ↑ https://www.ilovegrowingmarijuana.com/growing/growing-extreme-climates/
6. ↑ https://modernfarmer.com/2018/08/how-to-grow-cannabis-in-your-garden/
7. ↑ Aaron Justis. Cannabis Expert. Expert Interview
8. ↑ https://news.green-flower.com/do-you-prefer-growing-cannabis-using-clones-or-seeds/
9. ↑ Aaron Justis. Cannabis Expert. Expert Interview

More References (22)

10. ↑ https://growithjane.com/cannabis-plant-life-cycle-stages/
11. ↑ https://www.cnbs.org/cannabis-types/sativa-vs-indica/
12. ↑ https://www.ilovegrowingmarijuana.com/growing/growing-extreme-climates/
13. ↑ Aaron Justis. Cannabis Expert. Expert Interview
14. ↑ https://modernfarmer.com/2018/08/how-to-grow-cannabis-in-your-garden/
15. ↑ Aaron Justis. Cannabis Expert. Expert Interview
16. ↑ https://howtogrowmarijuana.com/how-long-does-it-take-to-grow-cannabis/
17. ↑ https://news.green-flower.com/how-to-germinate-cannabis-seeds/
18. ↑ https://www.nuggmd.com/blog/cannabis-transplanting-101
19. ↑ https://youtu.be/sn_z9FDUNCo?t=97
20. ↑ https://youtu.be/h6sisuWxi7M?t=98
21. ↑ https://youtu.be/MEDLpmNGmPs?t=810
22. ↑ https://ilovegrowingmarijuana.com/growing/outdoor-marijuana-growing-watering-tips-and-techniques/
23. ↑ https://modernfarmer.com/2018/08/how-to-grow-cannabis-in-your-garden/
24. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8635921/
25. ↑ https://www.respectmyregion.com/when-to-use-cannabis-nutrients/
26. ↑ https://modernfarmer.com/2018/08/how-to-grow-cannabis-in-your-garden/
27. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrlXnipXcIc&t=158s
28. ↑ https://news.green-flower.com/how-to-prune-marijuana-plants/
29. ↑ https://www.cannabisbusinesstimes.com/article/tomorrow-in-cannabis-5-common-outdoor-cannabis-cultivation-problems-tips-solve-them/
30. ↑ https://www.growweedeasy.com/cannabis-plant-problems/fungus-gnats
31. ↑ https://modernfarmer.com/2018/08/how-to-grow-cannabis-in-your-garden/

About This Article

Co-authored by: Aaron Justis Cannabis Expert This article was co-authored by Aaron Justis. Aaron Justis is a Cannabis Expert and the President of Buds & Roses dispensary based in Los Angeles, CA. Buds & Roses is a premier Los Angeles cannabis retailer serving customers and the LA community since 2006. Since 2010, Aaron and the Buds & Roses team have been the proud recipients of 26 High Times Medical Cannabis Cup awards, including multiple first-place victories, solidifying their reputation as a top provider of premium cannabis products. As a recognized thought leader in the cannabis industry, Aaron has played a pivotal advocacy role in the Cannabis community. His thought leadership has attracted attention from mainstream media, including features and profiles in notable outlets such as CNN and Variety. This article has been viewed 398,835 times. 30 votes - 80% Co-authors: 13 Updated: October 7, 2025 Views: 398,835 Categories: Planting and Growing

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