The Differences Between Indoor and Outdoor Cannabis

Cannabis evolved to grow naturally under the sun, but in the legal cannabis industry, indoor-grown cannabis is much more common. But is there really a difference in flower quality and the overall cannabis experience? This guide takes you through the differences in how indoor weed and outdoor weed are grown, the benefits of each, and some great outdoor-grown New York flower brands to try.

How is cannabis grown indoors?

Cannabis is grown indoors under large grow lights in carefully controlled environments. This way, plants are always in ideal lighting, airflow, temperature, and humidity conditions that promote steady, healthy growth. Indoor grow facilities often have special rooms for each stage of the plant’s life cycle, tuned to temperature, lighting, and other specifications for optimal growth at that stage.

Cultivators often use hydroponic or organic soils to maximize the likelihood that their plants are generating enough energy and nutrients for excellent growth. Irrigation systems are important, too — without them, the cannabis plants in an indoor setup might not get enough water.

Notably, growing cannabis in a greenhouse doesn’t count as indoor growing, despite the plants technically being housed in a human-made facility. Instead, greenhouse growing setups fall under the outdoor category.

How is cannabis grown outdoors?

Cannabis is grown outdoors at specific temperatures and at times of year with ample sunlight. At least 12 hours of sunlight per day, including six hours of direct sunlight, are necessary, as are daytime temperatures of 70°F to 85°F. If it’s weather that you associate with winter thawing but summer not yet arriving, it’s perfect for outdoor cannabis.

Some cultivators grow cannabis outdoors in pots instead of directly in the ground, which is the typical sun-grown setup. This arrangement allows cultivators to bring their cannabis plants indoors if outdoor conditions become unfavorable, and it may make for easier watering as well.

Achieving optimal outdoor conditions often results in larger cannabis plants. When a cannabis plant is larger, it yields more flower. This greater yield is great for cultivators, who may get more flower within a smaller footprint.

Why some cannabis lovers prefer indoor flower

Indoor and outdoor cannabis alike provide excellent experiences, but for some people, a few things about indoor flower may make it slightly preferable.

Cost

Although outdoor setups often yield more flower per plant, indoor setups are often far larger in scale. At these grand scales, the cultivator may be able to reduce the cost per pound. Since there’s more to sell, each unit can go for less at the dispensary.

THC content

Some people who are passionate about indoor flower say that it’s higher in THC than outdoor flower, though there’s minor disagreement about this. Nevertheless, those drawn to cannabis primarily for THC content may prefer indoor flower over outdoor flower.

Abundance

Some cannabis lovers choose indoor-grown flower simply because it’s far more readily available. Indoor flower is grown year-round, whereas outdoor flower may only be available at certain times of the year.

Consistency

It is extremely difficult to achieve the exact same THC, minor cannabinoid, and terpene levels from harvest to harvest. While far from easy, it’s more likely in an indoor environment because the precise growing conditions are tightly controlled at every level. Outdoor growers can’t control the weather.

Why some cannabis lovers prefer outdoor-grown flower

Though not exactly easy to find, outdoor-grown flower may suit you if any of the below is especially important to you.

Flavor and aroma

Outdoor flower is often richer and more complex in flavor and aroma. In no way does this mean that indoor flower is dull or bad. It’s more that outdoor flower takes everything great about indoor flower’s scent and taste and elevates it.

The explanation for this comes down to terpenes, a class of naturally occurring plant compounds. These compounds, of which 150 to 400 may exist in cannabis, are the reason why your cannabis might smell like berries, cheese, or gasoline. Some say that outdoor cannabis has a higher percentage of terpenes than indoor-grown flower, although there are multiple factors that affect terpene development in the plant. This may be because terpenes are less likely to degrade in an outdoor environment.

Minor cannabinoids and the entourage effect

Cannabinoids — the plant compounds in cannabis that interact with the endocannabinoid system, thereby strongly influencing the effects you experience — are also prone to less degradation in outdoor setups. Although indoor cannabis may be richer in THC, minor cannabinoids such as cannabigerol (CBG) may be more prevalent in outdoor cannabis. If you want to experience the full range of cannabinoids found in flower, it may be worth reading the test results from outdoor-grown cannabis.

Environmental impact

Growing cannabis outdoors doesn’t require the energy usage associated with indoor setups. For this reason, outdoor cannabis is generally more eco-friendly, making it popular among shoppers who prioritize sustainability.

That said, this benefit to outdoor flowers assumes that growers aren’t using pesticides and non-organic compounds. If they are, then their cannabis is instead unsustainable.

5 outdoor-grown New York cannabis brands

Since so many more cultivators grow indoors than outdoors, it’s worth spotlighting New York’s handful of outdoor-grown brands. Explore these five brands if you want to see what the outdoor-grown hype is about.

Hudson Cannabis

Based in the Hudson Valley two hours north of New York City, the woman-owned brand Hudson Cannabis uses organic living soil to grow heritage seeds and yield naturally top-quality flower. Through its regenerative, closed-loop farming practices, which aren’t yet common in cannabis cultivation, the brand minimizes its environmental impact.

Hudson Cannabis’ Garlic Bud flower is known for its strong aroma and flavor, with tangy, woody, umami, cheesy, and peppery notes. You may find that it elevates your mind before sinking your body into heavy relaxation. For something a bit more daytime-friendly, try Hudson Cannabis’ Tractor Fuel pre-rolls for potential uplifting and focus-friendly effects alongside gassy, hoppy, apple aromas and diesel, floral flavors.

Hepworth

On its outdoor farm in Milton, New York, the woman-owned cannabis cultivator Hepworth grows flower that it sells at dispensaries or processes into vapes. The brand uses living soil to grow its plants on its 500-acre facility, and it prioritizes regenerative agriculture and scientific oversight in its farming practices. The Hepworth sisters, who have owned and operated the brand since 1982, leverage seven generations and two centuries of growing, harvesting, and distribution experience in their processes.

Hepworth’s Durban Poison x Cherry Tart flower offers a balanced, energizing twist on a classic landrace sativa. For something more relaxing that might help you unwind after a hectic day, we love Hepworth’s Do-Si-Do vape cart.

Weekenders

All the flower in Weekenders’ pre-rolls is sun-grown. This Black-owned, women-owned cannabis brand sources its cannabis from small, sustainable farms, to have as little negative impact on the environment as possible. The farmers in its network leverage the power of cover cropping, rainwater, and composting to grow robust cannabis plants.

For daytime liftoff, Weekenders’ Lift Jelly Rancher pre-rolls pairs potential euphoric effects with sweet and fruity flavors. When you’re winding down the evening, Dream Alien Wedding pre-rolls may provide hours of soothing, relaxing effects that start in your mind, then spread through your body from head to toe. Expect sweet, creamy vanilla cake flavors and a mindstate where negativity is all but impossible to feel.

Florist Farms

All of Florist Farms’ cannabis grows under the sun at the brand’s regenerative farm in Cortland, New York. The brand’s operations are rooted in its origins as a backyard garden where its founders grew food for their community. Through its extension into cannabis, Florist Farms continues to advance the notion that sustainable agriculture is the bedrock of resilient communities. To that end, Florist Farms’ cannabis is both sun-grown and sun-powered — its farm runs on solar power.

Florist Farms products on The Travel Agency’s menu include flower, vape carts, and all-in-ones, and live resin-infused pre-rolls. Read our Florist Farms review to explore all these offerings and more.

MFNY

While not a traditionally outdoor operation, MFNY grows its flower in greenhouses. MFNY grows dozens of cannabis cultivars and processes its flower on-site. That said, you likely won’t find MFNY’s flower on dispensary shelves, as the brand primarily sells vapes and concentrates. Its live resin-infused vape carts provide powerful pathways for ascending into new worlds — or, as with indicas like their Hash Burger live resin cart, descending into deep relaxation. For a more upbeat sense of calm, White Fire badder is your ticket to ride.

Explore the great outdoors and indoors of flower at The Travel Agency

Indoor- and outdoor-grown cannabis both elevate your adventure. At The Travel Agency, our curated menu of top-quality cannabis products, highly-trained budtenders who are happy to guide you through indoor and outdoor weed, and stunning store designs similarly elevate your experience. Visit any one of our four dispensary locations or order delivery throughout Manhattan, Queens, and Brooklyn to get New York’s best cannabis of indoor and outdoor origin alike.