In Germany, it's now legal to grow up to three cannabis plants at home. You can choose between different cultivation methods: either indoor cultivation with a grow box and artificial light, or harness the power of the sun for outdoor cultivation—for example, in the garden or even on the balcony. In our Hanfify cultivation guide, we explain step by step how to get started successfully as a beginner, from selecting seeds to caring for the plants.
Indoor cultivation
If you want to grow cannabis seeds or cuttings quickly and in a controlled manner, indoor cultivation with a suitable grow box kit is ideal. You're completely independent of the weather and seasons – perfect for anyone who wants to get their first cannabis plant growing quickly.
Accessories & Preparation: How to get started with indoor cultivation
You can theoretically grow your cannabis plants in any room, but it works best with a dedicated grow box. This gives you full control over light, climate, and air circulation—ideal for successful indoor cultivation. Our all-inclusive package includes everything you need. Alternatively, you can purchase ready-made grow box kits—perfect for home growers who aim for multiple harvests per year. These are essential items you should have in your grow box:
- Grow tent – Creates a controlled environment with reflective interior material for optimal plant growth.
- LED lamp – Provides the necessary light spectrum for photosynthesis, energy-saving and efficient.
- Activated carbon filter – Neutralizes odors and ensures discreet plant growth.
- Radial fans & fans – ensure fresh air supply and air circulation, prevent mold and heat build-up.
- Hygrometer – Measures humidity and temperature – important to maintain ideal growing conditions.
- Timer – Automates the light cycle so plants have a regular day-night rhythm.
Pay particular attention to the correct size of your grow tent at the beginning. For the flowering phase, you'll also need special nutrients in the form of fertilizer. You'll also need three pots with saucers, an 18-20 liter bag of soil, and three cuttings or cannabis seeds. Our cannabis cultivation starter kit provides you with all the accessories you need – so you can get started right away.
Building a grow box: explained step by step
Setting up a complete grow tent kit is easy, even for beginners. Typically, two boxes are supplied: an oblong box containing the tent material, poles, and connecting elements, and a rectangular box containing the light and other accessories.
- Setting up the tent: First, spread out the tent material on the ground. Then, connect the poles according to the instructions and insert them into the tent shell. To stabilize the structure, we recommend closing the zippers halfway at first. The front panel remains open for attaching the lamp and other accessories later.
- Installing the lamp: The second box contains the LED lamp. This is attached to the upper crossbars with the included snap hooks. The height can be adjusted later depending on the plant's growth phase.
- Installing the fan: The radial fan consists of the duct fan, a rubber sleeve, and the activated carbon filter. The filter is attached to the upper crossbars with loops and connected to the fan with the rubber sleeve. It is important that the fan blows outwards. It is threaded through the designated opening at the top rear of the tent and secured there.
- Organize the fan and cables: A small fan can be attached to a tent pole. All cables—from the clip-on fan, duct fan, and lamp—are routed through the openings. They are then plugged into an electrical outlet. The lamp is connected to a timer, which is set to the clock symbol. The lighting times can be adjusted individually later.
If you're unsure, Hanfify offers a comparison of various grow box sets – including practical starter solutions for indoor cultivation.
Planting: This is how homegrowing begins
Once all the necessary components for indoor cultivation are ready—whether in a kit or individually assembled—you can begin growing. Typically, you'll need three pots, three saucers, a bag of soil (preferably lightly pre-fertilized), and either cuttings or germinated cannabis seeds.
- Prepare the pots: Place the pots on the saucers and fill them evenly with soil. A small hollow is formed in the center of each pot—large enough to completely accommodate a cutting cube or germinated seed. Then, cover the hollow with a little soil, ensuring the cube or seed is completely enclosed.
- Watering: Then, carefully water the plants with about 0.5 liters of lukewarm water per pot. No additional fertilizer is needed at this time, provided the soil used is pre-fertilized—this is usually sufficient for the first two weeks.
- Lighting: Finally, the pots are placed in the grow box. The LED light is adjusted so that it hangs about 40 cm above the plants—this distance provides ideal lighting conditions for early growth.
Vegetative phase: growth & preparation for flowering
The vegetative phase is the stage of the growth cycle that begins after germination and ends with the transition to the flowering phase. When grown indoors in a grow tent, this phase typically lasts about two weeks—plenty of time for the young cannabis plants to recover from transport and establish proper roots in their new environment.
During this phase, stability and consistent growth are the focus. The following conditions should be met:
- Light cycle: The timer is set to 18 hours of light and 6 hours of darkness. This ratio promotes vigorous growth.
- Watering: As a guideline, add about 0.5 liters of water per pot every three days. This may vary slightly depending on humidity and plant size.
- Temperature: During the lighting phase, the temperature in the tent should be between 20–25 °C. During the dark phase, it should not fall below 18 °C.
- Humidity: 50–70% humidity is optimal to keep the plant climate stable and support growth.
Flowering phase: The crucial stage in the cultivation process
After about two weeks of vegetative growth, the cannabis plant can enter the flowering phase. To do this, the light cycle is adjusted to 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness using a timer. The flowering time depends on the specific genetics and is usually between 7 and 10 weeks – exact information can be found in the product details of the respective strain.
Nutrient supply during flowering
During the flowering phase, the plant's nutrient requirements increase. With each watering, mix approximately 1–2 ml of bloom fertilizer with 1.5 liters of water. Initially, it's sufficient to add about 0.5 liters of water per plant every three days. Those who want to fertilize specifically can use special fertilizer kits with fertilization schedules that specify exactly which nutrients should be applied during each phase. For simple application, a high-quality all-round fertilizer is sufficient – many growers opt for classics like the "Premium Super-Grow Cannabis Fertilizer."
Preparing for the harvest
About two weeks before harvest, fertilizer should be avoided and watering should only be done with clean water. This period is used for the so-called "flush," which removes residues from the substrate. A typical sign that the timing is right is the color of the flower hairs—they change from white to dark brown, orange, or violet, depending on the variety.
Harvesting & Drying: The final step to your own grass
Harvesting is one of the most important steps in cannabis cultivation, as it determines how effective, aromatic, and long-lasting the weed will be.
Determine harvest time
A good indicator is the color of the pistils: When about 90% have changed from pale white to orange, amber, or purple (depending on the strain), the right time is often reached. Ripeness can be determined even more accurately by examining the trichomes—with a simple magnifying glass. Most experienced growers harvest when about 70% of the trichomes are milky or cloudy. This indicates peak THC production.
Drying in the grow tent
After harvesting, the plant is cut just above the soil and hung upside down in the grow tent. The lamp and clip-on fan are removed, while the duct fan remains running for 24 hours. Humidity should be 50–60%, and the temperature should be between 17°C and room temperature.
After about 1–2 weeks, the buds are dry enough: firm, but not crumbly. Now they can be trimmed from the stems and freed of small leaves and excess stems. The buds are then placed in airtight jars.
Fermentation & Storage
Over the next 1–2 weeks, the jars should be opened briefly (10–15 minutes) daily and gently shaken to allow excess moisture to escape and the aroma to develop optimally. After that, your first homegrown cannabis buds are ready to use.
Outdoor cultivation: Successfully growing cannabis in the garden or on the balcony
Those who want to grow cannabis outdoors benefit from natural sunlight and lower electricity costs – ideal for those with sufficient space in their garden or on their balcony. In this guide, Hanfify shows you step-by-step how to successfully grow outdoors – from selecting the right cannabis seeds to a successful harvest.
Preparation: Start the outdoor season well planned
For outdoor cultivation, a suitable location is crucial. Ideally, a spot with 6–8 hours of direct sunlight per day is ideal. This could be a sunny balcony, terrace, windowsill, or a sheltered area in the garden. Temperatures in this location should ideally not fall below 12°C or exceed 30°C.
Additionally, the location should be protected from wind and rain – strong gusts or heavy rain can damage or even topple young cannabis plants. If you want to be on the safe side, you can bring the plants indoors for a short time or protect them with simple protective measures such as windbreaks.
The following materials are also required to get started:
- 3 pots with saucers
- an 18–20 liter bag of soil
- 3 cannabis seeds or cuttings
Planting: Starting outdoors
Once all the components are ready—whether as a convenient set or purchased individually from partner shops—the first cannabis plant can be planted outdoors. Larger pots, which can be positioned flexibly, are particularly suitable for outdoor growing.
Prepare the pots: First, place the pots on the saucers. Then, spread the pre-fertilized soil evenly. Use your finger to make a small depression in the center of each pot—just large enough to fit a cutting cube or germinated seed completely. Then, lightly cover the cube with soil so it's no longer visible.
Watering: Immediately after planting, water gently – about 0.5 liters of lukewarm water per pot, for a total of 1.5 liters. Since the soil is usually pre-fertilized, no additional fertilizer is needed for the first two weeks.
Sunny location: Finally, the pots are placed in the previously selected, sunny, and sheltered spot in the garden, on the terrace, or balcony. There, the young cannabis plants can grow in peace and acclimatize to the outdoor conditions.
Vegetative phase outdoors: growth under natural light
The vegetative phase describes the period from germination to the beginning of flowering. Unlike indoor cultivation, where the light phases are artificially controlled, the outdoor plant orients itself to the natural day length. If the young cannabis plant is placed outdoors in mid- to late May, the flowering phase usually begins automatically around the end of July – when the days become noticeably shorter.
During the growing season, the focus is on healthy growth and the development of a stable root system. The following points are important:
- Watering: As a guideline, water 1.5 liters of water every three days, divided among the three pots. However, the amount of water can be adjusted depending on the weather—especially during hot or rainy weather.
- Fertilization: Starting in the third week, a growth fertilizer can be added to the watering water – approximately 1–2 ml per 1.5 liters of water. A consistent nutrient supply is important to optimally prepare the plant for the upcoming flowering phase. If you want to know which fertilizer, variety, or accessories are particularly suitable for outdoor cultivation, you'll find helpful comparisons and recommendations on Hanfify.
Flowering phase outdoors: The final spurt to harvest
In outdoor cultivation, the flowering phase usually begins in late July, when the days begin to shorten. The first signs are small, white hairs at the nodes of the shoots—a clear sign that the plant is transitioning to the next phase. The duration of flowering depends heavily on genetics and is usually between 7 and 10 weeks.
Irrigation and fertilization during flowering
During flowering, the cannabis plant requires a particularly high level of nutrients to produce strong, aromatic flowers. With each watering—as a guideline, about 1.5 liters of water divided between three pots—1–2 ml of bloom fertilizer can be added. A special outdoor bloom fertilizer tailored to the requirements of outdoor cultivation is recommended.
Alternatively, an all-round fertilizer can be used continuously during the growth and flowering phases – a simple solution, especially for beginners.
Preparing for the harvest
About two weeks before harvest, usually from late August to early September, fertilizer should be avoided and watering should only be done with clean water. This step – also called "flushing" – helps remove any fertilizer residue from the plant. For a clean and flavorful end product, many growers recommend using organic fertilizers.
Harvesting & Drying: The final step in outdoor cultivation
After a successful flowering phase, the crucial moment in cannabis cultivation follows: harvesting. The right timing is crucial to obtain the full aroma and the desired active ingredient content of the cannabis flowers.
Determine harvest time
A common indicator is the color of the pistils: When around 90% turn from pale white to orange, amber, or purple (depending on genetics), the ideal time is usually reached. Ripeness can be determined even more precisely by examining the trichomes—tiny resin glands on the flower's surface. Under a magnifying glass or microscope, you can see that if around 70% of the trichomes are milky or cloudy, the THC content is at its peak.
Drying the harvested plant
After harvesting, the plant is cut just above the ground and hung upside down in a dark, well-ventilated place—such as a cupboard, a dark room, or an empty grow tent. Important: The sticky buds must not touch the walls to prevent mold from forming. Humidity should be 50–60%, and the temperature should be between 17°C and room temperature.
After 1–2 weeks, the buds are dry enough: They feel firm but won't crumble. They can now be separated from the stems, removed from small leaves, and placed in airtight jars.
Fermentation for taste & quality
For the next 1–2 weeks, the jars should be opened briefly every day (about 10–15 minutes) to allow excess moisture to escape. Gently shaking the jar ensures that the drying environment is evenly distributed throughout the jar. This process—also called "curing"—significantly improves the flavor, effect, and shelf life of the cannabis flowers.