When Growing Cannabis at Home Is Legal – Here’s What You Need

The day the law changes will be a big one. When growing cannabis at home becomes legal in the UK, there’ll be a rush of people finally ready to take control of their supply, ditch sketchy street options, and explore the full potential of the plant on their own terms. But where do you start? What kit do you actually need? And how do you keep it all manageable, efficient, and enjoyable?

This article is your go-to guide for setting up a successful home grow from scratch. Whether you’ve got a spare cupboard or a full loft to play with, these are the essentials you’ll want in place the moment the green light hits.

Choosing Your Grow Space

Before anything else, you need a space. This can be as compact as a wardrobe or as expansive as a converted attic. The space you choose will influence every decision going forward — from the light you need to the type of strain you grow.

The ideal space is dark when sealed, clean, dry, and well-ventilated. You’ll need access to power and ideally somewhere discrete. A 60x60cm space can grow one to two plants comfortably, while a 1.2x1.2m area gives you room to explore a few more, or grow a single large plant with training.

Grow Tents Keep It Clean and Contained

While some will opt for makeshift cupboards or converted furniture, the grow tent is the most popular choice — and for good reason. A quality grow tent is lightproof, reflective, sturdy, and purpose-built for indoor growing. It gives you the control you need without wrecking the room it sits in.

Tents come in all sizes, from small propagation stations to full-room enclosures. Look for double-stitched seams, solid zippers, and multiple ducting ports. The reflective lining inside helps bounce light back at the plant, and a solid tent reduces the chance of light leaks which can stress or stall your grow.

Lighting Is the Engine of Growth

This is where most of your budget should go. Without the right light, you can have perfect genetics, ideal nutrients, and a beautiful tent — and still end up with a disappointing harvest.

Modern LED grow lights are the gold standard. They’re efficient, run cool, and last for years. Unlike old-school HPS lamps, they don’t roast your room or run up your electric bill. LEDs are available in a range of sizes and spectrums, often tailored for specific grow stages.

One brand that has earned respect in the grow community is Mars Hydro. Known for their high-performance LEDs, their range offers excellent results without rinsing your budget. Whether you’re growing one plant or six, there’s a light in their line-up suited to your needs.

Airflow and Extraction

Good airflow is crucial. Without it, heat builds up, humidity spikes, and your plants become sitting ducks for mould and pests. You need to bring in fresh air and push out warm, stale air constantly.

The basic setup includes:

• An inline extractor fan to pull hot air out of your tent.

• A carbon filter to remove odours from that extracted air.

• Clip fans or oscillating fans to keep air moving inside the tent.
  

Your extractor should match your tent size. For most home setups, a 4” or 5” inline fan is enough. Carbon filters help keep your setup discreet and respectful to your neighbours. Keeping air moving prevents hotspots, strengthens stems, and lowers the chance of problems developing in still, damp corners.

Temperature and Humidity Control

Cannabis thrives under certain environmental conditions. Your job is to recreate those as closely as possible indoors.

Ideal conditions:

• Veg stage: 22–26°C, 60–70% humidity

• Flower stage: 20–24°C, 40–50% humidity
  

To control this, you may need a small heater, a humidifier or dehumidifier, and some simple tools like a thermo-hygrometer. If you’re growing in a loft, consider insulation to combat seasonal temperature swings. Being able to read and respond to your environment is one of the most important skills you’ll develop as a grower.

Soil, Coco, or Hydro?

Next, decide what you’ll grow in. Most home growers start with soil because it’s forgiving and easy to manage. Just water and feed as needed, and the soil takes care of the rest.

Coco coir is the next step up. It offers faster growth and more control, but you’ll need to feed with every watering. Hydroponics, while powerful, is often better suited to those with a few grows under their belt.

Whatever you choose, make sure it drains well. Fabric pots are popular because they allow air to reach the roots and prevent overwatering. Using a quality hydroponics supplier will be your best bet here - buy once buy properly!

Nutrients and Feeding

Plants need more than light and water to thrive. Your feeding routine will make a big difference to plant health and yield.

At a minimum, you’ll need:

• A base nutrient for vegetative growth

• A bloom formula for flowering

• A Cal-Mag supplement, especially if using soft tap water or coco
  

Start light. It’s easy to overfeed when you’re new. Always follow the manufacturer’s guide and adjust based on how your plant responds. Some strains are heavy feeders, others aren’t. You’ll learn quickly by watching your plant’s leaves and overall vigour.

pH and Watering

Watering sounds simple, but it's often where new growers stumble. Too much water too often leads to root problems, while too little leaves your plant dehydrated and stunted.

Check the weight of your pots to know when it’s time to water. They’ll feel noticeably lighter when the plant is thirsty.

Also important is pH. Cannabis is picky about the acidity of its medium. Soil grows like a pH of 6.0–7.0. Coco prefers 5.8–6.3. Get a cheap digital pH meter or even basic drops — anything is better than guessing.

Smell and Stealth

When growing at home, controlling odour isn’t just about privacy — it’s about respect. Cannabis has a very distinct smell, especially during flowering. A carbon filter is the best line of defence.

Make sure your tent maintains negative pressure (the walls should pull in slightly), and only open it when necessary. Some growers also add odour-neutralising gels outside the tent, but these should never be used inside — they can affect your final flavour.

Tools and Accessories

A few simple tools can make your grow smoother:

• A timer for your light cycle

• A pair of pruning scissors for training and harvest

• A magnifying loupe or microscope for checking trichomes

• Sticky traps to catch early pest problems
  

You don’t need to go mad with gadgets early on, but each of these makes the job easier and helps you learn.

Harvesting and Drying

The final stretch of the grow is where everything comes together. Harvest too early and you lose potency. Wait too long and the effects can become sleepy or harsh.

Check your trichomes using a loupe. Cloudy with some amber is usually the sweet spot for balanced results.

Drying should happen slowly in a dark, cool, well-ventilated space. Most people hang branches or use drying racks inside the tent, having removed the lights. Once dry, cure your buds in airtight jars, opening them daily at first. A proper cure improves flavour, smoothness, and shelf life.

Prepare, Learn, Enjoy

Legal home growing will be a massive step forward. But success still relies on good planning, solid gear, and the patience to learn from every cycle. Start small, keep it simple, and focus on the essentials. Once you see your first flowers coming in under a well-set-up system, it’s all worth it.

You don’t need to spend a fortune or become a master overnight. Focus on environment, lighting, and plant care. Stay consistent, stay curious, and you’ll build both confidence and quality with every run.

When the day comes and it’s legal, you’ll be ready — with everything in place to grow something special, right at home.