Getting Started

Beginner’s Guide to Indoor Growing: Everything You Need to Get Started

Indoor growing has exploded in popularity - whether you want fresher herbs, lush houseplants, or a year-round supply of veggies, creating a controlled environment at home makes it all possible. If you're just stepping into the indoor growing scene, this guide will walk you through the basics: what you need, the most common methods, and the essential equipment that will set you up for success.

Why Grow Indoors?

Indoor growing gives you full control over temperature, humidity, light, nutrients, and pests. That means:

• Year-round harvests

• Faster, more predictable growth

• Cleaner, more consistent results

• The ability to grow in small apartments or limited spaces

Whether you’re nurturing your first basil plant or building a full grow tent setup, the fundamentals stay the same.

Essential Equipment You’ll Need

Here’s what every beginner grower should have on their checklist:

1. A Grow Space

You’ll need a dedicated area where you can control the environment. Common options include:

• Grow tents

• Closet/wardrobe setups

• Spare rooms

• Grow cabinets

Grow tents are ideal for beginners because they are easy to assemble, lightproof, and include ventilation ports.

2. Grow Lights

Plants need the right light spectrum to thrive indoors. Your main options:

• LED Grow Lights (most recommended)
  Energy-efficient, low heat, long lifespan, full spectrum.

• HID Lights (HPS/MH)
  High output but produce more heat and require stronger ventilation.

For beginners, LEDs offer the best balance of cost, ease, and results.

3. Ventilation System

Healthy airflow prevents mould, strengthens stems, and controls heat. You’ll typically need:

• An inline exhaust fan

• Ducting

• Carbon filter (optional but great for odour control)

• A clip-on circulation fan inside the grow space

4. Growing Medium

This is what your plants will grow in. Beginners usually start with one of these:

• Soil - Most forgiving, nutrient-rich, less monitoring required

• Coco Coir – Excellent for faster growth, requires liquid nutrients

• Hydroponic Systems - Soil-less growing; higher yields but more learning involved

If you’re brand new, high-quality soil is the easiest entry point.

5. Containers & Trays

You’ll need:

• Pots (fabric pots are best for root health)

• Seedling trays or starter cups

• Saucers to catch runoff

6. Nutrients & pH Tools

Indoor plants often need extra nutrients. At minimum:

• Basic nutrient kit (usually a 2- or 3-part formula)

• pH meter or pH test kit

• pH up/down solution

Maintaining the proper pH (typically 5.8-6.5, depending on the medium) ensures plants can absorb nutrients efficiently.

7. Environmental Controls

Optional but very helpful:

• Thermometer/hygrometer

• Humidifier or dehumidifier

• Timer for grow lights

• Heater (if growing in cold spaces)

Common Indoor Growing Methods Explained

1. Soil Growing (Best for Beginners)

Soil is simple, stable, and forgiving. Perfect for herbs, leafy greens, or fruiting plants. Adding compost or perlite improves drainage and aeration.

Pros: Easiest, cheapest, beginner-friendly
Cons: Slower growth than hydroponics

2. Coco Coir Growing

A popular middle-ground between soil and hydroponics. Plants grow faster because coco retains water but provides more oxygen to roots.

Pros: Fast growth, great for learning hydration & nutrient control
Cons: Must feed nutrients regularly

3. Hydroponics

Plants grow directly in water enriched with nutrients. Systems include:

• DWC (Deep Water Culture)

• NFT (Nutrient Film Technique)

• Ebb & Flow

• Aeroponics

Hydro systems produce impressive results but require more monitoring.

Pros: Highest yields, fastest growth
Cons: Steeper learning curve, more equipment

Light Cycles & Plant Stages

Most indoor growers follow these basics:

• Seedling Stage: 18-24 hours of gentle light

• Vegetative Stage: 18 hours light / 6 hours dark

• Flowering/Fruiting Stage: Usually 12 hours light / 12 hours dark

Timers make this simple and consistent.

Tips for First-Time Indoor Growers

• Start small - one or two plants to learn the basics

• Keep a grow journal to track progress

• Don’t overwater (the most common beginner mistake!)

• Use a thermometer/hygrometer to monitor conditions

• Focus on learning light, water, and nutrients - these 3 drive results

Indoor growing is one of the most rewarding hobbies you can start. With just a bit of equipment and a basic understanding of plant needs, anyone can grow fresh, healthy plants right at home. As you gain experience, you can upgrade gear, experiment with methods, and scale up your garden.