Gardening is fantastic but requires things like, well, a garden. Or, at least, it used to. Indoor gardening is a very real option today. And with the help of grow tents, you can bring even the most stubborn plants the light and humidity (and even love) they need in an indoor space. 

In this article, we’re going to explain what grow tents are, how they work, and where they belong. We’re also going to share our favorite grow tent companies for the potential planter. 

The Complete Guide to Grow Tents for Indoor Plants

What are grow tents?

Think of grow tents as your year-round indoor garden. Made of flexible materials, fans, lights and carbon filters, grow tents create optimal growing environments in any indoor area [1]. Long over are the days where you have to worry about pesky pests, contaminated air, rainy seasons, or droughts. With grow tents, you’re in control of what you propagate from seedling to full-grown plants.

What are grow tents used for?

Grow tents are great for cultivating plants in regions you wouldn’t normally find them in and/or indoors where you wouldn’t normally be able to grow them. From cauliflower to lavender to leafy greens to… other leafy greens, ya know, of the Cheech and/or Chong variety… these tents can grow them all? While they can be used to grow fruits, vegetables, and herbs, grow tents are most notably known these days for growing marijuana. 

Cannabis plants need a full six hours of direct sunlight per day in order to fully grow [2]. And if you have the space outdoors and typically get lots of sunlight, you can probably grow your plants outdoors easy-peasy. But what if that’s not the case? Or what if you live in an area without room to garden? Grow tents become a necessity. Cannabis grows best in temperatures between 55°F and 85°F. Of course with a grow tent, you have the ability to control the temperature. And the amount of light it’s receiving. And don’t forget the privacy! Even in legal states, marijuana is a sought-after plant, so if you’re using grow tents indoors, you won’t have to worry about riff raff getting into your stash.

Do grow tents work?

You don’t have to be tied to the seasons when it comes to propagating plants with grow tents. Grow tents work, but you have to know the basics when it comes to gardening. You have the potential to garden 365 days a year, rain or shine, day or night. Grow tents can turn gardening into a hobby for anyone.

But overall, they work best when you grow a plant from the beginning. Seedlings benefit dramatically from the enclosed environment because it gives you total control over climate and lighting. Seedlings especially require intense amounts of light for a specific duration of time, and most window sills aren’t bright enough for budding bulbs [3]. The fact is: most indoor areas don’t have what plants need to flourish. The lights you install in the grow tents are just as important as the soil you use and the amount of water you provide your plants. If you’re a new gardener, you may have a bit of a trial-and-error situation on your hands, but there are plenty of resources to help you. 

Are grow tents necessary?

Grow tents are great for the avid gardener who doesn’t want to rely on Mother Nature. They’re also optimal for the impatient planter. No matter what the weather is like outdoors, with the right tent setup, a little practice and experience, you can grow fruits, veggies, flowers and herbs indoors any time of year [4].

As climate change rages on, and the weather becomes more and more unstable, what does that mean for the plants you grow? Ultimately, grow tents provide stability. Because you completely control the growing environment, you will not experience water waste caused by excessive sun and the wind. And you won’t lose supplements to runoff caused by rain and flooding.

Are grow tents safe?

Anything that’s plugged into your home can become a liability. A spilled glass of water here or an electric fire there can be detrimental not just to your grow tent, but to your living space as a whole. Now, we aren’t saying that grow tents are in line with at-home meth labs or teetering a toaster on the edge of your bathtub for some Pop-Tarts while you relax, but note that wherever you place a grow tent should be far away from flammable objects. One of the most significant grow-related hazards is a fire caused by electrical mismanagement. You can find yourself having electrical equipment that may be poorly wired and overloaded electrical circuits [5].

Be sure to purchase durable tents made from high-quality materials, double check that everything is installed correctly. Keep electronics away from water, and it’s always good to have a fire extinguisher close by to your growing tent or kitchen. And if you don’t have one handy, we have other ways you can put out a fire in the event of an emergency.

Are grow tents illegal?

The short answer here is no. Grow tents are not illegal. As for what you’re growing inside the grow tents… well, that depends on the state you live in. You can find out if cannabis is legal to grow in your state here. But like we mentioned earlier, grow tents aren’t exclusively made for growing marijuana. You can go from growing papaya plants in Pennsylvania to mint in Minnesota to cannabis in California with the help of grow tents. 

How tall are grow tents?

Grow tents vary in size depending on how many plants you’re trying to grow and how big they’ll be around the time of harvest. Grow tents are usually around six feet tall, but some companies like Gorilla Grow Tent sell grow tents up to ten feet high. You can find a grow tent that fits not just your needs, but also the space in which you live. That way you can turn your green house into a green home. 

Do grow tents hide smell?

Grow tents are not smell-proof. While a grow tent is capable of insulation, odors may still seep through tiny slivers of openings like the zipper and duct ports. The best way to block or eliminate plant scents is by using air filters [6].

Do grow tents need ventilation?

Indoor plants thrive in well-ventilated areas, and venting your grow tent can only improve your plant’s quality of life. Venting your grow tent helps in dispersing heat and water vapor evenly in the growing area [7]. This prevents mould and reduces the chance of pests. Most grow tent kits come with ventilators built in.

Can grow tents go outside?

Grow tents are great for indoor and outdoor plants. And they can be used indoors and outdoors. But if you want to buy a grow tent for your outdoor garden, don’t use an indoor grow tent. Where indoor grow tents contain and reflect light on to the plants, outdoor grow tents are typically transparent to allow for sunlight. Their primary goal is to protect plants from pests and inclement weather.

The 5 Best Stores to Buy Grow Tents 

Vivosun - best for complete grow tent kits

Vivosun, $309

A grow tent is a huge piece of indoor gardening but it's far from the only piece. Vivosun grow tent kits are great for anyone — from beginner planters to seasoned growers. These grow tent kits include the tent, lights, protective glasses, ventilator fans, a carbon filter, and a timer to keep you on track with your plants’ growing process — basically everything you need to start your own grow tent is there. These kits are easy to assemble, but if you’re having trouble with putting your kit together or just have questions about how to use these kits, their customer service team responds to questions fast.

Grobo - best for growing plants in a small space

Grobo, $1,799

Don’t let your apartment, bedroom or smaller living space stop you from living your Poison Ivy dreams. Well, minus the evil part. Grobo tents are sleek, coming in at 14 inches by 14 inches in width and depth, with a 48-inch height. The white, birch plywood grow box looks modern and should fit in nicely in your apartment. Grobo also sells its own seeds and kits to make sure your plants are the perfect size  for the tent.

GrowAce - best for grow tent accessories

Grow Ace, $995

In order to keep your grow tent working smoothly, doing the growy things it needs to do to grow your plants, you need to find a good place that sells good accessories. Grow Ace is the place to buy all your growing essentials. We’re talking grow room glasses and gloves, reflective material, pesticides, testers, sprayers, pots, and water treatment units. You don’t need to have a Grow Ace tent to purchase accessories for your own grow tent; they work in conjunction with whatever you already have at home. (Although they sell some great tents, too.)

Gorilla Grow Tent - most durable grow tents

Gorilla Grow Tent, from $196

Gorilla Grow Tent is known for its thick, durable, size-altering tents that come equipped to house even the most pungent of plants. Their tents are made from extremely sturdy 1680D Ballistic Nylon, a basketweave fabric that was originally created to be anti-fragment resistant for the military to prevent injuries from ballistic impact like flying debris or shrapnel. Sizes vary from 2x2 up to 10x20. 

Supercloset - best for discreet indoor grow tents

Supercloset, $1,439

The first thing you do when you go to someone’s house for the first time is snoop. OK, maybe that’s just us. But when you invite friends and family over, you want to leave a lasting impression. And makers of Supercloset understand, which is why they’ve created stealth grow boxes that can fit essentially anywhere without standing out. These boxes are 18”x24”x30”. And Supercloset's kits come with what you need to grow your plants: the tent, light, fan, ventilator, and filter.