Choosing the right greenhouse is like setting the stage for a performance. The right environment can make all the difference between healthy plants and those struggling to keep up. But there’s a lot to consider when deciding which greenhouse is best, from climate control to light exposure, and it can be challenging to know where to start.
However, it doesn’t have to be so complicated. You don’t need a degree in agricultural engineering to pick the right greenhouse for your cannabis operation. You just need a clear understanding of your goals, a bit of knowledge about your local conditions, and a vision of what success looks like for your plants.
Today, we’re here as your roadmap to help you go over the key factors you need to consider and eventually decide what greenhouse is the best for your business.
Let’s get started!
Choosing The Right Greenhouse for Your Cannabis Cultivation
Determine Your Needs and Goals:
1. Define Your Cultivation Goals
Before you even think about greenhouse types or systems, you need to be crystal clear about what you’re trying to achieve. Are you growing on a small scale for personal use, or are you building a large-scale commercial operation? You must know the answers to these questions to help you determine the kind of greenhouse that will suit your needs best.
If you’re growing a handful of plants for personal use, you probably don’t need a massive, high-tech greenhouse. Something small and manageable might be perfect. You’ll want something cost-effective that fits your available space.
But if you want to produce cannabis commercially, your goals are entirely different. You’re going to need a much larger, more durable structure, something that can handle high-volume production and maybe even provide room to scale up as your operation grows.
You’ll also have to consider the growth cycle. If you plan to produce year-round, you’ll want a greenhouse that can withstand seasonal changes and keep conditions optimal no matter what’s happening outside. However, if your plan is to grow seasonally, a simpler structure that takes advantage of natural conditions might be enough to meet your needs.
2. Indoor vs. Outdoor Cultivation Preferences
If you’re interested in outdoor growing, you’re probably drawn to the idea of exploiting natural resources like sunlight, fresh air, and rainwater to grow your plants. There’s something appealing about letting nature do its thing, right?
If you’re growing your cannabis in places that have the perfect balance of sunshine and moderate temperatures, outdoor cultivation can be a great way to reduce costs and grow high-quality plants without spending too much on artificial systems.
However, outdoor growing still has some challenges. Unpredictable weather, pests, and even local wildlife can all interfere with your plants. If you’re in an area that experiences extreme weather conditions—like heavy rain, intense heat, or cold winters—this could affect your cannabis yields.
If you love having total control over your environment, you’re probably more inclined toward indoor growing. Indoors, you can fine-tune everything from light schedules to humidity levels, ensuring your cannabis plants have the perfect conditions 24/7. But you’ll likely need to invest in supplemental lighting, cooling, and heating systems, not to mention higher energy costs.
With a greenhouse, you can create an indoor-like setup for a more controlled environment but still use the sun as your primary light source. This gives you the efficiency of outdoor growing with the precision of an indoor setup.
Here’s a detailed comparison of Indoor vs. Outdoor Cannabis growing methods. Check here.
Consider Your Growing Space:
You have to ensure your space supports healthy growth, allows for proper equipment, and leaves room for you to move around and tend to your plants.
Start by considering how many plants you plan to cultivate. Are you running a small operation with a few dozen plants, or are you aiming for something larger with hundreds or even thousands of cannabis plants? While doing this, also consider that each plant needs adequate room for its root system to grow, space for its canopy to spread out, and airflow to circulate.
In addition to the space your plants require, consider the equipment you’ll need to fit into your greenhouse. Will you be installing shelving, irrigation systems, or fans? What about lighting and heating setups? If you’re running a high-tech operation with automated systems, you’ll need room to accommodate all that equipment without crowding your growing area.
Determine Your Climate Needs:
Cannabis is a sensitive plant, and its growth can be affected by temperature, humidity, and light. So, when you’re deciding on the right structure, it’s important to understand the local climate so you can create a space where your plants can thrive.
Cannabis grows best in a range between 76-80°F (24-27°C) during the day and slightly cooler at night. If you’re in a region where the temperature fluctuates drastically, you will need a greenhouse that helps regulate it.
Humidity is another factor to consider. Cannabis likes a moderate level of humidity—too much can cause mold or mildew, while too little can dry out your plants. So, if you’re in a region with high humidity levels, you’ll want a greenhouse that has good airflow and ventilation to prevent moisture from building up.
The amount of sunlight your region gets also determines the kind of greenhouse you need. Cannabis is a light-loving plant, and natural sunlight is ideal, but too much or too little can affect your yields.
If you live in an area with long sunny days, you’ll want to consider a greenhouse with adjustable shading. But if you live in a region with shorter days or frequent overcast weather, you might need supplemental lighting inside your greenhouse to give your plants the hours of light they need to stay healthy and productive.
Evaluate Your Budget:
It’s easy to get swept up in the excitement of designing the perfect greenhouse, but if you don’t evaluate your budget carefully, you might end up with a greenhouse that drains more money than it grows plants.
First, you have to consider the initial costs. This includes the actual structure of the greenhouse, the materials it’s made from, and any foundational work like land preparation or installation. Hence, the price of greenhouses can vary wildly depending on size, complexity, and customization options.
If you’re just starting out with a smaller operation, you might be tempted to opt for a more budget-friendly, basic model, which is cost-effective and gets the job done. But if you’re planning a large-scale operation or want to prepare for future expansion, you might need to spend more upfront for a more durable and scalable option. These might cost more initially, but they’re built to last and can support more sophisticated growing setups.
Aside from these, there is also the matter of operational costs. Once your greenhouse is up and running, what kind of ongoing expenses will you be dealing with? Some greenhouses require more energy to heat, cool, or light than others. Also, think about the cost of equipment and automation systems. Greenhouses with advanced setups like automated watering, temperature controls, and supplemental lighting will cost more to set up and maintain.
Choose the Right Greenhouse Structure:
1. Lean-to Greenhouse
A lean-to greenhouse is one of the simplest but functional options you might consider when selecting the proper structure for your cannabis operation. This type of greenhouse is exactly what it sounds like—it “leans” against an existing structure, typically the side of your house, a barn, or another sturdy building.
It’s a smart and space-efficient option, especially if you have limited room or are growing on a smaller scale. But just because it’s compact doesn’t mean it lacks potential.
If you’re working with a backyard, side yard, or a narrow space next to your home, this type of structure allows you to properly use your growing area without needing a lot of additional land. This is perfect if you want to produce personal crops or operate a smaller-scale cannabis business.
Since lean-to greenhouses share a wall with another structure, they benefit from the heat generated by that building, which helps to maintain a more stable temperature inside. But one thing you’ll have to consider is sunlight. Since one side of the greenhouse is up against another building, you may lose out on some light exposure, especially if the wall blocks direct sunlight during certain parts of the day.
2. Freestanding Greenhouse
Freestanding greenhouses are one of the most versatile and popular choices among many growers. They stand alone and give you a self-contained growing environment that can be placed wherever you like on your property. You aren’t restricted by the location of your house or other buildings, so you can pick the ideal spot on your land based on the best sunlight exposure, drainage, and accessibility.
Another big selling point of a freestanding greenhouse is that it tends to be large, giving you more room to work with—both in terms of square footage and height. If you’re planning a large-scale cannabis operation, a freestanding greenhouse allows you to expand your growing capacity easily. Even if you start small, it’s always a good idea to have room to expand later, especially as your cannabis operation grows in size or complexity.
Despite the many benefits of this greenhouse, one major downside is the initial cost. Because these greenhouses are fully self-contained, they often require a larger upfront investment than other types of structures.
3. Geodesic Dome Greenhouse
This visually striking and highly efficient structure is a unique option for your cannabis cultivation. It’s known for its rounded, dome-like shape and provides a lot of benefits that can enhance your growing environment, from improved air circulation to better structural stability.
To start with, a geodesic dome greenhouse is strong. The dome shape naturally distributes stress evenly across its structure, making it incredibly durable. Hence, this greenhouse can withstand tough weather conditions.
The spherical shape of a geodesic dome also provides excellent sunlight exposure for your plants. Since the dome allows light to enter from all angles, your plants receive more consistent light throughout the day, even as the sun moves across the sky.
Additionally, the dome’s design allows natural air movement, preventing stagnant pockets of air from forming inside the greenhouse. The only major challenge with this greenhouse is that the upfront costs of purchasing or building a geodesic dome may be higher compared to more conventional greenhouse structures.
4. Hoophouse Greenhouse
A hoop house is a type of greenhouse made up of a series of large, curved metal or PVC pipes covered with a durable, transparent material like plastic or polyethylene. Known for its simple design and versatility, this greenhouse doesn’t require as much investment in materials and labor as other complex greenhouses.
The basic design uses a series of hoops, typically made from lightweight materials like PVC or galvanized steel, covered with a single layer of clear plastic. This simplicity means lower costs, making it an attractive choice if you want to maximize your budget without compromising on growing potential.
Setting up a hoop house is also relatively quick and easy. You can assemble one in just a few days. They also allow you to extend the growing season of your plants. The plastic covering traps heat and allows sunlight to penetrate, creating a warm and inviting microclimate inside, even when temperatures drop outside.
However, one important factor to consider when using hoop houses is that the plastic covering will need to be replaced periodically, as it can degrade over time due to UV exposure and weather conditions. You might need to include this in your budget and maintenance plans. Additionally, they may not be as effective as traditional greenhouses in extreme weather conditions.
5. Multi-Span Greenhouse
Multi-span greenhouses have multiple connected spans or arches that provide a spacious environment for various growing needs. This greenhouse allows you to have a larger growing area with unobstructed space, perfect for cultivating cannabis. And depending on your climate and budget, multi-span greenhouses can be constructed from various materials, including polyethylene film, polycarbonate panels, or glass.
The major benefit of this greenhouse is the ample space it provides. This is mostly beneficial if you have multiple strains or large quantities of plants to manage.
While multi-span greenhouses may require a more substantial initial investment than smaller or simpler structures, they often prove to be cost-effective in the long run. If you’re a commercial grower, the larger capacity and increased potential for yield can outweigh the initial costs, making multi-span greenhouses a wise financial decision.
6. Ridge and Furrow Greenhouse
A ridge-and-furrow greenhouse has multiple connected structures that share a common ridge or peak and are aligned in a row. They resemble a series of “furrows” (the downward slopes) between them. This design provides a large area of growing space while effectively controlling heat and humidity.
Instead of being isolated, the greenhouses are interconnected, maximizing the use of space and resources. The interconnected design also means that you can use shared systems for heating, cooling, and watering. And since these greenhouses are designed to promote airflow and reduce humidity buildup, they create an ideal environment for cannabis plants.
However, the initial construction of a ridge-and-furrow greenhouse can be complex. To make the most of this design, you’ll need a lot of space and a good understanding of the necessary infrastructure.
7. Gothic Arch Greenhouse
The Gothic arch greenhouse has tall, pointed arches that mimic the architectural style of medieval cathedrals. But this design isn’t just for looks; the arched shape allows for a higher interior space, which is particularly beneficial for cannabis plants that can grow quite tall.
The design of the arches allows light to penetrate throughout the day, as it reflects sunlight into the growing area, reducing shadowing and ensuring that your plants receive maximum exposure to natural light.
8. Sawtooth Greenhouse
The sawtooth greenhouse is named after its roof, which has a series of vertical ridges that resemble the teeth of a saw blade. This design isn’t just for looks but serves a purpose. The jagged roof structure allows for excellent natural ventilation, and the angled slats in the roof create natural vents that allow hot air to escape while cooler air can flow in from the lower sides.
The sawtooth design is especially useful in climates where excess heat can be an issue. Since it allows hot air to rise and escape easily through the roof vents, it prevents overheating inside the greenhouse. This can help you maintain a more consistent temperature without needing costly fans or air conditioning systems, saving you money on energy bills.
The jagged roof also helps to reduce shading that often occurs in other greenhouse structures. This means more sunlight can reach your cannabis plants throughout the day. And if your cannabis operation is in an area that experiences extreme weather, the roof’s angular design helps to distribute wind and snow loads evenly across the structure. This added stability can provide peace of mind that your greenhouse and your plants will remain protected.
Prioritize Automation Features:
Gone are the days of manually adjusting every aspect of your environment. Today’s greenhouses can come equipped with a range of high-tech automation systems that help simplify your cultivation process, improve plant health, and increase yields.
But, of course, adding automation isn’t just about tech for the sake of it. You need to consider what kind of automation makes sense for your operation in terms of efficiency, productivity, and, of course, your budget.
What exactly can be automated in a greenhouse? The options are endless. Some of the most common automation features include systems for controlling light, temperature, humidity, irrigation, ventilation, and CO2 levels. All of these factors are crucial to the health of your cannabis plants, and managing them manually can be not only labor-intensive but also prone to human error.
Conclusion
Choosing the right greenhouse for your cannabis operation is like building the perfect home for your plants, where the climate is just right, the space feels organized, and everything works smoothly to help them grow. So, whether you’re growing on a small scale or running a larger operation, getting the structure right will make all the difference. The greenhouse you choose should feel like a smart investment that supports your goals and helps you build a successful cannabis business.
