How Much Does One Plant Yield?

If you’re a first-time grower, you’ve likely seen pictures of marijuana plants that look like humongous, overstuffed pine trees and wondered, “How much weed does one plant yield?” This is a very common question, especially for those new to cannabis cultivation. 

Growing weed (whether indoor or outdoor) is a lot of work, and it’s natural that growers want to know if it’s worth their time and effort. With that in mind, let’s talk about what you need to know as a beginner.

Homegrown costs to consider

Imagine you just bought your first seed pack. What do you need to turn them into big buds? First, let’s consider the essentials for growing a few plants at home. If you’re growing weed indoors, you’ll need a grow tent, grow lights, fans, pots, a growing medium like soil or coco coir, and nutrients. 

To get started in a 2 X 4 tent, you should expect to drop at least $1200. With the best tents on the market costing $350, full spectrum LED lights running anywhere from $100-$400, containers $80, nutrients $50 to $100, soil $50 to $150, fans $35, and other miscellaneous items like pest prevention, trellising, pH pens, pruning equipment costing an additional $100-$300.

It’s a modest investment compared to starting a commercial grow operation, which involves a much larger space, more plants, licensing fees, taxes, and higher costs in the tens if not hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Growing marijuana outdoors costs significantly less. For  $500 or less, you can grow a couple of cannabis plants. Depending on the quality of your native soil, you can plant directly in the ground for the cheapest route possible. 

Growing this way can also result in the largest plants and yields. A plant grows larger when its roots have more room. But your soil needs to be rich in organic matter and easily penetrated by the roots for your plants to achieve maximum growth.  

Most people live in neighborhoods where the soil is highly compacted and devoid of organic matter, which means planting in the ground is not advisable. In that case, planting in a container like a fabric pot or raised bed is the easiest solution. Bigger pots will result in larger plants.

Consider building a DIY raised bed and filling it with tree branches, leaves, and sticks about halfway for a modified hügelkultur bed that will save you money on the potting mix. Another way to save money is to buy potting mix in bulk at your local landscape supply company or make your own. Invest in some good quality fertilizer, make your compost, water as needed, and your plant should thrive.

Factors that affect plant yield

So, what’s the difference between those giant plants and the smaller, cute ones? Size doesn’t always mean better quality, but it can affect yield. As a new grower, pay attention to factors like plant genetics, light cycle, soil quality, pests, temperature, and humidity. These elements are crucial for successful plant growth and higher yield.

Genetics

If you want high-yielding plants you need to start with quality genetics and grow cultivars known for producing, like Vanilla Frosting. This variety’s “strong stalks lead to less breakage from the dense buds that will fill your 1/8 jars or pipes for days.”

Lighting

Once you have your seeds, choosing a location or providing adequate light at the optimal setting will increase your yield. The under-canopy nugs won’t be as dense as they would be outside because grow room lights don’t move like the sun. That’s why many growers “skirt” or remove the bottom half of their plants when growing cannabis indoors. With under-canopy lighting, you can increase your yield even in the understory.

Pruning

Pruning your plant is a great way to increase yield. Every plant has a specific number of bud sites once the flowering stage begins. By removing the bud sites that don’t receive light or block airflow your plant can store excess sugars produced during photosynthesis and funnel resources to the best buds located on the top of the plant. This results in higher-quality dried cannabis buds that are denser, which can increase your overall yield.

Soil

Ensuring your plant has access to enough fertilizer will significantly increase your yield. This means high-quality soil with a steady supply of nutrients. Making fertilizer teas can be fun, but for novice growers, a water-soluble organic fertilizer like Organics Alive is an easy option. Alongside organic dry amendments mixed into the potting mix that will slowly release, you can ensure your plant never runs out of the nutrients it needs.

Integrated Pest Management

You can improve your yield and quality by having a plan for pests. By using preventative treatments, like companion plants that produce specific terpenes that ward off insects, such as lemon balm for cabbage moths or marigolds for root-knot nematodes, you can shore up your plant’s defenses before pests even arrive.

Making a simple DIY foliar application solution of Castille soap, essential oils, and isopropyl alcohol can prevent and kill soft-bodied insects like aphids and mites. Make sure to test your spray on one area of the plant to ensure your mixture is correct; leaf necrosis can occur if the mixture is too strong. By preventing infestations from happening, you can significantly increase your yield and quality.

Marijuana price per pound

The cost of growing your own marijuana differs significantly from buying it. For details on prices, check out our article, “How Much is a Gram?” The price per pound of marijuana varies significantly across the United States, and depends on the maturity of the cannabis industry in your state. This is why answering “How much weed can you get from one plant?” is so crucial for consumers.

Due to federal laws prohibiting interstate commerce of cannabis, states that have allowed unlimited cultivation, like California and Oklahoma, have seen prices nosedive. In California, greenhouse-grown flowers could fetch $1800 per pound in 2020 to $500 per pound in 2021, with full-season outdoor going as low as $200 per pound. This is wholesale pricing received by the farmer, with dispensaries doubling, tripling, and quadrupling those prices for retail. How much are weed plants worth in your state?

With new states entering the emerging cannabis industry, it benefits both farmers and consumers to allow direct sales at farmers market events. These  were once common in California under medical laws and newly legalized in Pennsylvania. However, no matter where you live, growing it yourself will result in the least expensive price per pound.

So, just how much is a cannabis plant worth? To answer this, we need to know how much weed does a weed plant produce. When growing outdoors, you can easily grow a 5-pound plant, and growing a 10-pound plant isn’t out of the question.

Average yields vary depending on the growing style used, so the value of a plant can range from $500 – $8,000 in wholesale terms and triple or quadruple in retail value. Depending on your state, home growers can typically grow anywhere from 4 – 16 plants.

FAQ

How much does a weed plant produce?

This varies greatly depending on the growing conditions and strain, but generally, it’s between a few ounces to a few pounds. Some outdoor plants can yield 10 pounds per plant!

How many plants can grow in a 10×10?

Depending on the growing style, you could grow anywhere from one massive outdoor plant to a “sea of green” indoors, which utilizes a high-density plant count of 1 plant per square meter, resulting in up to 25 plants in a 10 X 10 growing space.

Do bigger plants mean more buds?

Yes, generally. Larger plants usually have more buds, but this also depends on the strain, growing conditions, and overall plant care throughout the growing season.

How much marijuana will a 1,000-watt light produce? 

Approximately 1-3 pounds (450-1500 grams) in an indoor garden.

How many cannabis plants can grow under a 1000-watt LED?

This depends on the size of the plants, but typically, one to four plants will easily fit under a single 1000-watt LED light.

Is it expensive to grow a weed plant?

Growing outdoors is the cheapest way to grow cannabis, and it will give you the practice you need before spending a ton of money on an indoor grow room. The initial setup can be a bit costly, but growing your own can save money in the long run compared to buying at a dispensary.

How much is a weed plant? 

Well, it depends. As a first-time cannabis grower, understanding the basics of cannabis cultivation is key. The yield from a single plant can vary, but with the right care and setup, you can enjoy a fruitful harvest. Remember, the journey of growing marijuana is as rewarding as the harvest itself!