Grow cannabis on a balcony - Autoflowers
Grow cannabis on a balcony: Autoflowers in 2026
Updated: February 2026 | Balcony grow guide for beginners | Cannapot
Author: Cannapot Grow Team | Reading time: approximately thirteen minutes
There are a lot of reasons why you might want to use your balcony or terrace to grow a weed plant. For one thing, the sun does not send you a bill at the end of every month. If it rains, you are getting high quality water for free as well. You do not really need to buy ventilation systems either because the wind outside will keep the air moving and replenish the carbon dioxide levels.
Growing on a terrace is a nice way for a new grower to just try things out. You can even use a balcony to add some extra space to your operation. Depending on the time of year, you could use a terrace for the vegetation stage while your indoor room is in flowering mode. Some advanced growers might also like the longer growing cycle of a terrace if they prefer a more outdoor style.
In any case, there are some main rules you should know before you start a balcony grow. Some of these might seem obvious if you know what you are doing, but others might be news even if you have done this before.
The basics of the balcony
You need to ask if your balcony gets enough direct sunlight. Terraces are usually big enough that they get plenty of sun all day long, but some balconies might be on the wrong side of the building and only get morning light.
If that is the case, there is a solution. You can use autoflowers. If you try to use photoperiod varieties in low light, you are going to end up with small and weak plants that do not produce much bud.
Autoflowers will work much better in that situation because their flowering phase does not depend on the light cycle changing. It is also usually better for a beginner to use autoflowers because they are less complex but can still give you decent yields.
Safety first regarding hiding your plants
It does not matter if you live in a place where cannabis is allowed or not, you should always treat your crop like it is valuable. You probably do not want neighbors staring at your plants.
Do your best to keep them out of a direct line of sight. Instead of letting your weed grow as tall as it wants, it might be smart to use some training techniques. There are many to choose from, but if you do them right, they will control the growth and help the plant grow out to the side. This can actually increase your harvest. So why not try training your plant?
Here are some options you could try
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FIM basically involves pinching the top shoots to make the plant grow more main colas.
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Supercropping involves pinching the stem and bending it ninety degrees. This causes a small injury. If you do this early before flowering, the spot will heal into a strong knuckle that gives extra support.
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ScrOG uses a horizontal net. You weave the shoots through it to force the plant to grow sideways. This helps light get to more of the plant.
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SOG is a more advanced method that is not really right for a balcony. It involves growing many small plants very close together.
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Mainlining is sort of like ScrOG but without the net. You can only do this with seeds. You pinch the main shoot to split the main cola into two. Then you split those two into four, and so on. It creates a structure of stems you can tie down to make an even canopy.
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Topping is similar to fimming, but instead of pinching, you cut the top off completely. This makes the plant grow two new main colas.
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LST is where you gently bend and tie branches to help the plant grow wide and get good light.
Safety first regarding the smell
Cannabis is known for having a strong smell that can travel quite far. This might only be a big worry once flowering really starts, but it is still a risk. You cannot use carbon filters outside to hide the smell, but you can do the opposite. You can increase the smell coming out of your garden. That might sound confusing.
What you do is fill your terrace or balcony with other plants and flowers that smell strong. These are called companion plants. Gardenias, jasmine, honeysuckle, roses, and lilies are some options that smell strong. Even a tomato plant has a strong odor, and you get the benefit of eating tomatoes later. This makes the garden more fun anyway.
Use the right genetics
This advice is mostly for people who are new to growing. Some genetics like sativa dominant strains tend to grow very tall, while indica dominant ones turn into small bushes.
You should avoid pure sativa strains. You will most likely not be able to control them. Strains like Royal Moby or Royal AK will just be too much. Some Haze strains grow massive as well. They also take a lot longer to finish.
You should pick strong indica varieties, especially ones with Kush genetics. Strains like Bubble Kush, Pineapple Kush, or OG Kush are a good place to start.
The benefits of small plants
Growing cannabis on a balcony might mean you can only have a small plant or two. That is not really a problem. It actually offers you a lot of advantages.
Much easier to care for
Smaller plants mean smaller problems. It will be much easier to fix nutrient issues or insect problems when the plant is small. Instead of dealing with a giant canopy, you only have to focus on a small area. This improves your chances of success.
Neighbors will not see them as easily
Whether growing is legal or not where you are, it always helps to keep things private. Small plants help stop neighbors or thieves from noticing what you are doing.
Small buds are easier to dry
Drying is one of the most important parts of the process. If you do it right, it prepares your buds for curing and stops mold from growing. Small plants produce small buds. They hold less water and are less likely to get moldy. They are generally easier to dry.
It costs less to grow a small plant
Small plants need fewer resources. You will not need to spend as much on nutrients or pots. They also use less water.
You can experiment with different varieties
If you grow just a few small plants, you can try growing several different kinds if you have the space. Grow a selection of small strains to see which ones you like best. You can see how they grow and decide which ones you want to grow again next time.
Go with autoflowering cannabis
Autoflowering cannabis is very good for growing on a balcony or small space. Here are some reasons why.
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Autos usually stay small. Some only get to be about 1.3 to 2 feet tall.
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The small size keeps your grow hidden and reduces the chance of someone seeing it.
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Autoflowers do not need the light cycle to change to start flowering. You can plant and harvest them at any time of year.
Here are a few autoflowering strains that are good for a balcony.
Auto Duck (Dutch Passion)
Auto Duck is a funny looking autoflower because the leaves do not scream cannabis from far away. That is why people like it for small terraces and balconies. The smell is not the heaviest one either. It usually stays around 50 to 100 cm, takes about 13 weeks from seedling to harvest, and sits around 15 percent THC. The aroma is more floral and earthy, with mint, citrus, and pine notes.
Royal Dwarf (Royal Queen Seeds)
Royal Dwarf is a compact autoflower that is made for tight spaces. It usually stays around 50 to 90 cm and finishes in about 9 to 10 weeks from seedling to harvest. The smell leans skunk and earthy, and THC is listed at about 13 percent.
Royal Bluematic (Royal Queen Seeds)
Royal Bluematic is an autoflower built from Blueberry and Lowryder. It is often picked for smaller outdoor spots and cooler conditions. It tends to stay around 70 to 100 cm and runs about 11 to 12 weeks from seedling to harvest. The smell is blueberry, earthy, and fruity, with THC listed at about 14 percent.
White Widow Auto (Vision Seeds)
White Widow Auto is a classic name in an autoflower version. It is listed as easy to handle and very beginner friendly. It usually stays around 50 to 100 cm and finishes in about 9 to 10 weeks from seedling to harvest. The smell is described as very flowery and strong, and THC is listed at about 20 percent.
Short and Sweet Auto (Heavy Weight Seeds)
Short and Sweet Auto is a fast one with a simple balcony friendly size. It is listed at about 70 to 100 cm and about 8 to 9 weeks from seedling to harvest. The smell is described as extremely sweet and intense, with THC listed at about 16 percent.
AutoBlackberry Kush (Dutch Passion)
AutoBlackberry Kush mixes Blueberry with an automatic dark hash plant line. It is described as easy to grow, so people often pick it when they want something simple. It sits around 50 to 100 cm, takes about 10 weeks from seedling to harvest, and THC is listed at about 22 percent. The smell leans kush, diesel, earthy pine.
Auto Night Queen (Dutch Passion)
Auto Night Queen is an indica leaning autoflower that stays fairly compact for a balcony setup. It is listed at around 50 to 100 cm and about 13 weeks from seedling to harvest. The smell is described as very fruity Afghan, and THC is listed at about 18 percent.
CBD Auto 20:1 (Fast Buds)
CBD Auto 20:1 is the low THC, high CBD option on the list. THC is listed very low, around 0.3 to 0.85 percent, with CBD listed up to 20 percent. It is also fairly compact at about 70 to 90 cm and runs about 9 to 10 weeks from seedling to harvest.
If you want a deeper, seed-focused explanation start here: How to choose the right cannabis seeds.
Use the right pot size
The pot size you choose plays a big role in how your plants grow. A small container means a small plant. To reduce the height of your plant, you can just use a smaller pot.
Growing smaller plants does not mean you have to sacrifice yield. Instead of growing fewer large plants, you can just grow several small ones.
One thing to keep in mind is that in some places, there are legal limits on how many plants you can have. Even if it does not make much sense, you should check your local laws to be safe.
What kinds of pots are best
You can find various types of pots. While your cannabis might be fine in plastic containers, fabric pots are usually better. These allow the roots to breathe.
If you have a specific size in mind, you can control how tall your plants get by picking the right pot size. So choose a small pot if you do not want the plant to get too tall. If you have the space, you can go with larger pots.
Here is a rough guide for pot sizes.
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Half a liter for seedlings.
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2 to 3 liters for plants up to about 10 inches.
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5 liters for plants up to about 24 inches.
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11 liters or more for average height.
Protect your plants
If a storm is coming, watch out for strong winds, especially if you live high up. Strong winds can break stems or knock pots over. Long periods of rain can slow down growth because the soil gets too wet. Also, high humidity for too long can cause bud rot and ruin your flowers.
The same goes for heat in the summer. Plants can drink water very fast. If you go away for the weekend and forget to water them, you might come back to a dry plant. They are tough, but they are not immortal.
Always look out for pests. Growing outdoors means you need to check the plants regularly. The best method is prevention. There are bugs that do not like certain plants, so you can add those to your garden to help keep it clean.
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Basil repels thrips and flies.
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Garlic repels pests and acts as a fungicide.
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Marigolds distract bugs so they go there instead of your weed.
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Petunias are good against beetles and aphids.
Do not use chemical pesticides. They are bad for the environment and could be risky for your health if you smoke them. Regular use of neem oil mixed with propolis will do a good job against spider mites and other bugs.
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