As during the last decade the popularity of using cannabis recreationally and medically has increased incredibly, many choose to grow their own marijuana because home-growing is cheaper and also allows the grower to be in control of the quality of the future stash. Only a few countries and places have legalized weed completely, most countries have strict decriminalization laws or simply – drugs are illegal.

Whether you’re located in a place where cannabis is illegal, decriminalization has limited growing to a few marijuana plants, or it’s a human right to cultivate this magical herb, growing indoors can still attract unwanted attention.

Once you have inhaled the pungent aroma of weed, either in a form of smoke or while the plants are blooming, there’s no way of forgetting – it stays stuck in the memory like those “what has been seen can’t be unseen” pictures. Besides, true stoner knows the smell from a few meters away.

Although some people might not be familiar with this specific scent, it’s always better to avoid unnecessary trouble beforehand. Luckily, any odor, including the tasty smell of marijuana grow room, can be controlled. Combine these to achieve a fragrance-free environment and peace of mind.

Extra Plants

 
Consider having other plants with an equally powerful aroma either in the grow room, directly in the grow tent or the living space. Plants like peppermint, basil, and citronella are perfect for growing indoors. Not only you’re going to mask the odor of marijuana, but you’re also going to have plenty of herbs to use for cooking along with lots of buds.

Air Filters

 
Although they are mostly used for purifying the air, they also can help a little with strong smells. However, bear in mind that an air purifier may not minimize the permanent odor, as it is not powerful enough to pull it all out of a bigger grow tent. But, combined with other smell control methods it might work slightly better.

Odor Neutralizers

Stoners who have tried covering up the smell with an air freshener know that it helps only for a short moment. Such products as odor neutralizers work more effectively because they are specifically made to merge with appalling smells, neutralizing it. Moreover, many neutralizers themselves are strong enough to mask other overpowering odors.

Since cannabis produces the smell throughout the flowering stage, neutralizers have to be used constantly. One of the most popular neutralizers among growers is Ona Pro Gel, originally developed for sewage treatment facilities. However, be precautious with using neutralizers excessively, do not put them right next to the plants or in a grow tent because they are known to affect the taste of buds.

Carbon Filter

The most effective method to eliminate the odor coming from the grow tent completely is a carbon filter also called „scrubber”. It’s every growers’ „must-have”. This filter is installed in the grow tent’s exhaust system and it uses activated carbon to absorb the smell as the air is being pulled through it by a fan.

There are two kinds of carbon filters – block and granular. The surface area of a block filter is bigger, as well as it’s denser than a granular filter, and consequently more effective. Still, granular filters work perfectly for smaller grow tents. All carbon filters usually come with 2 prefilters.

A prefilter has to be changed approximately every 6 months. Without the prefilter, the lifespan of the carbon filter is at least two times shorter because the main purpose of the prefilter is to protect the carbon filter from getting blocked by dust or small particles of plants.

Because the ventilation system takes a lot of space in the grow tent, many growers have a question if the carbon filter can be placed outside (just for the sake of saving some space for the plants), so the fan would push the air through it. It can be done, although, originally it’s meant only for pulling the air through, not pushing.

To modify the whole ventilation system for placing it outside, the prefilter will have to be removed. Although the plants will have more space, the carbon filter will serve less. Besides, if you want to alter the smell completely, the filter has to remain working 24/7.

With the system running non-stop the power of the carbon filter decreases and it doesn’t filter the odor as effectively as before. The lifespan of carbon filters given by manufacturers is 18 to 24 months, but in reality, it greatly depends on the usage. It definitely can last longer if taken proper care of.

Do you have any other method to control the smell of marijuana in your grow tent or grow room? Leave a comment below. Happy growing and toking!

To learn how to install you filter here is a carbon filter setup in a grow tent, step by step guide with pictures.