How much does it cost to set up an indoor cultivation from scratch?
Find out how much it costs to set up indoor growing from scratch, what you need and how to get started step by step with a smart and hassle-free investment.
Setting up indoor cultivation from scratch can seem daunting at first—especially if you have no prior experience or a clear guide on where to begin. But with a bit of planning and a solid understanding of what’s truly needed, you can take that first step without unnecessary stress, without spending half your salary, and most importantly, with good judgment.
In this article, we’ll walk you through the essentials of a basic indoor grow setup, how much each component might cost, and what factors to consider from day one. If you're thinking about making the leap into indoor cultivation, this is for you.
How to start setting up indoor cultivation from scratch
The first thing to understand is that indoor cultivation is not just about putting a plant under a bulb. It’s about replicating outdoor conditions as closely as possible: light, temperature, ventilation, humidity, substrate… everything must be well balanced.
That’s why, before buying anything, it's crucial to plan your space. Do you have a spare room? A corner in the storage room? Are you going to use a grow tent? From there, you can decide the size of the equipment you need and what type of setup fits you best.
Once you’ve chosen your space, these are the basic steps to follow:
- Prepare the structure or grow tent
- Install proper lighting
- Set up ventilation and extraction systems
- Choose the right substrate and pots
- Add fertilizers and measure key parameters
- Monitor temperature and humidity
- Set a consistent light and watering schedule
You don’t need perfection from day one, but you do need a solid foundation to avoid common mistakes that can slow down your progress.
What you need for setting up indoor cultivation from scratch
Let’s break it down. Some elements are essential, while others aren’t mandatory but can significantly improve your results. Here are the most important components:
Grow tent or cultivation space
For beginners, a grow tent is the best option. They’re designed to maintain complete darkness when needed, reflect light efficiently, and help you keep everything under control. They come in many sizes, but an 80x80 or 100x100 cm tent is more than enough for a home grow.
If you prefer to use a full room, you’ll need to line the walls with reflective material (like Mylar) and make sure no external light seeps in.
Lighting system
Light is the engine of indoor cultivation. The most common options are:
- LED: The most efficient and lowest in energy consumption. While the upfront cost is higher, they pay for themselves quickly and produce very little heat.
- HPS (sodium): Powerful and budget-friendly, but generate a lot of heat. Great for the flowering stage.
- LEC: A mid-range option with a broad light spectrum and very complete performance.
Your choice will depend on your budget, grow space size, and priorities (energy use, heat, yield, etc.).
Ventilation and extraction
Without fresh air, your plants can’t breathe properly—and if they don’t breathe, they don’t grow well. At a minimum, you’ll need:
- An extractor fan to refresh the air every few minutes
- An internal fan to keep the air moving constantly
- An intake fan (optional in small spaces) to bring in clean air
This helps avoid excess humidity, strengthens stems, and prevents problems like mold.
Carbon filter
While not mandatory, it’s highly recommended. Activated carbon filters connect to your extractor and help neutralize the strong odors produced during the grow cycle.
If you live in an apartment, share a building, or just want to stay discreet, don’t skip this step.
Substrate and pots
There are many options, but the easiest for beginners is pre-mixed soil, specifically formulated for indoor cultivation. It offers good water retention, solid drainage, and often comes enriched with initial nutrients.
Pots matter too. Fabric pots or square black plastic ones are the most common. Be sure to have trays underneath to catch runoff after watering.
Fertilizers and nutrients
Feeding your plants properly makes all the difference. For a complete grow, you’ll need at least:
- A nutrient mix for the vegetative phase
- Another one for the flowering phase
There are also additives that boost absorption or stimulate certain processes, but if you’re just starting out, a good base fertilizer for each phase is more than enough.
pH and EC meters
Maintaining the right pH in your watering solution is crucial for nutrient absorption. Ideally, it should be between 6.0 and 6.5, although it might vary slightly depending on your substrate.
An EC (electrical conductivity) meter shows how many nutrients are in your solution. It’s not essential at first, but it helps you avoid over- or under-feeding.
Controllers and accessories
A quality thermohygrometer lets you monitor temperature and humidity inside the tent at all times. You’ll also want a timer to automate your light cycles and avoid turning things on and off manually.
Other helpful accessories: adjustable ropes to hang your lights, cultivation trays, a sprayer for misting, and plant tags if you’re growing multiple strains.
How much does it cost to set up an indoor cultivation from scratch?
Now, the big question: how much does setting up indoor cultivation from scratch cost? That depends a lot on the size of your grow, the quality of your gear, and whether you buy items individually or go for a complete kit.
Here’s a rough estimate for a basic setup with an 80x80 cm grow tent:
- Grow tent: €70 – €120
- LED lighting kit: €120 – €180
- Extractor + fan: €60 – €90
- Carbon filter: €40 – €80
- Substrate + pots: €25 – €40
- Fertilizers: €25 – €50
- pH meter: from €12
- Thermohygrometer + timer: €20 – €30
Total estimated initial cost: €350 to €500 to get off to a solid start. If you go with pre-packaged kits that include several of these components, you could save even more.
And after that? Running costs are relatively low—electricity, water, and occasionally restocking nutrients. When managed properly, indoor cultivation can be very efficient and cost-effective over time.
What to keep in mind when starting to set up indoor cultivation
Beyond the budget, there are some often-overlooked details that are worth being aware of from the beginning:
- Choose your location wisely: it should be cool, lightproof, and easy to control for odor
- Understand the grow cycle: plan each phase and avoid rushing
- Don’t cut corners on lighting or ventilation: they’re the pillars of your grow
- Avoid over-fertilizing: more is not always better. Less and steady usually works best
- Keep everything clean and organized: it’ll save you from nasty surprises
The key is to take it one step at a time, learn from every grow, and make small improvements along the way. One of the best things about this world is that there’s always room to grow—literally.
Conclusion: is the investment worth it?
Setting up indoor cultivation from scratch is an adventure—and one that’s well worth it if done with passion, planning, and a little care. The upfront cost may seem steep, but the results speak for themselves. Plus, with a solid setup, you can grow cycle after cycle with minimal tweaks.
If you're ready to take the plunge, Growshoplowcost has everything you need to get started—grow tents, lights, full kits, and a team ready to advise you based on your specific needs. It's not about selling you the most expensive gear, but about finding what fits you best.