8 Best Outdoor Grow Tents in 2022 for Growing Marijuana [Top Picks & Detailed Guide]

Grow tents are an important concept. Regardless of growing your plants indoors or outdoors, there’s a good chance you are going to need them. These tents come in different shapes and sizes, materials, and different design variants too. All of these tents have their own characteristic features and it might just get very confusing for someone who is just starting off on the weed growing journey. Hence, we are here with this article detailing everything that you need to know about outdoor grow tents in 2022 along with complete product reviews, pros and cons, buyers guide, and answers to FAQs! 

Over the course of this article, we shall begin with primarily understanding the difference between growing weed indoors vs growing weed outdoors. Many growers don’t really understand the fine differences between the two methods of growing weed and hence this is quite important. Post that we shall look at the outdoor growing and everything a grower needs to start off with this method of growing weed. Following that, we shall look at the five best outdoor grow tents that you can buy online right now.

We shall also provide you with a buyer’s guide which is basically a checklist which you can run against the products of your choice and see if the outdoor grow tent that you are buying is indeed something that will meet all your needs. Post that we closely examine the pros and cons of using outdoor grow tents, followed by the answers to some of the most common and frequently asked questions before we conclude. 

Growing Weed Indoors vs Growing Weed Outdoors: Which is Better?

Before discussing the question of “which is better” of the two methods of growing weed, one must know what is the difference between the two. For millennia, marijuana plants have grown outdoors and under natural circumstances. Different climatic conditions and soil compositions are what make weed growing in different parts of the world taste different. However, while weed can grow in practically any weather condition, “ideal weed” requires a certain kind of weather and soil in order to grow properly. 

When you grow weed outdoors, you are leaving it to the mercy of the natural composition of the soil. Sunlight is another critical factor as all plants need light to grow. Then there’s rain and snow – the presence of which could affect your plants negatively. Growing outdoors also means you need to protect them from pests. However, this is what many growers who want a wholly “natural” experience tend to grow in. The soil composition can be improved by adding nutrients along with water. Damage due to weather and pests can be controlled by using grow tents that protect the plants. Grow lights can also be added to extend the natural lighting hours. Some people even grow outdoors using greenhouses (more on that later).

Looking at indoor growth, this is a purely scientific method aimed at getting the maximum possible benefit from your plant. The marijuana plant that you are growing needs to have everything in the right amount – the light, water, nutrients, etc. all need to be just in the perfect quantity and quality. When growing outdoors you leave too much to nature and too little to yourself. However, indoor growth means that you can ensure that optimum amounts of all these external factors are provided which will make sure that the plant performs to its best possible extent and that you get the most number of flowers and buds of high and potent quality. Growing indoors needs artificial lighting in the form of grow lights, grow tents to ensure the light remains trapped inside, artificial heating, cooling, and humidity measures. It needs much more care, attention, and effort – besides, growing weed indoors can be quite an expensive process as well. 

Each method of growing weed has its own benefits and drawbacks. However, growing outdoors is a perfect solution for someone who wants to grow weed in a manner that does not consume too much money, time, and effort. Your plants grow outdoors in their natural cycle with minimal supervision (you need to watch out for pests though as they can be quite a bother). But other than that growing your weed indoors is usually a much more complex process. 

Understanding Outdoor Growing: What Do You Require?

To grow your plants outdoors, you will first of all need suitable weather. The ideal time to start growing weed outdoors is during the summer season when daylight hours are long and your seedlings and early-stage vegetative plants will get a lot of sunlight. At an early stage of growth, plants need a lot of sunlight. Then there will be the monsoon season where the plants will keep getting enough water naturally. This will help the vegetative phase get a boost. Then when daylight hours start getting shorter, plants will enter pre-flowering as winter approaches and in winter they will flower as the lighting hours will get greatly reduced. This natural cycle found outdoors has to be artificially created if growing indoors by timing the grow lights, but in nature, it happens on its own.

You don’t usually need grow tents, but outdoor grow tents are needed for emergency situations – which are quite unpredictable, so we best suggest you keep them handy. These grow tents help you protect your plants against excess rain or snow. They can also help you protect your plants against strong winds. Another thing that they help you against is pests and insects, or stray animals. Tents are an important part of any growing process – indoors or outdoors and you do need them. However, outdoor grow tents are somewhat different from indoor ones (more on that later). 

You will also need fertilizers and nutrients that you will provide to the soil by mixing it in water. Some growers also prefer using grow lights outdoors to extend the light beyond the usual hours. This is pretty much all you need when growing weed outdoors. Let us now bring our attention back to the outdoor grow tents by looking at five of the best examples that we have in the markets today. We have provided a detailed review here so that you can make a better decision while buying one for your plants. 

8 Best Outdoor Grow Tents in 2022 for Growing Marijuana

First off, you need to know the difference between indoor and outdoor grow tents. An indoor grow tent is a covering that has reflective layers on the inside and is usually a small structure. The primary purpose of this grow tent is to contain and reflect light on to the plants. Outdoor grow tents, on the other hand, are usually transparent or translucent, allowing some or all the light to enter. These grow tents are primarily for protective purposes and help the growers keep the pests and insects away as well as protect the plants from rain and snow and other environmental factors. They come in many different size variants – some allow you to walk in and arrange your plants on racks while others are just small coverings which are put over your plants like a tiny tent. Here are the top 5 outdoor grow tent reviews:

1. Home-Complete HC-4202 Walk-In Outdoor Grow Tent

• Dimensions: 56.3 x 56.3 x 76.7 inches
• Material: Steel Frame  and PVC Cover
• Space: 8 Shelves

Now this is a large and heavy-duty grow tent for heavy-duty growers. People who want to grow marijuana in larger quantity need a big space to grow their plants and this is one of the best options they have in a really large size as this is a walk-in grow tent with eight shelves! Growers can arrange their plants in it with quite the ease. It is very easy and convenient to set up even if you do not really have a lot of growing experience as all the instructions are very clear. This is one of the best outdoor grow tents as it is strong enough to withstand rains, snow and even strong winds.

This uses a transparent PVC cover which ensures that the sunlight can easily come in and your plants can benefit from the natural light. Thanks to the steel frame you can also add certain grow lights which are not too heavy. Rope and anchors come with the package which ensure the stability of your outdoor grow tent. The shelves are also quite durable and will ensure that they can handle quite the weight. The dark green color of the outdoor grow tent also makes sure that it can blend really well with the garden or the outdoor area you decide to set it up in. The roll-up door can be rolled up to ensure air circulation while the door can be sealed shut to prevent pests and insects from entering.

2. BBBuy 4-Tier Mini Outdoor Grow Tent

• Dimensions: 57″L x 57″W x 77″H
• Material: Steel tube + PE cover
• Space: 8 Shelves

Another walk-in grow tent for growers who have somewhat bigger needs than usual small-scale growers. This grow tent has an eight shelf setup and is enough for your marijuana plants to spend most of their vegetative phase-in. For those growing smaller plants which don’t grow to tall lengths, you could perhaps complete their entire life cycle here. To ensure that the tent remains firm and stable there are plastic stakes and ropes as well. The mainframe of the tent is made up of metal tubes 0.3 to 0.4mm in thickness which hold it firmly together. There’s a zippered door which can be opened up to allow fresh air to enter. The door is big enough for growers to walk in and can be zipped shut to make sure pests and insects do not enter. 

Made out of green-colored PE cloth, this grow tent goes in really well with any lawn, backyard or garden you wish to keep this in. By the nature of its build, this is one of the best outdoor grow tents as it captures the heat and the humidity which makes it great for the plants particularly during the early phase of their growth when they require high amounts of humidity. 

3. Porayhut Pop Up Outdoor Grow Tent

• Dimensions: 98″x49″x53″
• Material: Transparent PE Plastic
• Space: No Racks but Two Grounded Units

A pop-up grow tent which is quite small in size, meant specifically for grounded units, this is a good option for growers who aren’t really growing a large number of plants but are looking forward to growing only in small scale. There are multiple windows in this small sized grow tent which will allow the air to flow in and out helping provide the plants a steady breeze while also keeping their temperatures from rising. You can directly grow a plant on the ground and have it placed around the plant thereby allowing your plants to grow directly on the ground than in pots. 

This is made out of a UV protected and waterproof material which makes it one of the best outdoor grow tents for growing marijuana. This grow tent is about 4.5ft tall which is sufficient for early stage plants to get a good protective covering. For non-marijuana plants such as flowering ornamental plants this is the ideal setup as you can use these tents for the entire lifetime of the plant. The cloth used here is the Oxford 600D cloth which is very durable and has been known for grow tents. You also get ropes and stakes along with this grow tent which make sure that your tent is fixed well to the ground and does not blow away. All said and done this is one of the best outdoor grow tents for small-size growing setups.

4. Quictent Waterproof UV Protected Reinforced Mini Cloche Outdoor Grow Tent

• Dimensions: 71″ X 36″ X 36″
• Material: Powder-Coated Steel Frame + Transparent PVC Cover
• Space: No Racks but large grounded unit

This grow tent from quictent is known for its ease of use, particularly when it comes to small-scale growers. It is a double-tent setup where there are two compartments in the tent (without a separation). You could choose to grow the same plants or different ones in them. Windows can be opened up from the top to allow unfiltered light and air to enter and exit while they can also be shut to avoid damage from insects pests or rain and snow. This is a very simple tent to set up which is one of the key highlights from almost all quictent products. 

Growers who have used it over the years have also stated that they have found the tent’s design to be very effective in keeping the ground warm which is a huge plus point. Another reason as to why this is one of the best outdoor grow tents is that it makes use of a very good quality zipper which will last you for a really long time even if you keep using it time and time again. Last but not the least what also separates this grow tent from several other tents is that this one has a very unique design style which is quite pleasing to look at and it will add a level of elegance to your lawn, backyard, or wherever you decide to set it on.

5. CO-Z Lean to Greenhouse Walk in, Portable Mini Outdoor Grow Tent

• Dimensions: 78 x 39 x 85 inches
• Material: PE and Steel
• Space: Three Floored Rack

While the Quictent grow tent that we saw above offers a very unique design, this one from CO-Z also comes with a very different look. In fact, in terms of design we have never seen something as visually appealing as this grow tent. Shaped like a quarter of a circle, this is one of the best outdoor grow tents for growers who want a small-sized walk-in grow tent. This is an ideal grow tent for those growers who have sufficient space but do not really want to grow a lot of plants there. This leaves enough space on one side for the growers to walk around while the other side has plants kept on shelves.

This is seven feet tall and about 3.3ft wide. Made out of PE and Steel, this is a very durable tent and will last you for quite a long time and can hold good for itself even during the rainy and stormy times of the year. The three floored rack offers enough space for your plants to be kept properly and in an appropriate distance from each other. Plastic connectors hold the structural integrity of the tent together and ensure it remains stable. All in all this is a good looking as well as great performing grow tent.

6. VIVOSUN Hydroponic Grow Tent

• Dimensions – 49 x 13.4 x 7.5 inches
• Material – 600D canvas with metal poles
• Space – 2-tier

When it comes to talking about outdoor grow tents, the last thing you want is to invest in a non-competent option. Amidst all the types of grow tents available in the market, Vivosun has time and time proved its worth to the world.

Not only is their products one of the bestsellers on Amazon, but you also get the premium reliability of the brand, which is pretty great too. However, the VIVOSUN Hydroponic Grow Tent is one of the absolute best options that you can consider investing in.

This multi-chamber grow tent from Vivosun features a 2-tier design with a large tent area that allows you to grow different kinds of hydroponics without any issues. Also, the transparent design of the grow tent allows you to make the maximum use out of the product because you get to keep an eye out on the growth and progress of the plants.

The compact size of the grow tent is again a reason why it is such a popular option that you can invest your money in. Also, it comes with a space-saving design that allows you to stack it anywhere that you have space.

The best thing about this grow tent is how quick and efficient the yield is. This allows you to shorten the harvesting time so you can plant more eventually. Also, the 600D oxford extra thick canvas is a boon and comes with a double stitched perimeter for extra durability.

The insides of this tent are lined with a 98% reflective mylar sheath that prevents the light from escaping out of the grow tent, enhancing the overall output efficiency without any issues. 

7. Nova Store Mini Greenhouse Outdoor Grow Tent

• Dimensions – 27 x 16 x 16 inches
• Material – Polyethylene
• Space – 4-tier shelving

Next up on the list of outdoor grow tents that you can consider buying is the Nova Store Mini Greenhouse Outdoor Grow Tent. This is ideal for users who don’t have a lot of space to spare around their outdoor setting.

The grow tent individually is designed with a 4-tier portable design with individual shelving that allows you to grow your favorite greenhouse plants efficiently. Also, the durable and practical design of this grows tent shields the plants from rough external factors like rain and sun.

The main structure and shelves in this grow tent are designed and constructed with high-quality metal with powder coating on the exterior. Also, it is fastened with a heavy-duty bearing net on each layer to ensure better strength and stability so everyone can stack away more pots.

Unlike the majority of the other outdoor grow tents and greenhouses; this one features a unique design with the rolled-up zippered design that provides screened ventilation and easy access to the plants inside for maximum air circulation.

Aside from the polyethylene construction and fabric, the tent is also designed with non-woven fabric to accommodate the needs of every user. The best part of this grow tent is the fact that it’s easy to use and even easier to assemble and put together. The package comes with assembling procedures that you can follow without any issues at all.

8. VERTOR VT Grow Tent

• Dimensions – 49 x 13 x 5 inches
• Material – 600D oxford cloth
• Space – Doesn’t come with shelves

If budget is holding you back when it comes to outdoor grow tents, you can seamlessly consider investing in the VERTOR VT Grow Tent. Priced under $100, this one is nothing short of a boon, especially if you are looking for a worthy product.

The grow tent is constructed with a tear-proof and wear-resistant 600D oxford fabric cover that is extra tough and durable like nothing you’d ever expect. The perimeter of this grow tent comes with double stitching for extra strength and durability.

As for the structure of the product, it comes with metal poles and iron pipes that are not just durable and stable but also rust-resistant. The insides of this tent are covered in 98% reflective mylar sheath to prevent light from leaking out of the tent.

The outdoor grow tent further features durable zippers that are not just heavy-duty but come with extra sealing that prevents the risks of light leakage that many often tend to complain about. Also, the transparent design makes it easier for you to keep a check on the growth and progress.

This multipurpose grow tent can be set up indoors and outdoors, depending on what deems the best option for you. Also, the installation process is mentioned on the package, making it a lot easier for you to keep a check on the convenience. You wouldn’t require extra tools for the installation process either.

Since this brand is such a reputable one, it isn’t surprising that their after-sales service is one of a kind too.

An Ultimate Buyer’s Guide for Outdoor Grow Tents

Now that you know which are some of the best options that you have in the markets when you want to buy an outdoor grow tent, let us look at a list of things that you should tick before you buy the grow tent of your choice. This is the ultimate buyer’s guide for outdoor grow tents:

1. No. of Plants

First off, you should know the number of plants that you are going to grow and how much space they occupy. It is only based on that estimate that you would look for a grow tent. There is no point buying a very large grow tent for a very small number of plants and a very small grow tent for a very large number of plants. 

2. Walk-In or Grounded?

There are two kinds of outdoor grow tents – the first ones are like a greenhouse which will allow you to walk in and enter them where you can arrange your plants on shelves and racks. The second kind of grow tents are for small scale growers who would rather keep their plants on the ground and don’t really need tall spaces. Make sure you know what kind of grow tent you would need based on the number of plants you are growing. 

3. Durability and Material

You need to check what material is being used to build your grow tent. Is it built out of steel and metal or is it made out of PVC units? You also need to know what kind of plastic or cloth is being used in the walls of the tent and how thick is it. It is also essential to ensure that the material is non-toxic and putting it out under the sun won’t damage the plants or affect the people working inside it. 

4. Racks and Levels

You must know how many levels/floors/racks are there in the grow tent that you are buying. Most personal scale walk-in grow tents would offer you either six or eight racks depending on how big they are. You should also ensure that the number of racks is as per your needs. 

5. Ease of Assembly

Setting up these grow tents shouldn’t be a challenging task. However, if you are a first-time grower just make sure that you are buying a grow tent which is easy to set up and is beginner-friendly. 

6. Zipper Strength

Not all outdoor grow tents have zippers, but the ones that do have them – make sure that they are good quality zippers that will not break off when you are zipping or unzipping the tent. Having a heavy-duty zipper is a must, regardless of indoor or outdoor grow tent. 

7. Cost and Warranty

Last but not the least, this aspect needs to be carefully looked into. You must keep a budget in mind and stick to it else you might end up overspending. Warranty is also essential and try and get the product with the longest possible warranty. 

Recommended:

• Best Grow Tents
• Best 3×3 Grow Tents
• Best 5×5 Grow Tents
• Best Grow Tent Heaters

Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Outdoor Grow Tents for Growing Marijuana

Here’s a look at some advantages and disadvantages of outdoor grow tents:

Advantages:

• Pests, insects, and stray animals are kept away thanks to the protective layer that the outdoor grow tent offers to the plants
• These tents are transparent or translucent and thereby ensure that the plant gets access to the natural sunlight coming directly from the sun. This light is any day better when compared to the artificial lighting provided by the grow lights. 
• Growing outdoor means you spend way less on electricity costs and other costs such as those associated with heating, cooling, humidity, etc as you get to grow your plants in natural conditions.
• By opening up the window slots you can also allow for the natural air to flow in and out of the grow tent instead of creating an artificial breeze as you would do in an indoors grow tent.

Disadvantages:

• Setting them up can get quite cumbersome and messy at times because you need to dig them in the mud and ensure that the pegs are tightly fixed onto the ground. 
• You can only grow plants up to a certain height in the racks
• You need to make sure you’re buying really durable and sturdy tents else strong winds or thunderstorms might knock them over. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Outdoor Grow Tents

Here are the answers to some of the most common and frequently asked questions about outdoor grow tents:

1. Can outdoor grow tents fully protect my plants against pests?

There is no way that can assure 100% protection against pests and insects. However, using a grow tent around your plants can drop the chances significantly, especially when growing outdoors. However, the one critical thing that you need to do is that you must check each and every plant for any pre-existing pests before you have them placed in the outdoor grow tent else they might bring in pests which will infect other healthy plants too!

2. Where can I buy outdoor grow tents?

Outdoor grow tents are easily available in any gardening store near your home. You can even find them in certain supermarkets and specialty stores. However, you can also order them off Amazon if you do not wish to go out to the store to buy them. We have suggested some of the best outdoor grow tents that you could buy online in our list above.

3. Can I add grow lights to outdoor grow tents?

While you can’t really do that to all outdoor grow tents, some sturdy and durable ones will allow you to add grow lights. This is especially true in case of the walk-in grow tents which have metal bars around them where you could hang your lights. Smaller tents might not allow you to hang grow lights but you could try putting in strips of grow lights on them. 

4. How to ensure my grow tent remains firm even during strong winds?

Make sure you are pegging the pegs to the ground very firmly and all the ropes are tied in really tight. Doing this would make sure that your tent stays firm to the ground even in the strongest of winds. 

5. How big should my outdoor grow tent be?

Your outdoor grow tent can be as big as you want it to be. While you are growing indoors, there are always size restrictions based on your room’s capacity, but if you are growing your plants outdoors, there are usually no such restrictions except that of the size of your outdoor area. We actually recommend getting hold of an outdoor grow tent that is slightly larger than what you’d need indoors because under natural circumstances, plants tend to grow a little taller than they do in a controlled environment. We recommend keeping some extra space just in case you might want to add some other outdoor plants to the tent in case of bad weather. 

6. Can outdoor grow tents be used even in rainy or stormy weather? 

Talking of bad weather in the previous FAQ, yes, outdoor tents can be used even in rainy and stormy weather – because they are usually waterproof and ensure that no water leaks through them. One problem that growers do tend to face is that in case of really strong winds, some tents can be uprooted from the ground. Hence, we recommend you to nail them down firmly to the ground, and add some additional weights over there to hold the tents firmly placed together. If you are following these basics, then the outdoor grow tent is safe to be used outdoors even in times of a low intensity storm. We, however, recommend you to take your plants indoors if there is a really big storm coming your way. 

7. Is it better to grow weed in an indoor grow tent or an outdoor grow tent? 

There is no ‘better’ way to grow weed – it is totally the grower’s prerogative. If you wish to grow weed indoors under a controlled environment where you can choose to provide a certain amount of light, air and water – go for it. However, if you want to grow outdoors and to get that all-natural experience, you can go for that as well. A majority of the growers who choose to grow indoors generally do it because it is a societal taboo to grow weed outdoors. Similarly, a lot of people who want to grow weed at a larger scale prefer doing it outdoors than indoors because natural elements tend to save the cost that you’d incur while recreating them indoors.

8. Do outdoor grow tents also trap light like indoor grow tents?

No, outdoor grow tents don’t really trap the light – but they do tend to trap the heat and the warmth and create a greenhouse type of an effect. Since these are transparent sheets, the light can go in and reflect outwards easily, unlike indoor tents which are dark and heavily layered to ensure no light leaks out. Lighting is one of the key reasons as to why people use grow tents outdoors – because when you are growing your plants outdoors, you don’t need to add any artificial source of lighting, which is one of the biggest costs that adds on to your growth operation. 

9. Where to buy the best outdoor grow tents? 

Grow tents, and particularly outdoor grow tents are easily available at all places that sell gardening supplies. You can get hold of them in different shapes and sizes at these stores. There are some multi brand stores that have gardening supplies sections where you can also buy these tents from. However, the best place to get hold of outdoor grow tents is at online web stores such as Amazon, where you not only get access to a very large collection of products from different brands and across different price points, but also get better deals and discounts compared to what you would get at a traditional gardening store. 

Recommended:

• How to Cool A Grow Tent?
• Best 10×10 Grow Tent
• Best Multi-Chamber Grow Tents

Conclusion

We hope that by this time in the article you are fully aware about everything that goes in a good quality outdoor grow tent. The best of these tents are usually the ones which check all the boxes from our buyer’s guide and suit all your needs. We have provided you some of the best options here which will help you cut the clutter in the markets and make a better-informed choice about which products you should be buying. If there are any questions that you still have you should drop us an email or let us know in the comments below and we shall get back to you as quickly as we can. Till then…

…Happy Growing! 🙂