For hobby gardeners, grow tents are an excellent way to create a controlled environment for plants. By enclosing your plants in a grow tent, you can control temperature, humidity, and ventilation to create ideal growing conditions for your plants. With a grow tent, you can also easily control pests and diseases, which is a great option for those who wish to avoid the use of harmful chemicals.
What is a grow tent and why is it needed?
A grow tent is a portable tent that allows you to grow plants indoors. A grow tent is sometimes called a grow room. Lightweight, strong metal poles are easily snapped together to form the structure, which is then covered with a heavy canvas coat.
This strong and durable material is usually made of nylon, polyester or mylar and is attached to the reflective liner inside the tent.
Grow tents allow you to vary and control your plant’s environment, encouraging it to produce the precise results you need.
They are designed to collect and maintain custom levels of heat, light and humidity, which can cause plants to grow faster, taller or bear larger fruit.
You are doing something that the typical outside environment does not allow naturally, which is creating and maintaining a controlled artificial microclimate.
But why do you need a grow tent?
Grow tents regulate 3 basic elements that contribute to healthy plant growth — light, temperature and humidity.
Growing vegetables in a grow tent is made easy as it helps provide your plants with the ideal micro-habitat.
Light
The light produced in the grow tent environment is produced by powerful grow lights that mimic natural sunlight. No or very little light can escape from this sealed, light-tight environment.
The reflective silver or white lining of the tent maximizes exposure and minimizes photon loss by reflecting any light within the tent back to the plants.
Also, it helps bring light to the lower part of the plant, which is a natural environment that may be in the shade or out of direct sunlight.
Temperature
The semi-enclosed environment of a grow tent is perfect for this as it provides insulation which, along with the reflective lining, helps retain the heat generated by the grow lights.
You have full control over the temperature of your tent, which you can adjust to the best needs of your plants throughout their life.
Despite the harsh weather outside, a tent provides a safe, stable environment for your tomatoes to thrive.
Humidity
You can use grow tents to regulate humidity in an isolated, self-contained environment.
Of course, if you manage light and temperature effectively and monitor it with hygrometers and thermometers, your humidity will be perfect.
In a semi-enclosed environment, nothing is affected by unstable weather, so your humidity will remain stable and safe from any hazards from the outside world.
An added benefit of being able to adjust items in and out of your grow tent is that it will reduce the likelihood of pests infesting your plants, as well as mold spores or plant diseases from outside sources infecting and killing your crop.
VIVOSUN G448 Upgraded 4x4 Mylar Grow Tent with 19mm Poles
Features:
This VIVOSUN grow tent features high-density 600D oxford fabric to prevent light leaks and keep your grow area well insulated; interior walls, ceilings and floors are lined with 100% diamond reflective polyester film for multi-dimensional lighting. Grow tents are equipped with vents to install ducted fans and carbon filters for optimal airflow and ventilation; dual-cinched duct ports seal the tent effectively while allowing air to flow freely in and out of the grow room.
Black Box 4ft x 4ft x 6.5ft Grow Tent For Growing Plants Indoors
Features:
The Black Box Grow Tent is a sealed indoor growing space for starting new plants from seeds or cuttings without the need for an exterior greenhouse. The exterior is made from a thick black canvas and has a silver reflective interior coating which lets the light provided from your grow lights stay concentrated on the plants indoors. It can withstand harsh conditions and ensure that the light stays in the tent. The Black Box also features metal framing made of strong, durable, steel tubing and heavy-duty zippers. The zippers of the tent are very durable and will not get stuck even after months of use. With a removable divider wall in the middle, the Black Box enables you to manipulate the growing environment so that you can achieve the optimum climate for your plants’ better growth.
Considerations when choosing a grow tent
In most cases, when we go shopping for grow tents, we notice that they all look alike at first glance. Typically, the outside is black and the inside is reflective silver with a zippered door. Thousands of grow tents are used for a variety of reasons. Listed below are some factors you can consider buying the best tent for your plants. While it makes a complete grow tent package, check out these features:
1. Thickness and reflection of light
The thickness of the outer fabric of the grow tent is preferably 600D. This thickness holds up well under everyday use. The lining should reflect at least 90% of light. The only exception to this is when you are growing plants that need very little light.
2. Double needle anti-light
A light-tight tent keeps the light out, keeping bugs out and harming your plants. You should check for lights that go out at possible light leaks, as this is how insects get into the tent. Double or triple seam tents are seamed around the roof and zippers to avoid easy tearing.
3. Fire prevention
You should choose fabrics that are fire and mildew resistant. Fabric materials should not produce toxic fumes. You have to consider a strong frame when it is also supporting the weight of the lights and ventilation system. Of course, you may need to hang anything.
4. Size and fabric strength and density
Sizes range from as small as 2×2 feet to 10×10 or larger. So get the size that best suits your needs. Density is measured in denier (D). This is what D refers to as tear resistance. When the fabric has better strength and density, pests cannot escape or lose less light in the air. It also limits the possibility of fabric tearing. In the end, it affects your yield and harvest quality.
5. Sturdy frame
A metal frame, especially a steel frame, will give you greater durability. The snap mechanism is a bonus when locked. When it has highly reflective walls, it is best to use a mylar liner with a diamond pattern. Therefore, it helps to get the most out of your grow lights.
6. Zipper quality and ventilation
Zippers must be of the best possible quality while ensuring optical integrity. Plus, it can withstand constant use opening and closing. A well-placed power cord port is a good option to avoid protruding extension cables. When you need to vent heat, there should be at least one ventilation point inside the tent.
Since we do our best to help you choose the right product for you. Trust our reviews will help you discover grow tents effortlessly. Therefore, it will meet your specific growth needs. However, if you have further questions about grow tents, please contact us.
How to make indoor grow tents cooler?
There are several things you can do to reduce the temperature in your indoor garden/grow tent. These are some examples:
Make sure there is air in and out of the grow chamber.
Instead of using grow bulbs, use LED grow lights.
Grow tents should be fitted with an oscillating fan.
Turn on the air conditioner in the grow room.
Change the position of the grow tent.
Place the ballast outside the grow tent.
Turn on the lights at night.
Use the swap cooler inside the tent.
Conclusion
So, these are some of the most recommended indoor grow tents that you can definitely rely on.
What kind of grow tent you use basically depends on how many plants you want to house. Also, avoid touching your plants to avoid bug spread, and if you have some pets in the house, keep them away from the plants.
You must take various other measures carefully to avoid plant disease, such as proper ventilation, proper nutrition, supplements, clean water supply, and more.
Always check all your requirements first, check out these cheap grow tents mentioned above and only then decide what exactly you need to pick it. Take your time and pick the best!