In a previous article, we discussed light dep cannabis extensively. If you think it might be right for you, you may wonder, “How can I set up DIY light dep for my plants outdoors?” This article will answer that question. 

Light deprivation doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive, but it is limited to outdoor grows. If you’re not sure if you plan to grow outdoors, check out our outdoor vs indoor pros and cons article first.  If you decide to utilize light deprivation, simply keep reading, you’ll have a backyard light dep greenhouse up and running in no time. 

What is Light Dep, and why should you consider it?

Light deprivation systems let outdoor growers manipulate the amount of light exposure their outdoor plants receive. This is done by blocking out all natural light on a regular schedule to force plants to flower earlier than they would naturally. The benefits here are plentiful. First, the harvest happens faster, so you can have flowers ready in less time. Second, you can squeeze in multiple harvests in one growing season.

The Light deprivation process can help growers in regions where it gets cold and wet early in the fall. Flowering early means you can prevent potential bud rot and other issues that come along with bad weather. DIY light dep greenhouses give you the benefits of full sun and utilize outdoor spaces and environments. They can save money that would otherwise be spent on lights and other environmental controls. This technique, alongside our Grow Bible, Plant Care, and Harvest guides, give you additional tools to create quality cannabis and maximize your yields, despite what the grow calendar suggests. 

How much does a light dep setup cost?

In short, it costs as much as you want it to. DIY light dep greenhouses have quite a range of potential setup costs. The best light dep greenhouses are commercially licensed greenhouses with full automation and are very expensive. Some examples are Full Bloom Light Dep and Grow Span Greenhouse solutions. 

However, high-quality cannabis can be created at home without quality components and automation, giving you the same benefits as the pros for a fraction of the price. That said, depending on your outdoor location and the number/size of plants, you may want to do more or less in your build. You can start simple at first and expand on as your garden scales, and you refine your techniques.  Home automation systems can help you pull tarps on a schedule and take some hassle out, but they require a big footprint and a more permanent structure.

Are there light dep options for a low budget?

One hundred percent, yes! If you’re just starting and/or working with a lower budget, a small light dep greenhouse is possible with few materials. The first thing to track down is a blackout or light dep tarp. Several companies provide these depending on your location, and here’s a good example. This plastic sheeting will not break the bank; you can find huge rolls of the stuff for ~50 dollars USD.

After that, you can get creative with how you attach and secure the light dep tarp. The best solution can vary widely depending on where you grow. The goal is to block all-natural light from reaching your plants. As long as that’s happening, you’re good to go.

If your grow has some space around it, you can build a temporary hoop house structure using PVC piping. If your grow has a structure or building nearby, you may be able to use part of this or any surrounding stakes/trees to attach and secure your tarp. Many home growers will use boards or rocks even to hold the tarp down to the ground.

An inline fan is the one piece of the puzzle that can add costs. These are ~150 dollars USD for a decent model. Not everyone needs one of these. However, humidity can worsen under the tarp if you live in a hot environment. A basic inline fan with some ducting running underneath your tarp can pull necessary air through to your plants and help maintain proper airflow.

What is the best material to use for light dep?

Light deprivation tarps are the name of the game when running a backyard light dep greenhouse. These tarps are often called blackout tarps or panda films. The “panda’ name is because the plastic is all black on the side intended for the interior and all white on the exterior side – to reflect light. These are not unique to cannabis and are pretty easy to track down in garden/DIY stores or online.

The material used is waterproof and durable for continuous use in your grow. However, while you may be able to use the same tarp a few seasons in a row, it’s always good to check your tarp’s integrity each season to ensure it’s not wearing thin. If there are any light leaks, your flowering plants may react unfavorably and could even stop flowering. 

Checkout out our ultimate guide on: What is Light Dep? advanced outdoor techniques

How to build a light deprivation greenhouse?

What you build depends on the variables surrounding your grow and your budget. For a simple solution, measure the length, width, and height of your grow and estimate the flowering height of your plants. This will give you the amount of tarp needed for your solution. It’s wise to purchase a bigger tarp than you’ve measured to allow for some slack to secure it and some flexibility in implementation.

With the light dep tarp in hand, you need a structure to support it. The easiest way to do this is with ½ inch PVC pipes. These can be cut or joined via connectors long enough to arc over your grow. Then, drive short sections of rebar into the ground along the garden’s perimeter to secure the PVC pipes in the ground. This creates a DIY light dep greenhouse or what is often called a hoop house. The structure may need additional PVC supports along the top or sides. Again, the suitability of this type of setup is highly dependent on your situation and layout. 

What are the steps to set up a DIY light dep greenhouse?  

How does the schedule look when running light dep?

When you run light dep, you’ll need to cover plants for 12 hours per day. For example. pull the tarps at 5PM and take them off at 5AM. You should keep them covered overnight to reduce the time spent covered under full sun. You’ll be good to go as long as you start the 12 hours before the sun sets.

How long does it take for light dep cannabis to be ready to harvest?

This is up to you. Your plants must go through a full flower stage, but you can choose when to cut the vegetative stage short by starting light dep. If you want to harvest faster, then start light dep earlier.

How many harvests per year can be achieved using light dep?

Light dep can produce two harvests out of a growing season. You can try for more, but you would have to start flowering very early to do so.

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Tips for a successful DIY light dep experience

Backyard light dep greenhouses can be as simple as a tarp and a small structure to support it. The key is keeping the light out during that 12 hours of darkness and monitoring humidity or any signs of excess moisture under the tarp. 

If you’re just starting, I’d recommend starting small with minimal investment by running only a portion of your outdoor grow under light dep while leaving the rest to mature naturally with the seasons. This can give you time to learn the methods and gain the ability to see flower created via both techniques to decide how you want to proceed. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFBB5UReKiA

ILGM is here to answer all your questions with our library of cultivation articles, guides, and a wide selection of seeds. If you have further questions or thoughts about light dep and outdoor cultivation, please add them to the comments below.

Keep on growing!

Photoperiod describes the amount of time a plant receives each day. In cannabis cultivation, it describes a type of cannabis plant that reacts to light cycles with distinct changes in growth. Does that mean that photoperiod cannabis strains are a subtype similar to autoflowers? No.

Photoperiod seeds and regular seeds describe the same type of cannabis, which is the type that responds to changes in the light cycle. We also use the word photoperiod cannabis seeds to differentiate them from autoflowering and feminized seeds.

Autoflower vs. photoperiod seeds

You cannot compare autoflower vs. photoperiod on their appearance alone. The difference begins once you grow them, starting with their size. A photoperiod plant is generally much taller than an autoflower which is the make-or-break factor for some growers when choosing a strain.

Check out our collection of popular autoflower seeds below if you’re looking for cannabis seeds that are easy to grow.

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The other two main differences between photos and autos are their yield and how they respond to light cycle changes. It’s well-known that autoflowering cannabis strains produce plants that yield less than their photoperiod counterpart, but what’s equally known is how they don’t need a change in light schedule to flower– hence the name.

Other questions that often come up:

Are photoperiods easier to grow?

Photoperiod cannabis plants are said to be slightly more difficult to grow than autoflowering cannabis. This is because any photoperiod cannabis strain needs a change in its light cycle to start flowering, unlike autoflowers which switch to their flowering period automatically. 

Do autoflowers grow faster than photoperiod seeds?

Autoflowering seeds grow much faster than photoperiod ones, thanks to their ruderalis genetics. Because cannabis ruderalis grew in the harsh conditions of southern Siberia with poor soil conditions and short growing seasons, it needed to adapt. The result is a strain of cannabis known for producing an early-maturing, autoflowering crop.

Do photoperiods yield more?

Generally speaking, photoperiod cannabis plants produce far more smokable flowers than autoflowers because of how much larger they grow. A recent 2023 study also showed that optimizing light schedules for photoperiod strains resulted in higher yield and greater cannabinoid content.

Are photoperiod seeds feminized?

Not necessarily. While you can find regular photoperiod seeds that are also feminized, it’s not always the case. Photoperiod seeds cover regular cannabis seeds as well, which produce female and male plants.

Go here if you want to purchase feminized cannabis seeds, if you are looking for seeds with high yields and guaranteed germination.

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• Female plants for healthy bud
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• All popular cultivars

How do you grow photoperiod seeds?

When growing photoperiod cannabis seeds, you must be certain about three key factors. These are the length of your plant’s veg time, the light schedule you use during vegging, and the light schedule you use for flowering. These three factors will determine the yield and cannabinoid content of your marijuana.

Typically cannabis needs a vegetative period of at least 4-6 weeks to grow and develop. This ensures the highest possible yield. In terms of lighting, the general agreement is giving marijuana 18 hours of light and 6 hours of darkness during vegging and a static 12 hours of light and darkness during flowering.

Other factors will affect your yield and the time it takes to grow your marijuana, such as the type of strain you choose (sativa vs. indica), your setup (indoors or outdoors), and the growing technique you apply.

Check out our weed marijuana grow bible for more information on how you can control the growth of your marijuana plants.  

How long do photoperiods take from seed to harvest?

Indoors, photoperiods can take between 15 and 16 weeks from seed to harvest. Outdoors, photoperiods can take between 20 and 21 weeks from seed to harvest. 

Again, these numbers are predicated on the choices you make as a grower. Do you want to harvest sooner? Or do you want to give the plant all the time she needs? You’re in control and there are many different options to utilize that control. Like, when you’re growing outside and you want your plants to flower earlier, you can implement a ‘light deprivation technique’ to achieve that. 

How early can you flower a photoperiod?

The earliest you can initiate flowering is after two weeks of vegging photoperiod plants. But is it the best time to switch? It depends on your preference.

A 2022 study confirmed that the yield of sativa strains is tied to the number of weeks you give them to veg. A shorter vegetative period is preferable for maximizing yield, but the trade-off is decreased potency. To increase THC and CBD levels, you must give your plants longer veg but at the cost of decreased yield.

That choice between greater yield but less potent bud and more potent bud for less yield is a personal preference– a choice you can only have as a home grower.

Does photoperiod affect germination?

No studies show that the photoperiod trait in cannabis affects the germination of its seeds. This is especially evident when comparing autoflowers and photoperiod seeds; they both take the same number of days to germinate (1-3 days).

But, a 2017 study showed the relationship between photoperiodism and seed germination. In it, Thale cress produced seeds with higher germination percentages by experiencing short days before reproduction (vegging) and long days during reproduction (flowering).

It’s unclear if this translates to marijuana cultivation since cannabis would require vegging under 12 hours of light and darkness and flowering at 18 hours of light and 6 hours of darkness.

How much light do photoperiods need?

Although the general agreement for the amount of daily light you should give your photoperiods during vegging is 18 hours and 12 hours during flowering, science may suggest otherwise. 

A recent study said giving your cannabis a static 12 hours of light and darkness isn’t optimal if you’re looking to maximize the fresh weight of your yield and the cannabinoid content in your flowers.

The recommended practice is to give your flowering cannabis 14 hours of light at the start before reducing it to 12 or 10 hours. Doing so results in increased yield and potency. 

This is especially true with the following strains:

Buying photoperiod seeds

When purchasing cannabis seeds, knowing what you want is important. If you want to be a breeder or produce seeds, use photoperiod cannabis seeds. They’re also good if you want to breed strains, create new phenotypes or grow clones.

But if you’re a new grower who just wants to grow their own weed, we recommend starting with feminized or autoflower seeds. They’re much easier to care for, and in particular, feminized seeds are more convenient since you don’t need to worry about accidentally growing a male plant that would pollinate your females.

Lastly, you must source your seeds from the right seed bank. You can trust ILGM.com for high-quality cannabis seeds. While there, don’t forget to download Robert’s Grow Bible to make growing marijuana fun and easy to learn.

Happy growing!

If you want to really get a room of cultivators talking and taking sides, there’s one question to rule them all. Indoor vs. outdoor cannabis? Knowing which methods to choose and why can be difficult when starting out. While both methods can produce quality cannabis, there’s really no best way to do it.

There are, however, key differences and constraints to keep in mind when selecting your ideal cultivation style. When growing indoor vs. outdoor plants, indoor tends to be easier; however, sun-grown weed also has benefits.

Indoor vs. outdoor cannabis growing

The first thing that comes into play when deciding between indoor and outdoor cultivation is outdoor viability and space. Some climates are not ideal for cannabis cultivation. It needs temperatures of 75 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit (24 to 30 degrees Celsius) throughout the plant’s life cycle. The space and security to grow outdoors may also be hard to obtain for many home growers. 

If the climate is right and space isn’t an issue, then outdoor can be considered against indoor. Both will lead you to quality cannabis with the right methods and setup but with slightly different results and varying levels of effort. 

The debate between indoor vs. outdoor cannabis cultivation has been ongoing since indoor cultivation became so prevalent. Illegalization drove growers indoors for obvious reasons and changed how we grow cannabis, but outdoor flower is undoubtedly unique and stands up against it.

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A recent scientific publication attempts to lay the issue to rest but cannot do so. Rather than finding one method was better than the other, they found that growing weed outside vs. inside from the same genetics produced differing compositions of cannabinoids and terpenes.

There’s also a completely different take on this argument in favor of outdoor cannabis due to the lower carbon footprint. Indoor cannabis grows take a lot of energy and materials. In the long term, outdoor and greenhouse cultivation will be the most sustainable option, barring new discoveries. 

As a consumer and cultivator, I enjoy cultivars rich in terpenes and other cannabinoids. I’ve found cannabis worthy of connoisseurship created by each method. I do recognize the environmental impact of indoor cannabis, though; it’s something the industry and community is working to improve. 

Growing marijuana both indoor and outdoor is easy provided you know the proper technique. Download my FREE marijuana grow bible to get an easy step by step guide.

Overview of indoor cannabis cultivation

Indoor cultivation can be quick and simple or done to rigorous scientific standards. This ease of entry for indoor cultivation makes it a viable option for beginners with a small space or a lower budget. 

With indoor-grown cannabis, the grower plays the role of mother nature, which is a blessing and a curse. It is great to control the light, temperature, water, and humidity, but it can require a high degree of precision to get it done right. 

It can be hard and repetitive work for indoor growers to maintain their garden. Along with this level of control comes administrative overhead – work! I would best describe indoor growing like doing construction in a closet.  The main constraint for indoor growing is the space, as plants must be kept to a certain size.

Along with this labor comes the cost. That light, temperature, water, and humidity are not free indoors. Nutrients, tents, or a dedicated room/closet, along with needed equipment, can add up and impact monthly bills. That being said, you can start with a smaller level of control and settle on some tradeoffs for quality when getting started. 

In general, indoor cultivation requires at least 1 room to see plants through their vegetative and flowering phases before harvest. This would include providing necessary light, nutrients, support structures, and air quality for the plant. Depending on your setup, there may be times when the plants need repotting into larger containers. 

A major benefit to indoor growing is the perpetual harvest; you don’t have to rely on seasons. This, along with the ability to create more “vibrant” looking flower and better control of the indoor environment to improve terpene content and create diverse and powerful aromas and flavors, is why indoor growing is perhaps the most common method of cannabis cultivation. 

Features of indoor-grown marijuana plants 

• Indoor plants are smaller than those grown outdoors and often manicured heavily to fit the space. Growers may top them to reduce height and encourage more colas or train them with a screen of green to maximize indoor space.
• While the goal is to reduce stretching indoors, the length between nodes on the plant may be longer on indoor plants, and the leaf color may look lighter in color depending on the cultivar. 
• Indoor plants are pruned heavily before flowering to reduce foliage and chances of pests. The plants also may be weaker in structure without a deep root system or be completely rootbound in their containers. 

Overview of growing weed outdoors

Growing outdoors is a great option if you have the space and security to do so. The micromanagement of indoor environments is traded for the natural outdoors. This is also a blessing and a curse for growers. Less labor, lower costs, and lower environmental impact come with less control over the plant life cycle, more risk for pests or adverse weather, and typically more space required. 

With outdoor-grown cannabis, soil can be natural or supplemented with methods like Korean Natural Farming and other living soil techniques. The soil will be more forgiving of ph and micronutrient issues that can occur quickly indoors for potted plants but can still go awry if mismanaged. 

Outdoor growing is extremely vulnerable to poor weather and other natural phenomena that would not occur indoors and is typically only useful for part of the year. Sometimes as an outdoor grower, you’ve got to make the best of it where an indoor grower could make adjustments in their setup and avoid issues like cloudy days.

Cannabis grown outdoors creates larger plants, in general, with larger yields. Outdoor cannabis plants can be huge if left on their own, especially sativa-leaning cultivars in the right climate.  Cannabis plants grown outdoors also tends to produce more terpenes. More terpenes, of course, mean a richer, more complex aroma and taste, along with a more nuanced effect.

Features of outdoor-grown marijuana plants

• Outdoor-grown weed with optimal weather conditions will be hearty and bulkier than its indoor counterparts. They can still be manicured and trained to fit the desired methods of the grower but will benefit from the full natural sunlight and temperature variations.
• Depending on the cultivar, the coloration may be darker, and the final product may not be as flashy as certain indoor strains. There can be a “waxy” appearance and feel to sun-grown cannabis due to exposure and the plant’s responses to natural stress. 
• If growing from seeds outdoors like those available on ILGM, the plants will have a long central tap root instead of the indoor “root ball” to keep them healthy and stable.   

What is greenhouse cannabis growing?

Greenhouses shake up the outdoor vs. indoor bud growing debate. They can be an option for some or all of the plant life cycle, allowing for hybrid approaches to cultivation. For example, cultivators can start seeds and clones inside and veg them for a few weeks in a greenhouse before putting them into the ground outdoors. 

Many commercial growers take advantage of the cheaper construction costs of greenhouses to create massive facilities. Home growers can set up low-tech greenhouses of any size if desired; these can mitigate extreme weather and allow for some degree of climate control.

Greenhouses are a true mix of indoor and outdoor cultivation in that you get some of the natural light without other aspects of the environment that can be hard to control, like wind and pests. Greenhouses are generally much cheaper than growing indoors;  run them for a single season, or pull the shades and get multiple harvests a year.

Greenhouses will almost always need a little bit of light supplementation, especially if growing late in the season when temperatures may swing. For beginners, I’d recommend trying a few harvests indoors or outdoors, but there’s no reason you can’t start with greenhouses if you have the materials, budget, and space. 

The difference between indoor vs. outdoor cannabis

Differences in bud structure and size of weed flowers

The bud structure differs for outdoor and indoor. Outdoor flowers are typically bulkier than indoors thanks to fully developed root systems and natural beneficial microorganisms. The bud structure of outdoor flower is often not as dense (fluffier) as cannabis grown indoors. 

Differences in color of the marijuana plant and flower: Flavonoids 

The color is a quick way to distinguish indoor vs. outdoor cannabis. Outdoor will be darker in color and tone with some brown even near the stems. Indoor, on the other hand, is often a brighter palette of color. 

This distinction of color between indoor and outdoor is still up for debate and depends on cultivar selection and environmental factors. The flavonoids in cannabis contribute to coloration. Some research suggests they can influence the flavoraroma profile. Studies are still being done to see which metabolites contribute the most. Optimized cultivars or stress methods during cultivation can create deep blue, red, purple, and yellow cannabis rich in anthoxanthins and whiteyellow in those with anthocyanins. 

Flavor and smell differences between indoor and outdoor cannabis plants: Terpenes 

The Flavonoids mentioned above are small building blocks in the complex flavor profiles of cannabis. The main contributors to flavor and aroma are the terpenes. Cannabis contains more than 150 different terpenes, with many unique to cannabis only. 

The combination and concentration of these create our wildly diverse selection of cultivars and give insight into indoor vs. outdoor weed price variation.  Outdoor weed has been proven to be higher in terpenes, and the flavor and aroma produced are the ideal quality. That being said, indoor cannabis is no joke; growers can create wonderful aromas and high-quality cannabis indoors as well. 

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Trichome density for indoor vs. outdoor cannabis plants 

Trichomes are typically more concentrated in indoor-grown cannabis due to their optimized environment. The grower can harvest at just the right time, whereas outdoor marijuana is typically on a tight seasonal schedule that can be affected by different weather. This may be one reason why indoor cannabis was found to have higher levels of THCA than outdoor.

The previously mentioned study on outdoor vs. indoor cannabis potency found that the outdoor test had higher concentrations of terpenes and all other cannabinoids except for CBCA and THCA when compared to genetically identical plants grown indoors. 

Yield differences between indoor and outdoor cannabis plants

Due to outdoor plants being bigger and having full sun and more developed root structures, the yields are often larger with outdoor. Indoor plants can be high yielding with the right setups and training methods but are typically grown smaller than outdoor plants. 

Potency difference with indoor and outdoor cannabis plants: Cannabinoids 

This is the interesting topic the Molecules study outlines. The study mentioned that indoor cannabis had higher THCA and CBCA and lower terpenes and other cannabinoids. This means genetically similar plants grown indoors were slightly more “potent” in THC than their counterparts grown outdoors but lacking in other cannabinoids that may contribute to the complete experience or entourage effect of cannabis. Outdoor-grown plants also had THCA derivatives that create less anxiety than the standard type found in very high concentrations indoors.

In general, the potency of indoor cannabis is often higher from a THC perspective. Where outdoor flower is lacking in THC, it makes up for it in other cannabinoids. Outdoor flower can have higher levels of terpenes, CBD, CBGA, and more. 

Is there a real difference in quality with indoor and outdoor cannabis?  

At the end of the day, the quality argument is not over. There’s no “better” way to do it. Each cultivation method has its merits, and each can produce excellent top-shelf bud. There are downsides to both; in general, indoor cannabis is more accessible. It is easier to pull off than outdoor cannabis, which can take up a lot of space and rely on the weather. 

If the climate is perfect for outdoor cannabis, then it will likely beat indoor cultivars in the same area; sun-grown cannabis is true craftsmanship when done right. But if the climate is not reliable or optimal, then indoor or greenhouse cannabis will be the best that can be had. 

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The best indoor and outdoor cultivars at ILGM 

Cultivar selection is always a fun part of growing. ILGM has a wide range of seeds available. The smaller cultivars, or those that grow shorter like indica-leaning varieties or autoflowers, are a good place to start for indoor setups. For the outdoor growers, you’ll want to select cultivars that can thrive in your environment based on where you grow geographically. Although there can be some difference between indoor and outdoor strains, ILGM seeds are selected and sold because they can thrive indoors and outdoors.

Best ILGM marijuana strains for outdoor grows 

California Dream, with its ability to flourish in multiple climates and its good yields and potency profile, is always a great choice.

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• 70% indica 30% sativa
• Extreme THC levels up to 24%
• Good yield indoors, even better outdoors
• Powerful sedative relaxation

Amnesia Haze is another solid outdoor option to take advantage of the outdoor space. This high yielder has awards on the shelf as it is a previous winner of several Cannabis Cups.

Buy Amnesia Haze Seeds

• 20% indica 80% sativa
• THC levels up to 21%
• Very high yielding plant
• Lemon taste with an uplifting effect

Purple Haze can pack a similar flavor profile to Amnesia Haze but in a smaller package. The cultivar is very popular thanks to its ability to live healthily in multiple environments. 

Buy Purple Haze Seeds

• 30% Indica 70% Sativa
• THC levels up to 20%
• Great yield & easy to grow
• High energy long-lasting buzz

Best ILGM weed strains for indoor grows

Super Skunk is easy to grow and delicious to smell. It has a smaller stature. While the yields are high, it requires careful attention to its indoor environment.

Buy Super Skunk Seeds

• 80% indica 20% sativa
• THC levels up to 14%
• Easy-growing strain
• Skunky smell with strong full-body high

Big Bud is another hearty cultivar that can put up with a lot indoors. It’s an average-sized cultivar that also has multiple cannabis cup wins in its past.

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• 80% indica 20% sativa
• Known for its easy to grow high yield
• Delivers full-body effects
• Pleasant earthy flavor

Critical Mass brings a higher CBD level than the previous two, along with a potent yield. It won’t be too difficult to tame in indoor setups. 

Buy Critical Mass Seeds

• 80% indica 20% sativa
• High CBD and High THC levels
• Easy to grow
• Eases your mind and physical aches

Indoor, outdoor, greenhouses, or combinations of the three can all produce wonderful quality flowers. The different methods bring out different characteristics in cannabis. Growers and consumers should decide which they like best. 

The skill of the grower and the optimization of their setup and workflows will determine quality more than whether or not it was sun-grown. Along with those skills, good genetics are necessary for creating fine cannabis. Legacy strains with a proven track record help to take some stress out of the process. Find the right cultivar for you at ILGM. 

FAQs About deciding between growing indoor vs. outdoor cannabis  

How much of a difference in quality is outdoor vs. indoor weed?

This question will always vary based on the growers’ methods and the cultivars they are growing. Certain cultivars, climates, and processes create quality. Good cannabis can be made indoors, outdoors, or in greenhouses. 

Is indoor cannabis stronger than outdoor?

Some studies show indoor cannabis has a higher concentration of THCA, which is one way to consider cannabis’s “strength.” This is not always great, as it can drown out the complex flavor and effect profiles that outdoor cannabis brings to the table. 

Can outdoor weed be top shelf?

One hundred percent. Outdoor cannabis grown in the right climate by an experienced grower can be exquisite top-shelf quality, especially when done so with good curing methods. 

Scientific references used for this article: 

Comparison of the Cannabinoid and Terpene Profiles in Commercial Cannabis from Natural and Artificial Cultivation – Fereshteh Zandkarimi 1, John Decatur 1, John Casali 2, Tina Gordon 3, Christine Skibola 4, Colin Nuckolls 1 – PMID: 36677891 PMCID: PMC9861703 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28020833

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36677891/