Weed Plant Produce: Average Yield Per Plant 

Weed yield, typically measured in weight, such as grams or pounds, refers to the dry weight of the harvested buds, rather than the weight of the entire plant or the wet buds. By measuring the yield of dry buds, you can get a more accurate assessment of the amount of usable weed. 

Depending on a wide range of factors, say, genetics, temperature, light, water, nutrients, etc., which we’ll cover in the next part, there can be quite a difference in how much one weed plant produces. Possibly, you can gain 1-2 ounces of yield, 4 ounces, or even more than 6 ounces of harvested buds, or, unfortunately, you end up gathering stunted and micro-alike buds. 

No one can assure you how much weed does one plant yield, but if you grow the weed with 100% of everything it requires to thrive, the yield is still under control. We’ve classified general rules of thumb for estimating potential yields for indoor growing vs outdoor growing and hydroponic vs soil growing.

Indoor Growing with Soil Cultivation 

Indoor weed growers usually equip the weed setup with professional grow lights, such as LED grow lights.  A common efficiency metric used by indoor growers is achieving ‘one gram per watt’ of light used. This refers to the total yield for the entire grow space, not per plant.

For example, if you have a 1000-watt LED light in your grow tent, an excellent total harvest for the entire space would be around 1000 grams (or 2.2 pounds) of dried buds. This total yield is shared among all plants in that space. If you have two plants sharing the space and both perform equally well, you might harvest about 500 grams (or about 1.1 pounds) from each. If you have four plants, you might expect around 250 grams (or about 0.55 pounds) per plant.

Indoor Growing with Hydroponics System 

A well-managed hydroponics system can increase growth rates and yields by 20-50% compared to soil, due to more efficient delivery of nutrients and oxygen.

Using the same 'gram per watt' efficiency model, a 1000-watt LED grow light in a top-tier hydroponic setup might yield a total of 1200-1500 grams for the grow space. Therefore, a single plant in this system could yield significantly more than its soil-grown counterpart, but the exact amount depends on how many plants share the space.

Outdoor Growing with Soil Cultivation 

Outdoor plants benefit from the full power of the sun and can grow much larger. A typical yield per outdoor plant can range from 1 to 3 pounds (450 to 1350 grams) of dried buds. However, some growers may achieve even higher yields with ideal conditions and long growing seasons, while others may experience lower yields due to weather, pests, or disease.

What Determines Weed Yield 

As you can tell, it’s not easy to achieve and maintain high yields since there are just so many factors affecting your plant growth. In this part, we’ll dive in to have a closer look at them. 

Strain Genetics

The genetics of the strain you're growing can play a significant role in determining the final yield. Some strains naturally produce more buds than others, and some strains are more resistant to pests and diseases. To name some high-yielding weed strains, Green Crack, Northern Lights, and Big Bud are all worth considering. 

Growing Medium

As the substance in which your weed plants will grow and develop their root systems, the growing medium can impact the yield of your weed plants as well. It’s suggested to use high-quality soil with the right organic matter and balanced nutrient content, or well-set hydroponics systems if you have enough budget. 

Nutrient Quality

Providing your plants with the right nutrients and fertilizers is essential for producing a high yield. Otherwise, you’ll be faced with unexpected situations. For example, Cal Mag deficiency can cause weak stems, yellow and brown leaves, and weed leaves curl up or down. 

Lighting

No need to stress the importance of light for weed growth here. Just remember to provide your weed plants with adequate growth light spectrum during each stage of growth. For a safer bet, use a full-spectrum LED growth light such as Spider Farmer SF1000. 

Temperature & Humidity

The temperature and humidity levels in your grow space significantly impact the health of your plants and their yield. Ideal temperature and humidity levels vary depending on the growth stage of the plant, which you may refer to the grow room temp and humidity chart below. 

Growing Techniques

When weed develops into the vegetative stage, growers try training and pruning to increase yield, as well as some other growing techniques, including the following ones. 

• Sea of Green (SOG): SOG involves growing many small plants in a confined space and inducing them to flower quickly. SOG is popular because it allows growers to maximize their yield in a limited space, and they can get a fast turnaround time. SOG can produce yields of up to 1 gram per watt of light.
• Screen of Green (SCROG): SCROG involves training weed plants to grow through a screen or netting to create a horizontal canopy of buds. SCROG maximizes light penetration, leading to larger yields of high-quality buds. SCROG can produce yields of up to 1.5 grams per watt of light.
• Low-Stress Training (LST): LST involves manipulating the shape of the plant through bending and tying to encourage lateral growth and a more even canopy. LST can help increase yield and improve light penetration, leading to larger buds. LST can produce yields of up to 1 gram per watt of light.
• High-Stress Training (HST): HST involves aggressive pruning, topping, and other methods to increase bud sites and promote growth. HST can lead to larger yields, but it requires experience and careful attention to avoid damaging the plant.
• Topping: Topping involves cutting off the top part of the main stem to encourage bushier growth and more bud sites.

Additionally, pest and disease control and harvest timing can also determine the ultimate yield. 

Conclusion

On average, indoor growers can expect a yield of 4-6 ounces per plant, with experienced growers being able to achieve even more. Keep in mind that these are rough estimates, and actual yields can vary widely based on many factors. By optimizing the growing conditions and techniques, as well as selecting the right strains, growers can maximize their yield and produce high-quality weed.

FAQs about How Much Weed Does One Plant Yield

1. How much bud does one plant produce?

On average, an indoor-grown weed plant can produce 1-2 ounces of dried bud, although the actual yield depends on multiple factors. 

2. What is the average yield per plant 600W?

If you have one weed plant flowering inside the grow tent, which contains a 600-watt LED panel, by the rule of one gram per watt of light, the expected yield is 600 grams per plant in dry buds. 

3. Do bigger pots mean bigger buds?

Not necessarily. While the size of the pot can affect the overall size of the plant, it's not the only factor that determines bud size. But if all other factors are kept constant and optimal, using a larger pot is possible to result in a slightly larger yield and bigger buds. 

4. Can I harvest one bud at a time?

Technically, yes, you can harvest one bud at a time if you want to. However, it's not recommended as it can be inefficient and time-consuming. Instead, it's best to wait until the majority of the buds are mature and ready for harvest before cutting down the entire plant, which allows you to maximize your yield and minimize the amount of time spent on the harvest process. 

5. How long does weed stay good?

Properly stored weed can last for up to a year or even longer without losing potency. However, as time passes, the THC content can gradually degrade, resulting in a less potent product.