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The Best Stealth Grow Box and Cabinets in Canada
Growing Indoors: Stealth Growing, Grow Boxes, and Grow Tents
If you grow produce or consumable plants, you also get the advantage of using your home-grown plants, which usually can be higher quality and more rewarding too. From inconspicuous grow cabinets that will not attract attention to the contents inside, to grow tents for any sort of application, we hope this guide can be helpful for growing plants indoors.
Growing plants indoors can be an easy hob20by – once planted, just remembering to water your plant is usually enough for herbs, succulents, and some flowers. However, some plants just can’t sit on the windowsill. Whether they are too big, require a specific environment to grow, or might attract unwanted attention (like legal cannabis plants), getting a grow cabinet or grow tent can really help improve your yields, whatever you are growing.
Growing plants in your home has a lot of benefits. You are adding oxygen to your air, regulating humidity of your home, and NASA has also found that houseplants can remove up to 87 per cent of air toxin in 24 hours.
Our top picks
What to look for in a grow box
Looking at an indoor growing solution, you should first consider what you want to grow, and what those plants will require. Some plants flourish in certain environments (like temperature, humidity and even space) and getting a grow tent or grow cabinet that can meet that environmental requirement will be very important.
How you are growing – There are different ways to grow, but the most common will be in a hydroponics system or growing in soil. An alternative to soil is coco-peat, an inert byproduct of coconut husks that is becoming more popular. Some plants will thrive in different environments, so if you have a specific plant in mind, it is highly recommended you do your research. Hydroponic systems are generally more complicated and expensive but can return great results and yields if you know what you are doing. Overall, most grow tents will not include the growing system, but some stealth grow cabinets will come with everything you will need.
Size – Size is an extremely important factor for a grow box. Firstly, it is important for where it can fit in your home. Secondly, a smaller size lets a stealth grow box sit in your home more inconspicuously too. But where a smaller size might be ideal for keeping your grow box hidden, it also limits the space that your plants will have to grow.
Exterior & interior – Whether looking into a grow box or a grow tent, the ability to control the conditions inside is of utmost importance. Different plants require different conditions, and one of the strongest benefits of growing inside is the ability to control the conditions. While fans can help control the temperature, the material that makes up the sides of the grow box or grow tent are of great importance. Thicker material for grow tents will be able to retain temperatures and humidity better and will prove more durable. Look for tents made from thicker materials, with a reflective interior to better reflect light inside. Look for tents with reinforced zippers and seams, as these are common points of light leaks, which can disrupt the light cycles of your plant, and be entrances for insects and other things you might not want inside. A floor is another thing to consider, as it will protect your floor beneath from spillage.
Flanges & supports – These components allow for you to add different elements into your set ups, with flanges providing a seal to connect fans, filters and ducts and maintain the environment within. Supports like lighting hooks and trellis can support your lights and plants, respectively. Ideally, you have at least one to two flanges for your fan to have an input or output and someway to support your grow light, but you should also look into how these will be powered, and consider if there is sealable exits for power cords as well.
Best grow boxes in Canada
Mary Model Z Grow Box
Features
Mary is an up-and-coming Canadian agriculture tech company, and the Mary grow cabinet has the potential to be a powerhouse cabinet for your growing needs. This growbox allows you to constantly monitor your plants and allows you to take control of the growing in this grow box.
This grow box comes in at a size of 17.7” x 12.9” x 53.1” and comes essentially fully assembled out of the box. Set up is easy, as all you will need to do is unbox, plug it in, connect it to the Wi-Fi and you are good to grow! Once set up, the Mary takes care of all the different factors: lighting, temperature, humidity, and more are all controlled remotely. All you need to do is refill water and nutrients when running low, which the Mary will let you know you need to do so via Mary’s app.
Planting is more involved than other automated grow boxes, as you will start germinating the seeds in wet paper towels, and once the tap root busts out of its shell, you then need to move the young plant to rock wool to begin growing inside the unit.
The Mary Model Z is loaded with features to make growing easy. Climate control is a key feature of any grow cabinet, and the Mary boasts quite an effective environment for your plants, with the Smart Climate assist. A built-in air conditioner keeps your plant cool, and a high-quality filtration system keeps smell, pests, and mold at bay. Mary’s multi-directional hololights delivers a strong spectrum of light for different stages of the plant growth, while using less energy than a 70” television. The E-Glass is opaque to stop light from entering the system, but can turn clear with the tap of a button on your phone for viewing the plant. While many machines are highly specialized for cannabis growth, the Mary is highly effective for a wide range of plants, with nutrient packs designed for each type of plant.
Overall, the Mary Model Z is an enticing breakout product from the Canadian company, and we look forward to see their future contributions. However, with a product so new, there are some things that the company is still going to be working out and improving, which we feel like are worth bringing up.
The Mary does not have as many automation options, so it requires some know how. This can be great for experienced growers, but since this type of product appeals to a casual grower base, this can be seen as a detriment too. With hands on germination and nutrient mixing, as well as a range of features that are still in development, some users who want a truly automated system should look elsewhere. One thing this unit has over most other Stealth grow boxes is its quiet performance – which really can make or break a stealth growing experience.
The Mary is currently on back order, but you can reserve a spot with a refundable $149 deposit.
Pros
- Stealth grow box with all the basics covered, including lights, fans, and hydroponics system.
- Get reminders to change water/nutrients to your phone and adjust the lighting via your device.
- Very quiet performance.
Cons
- Germination and nutrient mixing are very hands on for an “automated” unit.
Grobo Solid
Features
While growing your own cannabis can be a money saving hobby, it can also be difficult. Cannabis plants are known to be more finicky than many other plants, and bugs, disease and even UV light can be a real detriment to the growth of you plant. The Grobo Solid is a completely automated hydroponic grow cabinet that eliminates the variables and lets you grow without worry. While it carries a high price tag, this unit does everything for you, so you can start growing potent cannabis right off the bat.
Grobo is a Canadian company that is dedicated to simplifying growing a plant, at every step of the way. The Grobo Solid is one of two models available in Grobo’s product line, being the cheaper of the two. Both of the Grobo units allow for the growth of just one plant.
Set up of the Grobo is simple, since the machine comes almost entirely pre-assembled, and the extent of set up requires inserting the carbon filter, attaching the nutrient bottles, and filling the unit with water. Planting a cannabis plant is very easy – you choose a recipe from the app, soak a Coco pod in distilled water, squeeze out some of the excess water, and plant the corresponding seed inside the Coco pod. Then, rip a tiny portion of the Coco pod to cover the hole, so the seed is entirely exposed to moisture. Voila – your plant is planted and in a span of 4 months, you should be seeing full yields.
The team at Grobo has analyzed hundreds of strains of Cannabis, looking at how they grow and what variables produce the best yields, from where in the growth cycle they are at, to what colour lights they respond best to, to what nutrient combinations they need. Almost the entire process is automated and can be controlled or monitored by whichever smart device you choose to set up the Grobo with.
The Grobo comes packed full of features. As mentioned, there is a carbon filter, designed to remove smell from the equation. Dual intake fans adjust airflow accordingly but can also be used to air dry your finished crop once ready for harvesting. The door is fully lockable, which is great for privacy’s sake. The only difference the Grobo Solid has to the Premium is the Premium comes with a fluid glass door. The Grobo is designed to save you on your electricity bill, with KING LED lights that will cost you approximately 1/10th what the lights from other grow operations would.
Grobo is a newer company, and with many startups, there may be issues along the way that the company is working on. The product offered is impressive, but also expensive. While the Grobo does have a lot of promise for what it does, there are some things that are worth mentioning. One thing users have had issues with connection loss from the internet – which could mean the machine would not run correctly when the internet is disconnected and can negatively impact your grow. There have been a few horror stories of hardware failing like the filters, which have had negative consequences on the plants as well. The unit is reportedly louder and has some light leaks, which might make you reconsider where the best place for the Grobo in your home would be. The unit comes with a standard 1-year warranty, and options for extended warranty. All-in-all, the Grobo is an easy-to-use unit for growing cannabis, but comes with quite the price tag. While the return on investment will be solid for regular cannabis users (the unit can pay for itself between 1 and 3 years), there are a few bugs we wish the Grobo did not have for its high price tag.
Pros
- Highly automated system takes away the guess work from Cannabis growing.
- Hundreds of strains have been analyzed with optimum growing recipes available through the app.
- Automatic nutrient mixing ensures your plant gets what it needs.
Cons
- Expensive price tag.
- Some users reported that the machine is on the noisier side of things.
Best grow tents in Canada
The Living Room Grow Tent
Features
If you are looking for an excellent starting place for growing plants indoors, the Living Room grow tent is a strong option. Formerly known as the Black Box, this grow tent features a large size and specs that will support a wide range of plants and will be compatible with a variety of components you can add so you can build the growing system you need.
The Living Room measures approximately 48” x 48” x 78,” making this a large tent for your home. While the larger size will not fit in everyone’s home and puts it out of the stealth growing range, the larger size allows for more plants to flourish inside. The Living Room Grow Box features an exterior made from a 600D black canvas with a reflective interior to improve diffusion of any lights you set up inside. The frame is highly durable, due to its one-inch steel tubing, rated to hang up to 33lbs or 15kg in weight, supporting a large amount of the grow lights available. With heavy-duty, double-lined zippers for the entrance and windows to keep bugs out and light in, and vents with draw strings to seal exit ports and vents, you can ensure your plants are getting the environment they need to grow.
Users find that the Living Room is a strong, durable tent that allows users to get the environment they want without impacting the rest of their home. Users enjoy the price point that the Living Room comes in as well. Complaints were very minimal, with the only notable one being that there is no viewing window, so you cannot casually view your produce without opening the actual door. Overall, this is a great grow tent for whatever needs for the plants you are looking for, granted you have the space required.
Pros
- Durable frame supports whatever components you will use in your grow tent.
- Double lined zippers for reducing light leaks and keeping bugs out.
Cons
- No grow window.
Secret Jardin DR120
Features
For more advanced growers, the Secret Jardin DR120 is a high-quality grow tent that can be an essential building block for your growing set-up. With a wide range of options for different growing configurations, you can tackle whatever grow project you want with a Secret Jardin grow tent.
The Secret Jardin DR120 Dark Room tent has a measurement of 48” x 48” x 80”, making it a large tent with lots of internal space, but not a very inconspicuous addition to whatever rooms (Secret Jardin has a range of smaller tents, but more on that later). The main fabric consists of a durable Mylar 210D exterior, with a 95% reflective Mylar interior for diffusion of light inside, and the same Mylar material
for the water tray to protect your floor from potential overflow. With improved 19mm diameter tubes for improved rigidity, and newly engineered acrylic corners, the Secret Jardin grow tents have improved durability.
The Secret Jardin grow tent comes equipped for extraction and ventilation, with equipment bars and accessories to support grow lamps, carbon filters, and more. Included is a package that includes a strap for the filter, a hook for a lighting configuration, fifteen clips for cables and netting, and a pouch for your tools.
Overall, this Secret Jardin tent was popular with users for its easy assembly and strong durability overall. Users generally appreciate the amount of sealable openings this tent has, which give users the ability to create a set-up ideal for their use. However, there are some flaws that people have brought up about their units. Some users have reported pin hole light leaks in the zipper, but this is an inconsistent issue as some users found this tent’s name to be truly fitting. Overall, this is a solid quality tent with some strong features that make it a strong option for advanced indoor growers.
Pros
- Strong water tray to protect your floor from overflow.
- Acrylic corners are more durable than plastic corners of previous models.
- Versatile configuration of sealable openings for setting up your grow tent
Cons
- Some users have noticed pin hole light leaks.
AC Infinity CLOUDLAB 733 Advance Grow Tent
Features
Another high-quality grow tent, the AC Infinity Cloudlab 733 is an excellent tent with a slightly smaller footprint, but a thick, durable canvas. If you are considering indoor growing and you want to pick your own components, this grow tent is a great place to start.
The Cloudlab 733 Advance is a sleek grow tent with a dimension of 36” x 36” x 72” – which should provide enough space for four plants. Constructed from high-density 2000D diamond mylar canvas that prevents light leaks while improving light reflectivity, this tent is dependable for keeping plants on a regular light schedule. The thick material of the Cloudlab 733 make it ideal for maintaining control over climate conditions. The inner ribbon stitching seals the inside of the zippers, further improves the reflectivity inside while also preventing light leaks. The growing tent is reinforced by a steel frame construction with a thickness of 22mm, which allows this unit to support up to an impressive 150 pounds of growing equipment when hung right.
The Cloudlab has a future-ready design, so you can do what you want with the AC Infinity Cloudlab, as it features a versatile mount that can secure virtually any controller or sensor, with cable cutouts with a lightproof passthrough to ensure excess light does not leak out.
Overall, users have found this an effective grow tent at an inexpensive price. Users find the sides of this grow tent very strong and durable, and the control panel area gives users a convenient place for any humidity or temperature controls. For the most part, users have found this as a strong, effective grow tent that with a strong seal, but some users have noticed light leaks among the stitching.
Pros
- Versatile mount for securing controllers and/or sensors in your growing set up.
- Thick, high-density canvas maintains an optimal environment inside for growing.
- Very strong, rigid frame can support an impressive 150 lbs.
Cons
- Some users have found light leaks in the stitching.
Secret Jardin DS60 Dark Street
Features
If you are looking for more of a stealth grow for single plant set ups, the Secret Jardin Dark Street, a smaller model from a company we appreciate, is a strong choice.
With dimensions coming in at 24” x 24” x 62”, the Secret Jardin has a considerably smaller footprint than many of the grow tents listed, with the height necessary to give your plant headroom. With a cover constructed from a 210D Mylar material, with a 95% reflective hammered interior fabric for improving the performance of your grow lights. The internal structure is crafted from 16mm Q195 steel poles, which provide sturdiness and dependability to the tent. The additional components are solid and adds versatility to your future set up: WebIT 60 trellis netting for supporting your plants, HookIT hooks for lighting, a PocketIT tool pouch for anything you might need, and ducting and cable flanges for adding your support your fans, filters, and lighting systems.
Overall, users seem to really like the DS60 for smaller scale growing. Like Secret Jardin’s other grow tents, set up is very easy and the tent is of solid quality. Some users found pinhole light leaks, but others found the seal to be lightproof. Due to this tent’s smaller footprint, this is a worthwhile tent to look into if you are considering constructing your own stealth growing set up.
Pros
- Smaller footprint optimal for growing in small spaces and stealth growing.
- Solid cover material with highly reflective interior.
- Includes a multitude of components for setting up the components for your grow tent.
Cons
- Some users saw pin hole light leaks.
MARS HYDRO Grow Tent Complete Kit
Features
If you are new to hydroponics, growing indoors, or growing in general, it may be tempting to swing for a pre-built, all-in-one unit. However, these units are expensive, and can be too big of an investment for some. Considering a grow tent kit like this one from Mars Hydro can be a more cost-effective solution, but also can be a more hands-on one as well.
With a tent dimensions of 27” x 27” x 63”, this tent is of decent size, so you have versatility in which plants can fit inside and how many. The tent is made with 1680D canvas with a reflective Mylar interior which Mars Hydro states can gather 50% more light. While the zippers are typically one weak spot of grow tents, the Mass Hydro tent features double-stitched zippers to keep light inside and prevent tearing. The floor tray protects the floor beneath, while keeping the environment sealed, but is removable as well. With a metal frame that can bear up 110lbs (50kg), the tent can hold the included components easily.
The Mars Hydro all-in-one complete kit features everything you will need to begin growing, except pots or a similar base to grow your plants in, and seeds. The grow light included is an efficient, full spectrum LED lamp that consumes only 150W of true output, for low electricity costs, with variable brightness for different stages in the growing process. A 40-watt, 4-inch fan is included that runs at a quiet 28 db. Paired with a carbon filter and 33” of ducting, the Mars Hydro all-in-one allows for 3 different configurations for fan and filter for different purposes and plants. Also included is a humidity thermometer, a timer (for automatic scheduling of the light cycles) four 5-Gallon grow bags, and duct clamps for configuring the exhaust or intake system.
Users generally are happy with the Mars Hydro all-in-one complete kit for their indoor gardening purposes, since the unit overall is quality, and easy to set up, despite a lack of instructions. The unit is large but not huge, so you can likely find space in your home for this grow tent, and the easily configurable filter and fan setup can allow for stealth grows if that is what you are looking for. Users like that they can trust the stock set up, and upgrade different components as they gain experience. Some users found that the cheaper elements were of lesser quality, like the plug-in timer or the humidity thermometer, but the larger, more expensive components are worth their money. One thing we should also mention is that if you feel as if you want a different size, Mars Hydro offers different sized kits with more or less the same components.
Pros
- Everything you need to start growing indoors conveniently in one package.
- Electrical components are generally solid quality and have low energy intakes.
- Strong tent cover for making most out of the included components.
Cons
- Some of the less-expensive inclusions like the timer and thermometer are of lower quality.
Our methodology
Looking into growing in your home can be a great hobby and can save money. However, if you do not know where to start, it can be intimidating and can end up costing you more than you ideally want to spend. While researching this article, we discovered there were two subsets of people who were intrigued by growing plants indoors – those who wanted to use their green thumbs year-round and would rather bust a sweat than bust out their wallet, and prospective growers who want to set it and forget it most of the time.
For the former, we recommend a grow tent set-up. We picked a selection of some of the best grow tents in Canada, based on their build-quality, the ability to control the environment inside the tent, and extra components that will help set up the required components. Grow tents are ultimately cheaper, and allow users to find compatible lights, fans, filters, thermometers, and other elements that will ensure an ideal set up for you and your plants. This method is generally more hands on and is more intended for people who want to learn or have a horticulture or gardening background.
For the latter, we recommend a grow box. Grow boxes prioritize having all the components good to go, including having the lights, fans, filters and often, hydroponics systems, all set up in place. Some grow boxes are starting to feature automatization to make growing even easier. However, grow boxes generally cost much more money, meaning they can be a steeper investment.
In constructing this buying guide, we were careful in selecting products that we felt we can trust. We spent over 20 hours researching different products and growing methods to direct you in the right direction.
Frequently asked questions about stealth grow boxes
How does a grow box work?
A grow box is a tool used for growing indoors, where the growing environment is completely kept inside of the box. This allows users to control the growing environment, removing variables that are out of the control. In Canada, where our winters are significant, a grow box can simulate the growing conditions plants are used to, even when the sun is around less and less and the weather is very cold overall.
What is stealth growing?
While growing plants in your home is generally an acceptable activity, sometimes you might want to legally grow plants but be inconspicuous about it. Stealth growing allows for privacy you do not get from letting your plants sit in a window. This is ideal for people who seek to grow their own cannabis, which is legal in Canada, but might not be approved by neighbours or landlords.
Benefits: Why should I buy a grow box?
Grow boxes have plenty of features that are excellent for growing plants, beyond the inconspicuous nature of them. Grow boxes are a self-contained environment ideal for gardening, that are pre-assembled to have everything you will likely need. This likely includes a complete hydroponics set up, lighting, air circulation and a cover the reflects light inside and keeps external light out. More and more grow boxes are including expansive automation, so growing plants has never been easier.
What’s the difference between a stealth grow box and a regular grow box?
Stealth grow boxes are designed to be more inconspicuous, so you can grow plants like Cannabis that not everyone would be okay with you growing. Even though cannabis is legal in Canada, there is still negative feelings about the plant for some. If you are worried about your landlord or neighbours discovering your cannabis plants, a stealth grow box is ideal for you. These boxes often feature carbon filters to prevent the smell revealing itself to those around you.
What are the most common problems with grow boxes?
One of the biggest problems users come across is space inside of the grow box. Due to the typically ideal growing environment that grow boxes provide, plants can grow rapidly, and soon crowd inside your grow box. If this happens, it is recommended to trim dead or weaker parts of your plant regularly.
Sometimes imbalanced PH or nutrients in the water in the hydroponics set up can cause your plant to not grow, wither, or die.
Full equipped grow boxes are often significantly more expensive than getting hands on and building one yourself or going with a grow tent, but some users provide the ease that pre-constructed grow boxes provide.
Can I build a grow box?
Sure! With a proper knowledge of the systems involved in a grow box, you could make an effective grow box yourself. Grow boxes available will likely cost more than one made by yourself, but are guaranteed to be effective, and are more convenient in many cases, with added features that many laypeople would not have the full understanding of how to incorporate.
If you do not want to construct a grow box yourself, buying a grow tent with the component’s necessary is generally a more cost-effective way to grow indoors.
Are grow boxes too energy-consuming?
Grow boxes and fully-equipped grow tents will require some energy usage, however overall this draw seems not to be significant. The Mary grow box claims that their product uses less energy than a 70” TV, while Grobo has shown findings that the average energy use when on is approximately 108w. If you are equipping a grow tent yourself, the energy draw entirely depends on the components you choose. Overall, you can expect an insignificant impact on your energy bill each month, so energy consumption should be of lesser concern.
Of course, larger scale operations can be quite energy consuming. If you are looking to grow cannabis commercially, this article can help you save on money.
Are grow boxes smellproof?
Many plants can have a noticeable odor during growth, especially if you are growing cannabis. Many grow boxes feature carbon filters to reduce the smell, and there is a wide range of filters available if you want to introduce one into your grow tent setup. However, these units, in conjunction with a fan, will work to reduce the smell, and may not be entirely smellproof.
