Every beginner grower asks: how much does a growroom really cost? Online you’ll find extreme answers — from “it’s a cheap hobby” to “it’s a money pit.” The truth is somewhere in between. In this article, we’ll calculate the real costs of a home cannabis grow — from budget setups to premium, electricity bills, and finally, the cost per gram of your harvest.
Budget vs. Premium Setup
Equipment is the first and biggest expense. You can build a grow tent for a few hundred euros, but you can also invest several thousand.
Budget setup (around 400–600 EUR):
- 80×80 cm grow tent,
- 200–250 W LED lamp,
- ventilation + carbon filter,
- basic nutrients and soil.
Premium setup (1500–2500 EUR):
- 120×120 cm (or larger) grow tent,
- professional 400–600 W LED lamps,
- efficient ventilation and climate control,
- automatic irrigation and feeding systems,
- branded nutrient packages.
The difference is huge, but both setups can deliver solid results.
Electricity Costs — What Will You Pay Monthly?
Electricity is the second major cost in a growroom. It depends mainly on lamp power and light cycle. Let’s assume an average rate of 0.35 EUR/kWh (common in much of the EU).
- Budget setup:
250 W LED + ventilation ~50 W = 300 W total.
At 18 h (veg) and 12 h (flower), that’s around 8 kWh/day.
Monthly bill = about 85 EUR. - Premium setup:
600 W LED + ventilation + AC = ~800 W total.
Average consumption around 20 kWh/day.
Monthly bill = about 210 EUR.
Nutrients and Growing Medium Costs
- Budget setup: nutrients + soil = around 50–80 EUR per cycle.
- Premium setup: high-end nutrients, coco/hydro systems = 150–250 EUR per cycle.
What’s the Cost per Gram?
Let’s assume yields of:
- 250–350 g for a budget setup,
- 600–800 g for a premium setup.
For a 4-month cycle:
- Budget:
Equipment (amortized over 2 years) ~20 EUR/month + electricity 85 EUR + nutrients 20 EUR = ~125 EUR/month.
Whole cycle = ~500 EUR ÷ 300 g = 1.6 EUR/gram. - Premium:
Equipment (amortized over 3 years) ~70 EUR/month + electricity 210 EUR + nutrients 60 EUR = ~340 EUR/month.
Whole cycle = ~1360 EUR ÷ 700 g = 1.9 EUR/gram.
As you can see, the cost per gram is surprisingly low — especially compared to street prices.
How to Optimize Grow Expenses
- Invest in LEDs – more expensive at first, but they pay off in energy savings.
- Buy second-hand equipment – tents, fans, and even filters can be found used.
- Don’t overfeed – plants often need less than the manufacturer recommends.
- Optimize your space – a smaller, efficient tent is better than an oversized, half-empty one.
- Upgrade gradually – start with a budget grow, expand to premium once you gain experience.
Conclusion
The cost of a home cannabis grow varies: from a few hundred euros for a budget build to several thousand for a premium setup. The biggest expenses are equipment and electricity, but spread across a cycle, the cost per gram is very reasonable.
For growers who value quality and independence, a personal grow isn’t just an expense — it’s an investment in passion, skills, and the best possible product.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
Can you build a grow for under 300 EUR?
Yes, but it will be a very basic version.
Are LEDs really worth it?
Absolutely — they consume less power and deliver excellent yields.
What’s the biggest cost?
Initially equipment, later electricity bills.
Does cost per gram always come under 2 EUR?
With a well-run grow, yes — especially if you amortize equipment over multiple cycles.
