The strong odors produced by growing cannabis are often described as pungent, skunky, floral, fruity, or even maybe smelling like a drain. Created by the plant’s essential oils (terpenes), odors are strongest when the flower is budding, These pungent odors can be detected at a far distance, depending on the strain. Thankfully, cannabis plants don’t stink throughout the entire growing cycle. In fact, they remain entirely scent-free during the seedling and vegetative phase. During these stages of growth, plants direct all of their energy toward increasing in size to produce future flowers. Eventually, though, the vegetative phase comes to an end. Depending on the type of plant, a shift in the daylight hours, or an internal genetic mechanism, will initiate the flowering stage. Over the course of the next few weeks, you’ll notice your plants stretch and show the first signs of flowering with small hair-like pistils at the nodes. As these become flowers that grow into full-sized nuggets, they’ll start to stink more and more. This increasing intensity is caused by another key development, specifically those small crystal-like structures you’ll notice on the surface of cannabis flowers. Known as trichomes, these mushroom-shaped glands churn out a resin that’s rich in cannabinoids and smelly terpenes. This resin, in turn, protects the plant from insects and fluctuating temperatures. Flowers will begin smelling as soon as your plants start producing this resin, and will stay stinky well after you harvest them. Carbon Filter and Extractor Fan If you are growing indoors you will have to be aware that cannabis plants need to breathe. Therefore, you need to ensure your growing space features a constant flow of fresh air. However, the air that leaves the growing space will take a boatload of terpenes along with it—unless you process it. The combination of a carbon filter and an extractor fan works by diverting and scrubbing outgoing air to rid it of the odor. Whether you’re growing in an open room or an enclosed growing tent, you should position an extractor fan next to the air vent of your dedicated space and attach a carbon filter to the extractor fan outlet to absorb odor. This device will pull air towards it and form a current that prevents smelly air from leaking out of doors or windows. Air Purifier Air purifiers work by drawing air through a series of fine filters. As a fan sucks the air through, small particles and pollutants get trapped in the filters and clean air passes through the other side. Air filters create steady airflow and will provide a clean and fresh environment for your plants. As far as smell goes, air purifiers are not a total solution. You can include them as part of an odour-prevention strategy, along with a carbon filter, as opposed to relying on them as an independent solution. Low Odour Cannabis Strains Some strains just don’t smell as much as others. Just as cannabis breeders have developed some cultivars to produce sky-high levels of terpenes, the botanical masterminds have also created varieties with subtle smells designed for covert growing. Some of the best low odour genetics include: Northern Lights: (Learn more about this strain: HERE) Blue Mystic: (Learn more about this strain: HERE)