There was a time when growers would ask the difference between organic and hydro; now, the question is: what are the differences between organic and veganic? When it comes to answering the question of which is better between veganic vs organic cannabis, you need to take a look at the pros and cons and which style better suits your needs.
In this article, I will explain the key differences between veganic growing and organic growing, break down what organic cannabis means, and answer whether veganic is better than organic.
What Is Organic Cannabis?
Let’s start by breaking down what organic cannabis means. Organic means no chemical products have been used, and everything is organic and biodegradable. The standard organic setup starts with top-quality soil, well-developed and teeming with beneficial microorganisms.
A carbon-rich soil will provide cannabis plants with all the nutrients they require. Below is a list of all the different types of organic inputs typically used for growing. Growers who prefer to make their own living soil often combine the items on the list below with perlite and vermiculite to ensure good drainage and aeration for the roots.
- Compost
- Manure
- Seaweed
- Guano
- Biochar
- Rock phosphate
- Worm Castings
- Blood meal
- Bone meal
Once you have your soil, you can either water your plants with plain water, pH-adjusted to a range of 6.0 to 7.0 (if necessary). Alternatively, you can choose to give your plants organic nutrients that are bought in bottles or make your own teas and extracts. Below is a list of the different types of organic liquid nutrients that a grower may use.
- Molasses
- Fish emulsion
- Ortega
- Worm extract
- Humic acids
- Bat guano
- Seaweed extract
What Is Veganic Cannabis?
To help answer the question of which is best between veganic vs organic cannabis, let’s take a look at what veganic cannabis is and see if veganic is better than organic and why. Whilst you can achieve much greater diversity by growing with a wide range of organic inputs, veganic cannabis growers are simple and highly effective.
ATAMI VGN 4-pack is a complete 4-bottle, plant-based nutrient system
developed for growers who want clean, professional results without animal-derived inputs. There are no animal-derived products, such as guano, blood meal, bone meal, or manure. Below are the main differences between veganic and organic cannabis nutrients, as compared using the VGN line.
- Made exclusively from residual plant matter and contains no animal-derived inputs.
- A plant-based, veganic system aligned with ethical and sustainability-focused cultivation
- VGN provides nutrients in directly plant-available forms.
- Faster nutrient uptake and response when correcting imbalances or deficiencies
- Supports soil biology and optimises nutrient uptake and resistance to pathogens
- VGN uses environmentally friendly biodegradable chelating agents (IDHA)
- Nutrient efficiency without leaving residues is often associated with chelation technologies
- A nitrogen-free CalMag, supplying calcium and magnesium without nitrogen
- 4-bottle nutrient system with clearly defined ratios supported by a detailed grow guide
- VGN is approved as an input for organic farming by Control Union
- Produced using residual plant matter with recycled packaging
Veganic vs Organic Cannabis: Key Differences
All you have to remember when thinking about the difference between organic and veganic cannabis cultivation is that organic uses animal-derived products, while veganic uses only plant extracts and a plant-based nutrient system with zero animal-derived inputs.
- Greater control and faster response
- VGN provides a high level of directly plant-available nutrients
- Clean and ethical cultivation
- Made exclusively from residual plant matter and free from animal-derived inputs
- Growers to align their cultivation practices with plant-based and sustainability values.
- Veganics works in harmony with soil biology enhancing trichome production
- VGN supports steady, balanced nutrition across the entire plant cycle
- Growers experience cleaner development, improved aroma and flavour expression
- Veganic offers a clear grow guide, and a predictable feeding program reduces guesswork.
- The growing process is more organised, efficient, and manageable.
Is Veganic Better Than Organic?
I have spoken with many growers who ask me if veganic is better than organic, and which is better to smoke, between organic and veganic weed. One angle you have to consider when discussing the differences between veganic and organic cannabis is sustainability and cost savings. Because nutrients are readily available to the plant, growers can feed more precisely and avoid the excessive dosing often required with slower organic systems.
This can result in:
- Reduced product waste
- More efficient nutrient use
- Fewer corrective treatments
- Lower risk of crop setbacks due to imbalance
Vegan Cannabis vs Organic Cannabis: Flavour, Aroma, and Quality
Based on my experiences using the Atami VGN nutrient line, I have noticed a significant difference in trichome and terpene production. During the vegetation and flowering period, plants were fed with the VGN line whilst using Janeco Light Mix. Below are three major differences that I noticed when comparing vegan cannabis vs organic cannabis.
The amount of trichomes
The first thing that stood out to me during my first ever time growing veganic cannabis was how resinous and frosty my clones were. This also led to increased resin, cannabinoid, and terpene production.
Stronger plant aromas
You will find that when using the VGN line, your plants will be much more aromatic throughout the growing season. Veganic cannabis plants seem to produce greater levels of alcohols and esters, which are amplified even more during the cannabis flower stage.
A smoother and more refined smoking experience
The smoothness of the buds when consumed was even smoother than organic and certainly had a more refined, long-lasting taste. Veganic-grown cannabis produces a light, fluffy ash and creates an ultra-smooth smoking experience.
My Final Thoughts on Veganic vs Organic Cannabis
If you ask my opinion, there is a difference between organic and veganic cannabis, and veganic is better than organic. Yes, because veganic cultivation is simpler and straightforward.
Also, its affordability and sustainability for home growers, the environmental benefits, and the enhanced aroma, flavour, and smoking experience, you can see why veganic weed is becoming highly sought after by connoisseurs.
I would recommend starting with the 250ml Atami VGN 4-pack, suitable for 4-6 plants. This pack contains everything you need to kick start your career as a veganic grower, including VGN 5-2-2 base nutrient 250ml, VGN 2-2-4 base nutrient 250ml, VGN 1-4-4 boost 250ml, and
VGN CALMAG nitrogen-free calcium & magnesium supplement 250ml.
