Home/StonerQuelle Blog/Sea of Green (SOG) – method for maximum yield in cannabis cultivation

Stoner Quelle • 26.02.2025

Sea of Green (SOG) – method for maximum yield in cannabis cultivation

What is the Sea of Green (SOG) Method?

The Sea of Green method is an indoor cannabis cultivation technique where, instead of growing a few large plants, many small plants are grown simultaneously. The idea behind this method is to quickly and efficiently fill the grow space with a dense canopy—creating a “Sea of Green.” To achieve this, the vegetative growth phase is intentionally kept very short (often only about 1–2 weeks), so that the plants enter flowering early. Due to this short growth time, individual plants remain relatively small and focus their energy on a dominant main cola rather than branching out extensively.

When executed correctly, the densely packed plants form a uniform, closed canopy that maximizes light efficiency. The SOG method was developed in the 1970s by Dutch growers to increase yields in commercial indoor cultivation. Today, it is popular worldwide among both hobby and professional growers, especially because it enables high yields per area in a short period.

Advantages of the Sea of Green Method

Maximum Space Utilization: By growing many plants in a small space, the entire grow area is filled efficiently, ensuring no light is wasted.
Faster Harvest Cycles: Thanks to the shortened vegetative phase, flowering begins sooner. The total time from seedling/cloning to harvest is significantly reduced, allowing for multiple harvests per year.
Uniform Growth: Ideally, genetically identical plants (clones from a mother plant) are used. This ensures that all plants grow evenly and flower synchronously.
Efficient Light Use: A uniform “green sea” absorbs available light efficiently. Less light is wasted, as the dense canopy prevents it from reaching the floor.
Space-Saving in Height: Since plants in SOG are kept small (usually only 30–60 cm tall), less vertical space is required. This makes it ideal for grow tents with limited height or micro-grow setups.
No Extensive Training Required: Unlike techniques such as SCROG (Screen of Green) or LST, SOG does not require bending or topping plants. Simply letting them grow and switching to flowering early is usually sufficient.

Pot Size, Growth Duration, and Optimal Plant Size in SOG

Pot Size

Since the plants have a short vegetative period, they do not require large pots. Oversized containers would not be fully rooted and would waste space and substrate. In practice, pots with about 4–6 liters of volume have proven to be optimal. This allows the roots to develop sufficiently while ensuring that the plants reach their full size of approximately 30–50 cm in height. Some experienced growers use slightly larger pots (e.g., 7–11 liters) if they prefer fewer but slightly larger plants.

Growth Phase (Vegetation Period)

A very short vegetative phase is characteristic of SOG. In many SOG grows, plants are kept in the vegetative stage for only 7–14 days before switching to flowering (12/12 light cycle).

Rooted clones typically require only 7 days of vegetative growth under 18 hours of light to establish roots and gain some height.
When using seeds, many growers allow for about 10–14 days of vegetation to give seedlings time to develop.
Waiting longer than two weeks is not recommended, as plants can become too tall and bushy.

Optimal Plant Size

At harvest, SOG plants are typically relatively small but filled with buds. Depending on pot size, strain, and vegetative duration, they usually reach a final height of 30–60 cm.

Optimal Number of Plants in a Sea of Green Setup

The number of plants needed for a perfect SOG depends on the available space, pot size, and desired plant height. Generally, the more plants, the faster the space fills up, but the smaller each individual plant must remain.

Approximately 4 to 16 plants per square meter are typical.
For larger pots (9–11 liters), the lower range (4–9 plants/m²) is recommended.
For smaller pots (4–6 liters), 9–16 plants per m² can be used.

A common mistake is placing pots too close together from the start. While the goal is a closed canopy, young plants should not touch each other during the vegetative phase. The canopy should close naturally by mid-flowering, not in the first week.

Suitable Cannabis Strains for SOG

Not every cannabis strain is ideal for this method. Indica-dominant hybrids are particularly suitable because they grow compactly, have a short flowering period, and produce a dominant main cola.

Recommended Strains:

Northern Lights – Compact, robust, high yield
Super Skunk – Uniform growth, thick buds
Afghani #1 – Dense growth, very resinous
Hindu Kush – Resilient, short flowering time
Critical – High yield, fast flowering

Common Mistakes in SOG Cultivation

Too large pots: Roots do not fully develop within the pot.
Unsuitable genetics: Sativas stretch too much, leading to uneven growth.
Too long vegetative phase: Plants grow too tall and take up too much space.
Placing pots too closely in early veg: Leads to competition for light and reduced bud formation.
Inadequate air circulation: Can lead to mold formation.
Over-pruning: Can shock plants and hinder growth.

Conclusion

The Sea of Green method is an effective indoor cultivation technique for achieving high yields in a short time. By growing many small plants, keeping the vegetative phase short, and ensuring a uniform canopy, growers can maximize their yield per square meter. SOG is perfect for those with limited space who want to make the most out of their grow area.