Industrial hemp is a resilient crop that can tolerate lower-quality soils and limited inputs, but the best results are achieved when it is grown in fertile soils with sound agronomic management. When choosing a site, growers should first consider the purpose of the crop. Some farmers may wish to utilise underperforming or marginal land, while others may aim to use hemp as part of a soil remediation strategy. Selecting the right location plays an important role in establishing a productive and healthy crop.

Hemp performs best where moisture is consistently available throughout the growing season. Adequate soil moisture is particularly important during germination, and young plants require substantial water during the first six weeks while the crop establishes. As the plants mature, hemp develops a deep taproot system—often reaching depths of 2–3 metres depending on soil structure—which improves resilience to short dry periods. Prolonged drought conditions, however, may cause plants to mature prematurely and reduce biomass production. Optimal rainfall typically ranges between 630 and 750 mm per year, with precipitation during June and July playing a key role in supporting vigorous vegetative growth. Water requirements can vary depending on cultivar selection, climate, and management practices.

Hemp is generally considered a short-day plant, meaning that its transition from vegetative growth to flowering is influenced by day length. The exact response depends on the cultivar being grown. Some varieties will flower regardless of daylight duration, while others require shorter days before flowering is triggered. Understanding the photoperiod sensitivity of the chosen variety is therefore important for planning planting dates and predicting crop development.

As with many agricultural crops, larger cultivation areas can improve economic efficiency due to economies of scale. Nevertheless, hemp can still be grown successfully on smaller areas depending on the intended end use. For example, hemp can be cultivated on marginal or contaminated land as part of soil remediation strategies, although yields may be lower in such environments. The crop also fits well within rotational farming systems, where it can contribute to improving soil condition for subsequent crops. Because hemp is an annual crop rather than a perennial energy crop, many growers choose to begin with a small trial area before increasing their planted acreage in later seasons.

Well-structured soils with good drainage and aeration provide the most favourable conditions for hemp cultivation. Soils with a silt-loam texture tend to perform particularly well, ideally consisting of approximately 40% sand, 40% silt, and 20% clay. The soil should retain sufficient moisture while still allowing excess water to drain away. Hemp can tolerate soil pH values between 5.0 and 7.5, although the most favourable range is around 6.0–6.5. Because hemp readily absorbs heavy metals from the soil, sites with significant contamination—such as former industrial areas or landfill sites—should be avoided if the crop is intended for food or other human-use products.

Temperature conditions influence hemp growth at each stage of development. While the crop is well suited to temperate climates, it can adapt to a range of environments. Under field conditions, the most favourable temperatures for germination generally fall between 13.5°C and 18.5°C, although seeds may still sprout at slightly lower temperatures. Very high temperatures can negatively affect germination, particularly when plants are already under stress. Young plants that have developed around 8–10 leaves can tolerate brief cold periods down to approximately −5°C. Optimal growth is typically achieved when average daytime temperatures remain between 16°C and 27°C.

Harvesting hemp usually involves conventional agricultural machinery that has been modified for fibre or seed harvesting. For this reason, fields should have reliable access routes or hard tracks that allow machinery to enter and operate safely throughout the growing and harvesting periods.

The final height of hemp plants varies depending on the cultivar, generally ranging from around 1 metre to more than 3 metres. Fibre-focused varieties commonly reach heights of approximately 2 metres—similar to maize—while seed varieties are often somewhat shorter, typically growing to chest or shoulder height. From a visual perspective, hemp fields resemble other tall arable crops and rarely have a major impact on the surrounding landscape. However, cultivation regulations differ between countries, and some jurisdictions restrict hemp production near roads, schools, or public footpaths.