# Even canopy

> An even canopy is one where all main tops sit at roughly the same height, so each receives similar light intensity and buds develop more uniformly.

- Canonical: https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/even-canopy.html
- Also written: flat canopy, level canopy, uniform canopy, canopy uniformity
- Glossary category: Cultivation and training · Evidence: Supported
- Status: Draft: awaiting expert review · Updated: 2026-10-31
- Licence: CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/), attribute "GenetixBay cannabis glossary"

An even canopy is a flat, level layer of tops. Light intensity falls off with distance from the fixture and varies across the footprint, so a top 30 cm (12 in) below its neighbours can receive a fraction of their light. Flattening the canopy brings every bud site into the same light band.

## In practice

Growers level a canopy with [LST](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/lst.md), topping, mainlining, [SCROG](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/scrog.md) and [supercropping](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/supercropping.md) the tallest tops in early flower. The aim is usually a spread of no more than about 10-15 cm (4-6 in) between the highest and lowest [main colas](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/cola.md). Research on large [medicinal cannabis](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/medical-vs-adult-use.md) plants found that plant architecture affected how uniform [cannabinoid](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/cannabinoid.md) content was between top and lower buds, which supports the logic of training for evenness.

A [PAR](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/par.md) meter reading at several points across the canopy shows how even it really is.

## Don't confuse with

- **Uniform PPFD**: even light from the fixture; you need both an even light map and an even canopy.
- **Uniform plants**: same genetics and size; helps, but is not the same as a level canopy.

## Related terms

[Canopy](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/canopy.md), [LST](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/lst.md), [SCROG](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/scrog.md), [Supercropping](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/supercropping.md), [Mainlining](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/mainlining.md)

## Read more

- [LST: low-stress training](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/training/lst.md)
- [SCROG: screen of green](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/training/scrog.md)

## Sources

1. Danziger N, Bernstein N, 2021. Shape matters: plant architecture affects chemical uniformity in large-size medical cannabis plants. Plants 10(9):1834. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8468686/