Autoflowering strains are great for outdoor climates that are otherwise not suited for growing cannabis, either by having too short and harsh seasons or by not having enough light for regular, photoperiod strains to finish. Places like Finland, Canada or Alaska that have polar days and nights can’t grow photoperiod strains outdoors because there are not dark or night periods which induce flowering. Without applying light deprevation techniques, the only cannabis strains they can grow are autoflowers.

 

Their autoflowering trait allows them to enter and finish flowering without being dependent on the light cycle meaning they don’t need to wait for Fall to come to finish flowering. That not only allows for autoflowering strains to be grown anywhere but it makes multiple harvests possible in climates that have moderate and warm climates.

 

Adding the autoflowering trait allowed growers to grow strains that they usually weren’t able to, like long-flowering Sativas or delicate and hard to grow strains that were highly susceptible to pest, disease and harsh weather. Autoflowers took the cannabis growers scene by storm, offering both autoflowering varieties of classic photoperiod cannabis strains, that are in most  cases a decent representation of its parent, and unique and special new strains that offer all the importaint traits and characteristics growers look for in a plant.

 

A brief history of autoflowering strains

 

Autoflowering strains have been gaining popularity since their introduction in the late 1980s and the introduction of the first autoflowering commercial strain – Lowryder by the Joint Doctor. At the same time growers were experimenting with strains they brought from the Hashish Trail and crossing them with long flowering Mexican, Colombian and Asian Sativas or plants they brought from Northern Europe and Russia.

 

Just as plants have adjusted to the harsh climates of Afghani mountains and humid and hot weather of Asian valleys, plants growing in harsh Russian weather have adjusted to the climate there. A third category of Cannabis plants, along Sativa and Indica, called Cannabis Ruderalis native to Russia made its way around the world reaching growers in North America and Europe who started experimenting with it.

 

Ruderalis plants are small, with tiny unpresentable buds but they have one trait that makes them unique and that is – they start flowering, not when the light schedule is switched – or when night become longer than days outdoors, rather than when they reach maturity, usually happening between weeks 2 and 6. That specific trait makes Ruderalis a very interesting breeding material and is used for shortening the flowering periods of new hybrids or making “autoflowering” strains.

 

Stabilizing the autoflowering trait reportedly took 9 generation and the first strain created, simple called Willy’s Automatic, a basis for the Lowryder strain was born. Willy’s Automatic wasn’t a special plant, the yield was extremely low with low potency terpenes content but flowering under 24h light and/or being able to grow in harsh climates not depending on the seasons opened up a totally new market.

 

Continuing the experiments and crossing and stabilizing the strain further, The Joint Doctor released several new and improved versions of the strain which started the autoflowering revolution. Autoflowering strains have since come to their fourth generations and are serious alternatives to regular photoperiod plants, matching them in both yield and potency.

 

Just as with regular, photoperiod strains, that are Indica, Sativas and hybrids, autoflowering strains cover all sides of the spectrum. Here are ten we find best:

 

Auto Pounder by Auto Seeds

 

Made with one thing in mind only – yield, this amazing cross of two of the best yielding strains – Sensi’s original Big Bud and Power Plant and Auto #1 can go toe to toe to any photoperiod plant yielding 450-650g per square meter or up to ~200-300g per plant. Auto Pounder finishes in 10 to 12 weeks from germination, usually grows up to 100 cm and has a great flower to leaf ratio with nice potency and terpene levels. Rich, earthy aroma with citrusy undertone and nice potency that usually tests at 15-18% THC with <1% CBD make this strain a popular choice among indoor and outdoor growers alike.

 

Auto Xtreme by Dutch Passion

 

Auto Xtreme is a product of a two year collaboration between Dutch Passion and Dinafem. Strain is based on Outlaw (Amnesia x Super Haze) that’s been crossed with an unknown autoflowering strain. Providing for great yield in just 11 to 12 weeks Auto Extreme is a sativa dominant autoflower that will grow up to 150cm and give you generous yields – around 500g per square meter or ~300g per plant with THC levels testing around 15%.

 

Think Different by Dutch Passion

 

Another strain for Dutch Passion, Think Different is a cross between a hybrid of AK47 known as AK420 and a Ruderalis plant making it a nice Sativa dominant strain. Growing fast and vigorous, reaching up to 150cm,  it usually produces around 100g but skilled growers can yield up to 300g per plant and more than 500g per square meter in just 9 to 11 weeks from germination. Usually testing at 16-18% of THC but not known for its great taste and aroma, Think Different provides great yield in short time, making it a great strain both indoors and outdoors.

 

Northern Light Automatic by Royal Queen Seeds

 

A well known strain, Northern Lights has been around for some time and has won numerous awards and has become a breeding stone to many popular strains today. Crossing the Northern Lights with a Ruderalis plant – Northern Lights Auto was born. Growing up to 160 cm outdoors and 120cm indoors in 8-10 weeks and yielding ~170-220g per plant or ~500g per square meter makes it worthy to enter our list. Usually testing at ~15% THC this Indica dominant hybrid is perfect for afternoon or night time use.

 

Blue Dream Auto by Humboldt Seed Organisation

 

Blue Dream, a long time favorite and best selling strain, has gotten its autoflowering version as well. Crossing their great Blue Dream with a Ruderalis plants, the finishing time is 10 to 11 weeks from germination, with yields usually at ~75-90g per plant or ~350g per square meter. This Sativa dominant hybrid will grow up to 150 cm and usually test at around 13% THC delivering almost all the taste and aroma of its photoperiod parent.

 

Critical + 2.0 Autoflowering by Dinafem

 

Dinafem Critical and its upgraded versions have been a long time popular choice for many breeders since their introduction. Continuing to improve and work on the strain, Dinafem have made an autoflowering version too. A cross between Critical+  and Ruderalis plant and Critical, this autoflowering strain lives up to all the expectations. Yielding up to 250g per plant or 500g per square meter this Indica dominant strain will grow up to 130 cm and will finish in 10 to 12 weeks from germination. Usually testing at around 15-20% THC.

 

Red Poison Auto from Sweet Seeds

 

This cross between Green Poison and Ruderalis plant descending from Pakistani Kush origins exhibits nice purple/redish color of its flowers. As well as beautiful, this Indica dominant strain will yield up to 550g per square meter or up to 175g per plant and will grow up to 120 cm in height. Finishing in just 8 week from germination and usually testing at 15-19% THC as well, this strain is finding its way to more and more gardens around the globe.

 

Big Devil XL Auto from Sweet Seeds

 

Another strain from Sweet Seeds, third generation of autoflowers, a cross between Big Devil #2 Auto and an autoflowering version of Jack Herer. Finishing in 9 to 10 weeks this strain will grow up to 160 cm and provide a yield of 350g per plant or 650g per square meter. A great yielder, usually testing at ~20% THC, this Sativa dominant strain is a great choice.

 

Auto Tutankhamon by Pyramid Seeds

 

Tutankhamon or also called King Tut is a very potent AK47 phenotype that has won numerous awards and has been one of the first strains that tested over 25% THC. Renowned for its potency and great flavor, the original, photoperiod strain has been crossed with a Ruderalis plant in order to make an autoflowering variety. Finishing up in 7 to 9 weeks and providing yields up to 200g per plant or 550g per square meter, the strain doesn’t disappoint in potency either – usually testing at more than 20% THC with 1-2% CBD.

 

Gnomo Auto from Kanabia

 

This Indica dominant hybrid is a cross between Mataro Blue and a Ruderalis plant and finishes in around 8-9 weeks from germination. Yielding up to 200g per plant or 400g per square meter, usually test at around 12-16% THC with a nice and flavourful sweet, berry and fruity taste. Plants will usually stay aroung 70-90cm in height.

 

Final Thoughts

 

Although the best and primary advantage of growing autoflowering strains is their ability to finish outdoors in harsh and unpleasant climates, indoor growing of autoflowering strains is popular too, especially in Europe. With third, and especially fourth, generation of autoflowers, the differences in yield, potency and terpene production, when compared to photoperiod plants, are very small and getting smaller by the day, making autoflowering strains a great choice, both for new and experienced growers.

 

We would love to hear your thoughts in the comments section below:

 

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