Cannabis strains have exponentially increased in number over the last few decades. In fact, thanks to innovative work within the industry, there are more being developed as we speak!
Though, if you’ve been consuming cannabis for some time, it’s likely that you’ve thought about cutting out the middleman and growing it yourself.
However, it can be tricky to know where to start, especially if you have limited space or live in an unpredictable or extreme environment.
That’s where we come in! Below, we’ve listed the five best cannabis strains for growing indoors. They have each been hand-selected according to how easy they are to maintain, in addition to their overall effects.
Following, we’ve included a handy ‘need to know’ section so that you can make the most informed decision possible.
Northern light
Northern Light is one of the most famous strains to emerge from the West Coast of the US in the 1970s and is thought to have been created using Indica genetics from Afghanistan.
This strain is a favorite amongst Indica lovers. Thanks to its 90% Indica 10% Sativa composition, it calms the body and mind by relaxing the muscles and alleviating stresses.
It is particularly smooth on the exhale and has a pungently sweet and spicy flavor profile. It is also quite a potent strain, with a THC percentage of 22%.
If this sounds like it’s up your street, you’re in luck! For those of you who are new to growing cannabis indoors, the Northern Light strain is a great place to start. In fact, It is now even easier to grow indoors because its seeds now come in feminized and auto-flowering versions.
You can expect a Northern Light plant to flower within 55 days. Generally, once the seedlings turn a month old, the flowing begins, although it can happen quickly. As such, with this strain, you can expect to have a dense harvest multiple times a year!
Pros:
- Auto-flowering and feminized versions are available – ideal for beginners.
- Small size – great for indoor growing.
- Calming effect – perfect for people who want to unwind.
Cons:
- Small size – may not produce a large enough yield for some growers.
Jack Herer
Also called the ‘champagne of strains’, Jack Herer is a famously great strain that was created in the Netherlands in the 1990s. It is named after Jack Herer, or the ‘Emperor of hemp’, an American cannabis rights activist.
Jack Herer is a slightly Sativa-dominant strain with a rich genetic background that gives rise to multiple variations, each boasting their own unique effects.
Although, more generally, consumers enjoy Jack Herer for its ability to clear the head, induce creativity, and foster a blissful outlook.
It is quite a potent strain, with a TCH level of 18%, which creates a very vivid, happy high. It has a piney, spicy scent that consumers tend to find very appealing. Likewise, it also tastes quite earthy.
Generally, the Sativa-dominant versions of Jack Herer are pretty easy to manage. In fact, Jack Herer auto-flower is a dream to grow. It is fast flowering and produces an average to good yield.
The plant is also resistant to some diseases, making it a great option for new growers!
When grown indoors, you can expect this strain to have an especially short flowering period. Generally, it is around 8 to 10 weeks long. You can also expect to yield around 18oz per square meter.
Pros:
- Autoflower version – ideal for beginners.
- Fast flowering – low maintenance.
- Sativa-dominant – ideal for people who want an uplifting high.
Cons:
- Yield – may be smaller than others on the list.
Girl Scout Cookies
As an Indica-dominant hybrid made by crossing Durban Poison with OG Kush, Girl Scout Cookies is a particularly popular strain. In fact, it has won multiple awards for its aroma and effects and has been a favorite amongst seasoned smokers for decades.
Specifically, this strain is a 60% Indica 40% Sativa hybrid with a THC content of somewhere between 18% and 20%. Thanks to its high potency, it is commonly used to treat health issues such as chronic pain, depression, and stress.
According to consumers, Girl Scout Cookies will also induce a sense of euphoria and relaxation.
In terms of aroma and taste, Girl Scout Cookies truly lives up to the name. As you might expect, it has a sweet flavor with a hint of mint that consumers describe as reminiscent of cookies from their childhood. It also has a distinctive skunky, earthy aroma.
Though Girl Scout Cookies isn’t necessarily known for being a super easy to grow strain, it also isn’t very difficult to grow either. In fact, with a little bit of research, you can learn to grow this strain pretty quickly.
The plant is usually a short to medium height that is ideal for indoor spaces. In fact, growing indoors is ideal for this strain, thanks to its resistance to lower temperatures.
A cooler temperature actually helps produce a purple color and crystallized rich density buds. As such, unless you live in a hot climate, Girl Scout Cookies is an ideal plant to grow indoors.
This strain is also resistant to mildew and pests and will grow very well in either soil or hydroponics. As such, even though it has a fairly mid-range yield, the benefits of Girl Scout Cookies definitely make up for that!
Pros:
- Low-temperature resistant – ideal for cooler climates.
- Short to medium height – great for smaller indoor spaces.
- High THC content – good for pain relief and other medical issues.
Cons:
- Small yield – yield is smaller than others on the list.
White Widow
White widow is a perfect choice for beginners and is among the most famous worldwide strains. White Widow was first developed in the Netherlands by crossing a resin-heavy Indica from South India and a Sativa landrace from Brazil.
Since then, it has been a staple in every dutch coffee shop. White Widow is 40% Sativa 60% Indica strain that uplifts consumers, inducing a euphoric, relaxed, happy, and social mood.
In fact, White Widow has quite the international reputation, as, without it, other incredible strains such as Blue Widow and White Russian would never have been created.
Its THC content is particularly high, at 22.5%, which also makes it popular amongst people who consume cannabis for medical purposes. The buds of this strain are colored white due to crystal resin, which acts as something of a warning for the intensity of its effects.
White Widow also has fruity, spicy tastes with a somewhat pungent skunk aroma.
In terms of growing, White Widow is a perfect match for beginners. It doesn’t get too big, generally peaking at a medium height, and it comes in an auto-flower form.
This means that it flowers quickly and is quick to harvest. It’s also a particularly hardy plant that can survive in regular temperatures. Its yield is also pretty good!
Pros:
- Auto-flower – easy for beginners to get the hang of.
- Hardy – can survive at regular temperatures.
- 22.5% THC – good for medical issues such as pain.
Cons:
- 22.5% THC – too strong for some people.
Afghan Kush
If you’re an indica lover looking to grow your own stash, look no further than the pure Indica strain of Afghan Kush. Afghan Kush in one form or another has been around for centuries, with its origins thought to trace back to the Hindu Kush mountain range.
Afghan Kush has a high THC content, at roughly around 21%. Though, its effects can be felt far beyond its THC content, due to the plant’s ability to retain cannabinoids when extracted.
Its 6% CBD level and 1% CBN level also make this strain popular amongst people trying to alleviate depression, a lack of appetite, and traumatic stress.
It has an aroma that is a mix of tropical mango and earthy skunk. Its taste is very mild, so is a perfect choice for people with more sensitive pallets. Consumers often describe the taste of Afghan Kush as bland, with the smallest, most subtle hint of fruity sweetness.
It may come as a shock that such an iconic, world-renowned strain is actually quite easy to grow. After surviving generation after generation of hardships, Afghan Kush has developed to become incredibly sturdy, thriving even in awful temperature conditions.
The plant only takes roughly 7 to 8 weeks to flower, and with a little bit of expertise, the yield can be really great. For instance, we suggest regular trimming to increase the yield. The plant is also highly resistant to molds, parasites, and pests.
Pros:
- 6% CBD 1% CBN – great for medicinal use.
- Hardy – ideal for beginners.
- Highly resistant to molds, parasites, and pests – easy to maintain.
Cons:
- 100% Indica – effects aren’t for everyone.
What to know before you grow
Cannabis can be more high-maintenance than you’d expect. Before you pick a strain, you should consider how much space you have to grow your plants, if there are any lighting temperature constraints, and what kind of effects you’re desiring.
Check out the information below to ensure that you pick the perfect strain for you!
Indica vs. Sativa
In addition to their varying effects, with Indica strains making you feel more relaxed and Sativa strains making you feel more energized, Indica and Sativa plants tend to grow differently.
Indica strains tend to flower quicker, which means that you can collect your yield quicker. Indica strains also stay quite short and bushy and are therefore ideal for people with limited room indoors. They are also ideal for people living in cooler temperatures.
On the other hand, Sativa strains can be a little trickier to master. They tend to be taller and thinner than Indica varieties, and their yields are likely to be smaller than their Indica counterparts.
However, the effects of Sativa varieties are preferred by many people, and they would do very well in warmer temperatures.
With hybrid varieties, anything goes! It’s important to do your research thoroughly before purchasing a hybrid strain to ensure you’re able to care for the plant properly and as such, harvest a decent yield!
Feminized seeds vs. auto-flowering seeds
You will also want to think about whether you want to plant feminized seeds or auto-flower seeds. Both have unique properties that may be preferable depending on your growing experience.
With feminized seeds, you don’t have to worry about producing male plants, and you can expect to yield larger plants. The plants produced by feminized seeds can also be cloned, which makes them very popular amongst serious growers.
Auto-flowering seeds are often preferred by people who are new to growing cannabis. These plants bloom automatically, are smaller in size, are much easier to cultivate, and are quicker to harvest.
The lighting required is also very simple, as auto-flowering seeds are far more resistant to temperature fluctuations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why grow cannabis indoors?
Indoor growing simply makes life easier for growers, especially if you live in a cold or fluctuating climate.
Also, by growing it indoors, you can have complete control over the amount of sunlight the plant gets, as well as the temperature, and humidity of the environment.
Are all weed strains suitable for growing indoors?
Yes! However, some varieties are more well-suited to this environment than others. For instance, it could be particularly tricky to properly grow a very tall Sativa plant indoors.
This website will serve as the ultimate guide and record for various different cannabis strains that are available, from melon gum and golden goat, to wookie and hog strains. There is so much to learn about each strain, and each has its own benefits and medicinal properties.
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