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Which outdoor cannabis seeds for my climate? Outdoor growing weed guide

Choosing Outdoor Cannabis Seeds by Climate Zone

There are records of cannabis being used for its psychoactive effects as far back as 2737 BC in China.

Since then marijuana spread quickly around the world and grew well in a wide-range of climates. Indeed, to this day cannabis grows wild in such diverse places as Alaska, UK, Mexico, India, China, Australia and Russia, amongst many others. If you are intending to grow your personal crop of marijuana outdoors, this is great news for you. Marijuana is an adaptable plant capable of thriving in many conditions.

Cannabis Sativa Illustration

Best Outdoor Cannabis Seeds for your climate Review

Moist Tropical/Monsoon Climate Seeds

Mediterranean Climates Seeds

Humid Subtropical Climates Seeds

Arid or Semiarid Climates Seeds

Maritime Temperate Climate Seeds

Hot Summer Continental Climate Seeds

Subarctic Climate Seeds

So which strain do I choose?

Theoretically you could take any cannabis seeds you come across and plant them outdoors. But you may or may not be successful. Fortunately, we have the luxury of choosing from literally thousands of different seed strains from a number of reputable breeders. In the great mix of available seeds there are sure to be some strains that are more suited to your particular climate.

To help you, the outdoor grower, find the perfect strain for your backyard or nearby forest, we have compiled a list of various climate zones and the seeds that thrive therein.

There are many ways to classify areas of distinct climactic conditions. Many home gardeners use a hardiness map to determine which plants will thrive in their vegetable patches. A hardiness map considers temperature minimums and/or maximums. For instance, the US Zone 1 covers all areas with a minimum temperature of -60°F or -51° C. Australia uses a similar hardiness map, with Zone 4 having a minimum temperature of 32° F or 0° C.

USDA USA Plant Hardiness Zones

Hardiness maps can be useful for the cannabis grower, but they leave out a lot of essential information. How much precipitation does a region get? How long is the growing season? Both Albuquerque, New Mexico and New York City, New York are in Zone 7 according to the USDA map. The European equivalent puts Reykjavik, Iceland, Berlin, Germany and Stockholm, Sweden also in Zone 7. Yet these places all differ vastly in both average temperatures and precipitation. Additionally, the amount of daylight in Reykjavik differs enormously from that in Albuquerque, as does the length and severity of the seasons. Hardiness zone maps are useful, yet incomplete guides for growing in a specific area.

European Plant Hardiness Zones

In place of hardiness zones, we have chosen to use the Köppen climate classification system. This system designates climate zones based on the vegetation that grows in each. To some extent, this takes into account precipitation, day length, average temperatures and even altitude. Since we are trying to determine which marijuana strains grow in various regions, the Köppen system is a logical choice. Please note that this is not an exhaustive list of all the Köppen zones, which are numerous and can become very specific. We have chosen the most common zones to guide the outdoor cannabis grower.

Basic Breakdown of Köppen Climate Zones

Also please keep in mind that climate zones are not set in stone. Any time one attempts to group a wide range of regions under a single heading, there will be discrepancies. We have given examples of cities in each climate zone, but please use your own judgment if your experience differs from our descriptions.

Climates and the Cannabis Seed Strains that thrive in them

1)Moist Tropical/Monsoon Climate

Characterized by: Distinct Wet and Dry Seasons, Hot Temperatures, Minimal Temperature Variation

Examples of Tropical Monsoon Climates:

Cairns, Queensland Australia Miami, Florida
Costal India and Southeast Asia Northern Brazil

Typical Lush Rainy Season Tropical Forest

A tropical monsoon climate is characterized by distinct wet and dry seasons, brought on by the movement of monsoon winds. There is little variation in temperature, and generally these places are hot year round.

What that means for cannabis growing:

Well, the good news is that you have no winter, no snow and no frost. That means you have the potential to grow year-round! However, you will face some challenges.

Tropical Monsoon climates tend to be near to the equator, which means that there is not a big difference in daylight hours over the course of the year. This can present a problem for the marijuana grower-if the light hours are nearly always 12/12, how do I keep my plants in the vegetative stage? It seems like nearly every strain would become essentially auto-flowering in this environment. You can embrace this, settling for more harvests of smaller yields, or you can work to prolong the vegetative stage and maximize your harvest.

You have some options. You can choose to use lights on your outdoor plants. Even two hours of additional light at sunset can help keep your girls from flowering. Some people keep their pots in a wheelbarrow and wheel them into the garage at night to keep them under light until flowering. This is obviously not practical for the guerrilla grower.

You can also choose a strain with genetics that come from places with unvarying day length. These tend to be Sativas. Mexican Sativas in particular are a great choice for the Tropical Monsoon grower.

Your other concerns regard water. During the rainy season you must watch out for mold, and choosing a mold resistant strain can save you a lot of stress and lost product. During the dry season, will your plants get enough water? In a monsoon climate you will most likely have to bring water to your plants during the dry months. This also makes a guerrilla grow hard to conceal- if your big Sativa beauties are the only green things for miles around, they won’t be hard to spot. If stealth is important, you may consider growing only during the rainy months.

Overall the best choices for Tropical Monsoon growing are Sativas, from tropical climates if possible.

Best Cannabis Seeds for Tropical Monsoon Climates

#1 Purple Power Marijuana Seeds

Purple Power Marijuana Seeds

A classic Sativa that thrives in her native Tropical climates, Purple Power will astound you with her yields. Expect to see up to 1000g/m2 from these leggy plants. The high is a pure Sativa buzz, with a delightful sweet and sour taste, perfect for the tropics.

  • Type: Sativa
  • THC: 15-20%
  • Height: 250cm
  • Yield: Up to 1000g/m2
  • Flowering period: 8-9 weeks

#2 Green House – Super Silver Haze Feminized Seeds

Green House Super Silver Haze Feminized Seeds

These tall, heavily yielding plants take a long time to flower. This is a boon to you tropical growers! She will get big and wide, basking in the heat as long as she gets enough water, and then explodes with luscious resin laced colas. The high is all haze: a strong, uplifting buzz that will keep you going for hours.

  • Type: Sativa Dominant
  • THC: 18%
  • Height: Very Tall
  • Yield: 800 g/m2
  • Flowering period: 10-11 weeks

#3 Seedsman – California Skunk Haze Seeds

Seedsman California Skunk Haze Seeds

This is a tall, elegant Sativa with long, lime green leaves. She takes her time to flower, and thrives on the tropical heat. With a long growing season you can expect big yields of light green buds covered in trichomes. She has a citrusy taste and gives an upbeat, energizing and creative high.

  • Type: Sativa
  • THC: High
  • Height: Tall
  • Yield: 500g/m2
  • Flowering period: 9-10 weeks

2) Mediterranean Climates

Characterized by: Hot, Dry Summers, Wet, Mild Winters

Examples of Mediterranean Climates:

Rome, Italy Santiago, Chile
San Francisco, California USA Cape Town, South Africa
Seville, Spain Seattle, Washington USA (debated… some call Seattle a Maritime Temperate Climate)

Mediterranean Climate Zone

A Mediterranean climate typically has warm, dry summers and mild wet winters. The temperatures are much lower than a tropical monsoon climate, and show considerable variation. Some regions may see frost, but winter is typically wet, not snowy. Coastal regions may have foggy summers but typically see little rain in the summer.

What that means for cannabis growing:

Overall, if you live in a Mediterranean climate you are in a prime marijuana growing zone. The temperatures are warm but not sweltering; there is water but not too much humidity. The growing season is long and the days vary in length. Long summer days stimulate growth and vegging for maximum yields, and there is plenty of time in fall for flowering to finish before any possible frosts. In this climate you can enjoy growing a wide range of strains.

That said, “Mediterranean climate” covers a wide range of places. You may need to consider the more subtle characteristics of your specific location to choose the best strain. For instance, if your summers are foggy and a bit humid you may consider choosing a strain more suited to a humid subtropical climate.

But overall, if you are in Mediterranean climate, celebrate by growing the very best strains available. You have the opportunity to grow some incredible marijuana. You are the envy of many, so don’t squander this chance. Once you have a few seasons under your belt, give some of the more challenging strains a try, just because you can!

Best Cannabis Seeds for Mediterranean Climates

#1 Jack Herer Feminized Cannabis Seeds

Jack Herer Feminized Cannabis Seeds

Widely considered one of the highest quality smokes available, Jack Herer requires the warmth and long growing season of a Mediterranean climate. These plants love to grow and sprawl, below ground and above. Prepare your soil well and plant your seeds or transplants directly in the ground so the roots have room to spread. The hit is cerebral and trippy, accompanied by a calming body stone.

  • Type: Sativa
  • THC: 15-20%
  • Height: Tall
  • Yield: 400g/m2
  • Flowering period: 8-11 Weeks

#2 Light of Jah Feminized Seeds

Light of Jah Feminized Seeds

Another widely acclaimed strain that can only be grown in a Mediterranean climate, Light of Jah seeds are a real treat if you have the right spot to grow them. Expect yields of up to 1200g/plant, THC content of 23% and an uplifting, cheerful and social high. What more can you ask for? These seeds need the warmth and long season of a Mediterranean climate to thrive, and you are lucky enough to have just that!

  • Type: 75% Sativa 25% Indica
  • THC: 23%
  • Height: Tall
  • Yield: 1200g/plant
  • Flowering period: 10-13 weeks

#3 Bomb – Medi Bomb #2 Seeds

Bomb Medi Bomb #2 Seeds

This strain was designed with the medical community in mind, yet has very low CBD levels. The high is cerebral and upbeat, making it ideal for daytime smoking. It is good for managing pain while still remaining functional. Medi Bomb #2 loves the space available when grown outdoors, and will get big. Expect huge yields and a relatively easy grow, as long as you have a lengthy season and plenty of warm weather.

  • Type: Sativa Dominant
  • THC: 15-20%
  • Height: Tall and Wide
  • Yield: 600-700 g/m2
  • Flowering period: 9-11 weeks

#4 Royal Queen Skunk XL Seeds

Royal Skunk XL Seeds

A real Skunk success, Skunk XL from Royal Queen gives a beautifully balanced high– it comes in deep waves through your body while providing an enlightening and joyful cerebral high. Skunk XL loves room and warmth. If you give her the space she will reward you with giant colas and big, hearty plants. An easy grow if your climate is warm and your growing season long.

  • Type: 75% Sativa 25% Indica
  • THC: 15% with High CBD
  • Height: 2 meters outdoors
  • Yield: 650 g/m2
  • Flowering period: 7-8 weeks

3) Humid Subtropical Climates

Characterized by: Rain and Humidity Year-round but more in the Summer, Temperatures Range from 2-34° C or 34-95° F

Examples of Humid Subtropical Climates:

Florida, United States Houston, Texas, United States
Washington D.C., United States Buenos Aires, Argentina
Sao Paulo, Brazil Hong Kong

Humid Subtropical Zones

A humid subtropical climate has warm to hot and humid summers, often with thunderstorms and cool wet winters that rarely duck below freezing. For the most part, our readers with Humid Subtropical weather live in the Southeastern United States.

What that means for cannabis growing:

These areas have long, sometimes year-round growing seasons and usually plenty of water. There is typically enough change in daylight hours to stimulate a lengthy spring and summer of vegging followed by fall flowering, though it is possible to harvest year-long, especially if you choose an auto-flowering variety.

The number one killer of cannabis in a humid subtropical climate is humidity. All that moisture combined with heat is the ideal environment for fungus, bacteria and other pests to grow and thrive. You have several options for avoiding mold, bud rot and pests:

  • ) Choose heat loving Sativas. They tend to have smaller leaves and more open structure than Indica varieties, which trap water in between their big leaves and bushy branches, creating pockets for mold to grow. Additionally, Sativas generally have more resin, which repels water, protecting the buds from moisture and rot.
  • ) Look for mold and pest resistant varieties. Breeders are constantly improving on the many available strains, and we are now lucky to have an assortment of high quality mold resistant seeds available.
  • ) Grow auto-flowering varieties. Many autos go from seed to harvest in as few as 80-90 days. In this brief time pests and diseases don’t have much time to take hold. You can often beat the moisture simply by harvesting before any beasties have time to grow.

You can expect great growth in humid subtropical regions. The conditions really are great for growing- lots of water, lots of heat and plenty of light. Just take care to avoid mold and rot. There are also a variety of training techniques you can use to keep your plants more open as they grow. Remember, the more air flow around all parts of each plant the less likelihood it has of developing bud rot or other potentially harvest devastating diseases.

Best Cannabis Seeds for Humid Subtropical Climates

#1 Auto – Candy Kush Auto-Flowering Seeds

Auto Candy Kush Seeds

Auto Candy Kush has the double anti-humidity arsenal- not only is she pest and mold resistant, she is also a fast finishing auto. Go from seed to smoke in 10 weeks, before any rot can take hold. This is also a great variety for getting multiple harvests throughout the year. She grows one main, heavy cola. High in both THC and CBD, you can expect a sweet, relaxing high that settles in your body, relieving stress, pain and depression.

  • Type: Sativa/Indica/Ruderalis
  • THC: High
  • Height: Short, about 60 cm
  • Yield: 400g/m2
  • Flowering period: 10 weeks seed to harvest

#2 Sensi Seeds – Jamaican Pearl

Sensi Jamaican Pearl Seeds

This tall, high-yielding Sativa thrives in the humidity, showing impressive mold and pest resistance. While she has been applauded for her ability to produce in cool climates, she loves warmer weather with lots of sunlight. The smoke is sweet and floral in flavor, and the high is all energy. Expect to giggle till the sun comes up.

  • Type: 85% Sativa 15% Indica
  • THC: High
  • Height: Tall
  • Yield: 400g/m2
  • Flowering period: 7-9 weeks

#3 Dinafem – Blue Hash Seeds

Dinafem Blue Hash Seeds

If you are an Indica lover in a humid climate, don’t despair! Blue Hash from Dinafem is very resistant to the plagues of damp conditions, and grows like a Sativa. She can reach 10 feet in height. Her open, tall shape allows her to avoid the moisture pockets that create mold and rot problems in many Indicas. She is a great producer with a high that comes rolling in waves through your body.

  • Type: Indica
  • THC: 12-15%
  • Height: Up to 3 meters outdoors
  • Yield: High
  • Flowering period: 8 weeks

#4 Paradise – Spoetnik #1 Marijuana Seeds

Spoetnik #1 Marijuana Seeds

Another Indica suitable for hot, humid growing, Spoetnik #1 is ideal for the novice outdoor grower. She is highly resistant to mold and pests and grows quickly and easily. Her taste is distinctive, like dark grapes. The strong body high is accompanied by some surprising light cerebral effects.

  • Type: Indica
  • THC: 15-18%
  • Height: Medium
  • Yield: 600 g/m2
  • Flowering period: 7-8 weeks

4) Arid or Semiarid Climates

Characterized by: Low Precipitation

Examples of Arid and Semiarid Climates:

Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada Lima, Peru Tehran, Iran
Phoenix, Arizona, United States Denver, Colorado, United States
New South Wales, Australia Adelaide, Australia

Semi-Arid Desert

This is the broadest of our classifications, covering both desert and steppe conditions and a wide range of temperatures. However, the unifying characteristic of these climates is low precipitation.

What that means for cannabis growing:

Your plants will need water. While it is true that most cannabis strains do prefer to dry out between waterings, they still need plenty of moisture. Without adequate water around the roots the plants cannot extract the nutrients they need to grow from the soil. If you live in an arid or semi-arid climate, you will have to provide water for your plants.

For guerrilla growers the desert-like conditions of arid and semi-arid climates mean a little extra work. You must find a location to grow your plants near a water source, for instance on a river bank or alongside a lake, or you need to bring water your plants. This can increase the number of site visits you must make.

The upside to living in an arid climate is that you do not have to worry about mold. As long as you provide enough water to the plant’s root system, you can expect good growth and high yields from many strains.

There are also some strains that do particularly well in dry conditions. These can be either Indica or Sativas dominant strains. Look for seeds with genetics that originated in a climate similar to yours. For instance, China Yuman seeds from Ace traces their origins back to the steppes of the Central Asian Plateau, a dry and warm environment. Growers in Denver, CO, for example, may find these seeds ideal for their summer growing season which tends to be hot and dry.

Best Cannabis Seeds for Arid or Semi-Arid Climates

#1 Dutch Passion – Durban Poison Feminized Seeds

Dutch Passion Durban Poison Feminized Seeds

A traditional landrace Sativas, Durban Poison produces a tall plant with delicate, long-fingered leaves. She does not tolerate mold or humidity well, but will thrive outdoors in a dry climate. The smoke has a distinct anise flavor, yet it is the high that has made Durban Poison famous. It is upbeat, light and creative. This is a great daytime smoke that will brighten your day without strapping you to the couch.

  • Type: Sativa
  • THC: 8.6%
  • Height: 250 cm
  • Yield: 450g/m2
  • Flowering period: 8-9 weeks

#2 Sensi – Kali Haze Seeds

Sensi Kali Haze Seeds

A very manageable plant, Kali Haze will rarely top 6 feet, even when grown outdoors. At under 10 weeks she has a short flowering period for a haze and still delivers the classic, upbeat and social high that haze lovers seek. Kali Haze needs a warm and dry growing season to grow well outdoors. A great option for the arid climate gardener.

  • Type: 75% Sativa 25% Indica
  • THC: High
  • Height: Under 2 meters
  • Yield: 110g/plant
  • Flowering period: 8-10 weeks

#3 Ace – China Yunnan Feminized Seeds

Ace China Yunnan Feminized Seeds

This landrace hybrid from the steppes of Central Asia grows like an Indica, bushy with heavy leaves, but loves to get big. You can control her indoors or out with LST and other training techniques. In a warm, dry climate she will produce beautiful buds with a spicy smooth flavor and a hint of pine. The high starts out giggly with strong visual effects before settling into a comfortable body stone.

  • Type: Indica Dominant
  • THC: High
  • Height: Medium
  • Yield: High
  • Flowering period: 8-9 weeks

#4 Dutch Passion – Power Plant Feminized Seeds

Dutch Passion Power Plant Feminized Seeds

An award winning Sativas dominant strain originating in the South African savannah, Power Plant grows quickly but flowers late. Only give her a try if you have a lengthy frost-free growing season. Her smoke has an astringent taste, with an energetic, creative and somewhat debilitating high. These are potent buds from an ancient genetic line.

  • Type: 80% Sativa 20% Indica
  • THC: 13%
  • Height: Tall
  • Yield: 500 g/m2
  • Flowering period: 8-9 weeks

5) Maritime Temperate Climate

Characterized by: Year-round precipitation, Cool, Mild Weather

Examples of Maritime Temperate Climates:

London, UK Auckland, New Zealand Haus, Norway
Melbourne, Australia Vancouver, BC, Canada
Ketchikan, Alaska, US Skagen, Denmark

Lush Maritime Temperate Forest

Maritime temperate, or oceanic, climates are damp, with year-round rainfall. The temperatures are moderated by the ocean, with typically warm summers and cool winters, with neither season showing an extreme of heat or cold.

What that means for cannabis growing:

To be perfectly honest, maritime temperate climates may be the hardest regions to grow marijuana. Our green ladies love heat, light and dry air. Those of us in maritime temperate climates have rain, humidity, cool temperatures and often lots of cloudy or foggy days. These conditions can create slow growth in marijuana plants as well as increasing the risk of mold and pest problems. What’s a cannabis lover to do?

Well, there are a couple of bright sides. For one, you don’t have to worry much about watering your plants. A guerrilla grower, for instance, can limit site visits because there will likely be enough precipitation to keep his plants healthy and growing. And breeders have responded admirably to the need for seeds that can tolerate the cool, wet weather of the northern latitudes.

There are a surprising number of strains now available that perform well despite frequent stretches of cool, cloudy and wet weather. For successful outdoor growing in a maritime climate, choose a strain that is resistant to mold and specifically bred to grow well in cool climates.

Best Cannabis Seeds for Maritime Temperate Climates

#1 Dutch Passion – Holland’s Hope Feminized Seeds

Dutch Passion Holland’s Hope Feminized Seeds

A hard hitting Indica, Holland’s Hope was bred to tolerate the cool, damp growing conditions of the northern coastal regions. She is hardy and tough. Mold and rot seem repelled by Holland’s Hope, and cool days or chilly nights don’t faze her. The high is all Indica: potent and hashy. You will be on the couch for hours.

  • Type: Indica Dominant
  • THC: 10-15%
  • Height: Medium
  • Yield: High
  • Flowering period: 8-9 weeks

#2 Dutch Passion – Frisian Dew Feminized Seeds

Dutch Passion Frisian Dew Feminized Seeds

A strikingly beautiful plant with dark purple buds, Frisian Dew is another strain from Dutch Passion that has been designed to handle humidity and cold summers gracefully. Her yields are high, with many big buds formed on her numerous side branches. The high is a nice balance of head buzz and body stone. This is a medium potency strain, suitable for a variety of occasions.

  • Type: 50% Sativa 50% Indica
  • THC: Medium
  • Height: Tall
  • Yield: Very High
  • Flowering period: 8-9 weeks

#3 Sensi – Guerrilla’s Gusto Seeds

Sensi Guerrilla’s Gusto Seeds

A strain acclaimed for its self-reliance, Guerrilla’s Gusto is a mold resistant strain suited to outdoor growing in any climate. She can take both wet and dry periods and still show impressive yields. When smoked she offers a nice blend of mind and body effects for an all-around pleasant and relaxing high.

  • Type: Indica Dominant
  • THC: Medium
  • Height: Tall
  • Yield: High
  • Flowering period: 7-9 weeks

#4 Ace – Bangi Haze Seeds

Ace Bangi Haze Seeds

Bred in Northern Spain to thrive in wet, cool weather, Bangi Haze is the answer for maritime haze lovers. She is a tall plant that offers her greatest yields outdoors. The smoke is sweet and the high is a delightful, bubbly Sativa experience perfect for an active day.

  • Type: Sativa
  • THC: High
  • Height: Tall
  • Yield: High
  • Flowering period: 9-10 weeks

6)Hot Summer Continental Climate

Characterized by: Dry Summers with Hot Summer Temperatures

Examples of Hot Summer Continental Climates:

Chicago, IL, United States Cleveland, OH, United States
Windsor, Ontario, Canada Seoul, South Korea Beijing, China
Mus, Turkey Salt Lake City, UT, United States

Afternoon Storms can be Great for Growing

These areas have hot, dry summers that are usually long. In the US there is often some summer rainfall in the form of thundershowers. In Europe these tend to be areas of high elevation with long, dry summers.

What that means for cannabis growing:

Growing in a hot summer continental climate is similar to growing in an arid climate. Water is the biggest concern. Be sure you have a plan in place to provide ample water to your plants. In regions with afternoon thunderstorms, you should have great results from a number of strains without too much extra work. The heat and dry air is perfect for growing large, mold free cannabis with hefty, clean buds.

The other consideration for these regions is the length of the growing season. Usually these climate zones have harsh winters with frost and often freezing rain or snow. Check your normal frost free dates, and choose a strain that matures quickly enough for your region.

Overall, growing cannabis in a hot summer continental climate should be a low stress, pleasant experience. Be prepared by knowing the length of your growing season and have a plan to provide sufficient water and you can expect a rewarding harvest in the fall.

Best Cannabis Seeds for Hot Summer Continental Climates

#1 Vision- AK-47 Seeds

Vision AK-47 Seeds

An old favorite, AK 47 is a fast-finishing strain much loved for her fast, powerful cerebral high. She is capable of completing a full cycle in as few as 50 days, making multiple harvests a possibility in many hot summer regions. She is a tall and leggy plant with high yields and a smoke that you won’t soon forget.

  • Type: Sativa Dominant
  • THC: 20+%
  • Height: Medium to Tall
  • Yield: High
  • Flowering period: 8-9 weeks

#2 Vision – Northern Lights Feminized

Vision Northern Lights Feminized Seeds

Another classic strain, Northern Lights can grow to be a 2 meter plus marijuana tree outdoors. She has a high flower to leaf ratio and delightfully resinous buds. The high is pure Indica and will lock you to the couch all afternoon.

  • Type: Indica
  • THC: Medium
  • Height: 2 meters +
  • Yield: Medium
  • Flowering period: 7-8 weeks

#3 Afghan Cannabis Seeds

Afghan Cannabis Seeds

An Afghan landrace variety which produced happily with little human intervention throughout its genetic history, Afghan seeds will need very little help from you. This is a short, bushy plant good for hiding amongst bushes or vegetables. The high is powerful, enjoyed by medical users for its numbing quality.

  • Type: 100% Indica
  • THC: 15-20%
  • Height: Short to Medium
  • Yield: High
  • Flowering period: 7-8 weeks

#4 Nirvana – Eldorado Feminized Seeds

Nirvana Eldorado Feminized Seeds

Only attempt to this Oaxacan (Mexican) strain if you have a long summer season, as it is slow to finish and can be ruined by an early frost. Eldorado loves to sprawl, so give her lots of room to grow. Yields are low, but the high makes up for it. It is pure joy- giggly and energetic with all the beauty of a classic Sativa.

  • Type: 100% Sativa
  • THC: High
  • Height: Tall
  • Yield: Low
  • Flowering period: 11-13 weeks

7) Subarctic Climate

Characterized by: Short Summers, Long Harsh Winters, Dry

Examples of Subarctic Climates:

Yellowstone National Park, US Boulder, CO USA
Rocky Mountains of Canada and US Siberia
The Alps of France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany and Austria Parts of Scotland

Subarctic Summer

Subarctic climates have short, cool to warm summers and long, often harsh winters. Winter typically lasts for 5-8 months of the year in subarctic climates, so the ground freezes to a depth of many feet. Usually these are dry regions as well, with low precipitation and low humidity.

What that means for cannabis growing:

You may be surprised to learn that cannabis actually does very well in many subarctic areas. Wild Ruderalis species thrive in Siberia and the interior of Alaska where they grow like weeds. While Ruderalis is known for low THC content, the presence of their genetics in many auto-flowering varieties make them suitable strains for outdoor growing in subarctic regions. Good breeding programs have produced some respectable seeds with Ruderalis genetics that will get you so high you can’t leave the couch.

When you are choosing a strain for a subarctic region consider the following:

  • ) You have a short growing season. Choose a fast maturing strain that will produce for you between the first and last frosts. You may have as few as 90 frost free days if you live one of these chilly places.
  • ) Subarctic regions are typically in northern latitudes, which means summer days are long. By the time the days are short enough to stimulate flowering in many light dependent strains there will already be frost, or even snow on the ground. Choosing an auto-flowering strain will ensure that your buds form well before the cold weather sets in.
  • ) These regions tend to be dry. This is not a bad thing, as your risk of mold and bud rot are greatly lowered. Just make sure your plants are close to a water source, or that you can water them frequently to get the best growth.

Overall, the best choices for subarctic growing are auto-flowering varieties. Many of these plants start setting flowers only 2 weeks after germination. And don’t worry, some big steps have been made in the auto-flowering world lately, so you can still get big yields and strong highs even with an auto.

Best Cannabis Seeds for Subarctic Climates

#1 Vision – Northern Lights AutoFlowering Fem Seeds

Vision Northern Lights Auto Seeds

It doesn’t get much easier than this. Northern Lights Auto from Vision goes from seed to smoke in only 8 weeks and thrives in a variety of soils. She can tolerate both poor soil and overfeeding with grace, and yields beautifully glistening buds. The high is deeply relaxing and pure Indica.

  • Type: Indica/Ruderalis
  • THC: 20%
  • Height: 100-130 cm
  • Yield: 30-50g/plant
  • Flowering period: 7 weeks

#2 Emerald Triangle – Lemon Haze Auto-Flowering Fem Seeds

Emerald Triangle Lemon Haze Auto Seeds

Lemon Haze Auto is a big girl who loves the open spaces she gets outdoors. She flowers after just a few weeks of vegging, and 6 weeks later you can expect fat, tasty buds. The high is clear, bright and creative. Medicinally it is very effective for treating migraines and PTSD.

  • Type: Sativa Dominant with a little Indica/Ruderalis
  • THC: High
  • Height: Very Tall
  • Yield: 150g/plant
  • Flowering period: 6 weeks

#3 Paradise – Pandora Auto-flowering Feminized

Paradise Pandora Auto Seeds

With her powerful Indica stone, fast finishing time and yields of 400g/m2, Paradise may just be right in declaring Pandora the best auto-flowering variety out there. She is easy to grow, a light feeder which thrives outdoors. She is a little slower than some autos, flowering for 8 weeks, but with 90 frost free days she will produce a wonderful yield in nearly any conditions. The stone is heavy but clear, and popular with medicinal users.

  • Type: 70 %Indica/20% Sativa/10% Ruderalis
  • THC: 15-18%
  • Height: 100-120 cm
  • Yield: 400g/m2
  • Flowering period: 8 weeks

In conclusion…

Growing cannabis outdoors can be a challenge, especially if you live in a cool or humid environment. However, most strains produce much higher yields when grown outside, and growing outdoors saves you the expense of setting up a grow room with carefully managed light, temperature and ventilation. It is often surprising and rewarding to watch nature do her work and grow resin-dripping buds for you.

Choosing the right seed strain for outdoor growing in your specific region will go a long way to ensuring the success of your grow. You may want to experiment with several different seeds your first year to see which plants perform the best in your specific climate. Check out our Outdoor Growing section for tips on preparing your grow site and caring for your plants throughout the season.

What outdoor marijuana seed strains grow well in your climate?

From the forum

How to Grow Marijuana Forum - Growing Marijuana Indoors & Hydroponics

4 thoughts on “Which outdoor cannabis seeds for my climate? Outdoor growing weed guide

  1. Mark says:

    I refer to outdoor only. Oregon has several different climate types. I am on southern Oregon coast…The White did better than any plant including those I grew in a better area in California. Also the Lemons like lemon berry or lemon berry sour diesel etc. But THE WHITE just thrived and was so beautiful at night (white buds stood out). For me powdery mildew is a problem and THE WHITE did great compared to others. If clones plant when minimum 12 hours of sunlight or they will early bud on you. I put outside when I can then under lights 20hrs total until the sunrise sunset hours get to AT LEAST 12 HOURS.

  2. Paul says:

    I live in Oregon what seeds are good for out here and what’s a good time to plant

  3. David Satterwhite says:

    I’m in Atlanta Ga. Please tell me when is the best time to start growing and what is the best seeds for my area.

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