Northern Lights Marijuana Seeds

History of regular, autoflowering and feminized northern lights marijuana seeds.

Since the mid-eighties, Northern Lights seed strain has set the standard by which Indica strains are judged. With diverse genetics stemming from 11 different original plants, Northern Lights marijuana has been bred and crossed from the day it first arrived in Holland, influencing the development of best Indica dominant best hybrids and providing stable, rich genes potent in THC to all its offspring.

The plants were widely shared since their earliest days, and it is difficult to say who, if anyone, still has possession of the originals. Northern Lights has become a nearly generic title, used to describe any of the original 11 plants and the many related strains that were bred from them.

Best Classic Northern Lights Seeds

Top 10 THC Strains

Best Auto-flowering Northern Lights Seeds

Best Northern Lights Crosses

About Northern Lights Seeds

The original Northern Lights plants were pure Indicas or Indica dominant crosses. While each of the 11 original plants given the name had distinct qualitities, they fit a general phenotype: short, rarely over 4 feet tall, bushy with heavy, broad fingered leaves and deep green color. The effect is a deep body stone with a pleasant cerebral buzz. From the beginning Northern Lights was appreciated for its medicinal applications as a pain reliever, sedative and appetite stimulant.

At some point early in its history, Northern Lights was crossed with some potent Sativa genes. This is likely where its famous euphoric mental effects came from. It is possible that some of the original 11 plants were actually Northern Lights hybrids that had already been crossed and contained Sativa genes. In many Northern Lights varieties there are occasional Sativa phenotypes which pop up as a testament to the early breeding of the plant. In strains where these phenotypes are more common, it is typically because the breeder added further Sativa genes to the strain later on.

The majority of the current Northern Lights marijuana strains marketed today are described as easy to grow, short and relatively fast finishing plants that deliver a narcotic high with hints of euphoria. These plants produce high quality, deeply relaxing buds and are usually straight-forward enough in the grow room for the most novice grower to handle. It is no secret why Northern Lights genes have spread quickly and widely throughout the cannabis world.

History of Northern Lights Strain

The title Northern Lights was given to a group of 11 plants bred on an island off the coast of Washington by a man identified only as “The Indian”. Neville Shoenmaker, then owner of The Seed Bank, was given these plants and brought them to the Netherlands. There are many different opinions about the phenotypes of the original Northern Lights. While these descriptions vary, here are a few of the most commonly accepted ones:

NL #1 : A short, compact plant with a single large cola. A hardy plant with a strong physical buzz. This was considered one of the best of the 11 specimens.

NL #2: Also a sturdy and tough plant, with a pine tree shape and odor.

NL #5 : Bushy and resinous, this is currently the most common strain on the market, available from many different seedbanks. Originally it was considered the best of the 11 strains.

NL #9 : This is the strain with a little mystery about it, as it disappeared rather early on. There is evidence that it was crossed with NL #5 at some point, and this may be the only continuing source of #9 genetics.

What about NL #3,4,6,7,8,10 and 11? They are rarely if ever mentioned in Northern Lights histories, and it is hard to say what happened to them. Perhaps they were inferior to the famous NL #1 and NL #5 and so were simply not bred and hybridized as much. It is also possible that these were already hybridized and referred to under different names. Today, the majority of Northern Lights strains and their offspring come from #5 and #1.

Although Northern Lights hybrid hit the market almost immediately upon the plant’s arrival to Holland, Neville and The Seed Bank continued breeding and improving the lines. Other seedbanks did the same. In 1991 Neville announced that, after working through 8 generations of breeding he was able to reproduce a stable Northern Lights #5 from seed. Despite his many contributions to cannabis breeding, he felt that this was his greatest achievement yet, and had the potential to change the world. The release of these seeds launched the majority of the Northern Lights breeding which led to the strains on the market today, most of them closely related to the original NL #5.

Neville Shoenmaker is now at Mr. Nice Seeds, and the story is that he is the only one with access to true orginals. Yet there are many people breeding Northern Lights, and a wide variety of this easy to grow, hard hitting plants are available. In many ways, the story of Northern Lights is a tribute to the strength of the cannabis loving community. These potent plants have been made available to nearly everyone, in some form or another, and thanks to this widespread distribution, Northern Lights has impacted many lives.

Northern Lights – Cannabis Awards

The various Northern Lights strains have won many different awards. I have listed the awards won by the most well known strains here. To check out more award-winning strains look at our Best Cup Winners page.

The Seeds Bank – Northern Lights #5 Seeds

• 1990: 1^st High Times Cannabis Cup

Northern Lights (these are probably NL #5 genetics)

• 1993: 2^nd High Times Cannabis Cup
• 1988: 1^st High Times Cannabis Cup (Indica)

Northern Lights #5 x Haze

• 1993: 1^st High Times Cannabis Cup
• 2002: 3^rd Bio Cup High Life Hemp Fair

Northern Lights #5/Haze x Skunk/Early Pearl

• 1989: 1^st High Times Cannabis Cup

Northern Lights #5/Haze Mist from Green House Seeds

• 1996: 1^st High Times Cannabis Cup (Hydro)

Best Classic Northern Lights Strains

Of the 11 plants that made their way from Washington to Neville Schoenmaker’s in 1985, #5 was generally acknowledged as the best with #1 a close second. Tody it is easiest to find strains that are versions of these two favorites.

Most seedbanks offer some form of Northern Lights. These plants have be bred, inbred, bred back and hybridized many times, so it is often difficult to be certain which of the original Northern Lights genetics a current strain contains, though it is most likely Northern Lights #5 that has had the greatest impact.

Here are some of our current favorite Northern Lights strains.

#1 The Seedbank – Northern Lights #5 Seeds

Best For: Stealth, Strength, Great Offspring

What happened to the various Northern Lights strains after they arrive in the Netherlands is hard to say for certain. There was a lot of breeding, inbreeding and hybridizing going on, and it is difficult to track the original strains.

Northern Lights #5 has a couple of different stories. One tale is that it was the best of the plants that arrived from Washington and that it was never sold. Thus it stayed true to its original state, and was used to breed such famous strains as Northern Lights #5 x Haze, Shiva Skunk, Silver Pearl and even Jack Herer.

Others tell a very different story- they say that Northern Lights #5 is the most commonly available of the Northern Lights strains, and that most unnumbered seeds for sale (sold simply as “Northern Lights”) are actually versions of #5.

Either way, this is a squat, bushy plant that is true to its Indica heritage with leathery leaves and compact buds. She has nearly no odor and stays small, making her ideal for stealth growers.

Despite the lack of smell and a very mild taste, don’t be decieved into thinking that Northern Lights #5 is anything but a powerful plant. The effect is a heavy, narcotic stone with a pleasant euphoric cerebral buzz. This is peaceful bud, good for relaxing and inward reflection.

• Type Indica 80%, Sativa 20%
• Height Short
• Flowering time 7-8 weeks
• Awards won None
• Yield 400- 500 g/m²
• Feminized Yes
• Autoflowering No
• Growth difficulty Easy
• THC level 15-20%

For Similar Strains check out:

• Northern Lights #1 Cannabis Seeds

• Northern Lights x Shiva Seeds

• Northern Lights x Big Bud Seeds

• Vision Northern Lights Seeds

#2 Vision – Northern Lights Feminized Seeds

Best For: Easy to grow, relaxing, joyful smoke

Vision offers Northern Lights seeds that are incredibly stable and very easy to grow. The plants rarely top 4 feet in height, and perform well in nearly any growing conditions. You can plant your seeds outdoors or in soil, but they will give optimum yields when grown hydroponically. This strain is tolerant of lighting and nutrient errors, making it a safe choice for beginners.

The resinous buds are sweet and spicy when smoked, with a mild odor. The high is classic Northern Lights- it gently relaxes your body and leaves your mind lazily happy. With THC levels hitting 18%, this is potent weed that should not be smoked if you work to get done.

• Type Indica 80%, Sativa 20%
• Height 115 cm
• Flowering time 8 weeks
• Awards won None
• Yield 400 g/m²
• Feminized Yes
• Autoflowering No
• Growth difficulty Easy
• THC level 18%

For Similar Strains check out:

• The Seedbank Northern Lights #5

• Northern Lights #1 Cannabis Seeds

• Northern Lights x Shiva Seeds

• Northern Lights x Big Bud Seeds

#3 Royal Queen – Northern Lights Feminized Seeds

Best For: All Indica, Medicinal Use

Royal Queen claims to offer a 100% S1 Afghani Indica Northern Lights that is not sullied by Sativa genetics. It is hard to say if this is totally accurate, because there is some possibility that there was some Sativa influence already in the 11 original plants.

Either way, the strain offered by Royal Queen is robust plant with a powerful high. It grows easily, though the flowering period can vary by as much as 2-3 weeks depending on the climate or grow room conditions.

With THC levels at 18% and what Royal Queen calls “a medium potency of CBD” this is a good plant for medicinal users for relaxing muscles, easing pain and helping bring sleep to a restless mind.

• Type Indica 100%
• Height 1-1.5 meters Indoors
• Flowering time 5-8 weeks
• Awards won None
• Yield 500-550 g/m²
• Feminized Yes
• Autoflowering No
• Growth difficulty Easy
• THC level 18%

For Similar Strains check out:

• Northern Lights #1 Cannabis Seeds

• The Seedbank Northern Lights #5

• Northern Lights x Big Bud Seeds

• Vision Northern Lights Seeds

#4 Bulldog – Northern Lights Feminized Seeds

Best For: Resinous buds, High Yields

This Northern Lights strain from the lesser known seedbank Bulldog is the result of many years of careful breeding. They actually crossed an unspecified Northern Lights plant with a Skunk #1, a strain that is one of the offspring of two Northern Lights father plants. So techniquely this is a Northern Lights bred back to a Northern Lights cross.

Despite the confusing heritage, Bulldog’s NL is a great example of the classic growth pattern and effects we have come to expect and love in a Northern Lights strain. The plants are compact with thick, dark green leaves.

Yields start out high, and can be improved by any training techniques you prefer to use, as this strain responds well to everything from topping to HST. The buds are compact and sticky with resin.

The smoke is smooth and the high is powerful. The effects are sedative and relaxing, with the peaceful, mellow euphoria that has made all the NL versions so popular.

• Type Indica 80%, Sativa 20%
• Height Medium
• Flowering time 8 weeks
• Awards won None
• Yield 500-600 g/m²
• Feminized Yes
• Autoflowering No
• Growth difficulty Easy
• THC level 15-20%

For Similar Strains check out:

• Northern Lights #1 Cannabis Seeds

• The Seedbank Northern Lights #5

• Northern Lights x Big Bud Seeds

• Vision Northern Lights Seeds

#5 Nirvana – Northern Light Feminized Seeds

Best For: Indoors Northern Light , High Yields

Northern Light from Nirvana is another take on a popular classic. The true provenance of the genetics has been lost over time but this version from Nirvana still seems a good facsimile of the real deal.

Northern Light was one of the first plants to be specifically bred for the indoor grower and, unless you live in a warm and sunny environment, that is where you will be growing her. Those of you who are blessed with such a climate will find outdoor cultivation is rewarded by large plants providing excellent yields.

For best results indoors Northern Light should be grown in an SOG set up. This will make the most of her habit of growing with a large central kola. Side branching can also be productive but most of the yield with Northern Light is top-loaded. Indoor yields are good and Northern Light is a great choice for commercial growers.

• Type Indica dominant
• Height Medium
• Flowering time 7-8 Weeks
• Awards won Yes
• Yield Indoor: 14oz – 17.6oz (400 – 500) g/m² Outdoor: High
• Feminized Yes
• Autoflowering No
• Growth difficulty Easy
• THC level High

For Similar Strains check out:

• Vision Northern Lights

• 00 Seeds Auto Northern Lights Feminized

• Northern Lights #1

#6 The Seed Bank – Northern Lights #2 Seeds

Northern Lights #2 was a step on the road in Northern Lights breeding that is no longer available. There is very little information about it.

Northern Lights genetics have been used on countless breeding programs and, although it didn’t make it as a stand-alone strain, NL#2 genetics have been used to create strains such as HiNoon, NLB and Silverado.

Perhaps more notably, Dutch Passion’s Oasis is a NL#2 variation.

Northern Lights #2 was also used in the breeding of Lowryder, one of the first commercially available automatic strains. As a consequence there are NL#2 genetics in many of today’s autoflowering marijuana strains.

There is no growing information available for Northern Lights #2. If you have personal experience of growing this strain please let us know.

• Type Indica dominant
• Height Medium
• Flowering time Unknown
• Awards won No
• Yield Medium
• Feminized No
• Autoflowering No
• Growth difficulty Easy
• THC level Medium

#7 Sagarmatha – Northern Lights #9 Feminized Seeds

Best For: Stealth Grow, Fast Flowering

Northern Lights #9 is Sagarmatha Seeds of Amsterdam’s response to requests from customers for a Northern Lights based strain. With some careful in-house tinkering with the famous Northern Lights genetics, Sagarmatha have given us a fast flowering strain that stays shorter than the original Northern Lights but packs a solid punch.

Available as either feminized or regular seeds, NL #9 will generally stay under 2 and a half feet tall. She packs out the buds though and decent yields of shiny sticky buds should be achievable to even the novice grower. SOG systems will return around 11 ounces per meter squared.

Stealth growers will be pleased with NL #9’s low odor. Although we would always recommend odor control measures, NL #9 doesn’t have a strong funky smell; an attractive feature for growers who need to be careful about such things.

Northern Lights #9 flowers at around 55 days. Some growers may wish to keep her longer for a heavier stone, but it’s not really necessary, Northern Lights #9 already packs a pretty physical indica punch. The effect is instant and quite savage. This is not a daytime smoke and is best left for when there’s nothing else to do but relax.

• Type Indica dominant
• Height 20” – 30” (50cm – 75cm)
• Flowering time 7 – 8 Weeks
• Awards won No
• Yield 10.5oz – 11.5oz (300gm – 325gm) per M2
• Feminized Yes
• Autoflowering No
• Growth difficulty Easy
• THC level Medium/High

Best Auto-Flowering Northern Lights Seeds

Like all the great strains out there, breeders have started producing auto-flowering versions of Northern Lights to meet the growing demand for fast finishing, quick turnover strains. The addition of Ruderalis genetics has made a hardy, easy to grow strain even more bullet proof. The stable auto versions of Northern Lights are amongst the simplest and easiest cannabis plants to grow.

#1 Vision – Northern Lights Auto-Flowering Feminized Seeds

Best For: Stealth Grow, Fast Turnover

Vision Seeds’ auto-flowering version of Northern Lights is a fast, easy growing strain that is perfect for stealth grows and fast harvests. Northern Lights Auto still delivers the powerful Indica effects of her parent plant, with a stone that is eases stress and pain.

With stable ruderalis genetics from a Mexican strain, Northern Lights Auto is a forgiving strain that grows in nearly any conditions. She flowers almost immediately, going from seed to smoke in only 8 short weeks. While yields are low, this strain makes up for it with speed. You can easily achieve six harvests from a single growing space.

The high is hard hitting and potent. The narcotic effects will leave you relaxed and peaceful while easing pain and anxiety.

• Type 100% Indica/Ruderalis
• Height 100-130 cm
• Flowering time 7-8 weeks
• Awards won None
• Yield 30-50 g/plant
• Feminized Yes
• Autoflowering Yes
• Growth difficulty EASY
• THC level 20%

For Similar Strains check out:

• Vision Northern Lights

• Nirvana Northern Lights

• 00 Seeds Auto Northern Lights Feminized

• Northern Lights #1

#2 00 Seeds – Auto Northern Lights Feminized

Best For: Vigorous Growth, High Yields

The auto-flowering version of Northern Lights offered by 00 Seeds is a favorite for her explosive growth. Within two weeks of germination flowering begins, and in 10 weeks the plant will reach 3-5 feet if you give her enough room.

Her large size for an auto variety puts Auto Northern Lights amongst the higher yielding light independent strains.

The smoke reveals that this is indeed a NL #5 cross, with the characteristic sweet and spicy flavor and a high that combines powerful physical relaxation and a quiet mental buzz. When first smoked this strain produces a lot of energy and giggling, but this quickly settles into the balanced, heavy and peaceful stone that is so characteristic of Northern Lights.

• Type 100% Indica/Ruderalis
• Height 80-100 cm indoors, up to 180 outside
• Finishes in 75 days from germination
• Awards won None
• Yield 300-400 g/m²
• Feminized Yes
• Autoflowering Yes
• Growth difficulty Easy
• THC level High

For Similar Strains check out:

• Vision Northern Lights

• Nirvana Northern Lights

• 00 Seeds Auto Northern Lights Feminized

• Northern Lights #1

Best Northern Lights Crosses

From their arrival in the Netherlands in the early 80’s Northern Lights were quickly incorporated into The Seed Bank’s breeding program. Within a few short years Northern Lights genetics spread quickly, and it soon became difficult to know for certain who was in possession of which strains. The only thing we can say for sure is that all the Northern Lights strains that made the trip from the States were quality plants that provided consistent, stable Indica genetics for many crosses and hybrids.

#1 Sensi – Northern Lights #5 X Haze Seeds

Best For: Easier Haze with Trippy Indica Effects

Northern Lights #5 X Haze Seeds are considered by many to be the pinnacle of Northern Lights breeding. It is the perfect marriage of Indica and Sativa genetics.

The result is a plant with a buzzy, cerebral Haze high, made trippy by the addition of Indica effects. The Northern Lights genes speed up the finishing time, though it still takes a good 9-10 weeks of flowering for the best yields.

Northern Lights #5 X Haze is a large plant, so give her room to grow. If you are short on space you can try switching your lights to 12/12 early before she gets too big.

• Type Indica 50% Sativa 50%
• Height Tall
• Flowering time 9-10 Weeks
• Awards won 1993 High Life Cup, 3^rd
• Yield 400 g/m²
• Feminized Yes
• Autoflowering No
• Growth difficulty Moderate
• THC level 20%

For Similar Strains check out:

• Sensi Mr. Nice G13 X Hash Plant Seeds

• Green House Jack Herer Seeds

• Sensi White Label Purple Haze Seeds

#2 Hash (Hasj) Plant

Best For: Easy to Clone, Narcotic Stone, Breeding Stock

Hash Plant gets ¼ of its genes from a Northern Lights male, one of two plants which also fathered such legendary hybrids as Big Bud, Skunk #1 and G-13. Interestingly, the rest of the Hash Plant genes also come from the States, in the form of a mysterious unidentified cutting that arrived in the Netherlands in the 80’s.

Hash Plant was released by Sensi Seeds in 1999, though it was used extensively in their breeding program before then.

Hash Plant (offered by some seed banks as Hasj Plant) is short and bushy plant with resinous buds. It grows easily indoors or out, and responds beautifully to most training techniques. To make it even better, she is easy to clone, so once you pick out your favorite specimen to be the mother plant your grow room will be full for a long time.

The high is a heavy body stone reminiscent of a full bred Northern Lights. It is strong and narcotic and will leave you on the couch for hours.

• Type Indica 100%
• Height Around 100 cm
• Flowering time 6-7 Weeks
• Awards won 2008 High Life Cup, 3^rd
• Yield 250-400 g/m²
• Feminized Yes
• Autoflowering No
• Growth difficulty Easy
• THC level 15-20%

For Similar Strains check out:

• Sensi Mr. Nice G13 X Hash Plant Seeds

• Bomb Hash Bomb Seeds

• Sensi Afghani #1 Seeds

#3 Dutch Passion – Oasis Feminized Seeds

Best For: Joyous, Intense High, NL #2 Genetics

Whether this strain belongs in the “Classic Northern Lights” or “Northern Lights Crosses” section is questionable. The story goes that NL #2 is actually a cross of NL #1 and Hindu Kush. If that is the case, did “The Indian” make the hybrid? Or did it happen later in Holland? Either way, a hybrid of Northern Lights #1 and Hindu Kush, often referred to as Northern Lights #2, is currently available exculsively from Dutch Passion under the name Oasis. I am listing it here as a cross because of the Hindu Kush influence.

Not surprisingly, Oasis is the oldest and best Indica in the Dutch Passion line-up. It is a short, stocky and tough plant that shows massive growth towards the end of flowering. The buds are giant and resinous, with a strong earthy aroma.

The high is potent and one of the best smoking experiences, in true Northern Lights fashion. It is intense and physically heavy, but the mental piece is light and joyous. Expect to giggle a lot.

For an Indica Oasis is slow to finish flowering, often taking a full 9 weeks to get the biggest, juiciest buds. Unfortunately it is getting difficult to find Oasis seeds, and the data on THC levels and yields is vague and variable. If you have grown Oasis we would love to hear about your experience in the comments section below.

• Type Indica 100%
• Height Short
• Flowering time 8-9 Weeks
• Awards won None
• Yield Moderate
• Feminized Yes
• Autoflowering No
• Growth difficulty Easy
• THC level High

For Similar Strains check out:

• The Seedbank Northern Lights #5

• Northern Lights x Big Bud Seeds

• Vision Northern Lights Seeds

• Hindu Kush Feminized Marijuana Seeds

#4 Northern Lights X Big Bud Seeds

Big Bud takes some of its genes from a Northern Lights father. It was bred back to Northern Lights (most likely NL #5) to produce this medicinally potent cross. It is a short plant that barely tops 4 feet in height and thrives indoors though it gives huge yields outside.

Big Bud gives a little more flavor to the Northern Lights, and this strain offers a pleasant combination of fruit and spice that makes you want to take just one more toke.

The effects are moderated by the CBD content of this strain. While no exact percentage is available, this is a medicinally viable strain that could be used to relieve a variety of symptoms.

• Type Indica 90%, Sativa 10%
• Height 100-120 cm
• Flowering time 8-9 Weeks
• Awards won None
• Yield 400-500 g/m² Indoors, 900-1000 g/plant outside
• Feminized Yes
• Autoflowering No
• Growth difficulty Easy
• THC level <18%

For Similar Strains check out:

• Sensi Big Bud Feminized Seeds

• The Seedbank Northern Lights #5

#5 Greenhouse – NL5 Haze Mist Feminized Seeds

NL5 Haze Mist from Greenhouse Seeds of the Netherlands is the genius coming together of three great strains; Northern Lights #5, Kali Mist and a Haze strain. NL5 X Haze was an existing strain to which Greenhouse added the Kali Mist.

NL5 Haze Mist grows like a typical sativa. The Haze is strong in this one and she will develop into a tall and strong plant. Branches are rangy with long internodes. Most indoor growers will want to train her. SCROG systems work particularly well and take advantage of her profuse lateral branching. Yields are very high.

• Type Sativa/Indica
• Height Medium/Tall
• Flowering time 11 weeks
• Awards won 1st Place HTCC 1996
• Yield Indoors: Up to 24.7oz (700 g/m²) Outdoors: Up to 28.2oz (800 g/m²) per plant
• Feminized Yes
• Autoflowering No
• Growth difficulty Easy
• THC level 14.6%

• NL5 x Haze Mist Seeds

• Silver Pearl Seeds

• British Columbia – Northern Lights #5 Automatic Seeds

What’s Next for Northern Lights

As medical marijuana is becoming legalized across the United States, there is a growing interest amongst seedbanks to produce high CBD and otherwise medicinally potent strains. With its powerful sedative and pain relieving effects, Northern Lights is a great starting point to breed some potent medicinal strains.

We have already seen Northern Lights X Big Bud, and other crosses like Northern Lights X Girl Scout Cookies and Northern Lights X Blueberry show promise in the medical market. The “original” Northern Lights, or any strains marketed under that name, are already a large part of many dispensary sales. Over the next few years we can expect to see more experimentation with crossing Northern Lights to create better and more effective medicinal marijuana strains.

It is also certain that Northern Lights and her many offspring will continue to influence the future of cannabis breeding. After all, her genes are in such famous strains as Big Bud, Skunk #1, Hash Plant, G13 and Black Domina. Even the original Lowryder carries Northern Lights genes. With such widespread influence, we are certain to see more and more variations and crosses from Northern Lights in the years to come.

Conclusion

In the last 30 years, Northern Lights genetics have become pervasisve throughout the cannabis world. Even if you haven’t smoked or grown an original variety, you have undoubtably encountered a little Northern Lights in a pipe or grow room somewhere. Anytime you experience that amazing blend of heavy body stone and joyful euphoria, think of Northern Lights; that’s probably where it came from.