Best Outdoor Strains
While it’s true that many cannabis strains grow well outdoors, there are a handful that have become legendary for their ability to thrive beneath the sun.
Afghani – Afghani is a pure indica with genetics reaching back to Afghanistan’s famous Hindu Kush region. A classic landrace strain (meaning its DNA has not been crossbred with newer hybrid strains), Afghani is a short and squat producer that is easy to grow and oozes with resin as it finishes up. To boot, Afghani has a rapid flowering time and is usually ready for harvest no later than October, making it perfect for temperate Mediterranean and northern hemisphere climates. Its incredible resin content and high THC levels make it a good choice for hash makers.
Super Silver Haze – Another classic, Super Silver Haze retains many of the characteristics of the haze family, including its citrusy, earthy flavours and unbelievable yields. As a pure sativa, you would expect it to be a great outdoor grower, which it is. Super Silver Haze is mould and pest resistant but still requires a watchful eye when cultivated outdoors. The returns are well worth it, though, with a single plant capable of producing over 25 ounces per harvest. Its relatively short flowering period means that it won’t run deep into the fall before harvest, offering a great crop in mid-September.
Blueberry – A classic blend of Afghani, Thai and Purple Thai genetics, Blueberry is a chunky, flavourful sun lover that will thrive under full sun in a cool climate. Like other Afghan relatives, it loves a cool mountain region, but thanks to its Thai lineage, it also thrives in more humid, warmer climates as well. A very versatile strain, Blueberry has given rise to many of the standard hybrid strains that we know and love today, such as Blue Dream and Blue Cookies. In addition, it’s a heavy producer, capable of churning out a full kilo per square meter when properly cultivated.
Durban Poison – Durban Poison is a classic landrace sativa strain hailing from South Africa, which produces the epitome of sativa buds, resulting in an energetic, clear-headed high that makes it a legend. A real stretcher, Durban Poison plants will grow up to two meters high with thick stalks capable of supporting high yields. Its roots grow wide, so it needs room to expand and reach for the sky, giving it a fairly distinct profile from above. Grown under the sun, this strain will produce thick, sticky buds with high THC Levels that can reach above 20%.
Jack Herer – Another early finisher, Jack Herer is an absolute favourite amongst outdoor growers. As a sativa-dominant hybrid (60%), Jack Herrer plants grow tall and produce bountiful harvests when grown in a dry and cool climate. Naturally, mould and pest-resistant, this hardy grower will reward you for your efforts, producing heavy, resin-laden buds with a high THC content and a harvest time of late September/early October.
OG Kush – Hailing from Florida, OG Kush is a classic hybrid kush strain drawing on Chemdawg genetics from California and a Dutch seed bank’s Hindu Kush variety. This legendary strain can grow up to two meters high and gives off thick, resinous flowers reminiscent of its indica heritage, but possesses many characteristics of a sativa as well, such as its height and plant structure. It can be a bit touchy to grow, but flourishes in the right, slightly tropical environment.
Skunk #1 – One of the most legendary outdoor cannabis strains in the marijuana lexicon, Skunk #1 is an indica-dominant hybrid that possesses many characteristics of both types. It will stretch like a sativa once flowering but produces dense buds like the indica dominant strain that it is, complete with a famously skunky odour that gives it its name. Skunk #1 is mould and pest resistant naturally, as well as being very hardy, making it a natural choice for growers in colder climates or with shorter seasons.
Super Lemon Haze – Winner of many awards, Super Lemon Haze is a delightfully fruity sativa-dominant hybrid that possesses the earmarks of a beautiful hybrid. It’s an easy cultivar to grow, with tremendous resistance to disease and pests, and it grows well in both cold and hot climates. Boasting a flavour profile that is widely regarded as second-to-none, Super Lemon Haze is a favourite for its euphoric, uplifting effects, great taste, and ease of cultivation. A definite must for beginners!
White Widow – A true legend, White Widow is an easy-to-grow sativa-dominant hybrid that rewards growers with beautiful, frosty harvests. Ready to harvest by early October, White Widow makes an excellent strain for growers just starting out; it’s hardy and resilient against mould and pests and produces a lovely, trichome-laden crop that keeps it on this list, despite its older lineage.
While it may seem tempting to run out and plant some seeds underneath the free light of the sun, it’s always important to consider local regulations regarding cannabis. While many strains grow well outdoors, you cannot go wrong by sticking to those mentioned above. Many have been around for generations, while others are newer hybrids, but all have been time-tested for viability in an outdoor garden.
Be sure to check out the wide variety of regular, autoflowering and feminized cannabis seeds available from Marijuana Grow Shop, and be sure to check back for the latest updates on cultivating your own cannabis at home.