Last Updated December 20th, 2022: There’s nothing quite like growing cannabis, in the great outdoors. It’s not only where the plants once thrived naturally – but is especially satisfying in legalized states for long-time advocates and connoisseurs. Not to mention, the sun’s energy can boost overall growth, and some say enhances cannabis aromas, and overall flavor. In this guide, we’ll be looking at the overall 10 best outdoor strains to grow!
As you know, each cannabis strain is unique including how it grows too. Meaning, there are some genes that are better-suited for outdoor environments than others.
So whether you’re asking yourself – what is the highest yielding outdoor strain? Or, what’s the best outdoor strain cold climate wise? We’ve got you covered. Keep reading for our ultimate guide to the top 10 best outdoor growing cannabis strains, no matter your location, or specific desires.
Best Strains To Grow Outdoors – Quick Look
1. White Widow
An undeniable classic on the scene and the number one seller from ILGM, check out our ILGM Seeds Review, it’s no surprise that White Widow is our first best outdoor cannabis plant. Most cultivars that are suitable for outdoor growth, are original landrace varieties that have been able to withstand popularity and longevity over the years. White Widow is one of them. Originally emerging onto the market in the 90’s in the Netherlands, it’s an indica dominant hybrid that has a storied past. It’s said that White Widow is a cross of South American or Brazilian Sativa and South Indian Indica. Along with this, it’s also a relatively early finishing outdoor strain which is nice.
White Widow now, is award-winning by trade and is considered one of the easiest strains to grow outdoors. Especially considering the high levels of THC, growers will get in return, and the well-balanced euphoria that its effects produce. White Window is not only a classic for cultivating, but consumption too, with a mellow and idyllic type of buzz you’d imagine from any good kind of high. Even better, the strain is named for its abundance of resin that appears as a ‘white’ coating of shimmering crystals. Autoflowering, or feminized, White Widow delivers maximized outdoor yields for ultimate pleasure and success.
2. Amnesia Haze
Amnesia Haze is another award winning strain that’s been winning Cannabis Cups since 2004. It’s also considered one of the best outdoor growing cannabis strains, and an ideal outdoor autoflower strain, too. One factor adding to the sativa dominant hybrid’s legendary status, is its far-reaching past. Amnesia Haze has been around for so long, its origins are unknown. But the strain’s superior ability to grow outdoors could come from having Afghani, South Asian, Thai, Hawaiian, and Jamaican origins.
These roots mean Amnesia Haze plants can thrive in a wide range of outdoor conditions and environments. And in the end, the strain delivers the type of effects many consumers crave. Amnesia Haze is beloved by medical and recreational users alike, for its uplifting, and energizing effects. An ideal mood elevator, the strain’s buzz is often described as ‘giggly’ and ‘giddy’. With tolerable THC levels around 18%+, Amnesia Haze is also well-suited for beginner and veteran consumers just seeking a quintessential high. As, one last added benefit, the strain produces an earthy and invigorating citrus aroma that ignites the senses.
3. Gorilla Glue
The Gorilla Glue name is a double entendre for how beastly the strain can be in effects and quality. The strain is well-known for being resin-coated for ‘stickiness’ (like glue) while also producing somewhat couch-locking effects that’ll glue you to your seat. Another notorious Gorilla Glue trait is the fact that it’s one of the only 50/50 equal indica to sativa hybrids available on the market today. But, what’s less known about the classic strain, is Gorilla Glue’s growing style also makes it one of the best strains to grow outdoors, too.
Gorilla Glue is also a go-to strain for cultivators seeking higher than normal THC levels. Since the strain is highly capable of reaching 26% THC+. In addition, Gorilla Glue is also said to be one of the easiest strains to grow outdoors, making the plant a go-to for beginners. Want an even easier way to cultivate the strain? Choose an autoflowering variety of the strain, which produces just as much success in a shorter period of time. After harvesting, you’re treated to Gorilla Glue’s uplifting, and euphoric buzz that is equally relaxing for the body and mind.
4. Super Skunk
First and foremost, when growing Super Skunk outdoors do be aware of where its name came from. The plant is notable for its pungent ‘skunky’ aroma, which may have close neighbors’ interests piqued. Beyond its aromatic nature, Super Skunk is superior in other traits that make it an ideal outdoor indica strain. The gene has landrace origins making it reliable, and durable for outdoor environments. This means it’s one of the easiest strains to grow outdoors, too and especially ideal for beginner growers.
Super Skunk also treats its growers to supersized nugs that are delightfully dense. The buds produce low to moderate levels of THC around 14%-19% with unique levels of CBD around 2%+ too. This makes Super Skunk’s effects ideal for all-day or frequent use without being too psychoactive, plus the additional benefits of CBD’s therapeutic effects. Its buzz is highly relaxing for the body, comforting aches and pains, while calming anxieties with a clear-headed high.
5. Girl Scout Cookies Extreme
While it’s likely you’ve heard or consumed Girl Scout Cookies, Girl Scout Cookies Extreme takes the strains benefits to all new heights. Plus, the extreme version is one of the best outdoor growing cannabis strains that grows with relative ease. A cross of two other well-known strains, Durban Poison and OG Kush, Girl Scout Cookies Extreme is a reliable genetic that nourishes to flourish in outdoor environments. It’s naturally mold and pest resistant, and is often grown by cultivators found in sunny California regions.
The indica dominant hybrid is also said to be ‘extreme’ for its ultra relaxing effects, that are ideal for nighttime use. Even more, the ‘extreme’ term references heightened levels of THC, that average around 21%, too. Overall, Girl Scout Cookies Extreme produces effects that are potent, euphoric, and calming physically and mentally. But, beginners beware, as the strain’s deep body relaxation may be couch-locking in nature. Last but not least, Girl Scout Cookies Extreme is multifaceted in scent and taste, bursting with flavors of minty, sweet chocolate, and undertones of spicy, earthiness.
6. Northern Lights
Another staple across the industry will treat growers to out of this world results. Northern Lights is one of the best outdoor indica strains to cultivate, especially for those seeking a stash of extraordinarily relaxing effects. Northern Lights may be one of the most recognizable cannabis strains by consumers across the globe, and for good reason. The landrace strain has a long history, originating from the Afghanistan and Indian region of the world like so many notable indica genetics.
In today’s modern world, Northern Lights remains popular for its ease in growth, and pleasurable experience overall. The strain has a sweet, and spicy aroma to it that is somewhat of a foreshadow to its well-balanced effects. An indica dominant hybrid, Northern Lights is highly sought after by medical and recreational consumers who light up for ultimate relaxation. In addition to being one of the best strains to grow outdoors, Northern Lights is also considered one of the best nighttime strains, too. Delivering a comforting calm, for the body and mind, to ease a variety of aches and pains from everyday stresses.
7. Durban Poison
Don’t let the name scare you away, as Durban Poison is considered to be the best outdoor sativa strains, to grow today. The genetic is another landrace variety, that originated in the city of Durban in South Africa. Uniquely, it’s also one of the only 100% sativa strains left on the market today, after so many years of cross-breeding and a growth in hybrid production. Like most sativa’s, Durban Poison does take some extra TLC for optimal growth considering it can reach up to 8 feet tall. So, keep this in mind if growing outdoors and trying to remain discrete.
In the end, you’ll be treated to high yields and highly resinous buds. As today, Durban Poison is a prime candidate for extraction, due to the levels of sticky-icky resin the plant produces. Reaching levels of THC around 20%, Durban Poison is well-loved as a wake-and-bake strain for its uplifting and exhilarating effects. The strain can inspire creativity, heighten focus, and provide energy similar to that of your regular cup of caffeine. As a last added bonus, Durban Poison is versatile in aroma and taste, and has a preferred note for virtually everyone. As its buds burst with citrus, sweet, spicy, skunky, earthy and even classic cheese-like scents.
8. Lambs Breath
Lambs Breath is most notable for being the godfather of ganja, Bob Marley’s favorite strain. Beyond the celebrity status, it’s also one of the best outdoor autoflower strains, and best photoperiod outdoor strain, too. In the past, Lambs Breath was known to grow wild in Jamaica which is a good insight into the type of climate the genetics prefers. Because it’s difficult to find Lambs Breath on dispo shelves today, it’s growing in popularity for personal cultivation. Thanks to Crop King Seeds for stocking these seeds since they can be a bit difficult to find!
The uniquely named sativa dominant hybrid is also sought after for it’s effects that are perfect for all-day use. Lambs Breath typically produces moderate to high levels of THC, averaging anywhere from 19-25% for an equally perfect high in potency, too. Upon your first puff, you’ll feel a rush of energy fill the mind, that creeps into an exciting body buzz soon after. One last characteristic that Lambs Breath is known for, is its pungent one-of-a-kind aromas. The frosty crystal coated buds emit woody, sour, pine-like scents, with rich undertones of skunk, and cheese.
9. Purple Kush
If you’re looking for a stunner for outdoor growth, then look no further than Purple Kush. The notorious purps strain is an indica dominant hybrid that doesn’t just stun in appearance, but pleasurable effects too. The gene can easily reach THC levels of 17%+ for a well-mannered buzz that soothes the soul. Purple Kush has a long history as one of the best growing outdoor indicas around. The strain originated from Hindu Kush, and the Afgani regions where many indicas thrived in the ancient past.
Today, Purple Kush has been reinvented as a west-coast Cali favorite for its relaxing and comforting good vibes. Its high is often described as ‘blissful’ and is a favorite of nighttime sessions for its ability to produce sleepiness, for a good night’s rest. Which also means Purple Kush is beloved by medical patients for insomnia, stress, and pain symptoms. Aroma wise, Purple Kush is just as multi-dimensional with scents of grape, earthiness, musk, and hash.
10. Super Silver Haze
One good thing usually leads to another which is the case with Super Silver Haze. The standby sativa dominant strain comes from none other than Northern Lights, hence its spot on the best outdoor cannabis strains list, too. Whether growing an autoflower variety, or photoperiod, Super Silver Haze thrives as one of the easiest strains to grow outdoors and was actually known as the ‘King’ of sativas in the 90’s era of cultivation. Since then, the strain has won multiple cannabis cups for its alluring effects.
Super Silver Haze is by far one of the most desired strains for medical consumers, for comforting chronic pain while keeping you mentally alert to take on the day. Its ‘haze’ origins lend to an equally exhilarating terpene profile, that lights up the senses with earthy, gassy, and distinct spicy and peppery aromas. Like most sativas, Super Silver Haze will benefit from techniques that tame her wild growth and heights. Luckily, the work is treated to higher than ordinary yields, and levels of THC hovering around 19%.
What Is The Highest Yielding Outdoor Strain?
The highest yielding outdoor strains generally consist of Amnesia Haze, Super Lemon Haze, and White Widow!
What Is The Most Mold Resistant Outdoor Strain?
Some of the most mold resistant outdoor strains consist of strains that are at least a slight hybrid of Indica and Sativa such as Purple Haze or Blue Cheese!
Final Thoughts On The Best Strains To Grow Outdoors:
The environment in which any plant grows in, ultimately affects its success. Which is no different for marijuana. Overtime, cannabis cultivators have learned that certain strains can benefit more than others from outdoor growth. So, if you’re looking to try your hand or grow something new – bookmark this outdoor strain guide now. Start off on the right foot with any of these best outdoor strains, that will be sure to satisfy any yield, type, or effect preference.
Just a note on climate, just depending on what climate you plan on growing in, some of these above strains might not be the best choices possible. Check out our guides on individual climates below:
Resources:
https://extension.usu.edu/crops/research/ten-frequently-asked-questions-about-growing-cannabis