One of the many great things about growing your own cannabis plants is their ability to flourish and thrive in almost any environment, no matter how hot, dry or inhospitable it might seem. After all, there's a reason why they call it 'weed', right?
In fact, if you choose the right cannabis strain, you can look forward to harvesting a healthy crop of your very own even in the driest of climates. All it takes is a little background knowledge and some careful consideration of exactly what you want your harvest to deliver.
With this in mind, here's our rundown of our five best cannabis strains for arid and desert climates!
Top 5 Best Cannabis Strains to Grow in Arid and Desert Climates
1. AK-47
Winner of a staggering 16 industry awards including first prizes at High Life in Barcelona and the Treating Yourself Expo in Toronto, AK-47 has been a huge success for Amsterdam-based seed company Serious Seeds since it was launched way back in 1992. Cannabis connoisseurs love it for its reliably healthy yields, short flowering time, complex flavors, and of course that all-important euphoric high.
While developed primarily for growing indoors, AK-47 will thrive just as happily outdoors, provided that it is harvested before the colder October temperatures settle in. Obviously this will depend on the local weather, so if you are based in a country with a particularly hot climate it might be possible to extend the growing season into the winter months.
With a flowering time of between 7 and 9 weeks, this leaves plenty of scope to cultivate multiple crops during a single season. Expect each crop to yield up to around 350 to 450 grams per m2 if you're growing indoors, and as much as 425 to 575 grams per m2 for outdoor cultivation.
2. Amnesia Haze
If your main priority when deciding on which cannabis strain to choose is the sheer intensity of high it can deliver, Amnesia Haze will fit the bill to a tee. Popular across the globe on account of its impressive yields, high potency, and impeccable organic credentials, this Sativa-dominant Sativa/Indica hybrid was developed in Holland and has won numerous awards.
Suitable for cultivation indoors or outdoors, Amnesia Haze will reward careful, attentive growers with yields of around 600 to 650 grams per m2. To get up to these quantities, however, you're going to need to apply techniques such as SOG (Sea of Green) and SCROG (Screen of Green). In very hot weather, Amnesia Haze can potentially deliver an impressive 700 grams per m2, making it an excellent choice for arid climates.
Whatever the conditions, you'll need to monitor and feed your plants correctly, keeping a keen eye on the amount of water they get and paying close attention to all the other essentials like nutrients, temperature, humidity, feeding schedule, light cycle, and PH- and EC values. As such Amnesia Haze is a popular option for more experienced growers, although it's actually a superb choice for anyone who can appreciate quality weed and doesn't mind putting in a little extra effort.
3. Durban Poison
If the idea of a cannabis strain which can be cultivated with relative ease appeals to you, or perhaps if you're embarking on your first weed growing venture, then Durban Poison could be a very smart choice indeed. Much-loved for its rich flavor which evokes a lush pine forest, not to mention a distinctive, mind-focussing high, this classic cannabis strain is popular with both novices and more experienced growers.
Discovered in sunny South Africa by none other than the 'Guru of Ganja' Mr Ed Rosenthal back in the 1970s, this near legendary sativa was finessed in the USA through a meticulous breeding process. Since then, it has been embraced by the global cannabis community, partly because of its ability to flourish even in colder climates. In hot or dry countries, Durban Poison compares favorably with the very best cannabis strains on the planet.
Individual plants can grow to over 2.5 meters in height, with fulsome side branches contributing to impressive yields in the region of 700 grams per m2. This makes Durban Poison ideal for outdoor growing.
However, it can also be grown indoors if SCROG (Screen of Green) techniques are employed in order to keep plant sizes at a manageable level, delivering a very respectable 400 to 500 grams per m2. Those hoping to cultivate multiple crops in a single growing season will be pleased to learn that these incredible plants can flower in as little as 7 weeks.
4. Chocolope
Like weed? Of course, you do! Like chocolate? Who doesn't! Small wonder then that this 95% Sativa crossbreed of Cannalope Haze and OG Chocolate Thai weed has become a popular choice among both newcomers and experienced growers across the world. In recognition of this, Chocolope has been awarded multiple industry prizes over the years, including the High Times Strain of the Year and the Hydro Highlife Cup.
A big part of Chocolope's enduring appeal is its mellow, chocolate flavor with grapefruit undertones, making it one of the tastiest cannabis strains out there. But don't let its sweetness deceive you — Chocolope also delivers an intense hit, which in high doses can extend to mild hallucinations. Enjoy Chocolope in moderation, however, and you'll experience a mellow, dreamlike high which will fill you with energy and put a smile on your face.
Another great characteristic of this hardy, robust cannabis strain is its ability to withstand any rookie errors less experienced growers might make in terms of feeding and watering their crop. This is because it has a fairly long vegetative phase, and can quickly absorb any excess water or nutrients.
Expect to be able to harvest in around 8 or 9 weeks, although don't forget to allow plenty of time for the cannabinoids and terpenes to mature. Those living in an arid climate will find that this is especially easy to achieve. Outdoor crops will produce around 450 to 500 grams per m2, while indoor growers can look forward to yields of up to 600 grams per m2.
5. Gorilla Glue autoflower
If you think maximum THC levels with minimum effort sounds too good to be true, think again. Because that's exactly what you can expect from supercharged hybrid cannabis strain Gorilla Glue Autoflower. Bred from a finely balanced mix of plants which includes Sour Dubb, Chocolate Diesel, and Chem’s Sister, this popular option among professional and amateur growers alike certainly packs one hell of a punch.
In fact, with high yields, fast flowering times, and an ability to grow in pretty much any climate from mild and rainy to positively Saharan, Gorilla Glue Autoflower is one of the most versatile cannabis varieties you'll find. With a distinctive flavor and a relaxing, cheerful high, the one note of caution is that high doses can lead to feelings of anxiety and paranoia. This is due to the exceptionally high THC content, which can reach as much as 26%.
Expect to be able to harvest your crop in around 8 to 10 weeks, with flowering buds visible from week 2. In terms of yield, indoor cultivation produces in the region of 400 to 600 grams per m2, while outdoor growers can look forward to enjoying an impressive 50 to 300 grams of delicious, potent weed per plant.
Buy the best seeds to grow in desert and arid climates at Weedseedsexpress
Besides our top 5 we offer a lot more seeds suitable for desert and arid climates, so if you haven't been able to find what you are looking for, we highly recommend checking our autoflowering seeds section and our feminized seeds.