Cannabis can be grown outdoors in most regions of the world but thrives particularly well in areas with a Mediterranean climate. Most strains of cannabis love this type of climate, with hot, dry summers, plenty of sunshine and mild winters with fairly low rainfall. Examples of areas with a Mediterranean climate include Italy, Spain, South Africa, California, parts of Chile, Oregon and some parts of Washington.
Mediterranean climate for growing weed
If you live in a region with a Mediterranean climate, you are in a prime location for growing cannabis. The days vary in length and the growing season is long. The temperature is hot but not too hot. Long hours of daylight in summer stimulate rapid growth during the vegging period and there is enough time in fall for flowering to finish before the first frosts.
There can be subtle differences in Mediterranean climates, for example, some regions may have an occasional frost while in some coastal areas, summers may see little rainfall but frequent fogs. Whatever your local climate, choosing the right strain is the key to success. For example, if you are growing in an area with a Mediterranean climate but one where the summers are often foggy, mould could sometimes be a problem. In this case, a strain normally recommended for growing in a subtropical zone might be a better choice for you. But generally speaking, a Mediterranean climate is a dream location for growing the very best strains of cannabis.
5 Best strains to grow in a Mediterranean climate
Here’s our pick of the top five best strains for a Mediterranean climate:
Bubba Kush
This fruity, sweet Indica dominant strain (80%) is ideally suited to growing outdoors in hot arid climates. Expect abundant top-quality yields with a brief flowering time, lavish resin production and a high THC content.
Growing Bubba Kush
Bubba Kush is a cross between OG Kush and Bubblegum and its Indica heritage is obvious from its growth pattern. It matures into a compact, stocky plant that is ideal for growing outdoors in dry Mediterranean climates and is also suitable for both SCROG and SOG growing techniques. Flowering time is short - just 9 weeks from seeding to flowering, when Bubba Kush produces a heavy crop of beautiful purple and dark green buds. The only slight drawback to this strain is that it has only a medium resistance to mould.
Taste, smell and effects
As you would expect from a Kush strain, Bubba Kush tastes and smells earthy, with sugary sweet overtones and a hint of piney freshness. With its %20 THC content, users of Bubba Kush experience a long-lasting, euphoric high followed by deep calm, total relaxation and couchlock.
Acapulco Gold
One of the world’s most famous cannabis strains and a winner of the High Times Best Sativa award, Acapulco Gold originates from the Acapulco region of Mexico. Distinctive yellow, gold, orange and red hairs give the buds the appearance of gold nuggets and when broken up they have an appealing aroma of burnt toffee.
Growing Acapulco Gold
Acapulco Gold is ideally suited for growing marijuana outdoors in a Mediterranean climate. It does require some experience as this strain is sensitive to pH values, nutrition and light. It is suitable for growing with the SOG technique and low-stress training will also boost the yield. From seed to harvest varies from around 13 - 18 weeks; this strain is best harvested in October.
Grow outdoors, Acapulco Gold cannabis will reach a height of 2 metres and will produce a yield of up to 1500 grams per plant.
Taste, smell and effects
With its blend of sweet and exotic spicy notes, the taste of Acapulco Gold is reminiscent of honey and brown sugar. It has an average CBD content of 0.7%. A high THC concentration of 23% gives a happy, uplifting and relaxing psychoactive effect but beware, too strong a dose might lead to paranoia.
Santa Maria autoflower
This Indica dominant strain originates from the forests of Brazil and contains 20% ruderalis genes so that it flowers without needing any special attention to light levels. This makes it a good choice for beginners.
Growing Santa Maria
Many growers grow Santa Maria autoflower indoors using SCROG techniques but this strain also thrives outdoors. It can be a little susceptible to overwatering and mould and needs plenty of hot sunshine, so is ideal for growing in a Mediterranean climate. The plants will grow up to a height of 40 - 120 cm. Given optimal conditions, Santa Maria can offer very high-quality yields of 550 grams per plant within about 9 weeks.
Taste, smell and effects
The flavours are soft, earthy flavours with hints of flowers and fruit. Santa Maria creates a happy, relaxed, giggly and long-lasting high and is helpful with treating depression and anxiety.
Sour Diesel
One of the most beloved and potent of all cannabis strains, Sour Diesel delivers a long-lasting cerebral buzz and effective pain relief. With 70% Sativa and 30% Indica genes, Sour Diesel can be grown indoors but is at its best grown outdoors in regions with warm, dry summers. Also known as Sour D, its origins are secret but it is thought to be a hybrid of Northern Lights, Super Skunk and 91 Chemdawg.
Growing Sour Diesel
Sour Diesel is a good choice for beginners and expert growers alike. The period to flowering is only 10 weeks and in Europe and North America, the best time to harvest is in mid-October. The plants grow quickly in the first month and many growers use low-stress techniques to maximise yields. Thanks to its Sativa ancestry, Sour Diesel produces sturdy buds shimmering with resin and will reach a height of up to 3 metres in warm temperatures and gives a yield of up to 500 grams per plant.
Taste, smell and effects
Sour Diesel offers pungent spicy, sour and chemical scents. This quick-acting cannabis strain is legendary for delivering a dreamy yet energising cerebral buzz with no couchlock and helps with the relief of chronic pain and depression.
Blue Dream
Combining the best characteristics of its parents, Blueberry and Haze, Blue Dream has a fruity, sweet taste and is one of the USA’s most popular strains. Thanks to its high THC content, Blue Dream is a popular choice for medicinal users. Trouble-free to grow for both beginners and experienced growers, Blue Dream offers excellent yields when grown in a Mediterranean climate.
Growing Blue Dream
Grown outside in a hot climate with plenty of water and nutrient-rich soil, Blue Dream can quickly grow to between 2 to 3 metres in height. The plants are usually ready to harvest by the middle of October and you can expect a yield of up to 900 grams per plant.
Taste, smell and effects
Blue Dream has a sweet, earthy taste with fresh berry, lime and pine notes. Its scent recalls citrus, wood and of course the Haze aroma of its parentage. The weed provides gentle relaxation and a calm, cerebral effect. With its high THC content, Blue Dream delivers rapid relief of symptoms without any sedative effect so is widely used to treat pain, nausea and depression.