Cannabis plants are reputed to be quite fussy and demanding in their requirements. While that may be true in some cases – and perhaps daunting for novice growers – it’s certainly not the full story.
So here is our beginner's guide to weed strains. A selection of easy-going strains any beginner should be comfortable getting started with, and which are far from picky in their horticultural prerequisites.
Quick jump to the Top 15 easiest strains to grow for beginners
What makes a strain easy to grow?
In plant cultivation, it’s often the demanding strains that cause the most trouble. This collection focuses on beginner-friendly strains that are easier to grow.
Different strains have varying needs for temperature, humidity, light, and nutrients. Some are also more resistant to pests and diseases. While these plants still require care, they are generally hardier and more forgiving.
These strains thrive in diverse environments, resist mold and insects better, and yield strong results, making them ideal for new growers.
Autoflower
Autoflowering cannabis plants are day-neutral strains that don’t quite play by the same growth rules as most plants. In essence, that means their transition from a growth phase to a flowering phase is governed by the age of the plant.
So the proportion of light they actually receive is not the critical factor that triggers productive flowering.
In a nutshell, an autoflower variety won’t have specific light demands and thus potentially offers growers a faster life cycle. Many plants can thus be harvested some 8-12 weeks from the moment the seeds germinate.
Feminized
Simply put, the advantage of feminized seeds is that (for biological reasons) they always produce predictable (female) plant outcomes. By contrast, male seeds may well produce more erratic results.
For the novice grower, feminized seeds make plant cultivation much easier because it is possible to plan and anticipate matters such as the required growing space, and better manage plant husbandry considerations such as plant feeding and insecticides.
1. Northern Lights Auto
Northern Lights Auto seeds grow quickly and easily indoors or outdoors. This high-yielding strain matures in 9-10 weeks and is moderately resistant to fungus. It grows tall, up to 120 cm indoors and 170 cm outdoors.
Yields are highest outdoors. The aroma is sweet and spicy with faint citrus notes. The flavor is typical mild Skunk with lemon and pine accents. The effect is relaxed and sleepy.
2. Blue Dream Auto
Blue Dream Auto seeds produce beautiful purple and indigo hues. With proper lighting and nutrients, Blue Dream grows well indoors using SOG or SCROG techniques.
The bushy plants stay short, around 50-75 cm indoors and 75-125 cm outdoors. Dense buds form over 7-8 weeks flowering, yielding high-quality weed in 2-3 months.
Blue Dream smells strongly of blueberry with sweet undertones and hints of pine. The effects are very relaxing, happy, and euphoric.
3. Gorilla Glue Auto
Gorilla Glue Auto grows fast indoors or outdoors in warm climates. Plants reach 60-100 cm tall and yield up to 120g per plant in 2 months. The strain has a very high 26% THC content.
Aromas are pungent, woody, and piney with traces of sandalwood. Flavors reflect woody, petrol, and pine notes, sometimes with spicy chocolate or chemical sweetness. The uplifting effects are strongly social and good for relaxing with friends.
4. Green Crack
Green Crack grows vigorously indoors and outdoors. It has a light green color and Christmas tree shape, reaching 2m indoors and 3.5m outside. Flowering finishes in 2 months with a very pungent aroma.
The aroma and taste are intensely fruity, with hints of mango, pineapple, and tropical woods. It causes minimal dry mouth side effects. The potent cerebral high is euphoric, motivating, and anxiety-relieving without hindering function.
5. Blue Cheese Auto
Blue Cheese Auto is easy to grow indoors or outdoors. They start flowering in 21-28 days and are ready to harvest in 7-8 weeks. Minimal care produces decent yields of 16% THC weed. Indoor height is 40-70 cm, outdoor is 60-110 cm.
The dominant aroma and aftertaste is blue cheese with fruity, sweet berry notes. The potent effects are relaxing and uplifting for unwinding after stress. It causes minimal dry mouth side effects.
6. AK-47
AK-47 is a premier cannabis strain that is easy for novices to grow. It thrives outdoors thanks to mold resistance and does well indoors with adequate ventilation. Outdoor height reaches 130-170cm, indoor is 80-140cm.
The Sativa-dominant strain flowers in 7-9 weeks. The smell is somewhat dank and acidic with spicy, floral, and fruity notes, occasionally licorice. The stimulating, prolonged high warrants caution for beginners.
7. OG Kush
OG Kush seeds grow well indoors and outdoors. The indoor/greenhouse environment and hydroponics increase yields.
Outdoors, watch for mildew and mites. Indoor height reaches 160cm, outdoor 200cm. The 56-63 day flowering produces lots of lime green buds.
OG Kush has a strong earthy, pine aroma with lemon and pine oil notes and a lingering petroleum aftertaste. The high blends Sativa animation and Indica relaxation subtly.
8. Girl Scout Cookies Auto
Girl Scout Cookies Auto is an easy, popular strain good for beginners. Grows indoors, outdoors, or in a greenhouse. Indoors and out, the plant reaches 60-100 cm tall.
Flowers in 56-63 days with orange and purple-pink colors. Yields up to 600g per m² indoors, 150g per plant outdoors. This beauty smells dank - chocolate, brown sugar, earthy, and hints of mint.
9. Super Skunk Auto
Super Skunk Auto is a popular, sun-loving strain suitable for novice growers. It can be grown indoors, in a greenhouse, or outdoors. Outdoors yields best.
Grows relatively short - max 110 cm indoors, 130 cm outdoors. Flowering time is 49-56 days. Total growth cycle about 3 months. Can produce 2 outdoor harvests per year in ideal conditions. Up to 4 indoors optimally.
Produces dense, aromatic buds. Smells and tastes sweet and citrusy - tangerine, lemon. Provides a powerful cerebral head high that relaxes the whole body.
10. White Widow Auto
White Widow Auto provides strong relaxation and is good for beginners and advanced users. Grows indoors, outdoors, greenhouse. Indoors get 70-120cm tall, outdoors 100-180cm. Use coconut soil and small, frequent waterings. Organic fertilizers are recommended.
Fast flowering - 56-63 days after germination. 3-month cycle. 2 outdoor harvests or 4 indoors per year possible. Sweet, sour, earthy, pine/citrus flavors. Provides prolonged relaxation.
11. Bubba Kush
Bubba Kush is an 80% Indica dominant hybrid. The indoor cycle is 16-18 weeks with feminized seeds. Provides relaxing effects.
Grows well indoors and outdoors. Short, bushy plants with dense foliage turn deep green and purple. Prune leaves to improve bud development. Indoors reach ~1m tall. Outdoors up to 180cm.
It has an earthy, petroleum aroma with citrus, cinnamon, and coffee notes. The high is ultra-calming and leads to extended sleepiness.
12. Critical Purple Auto
Critical Purple Auto is the ultimate chill buddy for beginner growers. This autoflowering gem thrives pretty much anywhere—indoors, outdoors, or even in a greenhouse.
With its compact size (reaching about 120cm outdoors) and forgiving nature, it’s an easy win for first-timers. Plus, it doesn’t skimp on style, offering a floral, sweet aroma that’s as classy as a bouquet of summer roses.
Add in solid yields of up to 400g per m², and you’ve got a strain that’s not just easy to grow but incredibly rewarding. Critical Purple Auto: laid-back vibes, effortless cultivation.
13. Sour Diesel
Sour Diesel is a classic Sativa-dominant strain good for beginners. Grows well indoors, outdoors, greenhouse. Gets 160cm+ indoor, 300cm outdoor. Needs a clean environment to avoid mildew.
Has a petro-diesel aroma with lemon and herbal notes. The taste is mildly spicy and earthy. Provides a strong, euphoric sativa high lasting around 5 hours that increases sociability.
14. Zkittlez Auto
Zkittlez Auto is a popular, high-yielding strain good for beginner growers. Grows well indoors, outdoors, greenhouse. Fast growth cycle. Responds to training for higher yields. Needs ample water and nutrients.
Has sweet candy, berry, citrus, and chocolate aromas when mature. Provides an intense, euphoric high and relaxation lasting hours. Relieves stress, anxiety, depression, and chronic pain symptoms.
15. Tangie
Tangie is a Sativa-dominant strain that delivers an energetic high. Good for beginners with the potential for high yields. Best grown outdoors in a warm Mediterranean climate.
Dislikes cold. Indoor growing requires plant training techniques. Prefers nutrient-rich soil to maximize orange aromas. Has a strong orange and bittersweet citrus aroma with musky undertones. Provides a euphoric, clear-headed high.
