Sativa plants tend to grow very tall which can be a problem for indoor growers or those with limited space.
Fortunately, there are short growing sativa strains available that offer the energizing effects of sativa and the compact size of indica plants.
In this article, we will explore 10 short growing sativa strains that are perfect for small spaces.
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1. Lowryder
Lowryder is a compact yet potent autoflowering strain perfect for both beginners and seasoned growers.
Lowryder Height
If you're worried about space, Lowryder has you covered. This strain doesn't grow taller than 40 cm indoors, making it ideal for small grow rooms or even windowsills. For outdoor grows, it maintains a discreet profile, usually not exceeding 60 cm, which is great for guerilla growing tactics.
Growing Lowryder
One key feature of Lowryder is its resilience to harsh conditions, including cold climates and heavy rainfall. This hardiness against molds and mildews makes it a low-maintenance strain that can thrive both indoors and outdoors.
When grown indoors, it does well with 18 to 24 hours of light a day and starts flowering within 40 to 45 days. This short flowering time of just 7 to 8 weeks means you'll be enjoying your harvest in no time.
Despite its small size, don't underestimate its yield; you can expect about 120 grams per m² indoors and about 90 grams per plant outdoors.
Lowryder may be small, but it packs a punch. With balanced effects that offer both relaxation and uplifting sensations, this strain is popular among both medical and recreational users.
So whether you're growing in a limited space or you're simply new to the game, Lowryder is a strain worth considering.
2. Jack Herer
Jack Herer is a legendary cannabis strain known for its balanced effects and high yields, making it a favorite among both recreational users and medical patients.
Jack Herer Height
Jack Herer plants are relatively compact, which is a big plus for indoor growers. Indoors, you can expect a height range of 90 to 130 cm, while outdoor plants usually stretch to between 130 and 180 cm.
Despite its shorter stature, the plant produces impressive buds that will need some support to avoid branch snapping.
Growing Jack Herer
Growing Jack Herer is pretty straightforward. It's a hungry plant that loves its nutrients, but if you take care of it well, you can expect bountiful yields.
Indoors, flowering time ranges between 60 and 70 days, and yields can reach up to 600 grams per m². Outdoor growers can expect even more, with yields reaching up to 700 grams per plant.
If you're growing Jack Herer outdoors, it thrives in warm and dry climates like the Mediterranean. If you're in a cooler region, consider a greenhouse to ensure optimal growth conditions.
What's also cool about this plant is that it doesn't give off a strong smell until after harvest, making it a discreet option for growing.
While Jack Herer is popular for its well-balanced effects, it also has a complex and delightful flavor profile. Smokers describe the taste as a blend of earthy, skunky notes with sweet, fruity undertones.
3. Super Lemon Haze Autoflower
Super Lemon Haze auto is a sativa-dominant hybrid strain with a delightful citrus flavor, quick flowering time, and the ability to grow in various climates.
Super Lemon Haze Autoflower Height
Super Lemon Haze Auto typically stays rather small, making it suitable for indoor growing spaces. Indoors, it grows to a height between 50 and 100 centimeters, while outdoors it can stretch to 100 to 150 centimeters.
This medium-sized plant is perfect for growers with limited space.
Growing Super Lemon Haze Autoflower
Growing Super Lemon Haze auto is relatively easy due to its ruderalis genetics, making it hardy, mold-resistant, and quick-growing. It is suitable for beginners as it has a fast vegetative and flowering stage that shortens the life cycle of this auto strain.
Flowering usually takes about eight to nine weeks, and the total seed-to-harvest period can be less than 2.5 months. This means not only can you get a quick yield, but also you can harvest twice in one outdoor growing season, which is not possible with any photo-period version.
Additionally, Super Lemon Haze auto is feminized, ensuring that the marijuana seeds grow only female plants and avoid male plants that can reduce yield potential.
For optimal yield, indoor growers can expect up to 500 grams per square meter, while outdoor growers can yield up to 100 grams per plant in optimal conditions.
4. Tangerine Dream Autoflower
Tangerine Dream Autoflower is a go-to cannabis strain for growers seeking a potent yet mellow high, combined with the convenience of autoflowering genetics.
Tangerine Dream Autoflower Height
Tangerine Dream Autoflower is a compact plant, perfect for those limited on space. When grown indoors, this strain typically reaches a height of 70-100 cm.
It develops strong side branches but maintains a manageable size. If you're thinking about growing outdoors, expect the plant to stretch just a bit more, reaching heights of about 100-130 cm.
Its short stature makes it ideal for discreet cultivation and easier management, especially for beginners.
Growing Tangerine Dream Autoflower
Growing this strain is ideal for novices and experienced cultivators alike. You'll find this strain to be robust and naturally resistant to many common plant diseases.
When planning an outdoor grow, timing is crucial. Make sure there's no chance of frost before sowing your seeds. Keep a watchful eye around October for any signs of fungi, although this strain is highly resistant.
Indoors, Tangerine Dream Autoflower has a quick flowering time of 49-56 days, which is approximately 7-8 weeks. If you want to maximize yield, techniques like SOG or SCROG are recommended, especially when combined with a hydroponic system.
When cultivated indoors, yields can range from 300-400 g/m2. Outdoor growers can expect about 80-100 g per plant.
Air filtration is essential if discretion is a priority, as this strain emits a strong, sweet citrus aroma that's sure to catch attention. Despite its potent fragrance, as long as you take basic care measures, growing Tangerine Dream Autoflower should be a hassle-free experience.
5. Diesel Autoflower
Diesel Autoflower is a resilient and potent cannabis strain with a distinctive fuel-like aroma. This strain offers an easy-to-maintain growing experience and high yields despite its modest size.
Diesel Autoflower Height
Growing to heights of just 40 to 70 cm indoors and 60 to 110 cm outdoors, this strain makes up for its petite stature with robust yields. With its compact size, managing this plant becomes a breeze, making it perfect for beginners or those with limited growing space.
Growing Diesel Autoflower
Diesel Autoflower seeds can be grown both indoors and outdoors, thriving in warm climates like the Mediterranean as well as colder conditions due to its sturdy ruderalis genetics. Indoors, Diesel cannabis seeds can be cultivated year-round, producing well-spaced branches and nodes.
The buds smell increasingly like fuel as the flowering stage progresses, and SOG and ScrOG training techniques are encouraged for maximum results.
The accelerated growth cycle of Diesel auto allows for at least two full harvests during the local growing season, reaping twice the amount of buds from this great strain.
Also, all autoflower seeds are feminized, meaning they only produce female plants, which is very convenient for growers who do not want males pollinating and ruining their crop.
6. Amnesia Autoflower
Amnesia Autoflower is a beginner-friendly cannabis strain that combines the classic profiles of Haze and Afghani with the added convenience of autoflowering genetics.
Amnesia Autoflower Height
Short and compact, Amnesia Autoflower plants are ideal for small grow spaces. Whether you're an indoor grower or prefer the great outdoors, you don't have to worry about height restrictions.
Indoors, the plants usually reach between 100 and 120 cm, while they can grow a little taller outside, up to 130 cm. This makes it a go-to option for those who are limited on space but still want a potent yield.
Growing Amnesia Autoflower
Thanks to its ruderalis genes, Amnesia Autoflower is forgiving of mistakes and can even tolerate cooler temperatures. There's no need to fuss over light cycles either, as it flowers automatically once it hits maturity.
This autoflowering nature means a quicker harvest, with a flowering time of just six to seven weeks. For those eager to get started, kick off the germination process by first soaking the seeds in a glass of water, followed by the paper towel method.
Once you're past the germination stage, you can expect to see plants that resemble tiny pine trees, decked out with elongated buds rich in white crystalline trichomes.
Whether you're growing indoors or outdoors, you can look forward to a generous yield—up to 150 grams per plant outdoors and 500-600 grams per square meter indoors, especially if using a Sea of Green setup.
7. Sour Diesel Autoflower
Sour Diesel Autoflower is a Sativa-dominant hybrid that boasts a classic fuel-like flavor, high THC levels, and accelerated flowering phase without compromising on yield.
Sour Diesel Autoflower Height
Sour Diesel Autoflower is relatively compact when grown indoors, reaching heights of 75 - 100 cm. However, when cultivated outdoors, it can grow up to 160 cm, making it versatile for different growing environments.
Growing Sour Diesel Autoflower
Growing this strain is fairly straightforward and suitable for beginners, although caution is advised for new cannabis consumers due to its high THC content of 23%. The flowering phase is relatively short, generally between eight and nine weeks, allowing for two full harvests in the Northern Hemisphere if planted early enough.
Indoor growers can expect up to 400 grams per square meter under ideal conditions, while outdoor growers can anticipate approximately 170 grams per plant.
This yield is impressive, considering the quick flowering time. The plant has a distinct, strong diesel smell from its chemical fuel terpene profile, and its flavor is strong but balanced with citrusy and herbal scent.
Apart from its recreational benefits, which include improved mood and increased energy levels, Sour Diesel Autoflower also has medicinal properties that can potentially alleviate depression, pain, stress, and other minor ailments when consumed in moderate doses.
8. Pineapple Express Autoflower
Pineapple Express Autoflower is an Indica-dominant cannabis strain known for its quick seed-to-harvest turnover and deep juicy pineapple flavor.
Pineapple Express Autoflower Height
Pineapple Express Autoflower grows into a bushy structure with dense bud growths, resembling a cannabis Christmas tree-like shape. The plant usually reaches a height between 80 and 110 cm, both indoors and outdoors.
This makes it suitable for growers with limited space as it does not require much room to accommodate its growth.
Growing Pineapple Express Autoflower
Growing Pineapple Express Autoflower is great for beginners because all it really needs is good soil, enough water, and sunshine. Due to its Ruderalis genetics, it flowers super fast, allowing for multiple harvests in a single season if you're growing outdoors.
Flowering time is usually between 49 and 56 days, making it a good choice if you're impatient or just eager to enjoy its sweet pineapple flavors. Indoor growers can expect up to 600 grams per m², while outdoor cultivators can anticipate around 150 grams per plant.
9. Northern Lights Autoflower
Northern Lights Autoflower is a high-yielding strain that is perfect for novice growers seeking a euphoric and relaxed feeling.
Northern Lights Autoflower Height
This particular strain does not require much space to flourish. Indoors, the plant reaches a height of 70 cm - 120 cm, which is relatively short compared to other strains.
However, when grown outdoors, the plant can stretch up to 170 cm. Despite its short stature, Northern Lights Autoflower produces an abundance of potent, dense buds, resulting in a high yield.
Growing Northern Lights Autoflower
Northern Lights Autoflower is an autoflowering and feminized strain, making it a suitable choice for both indoor and outdoor growers. It has a total life cycle of 11 to 13 weeks and has medium resistance to fungi.
Although it can grow outdoors in sunny Mediterranean and temperate climates, it is best suited for indoor growing due to its sensitivity to fungi.
For those who choose to grow indoors, using the Sea of Green method can yield up to 500 grams per m². On the other hand, under ideal weather conditions, outdoor growers can expect up to 150 grams per plant, which is an excellent yield for an autoflowering strain.
This strain is not only suitable for those seeking pain or stress relief but also for those looking for a calming and happy effect without becoming hyperactive. Northern Lights Autoflower has a typical Skunk taste with lemon, earthy, and pine-like undertones.
It may cause dry mouth and eyes in some users, but adverse side effects are generally rare.
10. White Widow Autoflower
White Widow Autoflower is a classic strain known for its well-balanced high, now available in an easy-to-grow autoflowering variety.
White Widow Autoflower Height
One of the great perks of White Widow Autoflower is its relatively short stature. Indoors, it usually maxes out at a height of 120 cm, making it ideal for smaller grow spaces.
If you take it outdoors and give it some sunshine, it can stretch up to 180 cm. Its modest height makes it a good choice for stealthy or space-constrained growers.
Growing White Widow Autoflower
Being an autoflower, White Widow eliminates the need for complicated light schedules and photoperiod adjustments. You can expect it to start flowering in just two to four weeks after sowing the seeds.
The entire flowering time takes about 56 to 63 days, so you'll have a quick turnaround from planting to harvest.
Because it's a feminized variety, there's no need to worry about weeding out male plants, which simplifies the growing process further. If you want to maximize the plant's potential, consider adding 30% coconut to your soil mix and go for frequent but small waterings.
Organic fertilization is recommended if you're growing for medicinal purposes.
For those looking to maximize yield, techniques like Screen of Green (SCROG) or Sea of Green (SOG) can be helpful. Outdoor yields can reach up to 80 grams per plant, while indoor growers can expect as much as 450 grams per square meter.
The yield may not be as large as some other strains, but what it lacks in quantity, it makes up for in quality and ease of cultivation.