What Are Autoflowering Cannabis Seeds?

For novice gardeners, growing marijuana can be tricky, especially if you aren’t blessed with the kind of space that makes for a great grow op. The blackest thumbs can have great success with even a single plant if they have the right tools, and Autoflowering marijuana seeds make it that much easier.

Autoflowering means what it sounds like

Thankfully, the people who figured out they could cross-breed marijuana strains with cannabis ruderalis (a subspecies that is known for its ability to flower once it reaches a certain height) to isolate that particular feature without taking on any of the other ruderalis characteristics (thereby preserving the uniqueness of their blends).

In general, marijuana plants are photoperiod, meaning they won’t switch from the vegetative stage to the flowering stage where we get those sticky buds until they experience a change in their light cycle. Ruderalis plants typically begin to flower on their own after a short vegetative period, which can be anywhere between 2 to 4 weeks.

Why you’ll benefit from planning Autoflowering marijuana seeds in your garden 

You know the phrase, “Many hands make light work”? Consider Autoflowering genetics the extra hands your marijuana seeds need – strains that benefit from being bred with ruderalis level the playing field for people who have never planted pot before, or those who just want to enjoy homegrown weed without putting in as much work:   

The addition of Autoflowering genetics to your favorite strain means the period of growth (from germination to flowering) is shorter than the average. They often reach maturation and harvest within three months.

That these plants start producing flowers regardless the amount of light they receive means you don’t have to pay quite as much attention to the signs (often, a plant in the vegetative stage will give off minute clues that it’s ready to enter the next chapter of its life), and will be kinder to your electricity bill – most marijuana plants want anywhere between 18 and 24 hours of light during the vegetative stage, and a switch to 12 hours of light, 12 hours of darkness, triggers the flowering phase.

Because of their smaller size, Autoflowering marijuana plants are much more suited to indoor grow rooms – they easily thrive in small spaces like closets. 

Autoflowering seeds tend to produce plants that are resilient and naturally resistant to mold, pests and frost (perhaps because ruderalis itself originates in such harsh and unforgiving climates, its hardiness was a necessity).

Medical fans might appreciate Autoflowering marijuana seeds as they can often contain higher concentrations of CBD, with lower THC, an important feature if you’re looking to reap the benefits of medical weed without the trippy hallucinations brought on by THC.

There is a downside to Autoflowering marijuana

With the good comes the bad, although everything is relative.

Autoflowering marijuana plants are more likely to produce smaller yields because of their stature. Breeders have tried to counteract this by creating strains that are more potent upon harvest.

Some breeders complain that with Autoflowering strains you are limited in your ability to train growing bushes using specific techniques that make the most of your grow space. Unless you plan on getting experimental with your ganja garden, this shouldn’t be a problem for beginner growers or those just looking to have a regular harvest on their hands.

Time to get the ball rolling 

Now that you know a little more about Autoflowering genetics, it’s time to see how they can work in your garden. Beginner, intermediate, or master gardener, you will find high-quality Autoflowering marijuana seeds for both recreational and medicinal purposes when you peruse our selection of top-notch strains. A good garden starts with great seeds – Pacific Seed Bank has got your auto-flowering marijuana seed needs covered.