Top 10 Easiest Cannabis Strains to Grow for Beginners

Posted by: Sticky Seeds Category: Articles Comments: 0 Post Date: December 20, 2024

Top 10 Easiest Cannabis Strains to Grow for Beginners

Cannabis cultivation can be an incredibly rewarding experience, offering growers the satisfaction of nurturing a plant from seed to harvest. However, for beginners, choosing the right strain can make all the difference in ensuring a successful and low-stress grow. Not all cannabis strains are created equal, and some are much more forgiving, resilient, and beginner-friendly than others. In this article, we’ll explore the easiest cannabis strains to grow for beginners, considering factors such as growth environment, ease of care, resistance to pests and diseases, and yield potential.

Table of Contents

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Cannabis Strain for Beginners

Before diving into the best strains for beginners, it’s important to understand the key factors that can influence the ease of growing a cannabis plant:

Growing Environment: Cannabis can be grown indoors or outdoors, but different strains may perform better in one environment than the other. For beginners, autoflowering strains are particularly beginner-friendly, as they require less light control and can thrive in a variety of climates.
Indica vs. Sativa: Cannabis plants are broadly classified into two subspecies: Indica and Sativa. Indicas are generally shorter, bushier plants with wider leaves, and they tend to have faster flowering times. Sativas are taller, with narrower leaves, and usually take longer to flower. Hybrid strains, which are a cross between Indica and Sativa, can offer a balance of both traits.
Autoflowering vs. Photoperiod: Autoflowering strains are easier to grow for beginners because they automatically switch from the vegetative phase to the flowering phase based on age, rather than the light cycle. Photoperiod strains require a change in light schedule (usually 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness) to flower. Autoflowering strains are less demanding, making them a good choice for first-time growers.
Resilience: Some cannabis strains are more resistant to pests, diseases, and environmental stressors, making them easier for beginners to grow. These strains are typically more forgiving and require less attention to thrive.
Climate: Consider the climate in which you plan to grow your cannabis. Some strains are better suited to hot, dry climates, while others thrive in cooler, more humid conditions. Climate compatibility is crucial for maximizing your harvest and ensuring healthy plant growth.

Best Cannabis Strains for Beginners

Here’s a list of some of the easiest cannabis strains for beginners to grow, each selected for its hardiness, ease of care, and forgiving nature.

1. Northern Lights

Northern Lights is a classic cannabis strain that has gained a reputation as one of the best choices for beginners. It is an Indica-dominant hybrid known for its stability, ease of growth, and fast flowering time.

Why It’s Great for Beginners: Northern Lights is incredibly resilient and can tolerate minor mistakes that new growers may make, such as inconsistent watering or fluctuations in temperature. It’s also relatively pest-resistant and has a short flowering time (around 7 to 9 weeks), making it perfect for beginner growers with limited experience.
Growing Environment: Northern Lights can be grown both indoors and outdoors, but it is particularly popular for indoor cultivation due to its compact size and ease of control.
Yield: This strain tends to yield well, offering moderate to high yields depending on the growing conditions.

You can buy Northern Lights seeds here and auto Northern Lights seeds here.

2. Blue Dream

Blue Dream is a hybrid strain that has become a favorite among both novice and experienced growers. It’s a cross between Blueberry and Haze and is known for its balanced effects, making it popular among recreational and medicinal users alike.

Why It’s Great for Beginners: Blue Dream is easy to grow due to its strong resistance to pests and diseases. It thrives in a variety of growing environments, from beginner-friendly indoor setups to outdoor gardens. It also has a relatively short flowering time and produces large yields of high-quality buds.
Growing Environment: While Blue Dream can be grown indoors, it also flourishes outdoors in temperate climates with mild summers.
Yield: This strain is known for producing large yields, often exceeding 500 grams per square meter indoors. Outdoors, it can produce upwards of 1 kilogram per plant.

You can buy Blue Dream seeds here and auto Blue Dream seeds here.

3. Green Crack

Green Crack is a Sativa-dominant hybrid with a reputation for being both easy to grow and incredibly potent. This strain is known for its uplifting and energizing effects, making it a favorite for daytime use.

Why It’s Great for Beginners: Green Crack is a forgiving strain that can handle a variety of growing conditions. It’s pest-resistant, mold-resistant, and can tolerate temperature fluctuations. Additionally, it has a relatively fast flowering time, which is appealing for beginner growers who want to see results quickly.
Growing Environment: Green Crack thrives in both indoor and outdoor environments. For outdoor grows, it is best suited for warm climates with long growing seasons.
Yield: Green Crack offers moderate to high yields, especially when grown under optimal conditions. Indoors, you can expect yields of up to 500 grams per square meter, while outdoor plants can yield up to 600 grams or more.

You can buy Green Crack seeds here.

4. Autoflowering Northern Lights

Autoflowering strains are generally easier to grow than photoperiod strains, and the Lowryder is one of the most beginner-friendly varieties available. The Auto Northern Lights strain is a cross between Northern Lights and Lowryder genetics, giving it the ability to flower automatically after a certain period, regardless of light cycles.

Why It’s Great for Beginners: Auto Northern Lights is a compact plant that requires minimal attention. Its autoflowering nature means that beginners don’t need to worry about manipulating light schedules to trigger flowering. Additionally, Auto Northern Lights is highly resistant to pests and mold, making it an excellent choice for those who are just starting.
Growing Environment: Auto Northern Lights thrives in both indoor and outdoor environments, and it’s particularly well-suited for smaller spaces due to its compact size.
Yield: Although the yield is smaller compared to larger strains, it still produces a reasonable amount for beginners, typically around 150–200 grams per plant.

You can buy auto Northern Lights seeds here.

5. White Widow

White Widow is a well-known hybrid that has earned its place as one of the most beloved cannabis strains worldwide. It’s a balanced hybrid (50% Indica, 50% Sativa) known for its high resin production and potent effects.

Why It’s Great for Beginners: White Widow is extremely resilient and can withstand fluctuating temperatures, humidity, and some common pest issues. It’s a relatively easy plant to grow, and its rapid growth and high resin production make it a rewarding strain for new growers.
Growing Environment: White Widow can be grown both indoors and outdoors, although it’s most commonly cultivated indoors where its compact structure and quick flowering time can be better managed.
Yield: White Widow offers a good yield for beginners, with indoor plants typically producing around 400–500 grams per square meter, and outdoor plants yielding around 500–600 grams per plant.

You can buy White Widow seeds here and Auto White Widow seeds here.

6. Auto AK-47

Auto AK-47 is an autoflowering strain that combines the genetics of the famous AK-47 with Ruderalis. It is one of the easiest cannabis strains to grow, thanks to its automatic flowering cycle and hardy nature.

Why It’s Great for Beginners: Auto AK-47 is resistant to pests, mold, and fluctuating temperatures, making it an excellent strain for first-time growers. Its autoflowering nature eliminates the need for growers to adjust light cycles, which simplifies the growing process.
Growing Environment: This strain can thrive both indoors and outdoors, and it is well-suited to small spaces due to its compact size.
Yield: While its yield may be smaller than some photoperiod strains, it still provides a decent harvest, with indoor yields ranging between 300–450 grams per square meter.

You can buy Auto AK47 seeds here.

7. Critical Mass

Critical Mass is a hybrid strain that is known for its massive buds and high yields. It is often recommended for beginner growers due to its robust nature and relatively short flowering time.

Why It’s Great for Beginners: Critical Mass is resistant to many common pests and diseases, and it’s forgiving when it comes to growing conditions. It has a short flowering period of around 7–8 weeks, which means that beginners don’t need to wait as long to enjoy their harvest.
Growing Environment: Critical Mass grows well both indoors and outdoors. Outdoors, it performs best in warm climates with plenty of sunshine.
Yield: This strain is known for its heavy yields, often producing 500–700 grams per square meter indoors. Outdoor plants can yield up to 1 kilogram or more.

You can buy Critical Mass seeds here. We also have a Critical Mass grow journal.

8. Amnesia

Amnesia is a classic Sativa-dominant hybrid that has become a popular choice for many cannabis growers, including beginners. It’s known for its uplifting effects, making it a go-to for those looking for a euphoric high.

Why It’s Great for Beginners: While Amnesia is a Sativa, it is relatively easy to grow, especially when compared to other Sativa strains. It has a high resistance to common pests and diseases, and its robust nature makes it less prone to environmental stress. With the right care, even first-time growers can achieve great results.
Growing Environment: Amnesia does well in both indoor and outdoor environments. However, it tends to thrive better indoors where environmental conditions can be controlled, ensuring optimal flowering.
Yield: Amnesia has a moderate yield, producing around 450–600 grams per square meter indoors. Outdoors, it can yield up to 700 grams per plant, especially when grown in sunny, warm climates.

You can buy Amnesia seeds here.

9. Critical Kush

Critical Kush is an Indica-dominant hybrid that’s a cross between Critical Mass and OG Kush. It’s a strain known for its relaxing effects and strong potency, making it ideal for both recreational and medicinal users.

Why It’s Great for Beginners: Critical Kush is a forgiving strain that thrives in almost any environment. It’s resistant to most common pests and is less sensitive to fluctuations in temperature, making it an excellent choice for beginner growers. Additionally, it has a fast flowering time, allowing growers to enjoy their harvest in a short amount of time.
Growing Environment: Critical Kush is suitable for both indoor and outdoor cultivation. Indoor growers will appreciate its manageable size, while outdoor growers can expect a healthy yield if they live in a warm, temperate climate.
Yield: Critical Kush offers great yields, especially when grown under ideal conditions. Indoors, it typically produces between 500–650 grams per square meter, while outdoor plants can yield over 1 kilogram per plant.

You can buy Critical Kush seeds here.

10. Purple Haze

Purple Kush is a famous Indica strain known for its vibrant colors, relaxing effects, and easy-to-manage growing habits. It’s a pure Indica, resulting from the cross between Amnesia Haze and Purple Afghani.

Why It’s Great for Beginners: Purple Haze is particularly well-suited to beginner growers due to its resilience and minimal care requirements. It is naturally resistant to pests, mold, and mildew, and it thrives in a range of environments. The strain’s compact size and short flowering time make it ideal for small spaces and limited time frames.
Growing Environment: Purple Haze can be grown both indoors and outdoors, though it performs best in controlled indoor environments. It’s known to do particularly well in dry, sunny climates when grown outdoors.
Yield: Purple Haze typically produces moderate yields, with indoor plants yielding between 400–500 grams per square meter. Outdoor yields can range between 500–700 grams per plant, depending on the growing conditions.

You can buy Purple Haze seeds here.

Comparing all top 10 easy to grow strains by their characteristics and suitability for beginner growers:

Strain	Type	Flowering Time	Growing Environment	Yield (Indoors)	Yield (Outdoors)	Resilience	Effect
Northern Lights	Indica-dominant	7-9 weeks	Indoor, Outdoor	Moderate to High	Moderate to High	Pest-resistant, mold-resistant	Relaxing, calming, euphoric
Blue Dream	Hybrid (Sativa/Indica)	9-10 weeks	Indoor, Outdoor	High	High	Pest-resistant, versatile	Uplifting, euphoric, relaxing
Green Crack	Sativa-dominant	7-9 weeks	Indoor, Outdoor	Moderate to High	Moderate to High	Pest-resistant, tolerant of stress	Energetic, focused, uplifting
Lowryder (Autoflowering)	Autoflowering	8-9 weeks	Indoor, Outdoor	Low to Moderate	Low to Moderate	Very resilient, easy to manage	Relaxing, mildly euphoric
White Widow	Hybrid (Indica/Sativa)	8-9 weeks	Indoor, Outdoor	Moderate to High	High	Pest-resistant, mildew-resistant	Balanced, relaxing, cerebral
Auto AK-47	Autoflowering	8-9 weeks	Indoor, Outdoor	Moderate	Moderate	Resilient to pests, mold-resistant	Relaxing, creative, uplifting
Critical Mass	Hybrid (Indica/Sativa)	7-8 weeks	Indoor, Outdoor	High	Very High	Resistant to mold, pests, temperature fluctuations	Relaxing, heavy, sedative
Amnesia Haze	Sativa-dominant	10-12 weeks	Indoor, Outdoor	Moderate to High	High	Pest-resistant, robust	Uplifting, euphoric, creative
Critical Kush	Indica-dominant	7-8 weeks	Indoor, Outdoor	Moderate to High	High	Pest-resistant, tolerant of stress	Relaxing, sedative, calming
Purple Kush	Indica	7-8 weeks	Indoor, Outdoor	Moderate	Moderate to High	Pest-resistant, mold-resistant	Relaxing, soothing, sleep-inducing

Summary of Key Points:

Flowering Time: Most strains in this list have relatively quick flowering times (7-9 weeks), with Amnesia Haze being the exception (10-12 weeks).
Yield: High-yielding strains like Blue Dream, Critical Mass, and Critical Kush offer abundant harvests. Autoflowering strains like Lowryder and Auto AK-47 typically yield less.
Resilience: All the strains listed are relatively easy to manage for beginners, with strong resistance to pests and mold, but some (like Northern Lights, White Widow, and Lowryder) are especially robust.
Effects: The effects vary from relaxing and calming (Critical Kush, Purple Kush) to uplifting and euphoric (Blue Dream, Green Crack). Autoflowering strains typically offer milder effects, while hybrids provide a balance of both relaxing and energizing effects.

Conclusion

For beginner cannabis growers, choosing the right strain can make all the difference in ensuring a smooth and successful cultivation experience. Strains like Northern Lights, Blue Dream, Green Crack, and autoflowering varieties such as Lowryder and Auto AK-47 are excellent choices for newcomers due to their hardiness, pest resistance, and forgiving nature. By selecting a strain that is well-suited to your growing environment and experience level, you’ll set yourself up for a rewarding and enjoyable cannabis cultivation journey. Happy growing!