Growing indoors is fun but there's nothing like having a thriving outdoor garden full of massive plants covered in big buds. Anyone who has tried it before will know that growing outdoors is cheap, easy and most of all, extremely rewarding.
Not all cannabis plants grow well outside. Cannabis has been selectively bred by the indoor growing community so many times that now we have plants that have almost outgrown the outdoors. So which strains can you grow in your back garden? This article will send you in the right direction.
We'll start off with this mega resistant indoor/outdoor strain from Barney's Farm. Glookies is a delicious cross between Gorilla Glue and Thin Mint Girl Scout Cookies that will have your crop looking irresistible. Plants produce both top quality bud and huge yields.
This bushy, indica dominant plant can rake in over 2kg per plant outdoors. As well as being highly resistant to most problematic fungus and rot, it is super easy to grow, making it a great choice for first time outdoor growers. This is not one to be missed.
Sensi Amnesia is a 65% sativa and 35% indica. It was developed following the success of the autoflowering strain, which was introduced as part of the Sensi Seeds Research Project 2020. Its original genetics come from Hawaiian Indica, Jamaican Pearl and Afghani # 1. The plants grow to a reasonable height and have an abundant yield. They grow well in temperate or continental climates, and users experience a cerebral and stimulating high.
Next, we have a wonderful hybrid cross between AK 47 and Sweet Seeds' Cream Caramel. Cream 47 is a powerful indica/sativa plant that produces tasty crops both indoors and outdoors. Grown outside, this super producer can yield up to 750g of dense, resinous buds per plant.
Cream 47 is a strong plant and has a robust structure of thick branches for supporting massive growth. The weed is aromatically potent with an inviting earthy, sweet touch. This vigorous genetic is definitely worth checking out if you are interested in a reliable outdoor strain for your next grow.
Paradise Seeds created Atomical Haze by combining some of the top Afghani and Indian genetics with the Original Haze. The result is a sativa dominant plant that explodes with sweet and sour, fruity flowers. Outdoor yields are rewarding to those who take good care of her, leaving you with approximately 800g per plant.
Atomical Haze needs generous amounts of sunlight and warmer climates. Its longer than average flowering times mean harvesting outdoors takes place towards the end of October. Atomical Haze might not be the easiest strain to grow but it is well worth the effort.
Super Bud is another indoor/outdoor indica strain that dominates if cultivated outside. This Big Bud and Skunk breed is fast flowering and will produce 1000g per plant by the end of September, depending on the region. Super Bud is easy to grow, making it perfect for first timers.
The structure of Super Bud is relatively short however branches can spread out, eventually developing nice, long buds that are covered in frosty trichomes. Flowers are sweet and fruity, with a strong, narcotic effect that leaves you feeling relaxed and calm. A great choice for relieving stress after a hard day at work.
The Royal Runtz is a direct descendant of two of very potent strains: Gelato and Zkittlez. This USA variety will give you a hard couchlock, blast your mind into the stratosphere. Take things one toke at a time to gauge just how fast her THC level of 27% stimulate your endocannabinoid system.
This strain is the result of crossing Blueberry and Mazar and then crossed with Amsterdam Amnesia to result in Skywalker Haze, a hard hitting sativa-dominant hybrid with a citrus flavor, while still having that legendary Mazar / Blueberry punch and flavor. Very high in THC levels and Skywalker Haze is a plant that can get a bit elongated and can take 9-10 weeks to complete.
West Coast OG has won multiple awards for being a top genetic in the autoflowering community. This chunky indica can yield up to 650g of beautiful kushy flower in around 9 - 10 weeks from seed to harvest, making this another exceptional addition to your outdoor garden.
THC levels of West Coast OG come in at approximately 21%, along with strong piney, citrusy flavours that give it a classic hint of OG Kush. This plant grows compact but expands during the later stages of vegging. A very decent producer for being such a small plant.
Spliff Seeds has gifted us with this juicy Kush strain that is loaded with fruity berry flavour. This potent, high yielding plant is the result of crossing Spliff's Strawberry with OG Kush, making it perfectly resilient outdoor wonder bud.
Purple Berry Kush thrives in warmer climates and enjoys slightly heavier feeding. Its plant structure is short and bushy although outdoors plants can still reach up to 1.75m tall, yielding between 550 - 650g per plant. Flowers bloom in hues of purple through maturity, with strong aromas that range from sweet berries and lemon to classic kushy gas odors.
Dedoverde Haze is fantastic sativa hybrid that combines the best qualities of California Haze and the original Amnesia. Plants are built to grow, easily reaching 2 - 3 metres outdoors in drier, warmer climates. Bigger plants often means larger harvests, and this rings true for Dedoverde Haze. One plant will leave you with 600 - 900g, which is not bad at all.
Flowering times are average to late, meaning outdoor crops need to be chopped by late October. Buds have an intense citrusy smell with a spicy, tropical twist. With a substantial level of THC (up to 24%), the effect is on the stronger side, and leaves one feeling clear-headed and focused.
A lot of cannabis strains can be grown outdoors, but not all of them will produce bud to the standard a happy smoker has become used to. Remember, much of it comes down to personal preference, as well as the region you live in and how well you manage your green ladies.
Growing outdoors is not just about huge harvests.
Plants need to be able to handle the conditions, as well as be pest and mold resistant. Of course, quality is also important, which is why we've selected these all around outdoor strains.
Strain |
Outdoor Yield (per plant) |
Harvest Time (Northern Hemisphere) |
Height (cm) |
Glookies - Barneys Farm |
High |
Mid October |
180 - 200 |
Sensi Amnesia - Sensi Seeds |
High |
10 week flowering period |
up to 2 meter |
Cream 47 - Sweet Seeds |
750g |
Mid September |
125 - 150 |
Atomical Haze - Paradise Seeds |
800g |
Late October |
120 - 150 |
Super Bud - Green House Seeds |
1000g |
Late September |
100 - 120 |
Royal Runtz - Royal Queen Seeds |
400-500g |
8 - 9 weeks of flowering |
up to 180 cm |
Skywalker Haze - Dutch Passion |
High |
9-10 weeks of flowering |
/ |
West Coast OG - FastBuds |
650g |
Autoflower 9-10 weeks |
70 - 100 |
Purple Berry Kush - Spliff Seeds |
550 - 650g |
Late October |
150 - 175 |
Dedoverde Haze - Humboldt Seeds |
600 - 900g |
Late October |
200 - 300 |
Harvesting your outdoor plants at the end of the grow cycle is truly a gift. You will be glad you carefully selected your strains once you see the results of your first successful outdoor cultivation endeavours. Share your experience of growing outside with the community in the comments section below! Happy growing farmers!
The Botany of Cannabis sativa L. - Thomas, Brian & ElSohly, Mahmoud. (2016)
This article was updated April 2021.