Where Does Autoflowering Cannabis Come From?

If you’ve been exploring cannabis cultivation, you’ve probably come across autoflowering strains. They stand out from the usual photoperiod plants, and if you’ve dabbled in growing, chances are you’ve tried your hand with these little powerhouses.

For those scratching their heads, autoflowering cannabis is a different breed from photoperiod strains. 

The main difference? Well, autoflowers don’t care about light schedules. While photoperiod plants need a shift in light exposure (from 18/6 to 12/12) to trigger flowering, autoflowers do their thing on their own clock.

Thanks to their internal genetics, they grow fast — really fast. Most autos can go from seed to harvest in about ten weeks, making them one of the quickest options out there. And since they tend to stay short and compact, they’re perfect for discreet growers who don’t want towering plants taking over their space.

Beyond speed and size, autoflowers are also incredibly beginner-friendly. They don’t demand much skill or effort, making them ideal for new growers looking for an easy win. 

But where did these magical, time-efficient cannabis strains come from?

In this article, let’s dig into the history of autoflowering cannabis and see how it became the game-changer it is today.

What is an Autoflowering Strain?

Autoflowering cannabis is exactly what it sounds like — a plant that automatically starts flowering around 4-5 weeks after sprouting, no matter what kind of light schedule it’s on. This means you can go from seed to harvest in as little as 60-90 days, making it one of the fastest ways to grow buds. If you haven't tried growing cannabis until today, start with autoflowers first!

Unlike photoperiod strains, which demand a strict 12-hour darkness cycle to start flowering, autoflowers do their thing regardless of how much light they get. You don’t have to worry about accidentally exposing them to light during nighttime and messing up their flowering stage.

Since autos operate on an internal timer, you only need to provide the basics — light, water, and nutrients. No need to fiddle with light schedules or stress about environmental changes. Just set them up, and they’ll take care of the rest.

Traditional photoperiod strains need long, dark nights to develop buds, making them a bit trickier to grow. Autoflowers, on the other hand, couldn’t care less. They’ll flower no matter what, making them an excellent choice for growers who want a hassle-free experience.

Why Are Autoflowers So Popular?

Autoflowering cannabis has blown up in popularity because it’s ridiculously easy to grow. Unlike traditional strains, autos don’t demand strict light cycles, making them perfect for beginners — or anyone who just wants a low-maintenance grow.

The fast-growing cycles are another huge win. With photoperiod strains, you’re looking at 4-5 months from seed to harvest. Autoflowers? Two to three months, max. That’s a crazy quick turnaround, especially if you want multiple harvests in a year.

One of the best things about autos? They don’t need total darkness to flower. You can even leave the grow lights on 24/7, and they’ll still do their thing. That said, many growers find that running lights for 18 hours a day is the sweet spot — it saves about 20% on electricity bills while keeping plants healthy and productive.

Back when autoflowers first hit the market in the early 2000s, they had a bad reputation — weak potency, tiny yields, and lackluster flavors. But breeders have spent the last 15 years refining autoflower genetics, and the results speak for themselves. 

Today’s autoflowers rival photoperiod strains in potency and yield — as long as you’re using high-quality genetics. In fact, there are some incredible seed banks today that are pushing the boundaries of what autos can do.

Another major perk? Size. Autoflowers usually max out at 2-3 feet tall, making them stealthy and space-friendly. If you’re working with a small grow tent, a balcony, or even a closet setup, autos fit right in. And don’t let their small size fool you — with proper care, they can produce incredible yields.

Learn About Ruderalis Strains

Before we get into autoflowers, let’s take a step back and talk about their wild ancestor — cannabis ruderalis. This little-known subspecies played a huge role in the development of modern autoflowers, and its story started thousands of years ago.

Cannabis has been part of human agriculture for over 12,000 years, first domesticated in Central Asia — what is now Mongolia. As ancient civilizations spread, so did cannabis, quickly becoming a staple crop across Europe and Asia by 2000 BCE. 

But growing cannabis wasn’t just about planting seeds and hoping for the best. Early farmers actively bred different strains to suit their needs — some were cultivated for strong fibers, others for their psychoactive effects, and some even for medicinal and religious purposes.

Fast forward a few centuries, and in modern-day Russia, some of these domesticated cannabis plants escaped human cultivation and started growing wild. Over time, they adapted to harsh conditions, becoming a hardy, self-sufficient strain now known as cannabis ruderalis. 

But to early farmers, this was pretty much the worst kind of cannabis. It was too weak for making hemp fiber, and smoking it is nothing but a harsh, headache-inducing experience.

However, Ruderalis had one unique trait that set it apart — it could grow in places where most cannabis couldn’t. 

By 1924, Russian botanist Dmitrij Janischewsky had identified this feral cannabis, noting its short height, rapid growth, and resistance to the brutal northern climate. Though largely overlooked at the time, these characteristics would later prove to be a game changer for cannabis cultivation.

The Early Signs of Autoflowers

As cannabis spread across Siberia, it faced extreme conditions — long, sun-filled summers with over 20 hours of daylight, followed by brutally short winter days with less than four hours of sunlight.

Most cannabis plants struggled to survive in this unpredictable light cycle. But nature, as it always does, found a way. Some mutant plants developed a survival mechanism: instead of relying on sunlight to trigger flowering, they bloomed according to an internal genetic timer.

And just like that, the first autoflowering cannabis strains were born. These plants ignored the usual light-dependent growth cycles of traditional cannabis and flourished in the harsh Siberian wilderness.

The Autoflowering Breakthrough

By the early 20th century, cannabis researchers had categorized the plant into three subspecies — Sativa, Indica, and Ruderalis. But while Sativa and Indica were praised for their potency and flavor, Ruderalis was mostly ignored. 

It wasn’t strong enough for industrial use, and as a recreational strain, it was a letdown. However, that didn’t stop a few adventurous growers from trying to domesticate Ruderalis. 

In the 1970s, cannabis pioneer Neville Schoenmaker — the founder of The Seed Bank (which later became Sensi Seeds) — experimented with crossbreeding Ruderalis with Indica and Sativa. Unfortunately, his early attempts failed. The plants didn’t produce stable, high-quality yields, so most breeders abandoned the idea.

But one grower didn’t give up. Surprisingly, it wasn’t an independent cultivator — it was the US government.

At the University of Mississippi, under government-backed cannabis research programs, scientists were producing cannabis for medical and scientific studies. 

But there was one major problem — their strains were notoriously weak, rarely exceeding 8% THC. However, one of their experiments — a cross between a Mexican Sativa and Russian Ruderalis — produced a stable autoflowering plant.

There’s no official confirmation of this theory, but most cannabis historians believe this was the first successful autoflowering strain. Others argue that the earliest autoflowers might have actually come from Canadian universities in Ottawa.

Regardless of who made the breakthrough, one thing was clear: autoflowering cannabis was about to change the game.

When Did Autoflowering Strains Become Popular?

For years, autoflowers were an underground curiosity, but one breeder changed everything — the Joint Doctor. This guy received a mysterious strain called Mexican Rudy, known for growing small and flowering unusually fast.

Intrigued, he started experimenting, crossing Mexican Rudy with Northern Lights #2 in an attempt to create a strain that combined speed, potency, and reliability.

His experiments didn’t stop there.

He took the offspring of this cross and bred them with William’s Wonder, a legendary Indica from the ‘70s. Among the resulting plants, he noticed something odd — some of the males started flowering immediately after sprouting. Instead of dismissing them as freaks, he saw an opportunity.

He used these autoflowering males to pollinate the next generation, refining the genetics until he created Willy’s Automatic — a fully autoflowering strain that never grew taller than 30 cm.

But his biggest breakthrough came when he took things a step further, perfecting the formula and finally creating Lowryder, the first autoflowering cannabis strain to hit the commercial market.

Lowryder Autoflowering Strain

Lowryder was a game-changer, but when it first came out, not everyone was impressed. It was tiny — barely reaching a foot in height — and ready for harvest in just seven weeks. While that sounded cool, it had some serious flaws.

Its THC levels were on the low side, leading to a slow, mild high that left many unimpressed. And flavor-wise? Let’s just say it wasn’t winning any taste tests.

Most experienced growers weren’t interested. They saw it as a novelty at best and a disappointment at worst. But a few visionaries saw potential in this odd little plant.

Stealth growers, for one, loved it. Lowryder’s compact size made it perfect for discreet cultivation, whether in small indoor setups or hidden outdoor spots.

One of its biggest advocates was Donny Danko of High Times. He started talking about The Lowryder in print and on podcasts, spreading the word about its unique advantages. Another key figure was the Joint Doctor himself, who kept refining the strain.

His persistence paid off when he released Lowryder 2 — a vastly improved version with better potency, flavor, and yield.

Over time, The Lowryder gained a cult following. What started as an experimental oddity became a trailblazer, paving the way for the autoflowering revolution. 

Today’s Modern Autoflowering Strains

Back in the day, autoflowers were often treated as the underdog of the cannabis world. Growers questioned whether these strains could ever match the potency and quality of their photoperiod counterparts. 

Fast forward to today, and the tables have completely turned. Breeders aren’t just making autoflowers as good as photoperiod strains — they’re pushing photoperiod strains to keep up with the best autos out there.

Thanks to relentless selective breeding and genetic refinement, autoflowers have evolved into high-yielding, resin-packed powerhouses. Seed banks now rigorously test terpene profiles and cannabinoid content to ensure autos meet top-tier standards. 

Take Dutch Passion’s Auto Cinderella Jack, for example — it clocked in at a staggering 25.9% THC, surpassing many traditional photoperiod strains. New strains from Fastbuds are even showing more than 29%!

These advancements have put autoflowers in an entirely new league, far beyond the inconsistent, low-potency first-generation autos of the past. But it’s not just about THC levels — yields have also skyrocketed.

Autoflowering Yields: A Game-Changer

One of the biggest advantages of autoflowers is their unique ability to flower under extended light hours. Unlike photoperiod strains, which require a strict light and dark cycle to initiate blooming, autoflowering varieties thrive beautifully under conditions with about 20 hours of light per day. 

This constant exposure to light effectively fuels photosynthesis, leading to rapid and strong bud development. As a result, you can often enjoy massive yields which can exceed your expectations.

A well-grown modern auto doesn’t simply produce a single cola. Instead, it often develops a generous and resinous main bloom that is impressively surrounded by multiple heavily laden side branches. 

For indoor growers, this characteristic translates into substantial harvests in a fraction of the time it would typically take with traditional varieties, making it an optimal choice in today’s fast-paced cultivation environment.

And here’s another valuable trick: growing autoflowers during the winter months. With grow lights set to run nearly 24/7, maintaining warm and conducive temperatures indoors becomes much more manageable, even in colder climates where growing conditions can be challenging. 

If you’re growing outdoors, you can also take full advantage of autoflowers, using them as compelling side crops that complement their photoperiod strains during the summer season. This strategic approach maximizes available grow space and yields.

From small-scale home growers looking to cultivate a few plants to large licensed producers aiming for high-volume outputs, autoflowers have undeniably become a fast, convenient, and high-quality alternative to traditional photoperiod strains. 

Their ability to simplify the growing process while delivering exceptional results makes them appealing to a wide range of cannabis cultivators.

What’s Next for Autoflowers?

Autoflowers are no longer just a novelty — they’ve earned their place in both indoor and outdoor grows. The best breeders will tell you that today’s autoflowers can stand toe-to-toe with photoperiod strains. But that doesn’t mean every auto on the market is worth your time.

Be warned: not all auto seed suppliers are created equal. Some still sell unstable genetics that produce weak, inconsistent plants. If you’re looking for high-quality autoflowers, check for seed banks with Cannabis Cup wins — that’s a good sign they take breeding seriously.

And the evolution isn’t stopping anytime soon. The future of autoflowers looks even more diverse. While THC-rich autos are already at their peak, new strains are emerging that focus on lesser-known cannabinoids like CBG and CBDV.

For instance, Auto CBG-Force can produce plants with up to 15% CBG, while Auto CBD-Victory is packed with CBDV, making them exciting options for medical growers.

Of course, THC lovers will still have plenty to look forward to. Strains like Auto Skywalker Haze are already proving that autoflowers can deliver sky-high potency across all phenotypes. 

And as breeders continue refining auto versions of cannabis cup-winning photoperiod strains, we’re seeing more autos like Auto Mokum’s Tulip and Auto Kerosene Krash enter the market.

At this point, it’s safe to say autoflowers are here to stay. What started as a small, low-potency experiment has transformed into one of the fastest and easiest ways to grow top-shelf cannabis. 

Best Autoflowering Strains to Try Now

If you haven’t tried growing autos yet, you might just be missing out on some of the best weed you’ll ever harvest. With that said, here are some awesome strains you can try growing next.

1. Strawberry Gorilla Auto

Strawberry Gorilla Auto by Fast Buds is a hybrid that packs a punch with high THC levels and a hearty yield. This strain grows in a Christmas tree shape, with a sturdy main cola and buds covered in sticky resin. 

It does best with some airflow and proper training, but it's not exactly the easiest if you’re still a beginner. After about 10 weeks, you'll get a solid yield — around 450-600g/m2 indoors and 60-300g per plant outdoors. 

The fragrance is a fun mix of strawberry lollipop and a tropical fruit medley, with pine, blueberry, and a subtle Skunk-like burnt note. With THC hitting up to 27%, it provides a cerebral burst of creativity followed by a deep, soothing relaxation. It’s perfect when you want to chill out, stay creative, and unwind after a long day.

2. Gorilla Glue Auto

Gorilla Glue Auto is another awesome strain when it comes to potent strains. With THC levels sitting between 24-26%, this one brings a lasting euphoric high that’s perfect for a full-on relaxation session. 

It’s compact — growing around 60-100 cm indoors and up to 120 cm outdoors — making it great for tight spaces. After 8-10 weeks, you can expect to pull in 450-600g/m2 indoors and 200-300g outdoors. 

The flavor? A rich, earthy mix with hints of pine and diesel, which perfectly complements the glued-to-the-couch effect that comes with it. Gorilla Glue Auto can grow from some training, like Low-Stress Training (LST), which can increase yields. It’s a versatile strain that’s perfect for if you’re just looking to relax and zone out.

3. Zkittlez Auto

Zkittlez Auto is a balanced hybrid that hits just the right spot for a stress-free, uplifting experience. With THC levels ranging from 20-23%, this strain delivers a mild but effective buzz that’s perfect for unwinding without feeling overwhelmed. 

It grows quickly too, with just 9-10 weeks from seed to harvest. Indoors, you can expect 400-500g/m2, while outdoors it’s more like 50-200g. Zkittlez Auto is a dream to grow too, offering high-quality buds without much fuss. It's no wonder it's one of the most popular autoflower strains for 2024.

The flavor is a candy-coated treat, bursting with sweet, fruity notes of berries, tropical fruits, and citrus. The high is perfect for creative work or hanging out with friends — providing just enough of a lift without leaving you glued to the couch. 

4. Green Poison XL Auto

Green Poison XL Auto takes the classic Green Poison and turns it up a notch, offering higher yields and taller growth (80-125 cm). This strain is a bit of a powerhouse, with an impressive 450-600g/m2 indoors and 60-250g per plant outdoors in just 8 weeks. 

The sweet and fruity flavor has a dash of Skunk and floral notes, while the 15-20% THC gives you a balanced high that keeps you relaxed but productive. Green Poison XL Auto's bigger size and higher yield make it an excellent choice for growers looking for a quick, potent result. Whether you're using it to chill or to get some work done, this strain delivers.

Summary: Where Does Autoflowering Cannabis Come From?

Autoflowering cannabis has evolved from a low-THC novelty into a powerhouse of modern cultivation. Thanks to advanced breeding, today’s autoflowers offer impressive potency, rich terpene profiles, and high yields—rivaling traditional photoperiod strains.

Their biggest advantage? Simplicity. No need for complex light cycles or strict schedules—autoflowers thrive in nearly any environment, making them perfect for beginners and experienced growers alike. Plus, their rapid life cycle allows for multiple harvests in a year, maximizing efficiency.

As genetics continue to improve, autoflowers are becoming even more potent, flavorful, and resilient. With innovations in cannabinoid profiles and terpene expression, they’re no longer just a convenient option—they’re a serious contender in the cannabis world.

Autoflowers have proven their worth, and they’re here to stay. The future of cannabis cultivation is faster, easier, and more accessible than ever. So, don't think too much and start growing autoflowers today!