The 10 Best Outdoor Strains To Grow

Author: Parker Curtis

• Growing weed outside has become more accessible with the best outdoor strains.
• Outdoor cultivation offers a natural habitat for plants to thrive in, resulting in potent and flavorful buds.
• Outdoor setups are cost-effective, simplified, lower-effort, and higher-yielding compared to other options.
• To grow weed outdoors, you need a safe location, proper timing, and minimal supplies.
• Our top ten outdoor weed strains come in various sizes, colors, flavors, and effects. We have options for feminized and autoflowering cultivators.

Thanks to the best outdoor strains, growing weed in the open air has never been easier and more efficient.

Outdoor setups let you enjoy the benefits of at-home cultivation without breaking the bank. They’re also more straightforward than they seem. Anybody can produce dispensary-tier buds in their backyard: all it takes is knowledge and a little effort.

Outdoor cultivation lets your plants thrive in their natural habitat. With access to plenty of sunshine, fresh air, and natural nutrients, they grow tall, strong, potent, and flavorful.

Would you like to give it a go? Read on to learn the basics of this cultivation style and discover the top ten strains that match it.

Growing weed outdoors is an excellent option for anyone seeking an all-natural, rewarding experience.

Many cultivators appreciate the freedom of outdoor setups. Establish a multi-species biome, keep a pot on the balcony, or maintain a ganja field: they allow limitless creativity and experimentation. Other benefits include:

• Cost-effectiveness: Growing cannabis saves you money compared to getting a stash from a dispensary. Outdoor gardens require little to no equipment, further minimizing the investment.
• Stronger-smelling cannabis: The natural sunlight and mineral-rich soil encourage terpene production. Many cultivators get extra-fragrant and flavorful buds in this setup.
• Low effort requirements: Without the need to manage lighting and ventilation, outdoor setups are less labor-intensive. Barring inclement weather and pest attacks, your plants practically raise themselves.
• Simplified cultivation: The best outdoor strains resist pests and need minimal care to prosper. Growers can focus on the basics and avoid thinking about light schedules, training, and supplementation.
• Higher yields: Free of vertical space restrictions and fed by natural sunlight, outdoor plants tend to be tall and wide. Height means more internodes, bud sites, and marijuana at harvest time.

Ready to launch an open-air garden of gorgeous ganja plants? The first step is to pick a safe outdoor location, like your backyard, balcony, rooftop, or field. It should have a light breeze and six or more hours of direct sunlight exposure.

The next step is timing. Outdoor cultivators depend on the weather and can only raise plants during the growing season in their area.

Most strains are photoperiod and need six months to develop in natural conditions. You sow in April to harvest in October in the Northern Hemisphere. Autoflowers finish their life cycle in 3–4 months no matter the season, letting you start later.

Learn when your region has its first and last yearly frost to specify when to germinate and harvest. Marijuana prefers balmy conditions and grows best in late spring, summer, and early fall, so time your operation right for the best results.

Once you determine the time and space, you need:

• Seeds of outdoor weed strains
• Soil or potting mix, as well as amendments (coco coir, peat moss, compost, worm castings)
• Clay, terracotta, or net pots (most strains grow best in 5-gallon pots)
• Cannabis nutrients (soluble fertilizer or organic materials rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium)
• Watering cans, hoses, or automated irrigation systems
• Small and large pruning shears
• Bamboo branches, netting, trellises (optional)

Gather your supplies, and it’s time to start growing. Follow these steps to take your strain from seed to harvest and beyond:

1. Start by germinating cannabis seeds. This simple step requires only water, paper towels, and patience. It strengthens the initial root and encourages healthy growth.
2. Place sprouted seeds in lightly fertilized soil. Keep baby plants in a warm room under a gentle fluorescent lamp. Take them outside when they develop the fingered fan leaves.
3. Feed plants with a gradually increasing nitrogen dose. If you’re using a technique like topping or Screen of Green (ScrOG), now’s the time to start. Prune the excess foliage as needed.
4. Monitor for the first signs of plant sex. Pre-flowers emerge in August for photoperiods and six weeks post-germination for autos. Transition to phosphorus and potassium-rich fertilizers and stop training when you notice them.
5. Flush the soil around two weeks before harvesting (when the trichomes are cloudy). This technique makes the buds smoother and sweeter.
6. Cut off the branches of your plant with sharp scissors when 10–30% of the trichomes are amber. Dry the buds for a week, trim the excess leaves, and cure for 1–2 months.

All steps are more straightforward with top cannabis genetics. Choose strains suitable for outdoor growing to reduce pitfalls and ensure success.

The best outdoor strains are sturdy, sunlight-hungry, and not overly susceptible to pests and pathogens. They come in every shape, size, color, flavor, and effect, and our list contains something for every preference.

You can choose convenient feminized marijuana seeds and reduce the risk of accidental pollination in your garden. The plants grow large over the long veg season, flower in late summer, and finish developing by early fall.

Another option is to go for light-independent autoflowers. Since they finish their life cycle in three months, these fast-growers suit cold regions. Their short vegetative stage makes them best for intermediate and advanced cultivators.

With these differences in mind, here are the top ten suggestions for a prolific outdoor grow op.

Venom feminized is a sativa-dominant cross between Carmen and Durban Poison. With lower THC levels and a stimulating effect profile, it’s ideal for low-tolerance tokers looking to light up during the daytime.

Venom is a straightforward outdoor weed strain. It’s ideal for first-time sativa cultivators, reaching moderate heights and resembling bushy indica in structure. It thrives with plenty of sunlight, conservative fertilizer amounts, and semi-regular pruning.

Herbal, fruity, earthy, woody, and minty notes ooze from ripe buds in mid-October. Each plant carries up to 21 ounces of weed at harvest time.

Northern Sunrise feminized is an indica-dominant hybrid between Northern Lights and Early Skunk. Its award-winning lineage delivers zesty weed with 17–22% THC, under 2% CBD, and soothing effects. Medical and recreational relaxation seekers love its mellow influence.

This strain sends you on a breezy and prolific cultivation journey. It remains true to its indica heritage, producing sturdy plants that easily survive suboptimal conditions. They may reach six feet tall outdoors, requiring generous sunlight, water, and nutrient amounts.

Northern Sunrise buds are earthy, zesty, slightly fruity, and strong-smelling at maturity. The plants are harvest-ready in mid-October, each carrying more than 21 ounces of weed.

Lemon Crush feminized is another Skunk #1 x Northern Lights breed. It’s indica-dominant, moderately potent, and heavy-yielding. Its 17% THC and 0.3% CBD deliver an invigorating head high before settling you into a long-lasting couch lock.

The genetics makes Lemon Crush a beginner-friendly outdoor strain. It inherits hardiness from its Afghani roots, tolerating unfavorable weather and rookie errors. The plants are tall with densely packed foliage, necessitating regular pruning to avoid moisture troubles.

This strain has a sweet-and-sour aromatic bouquet. Its buds are frosty after a short flowering season, reaching maturity in early October. Outdoor yields surpass 32 ounces per plant.

Big Cheese auto is a non-photoperiod, indica-dominant cross between Critical, Cheese, and ruderalis. It’s connoisseur-tier and heavy-hitting, packing a psychoactive punch with 23% THC and 0.6% CBD. Tokers often save it for nighttime consumption.

This autoflower requires minimal maintenance. The plants are 2.5 feet tall and go from seed to yield in three months. It’s one of the best outdoor strains for most climates, but does best if you sow in late May and harvest in late August.

The buds have a discreet scent while ripening and an intense cheese-and-blueberry aroma upon combustion. You can harvest till late October, and each outdoor phenotype carries 3.5 ounces of pot.

Grape Killer 99 feminized is a balanced Killer Grape x Cinderella 99 hybrid. With 15–20% THC, minimal CBD, and mouth-watering flavors, it’s much-loved among afternoon users and sweet tooth tokers. It delivers several hours of uplifting sensations before leaving you too lazy to move.

This versatile strain will flourish in most regions. It’s typically 4.5 feet tall outdoors, letting you maintain discretion with a short fence. It enjoys dry air and needs pruning in humid regions. Colder flowering temperatures bring a purple coloration to its leaves and nugs.

The buds emanate smells of earth and grapes while ripening and reach peak maturity in mid-October. Each plant produces 17–21 ounces of weed.

Lemon Haze auto is the non-photoperiod take on the legendary Haze. It’s sativa-dominant, fast-flowering, and intensely cerebral. It has 15–17% THC, 0.7% CBD, and heady effects for your next creative, social, or productive endeavor.

The hardiness makes Lemon Haze auto one of the best strains to grow outdoors anywhere in the US. It doesn’t mind the cold and humidity, but prefers warm and sunny conditions. The plants are under five feet tall and need occasional pruning and moderate feedings.

The buds smell like incense and lemon, letting you keep your garden under wraps. They’re ripe three months after germination, each carrying 3.5 ounces of sticky weed.

Hektol feminized is a sativa-dominant Skunk #1 x Mazar cross, offering a lighter version of the former’s intense scents and effects. It has 21% THC, 0.6% CBD, and a focus-boosting high to facilitate hobbies, productive tasks, and conversations.

This strain is newbie-friendly and easy to raise. It’s naturally resistant to common pests and diseases, performing well under natural sunlight. The plants may surpass nine feet in height outdoors but have compact leaves that allow airflow and light penetration.

The nugs emit pungent ganja scents, so plant companions for discretion. They’re harvest-ready in October, and the yield size is over 26 ounces of bud per plant.

Orange Skunk feminized is a sativa-dominant hybrid made by breeding California Orange with Skunk #1. Its genetics, 18% THC, and 0.2% CBD offer a heady buzz and add pep to your step. The rejuvenating flavors and effects make it a favorite among daytime users.

The hardy Orange Skunk is the model outdoor strain. It develops best in hot, sunny conditions but doesn’t mind some inclement weather. The plants are under four feet tall but get rather broad and bushy, sprouting countless bud sites as they mature.

Ripening buds smell like lemon, orange, and exotic spices and reach peak THC levels in mid-October. Each plant carries over 40 ounces of sticky weed.

Jedi Cookies feminized is a balanced hybrid with Skywalker OG and Girl Scout Cookies in its family tree. This marijuana has 21% THC and 0.5% CBD, offering a blend of creative cerebral effects and physical pleasure.

Learning how to grow weed outdoors is easy with Jedi Cookies. It responds well to organic soil and sunny conditions, stretching large and broad in the open air. The five-foot-tall plants require pruning, regular feeding, and generous yet infrequent watering for the best results.

The buds shimmer in trichomes and smell like berries and pine as they thicken. Flowering ends in mid-October and brings around 25 ounces of weed per plant.

Girl Scout Kushies feminized is an indica-dominant cross of Girl Scout Cookies and OG Kush. This cultivar blends psychoactive and physical effects to satisfy all marijuana enthusiasts. The 19% THC and 0.2% accommodate lower-tolerance tokers.

This hybrid is short and compact, rarely surpassing 3.5 feet in height. It’s pretty fuss-free to manage, resisting harsh conditions and pathogen attacks. The plants are hungry and thirsty, thriving under a generous watering and feeding schedule.

Intelligent breeding made Girl Scout Kushies speedy in terms of growth. The flowers ooze fruit salad scents in late August and are ready to be picked in late September. Each plant carries 18 ounces of cannabis.

Outdoor cultivation has numerous benefits, so choose the best outdoor strain and get growing. It’s a satisfying experience through and through, from the freedom it provides to the quality buds it produces.

Focus on location and soil quality and plan for weather issues in your outdoor garden. Watch plants for distress signals and respond proactively to keep them prolific. Don’t disregard strain genetics: it makes a massive difference in harvest quantity and quality.

Visit a reliable seed bank like Homegrown Cannabis Co. to buy seeds of the best strains to grow outdoors. Follow our tips and suggestions to ensure bountiful yields.

Are you looking for additional or quick information about the best strains to grow outdoors? Scroll down for frequent questions and our expert answers.

What are the benefits of growing outdoor weed strains?

Growing outdoor strains is higher-yielding and more cost-effective than raising weed indoors. You don’t have to invest in expensive equipment, reducing your initial investment. The plants are typically larger and have numerous heavy bud sites at harvest time.

How do outdoor weed strains differ from indoor ones?

The best outdoor strains are often bred to be more resilient and adaptable to natural conditions. They don’t mind fluctuating temperatures, varying humidity levels, and exposure to pests. Indoor cultivars are typically more compact and have faster flowering times.

Can I grow outdoor weed year-round?

Outdoor weed strains can only develop during the outdoor growing season, typically from late spring to early fall. Check the specifics of your location to determine when you should sow and harvest.

Why does strain selection matter for outdoor cultivation?

Strain genetics determines its climate preferences and adaptability. Some cultivars are super sensitive and suffer in fluctuating or suboptimal conditions. Choosing a strain well-suited to the local climate can improve your chances of a bountiful harvest.

What are some of the best outdoor strains?

The best outdoor strains can be large or small, with indica or sativa genes. In either case, they easily withstand harsh weather and aren’t vulnerable to pests and pathogens. Examples include Venom or Lemon Haze for sativa enthusiasts and Northern Sunrise for those who prefer indica.