Ready in less time than other cannabis

Autoflowering cultivars can reach harvest in just over one month, compared to the 3-month time. This is a massive benefit because it allows for more harvests during the year. And it can be grown outdoors year round, as long as the temperature and humidity cooperates. 

Remains smaller and more compact

Autoflowers can be a great choice for growing in smaller spaces. Since their lifecycle is shorter than other varieties, the plants remain smaller in stature all the way until harvest. Autoflowering cannabis is often the preference for micro growers since they can flourish in very small grow spaces. 

Good yield and potency

Thanks to the work of dedicated breeders, there are autoflowers that do well in small spaces but also produce significant yields. Not only can autoflowers grow thick juicy flowers, but they are trichome-rich and very potent. You don’t have to sacrifice quality for the speed and convenience of growing autoflowers. 

Can be used to make rosin, bubble hash, and dry sift

Thanks to autoflowers’ capacity to produce great yields with copious amounts of trichomes, they are great for making rosin, bubble hash, and dry sift. Every cultivar is different so it’s always a good idea to do a test run of the material before committing a ton of weight to extraction.

Downsides of Growing Autoflowering Cannabis

Autoflowers can be fantastic members in your garden, but there are some downsides to consider. 

Seed only, can’t clone

Can’t keep a specific phenotype

Every seed will present a different phenotype. Since autoflowers can’t be cloned successfully, phenotypes for autoflowers can’t be saved. It’s all about the luck of the draw, so consistency in the garden is harder to maintain with autoflowers.    

Potentially lower yield and potency

Since autoflowers were originally bred from ruderalis, the quality was lacking. Over time it has gotten much better, but there are still autoflowers that don’t perform up to par. If you’re buying autoflowers from mediocre breeders, then they may lack yield and potency. 

Conclusion  

Autoflowering cannabis has come a long way over the last few decades. What used to be considered lesser-quality cannabis is now often indistinguishable from regular sativa or indica cultivars. Autoflowers offer significant benefits in the garden with minimal downside. And, they can be used as starting material in all your solventless extracts. Don’t be afraid to spend a little extra to buy from premium breeders, and you’re likely to be impressed!  

Do you grow autoflowers? Let us know in the comments!

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is autoflowering cannabis?
Autoflowering cannabis is a form of cannabis that produces flowers based on the age of the plant rather than the amount of sunlight and darkness that the plant receives daily.

Where does autoflowering cannabis come from?
Autoflowering cannabis varieties that growers use today are bred from the ruderalis variety of cannabis. Breeders have done great work in recent decades to create highly potent forms of ruderalis that are just as desirable as their sativa and indica counterparts.

What is ruderalis?
Ruderalis is a shorter and hardier plant that has acclimated to growing naturally in harsher environments. Ruderalis automatically flowers after about 21-30 days of growth and were thought to lack potency and trichome production.

What are the advantages to growing autoflowering cannabis?
The main benefits with autoflowering cannabis include faster time to harvest and relatively small size while still producing noteworthy yields. 

What are downsides to growing autoflowering cannabis?
Downsides include not being able to take clones, and potentially lower yields and potency depending on the quality of genetics you obtain.