Four essential autoflowering strains for beginner growers

Start your cultivation journey off right with these no-stress seeds.

If you love bud, chances are high you’ve considered growing your own, and for good reason. On top of the financial benefits of growing your own flower—you won’t be shelling out to your adult-use store quite as often— picking up the hobby is an excellent way to connect with your cannabis on a deeper level.

Getting your hands dirty in the growing process allows new cultivators to express themselves and select strains perfectly suited to their needs & environment. Caring for your bud from sprout to smoke, and experiencing a high enhanced by the pride of doing it yourself, is enough reason for many cannabis heads to make the jump from consumer to cultivator.

If you’re ready to take the leap but are just starting out, growing autoflowers comes with a whole host of advantages for beginner growers.

Most cannabis plants flower when the light they receive during the daytime hours—natural or artificial—is reduced, corresponding to the shortening of the day when summer turns to fall. Autoflowers are descended from the cannabis ruderalis plant, a relative of the familiar indica and sativa species. Native to northern climates where sunlight is in short supply, ruderalis plants have much lower light requirements than other species of cannabis, meaning strains crossed with this hearty plant consistently flower when they reach a certain age, rather than being triggered by the shortening of the light cycle.

Autoflowers also require less light in general, making them a great fit for any beginner operation constrained by space or mother nature. Even more, autoflowers won’t produce male offspring that must be removed, only the desirable female buds are produced, and the plants grow from seed to harvest much more quickly than with typical feminized varieties. With autoflowering strains, you can relax, harvest, and smoke faster and with way less lighting stress.

Robert Bergman, founder of I Love Growing Marijuana (ILGM), has long been one of the definitive voices in the cannabis growing space, producing a huge variety of both autoflowering and feminized seeds to choose from. Beginners can understandably find themselves overwhelmed by the complexity and technical jargon that surrounds the growing process, but ILGM helps cut through the noise.

Want to see some of the top-notch autoflowering strains you should consider adding to your grow? Beginner growers have a tried-and-true friend in Robert Bergman & ILGM. Read on to see the producer’s essential recommendations for autoflowering strains that will sing in any beginner’s garden.

Dosidos 70/30 indica

Descended from legendary parents OG Kush Breath and Face Off OG, Leafly Strain of the Year 2021 winner Dosidos is a newer strain that quickly conquered its native Portland, Oregon before expanding its influence to excite the entire US. This strain produces eye-catching buds with shades of amber, lime, and lavender. Easy to care for, and packing a significant THC punch, Dosidos will provide a relaxing high with a mildly euphoric effect. If kept in an appropriately humid environment, Dosidos will provide a consistent, high-quality yield—an easy victory for those looking to dip a toe into growing your own.

Zkittles, 70/30 indica 

If you’re the type that’s tempted by your sweet tooth at every vending machine or checkout line, this is the strain for you. Zkittles is a delightfully sweet, fruity strain that offers a flavor reminiscent of its famous namesake. You can look forward to beautiful orange, purple, and green buds coated in an icy layer of trichomes in about three months. Despite its indica-heavy pedigree, Zkittles produces a cerebral high, perfect for vibing with your friends on Friday night or for a pick-me-up at the end of a long day. Easy to grow and maintain indoors or outdoors, Zkittles is a fantastic choice to help jumpstart your new adventures in growing.

Runtz, 50/50 hybrid

The strain, the myth, the legend, Runtz is now available in autoflowering seeds. Winner of Leafly’s 2020 Strain of the Year award, this cross of Zkittles and Gelato #33 is a rare 50/50 hybrid that delivers a euphoric, cerebral high while relaxing the body. With a THC content of up to 29%, Runtz makes for a powerful strain that retains the ease of growing that autoflowers are known for. Runtz presents a tropical, colorful visual profile and an energizing citrus aroma and is harvestable after around two months, making it easy to see how Runtz is quickly becoming one of the most popular strains in North America. With autoflowering seeds available from ILGM, there’s never been a better time to bring Runtz to your corner of the world.

Purple Punch, 80/20 indica

Careful, this strain is a knockout! Developed in the tropical humidity of Hawaii, Purple Punch is happiest with lots of heat and sunlight, but takes just fine to indoor spaces and greenhouses. Reaching up to a generous 25% THC content, Purple Punch delivers a strong wave of relaxation. This combination of Larry OG and the venerable Granddaddy Purple is famed for its large trees, flecked with hues of red, yellow, and orange that will remind you of the Hawaiian sunset. You can expect your first harvest in as little as eight weeks.

Ready to jump in? Robert Bergman and the team at ILGM have everything you need, including these strains and more. You can visit their website to shop seeds with the ILGM germination guarantee and free shipping anywhere in the US or follow them on social media to keep up with all the newest updates.

*Availability subject to law