By Luke Sumpter


Growing in the northern hemisphere can be challenging, especially in some areas of Europe where conditions can be cold, wet, and even frosty.

Luckily, thanks to expert breeding, there are a variety of cannabis varieties, that’ll still produce excellent results even in the most unforgiving northern climates. In this post we share a handpicked list of our top indica strains to grow in the northern hemisphere.

GROWING IN NORTHERN CLIMATES

Before we begin looking at individual strains, it's important, that we understand the northern climate and what grow conditions we’re dealing with.

“Northern climate” is a term that loosely refers to any climate of the northern hemisphere. These conditions are very generalised by cold winters and relatively cool summers, but obviously vary between different parts of the northern hemisphere.

Regular cannabis depends on its photoperiod for flowering, and is also seasonal. That means, that northern growers will usually germinate seeds between April and May and collect their harvests between October and November.

One of the biggest concerns for growing in the north are cold weather and frost, both of which can have detrimental effects on the development of cannabis plants. While indicas are generally thought to be a bit better prepared for these conditions due to their origins (mountainous regions of India and Nepal), they still suffer in cold or frosty conditions.

It is important to realise, that we have painted a very general picture of northern climates here, and that conditions obviously vary between different geographical locations. Hence, it is really important you understand your local climate and how to prepare for it before beginning your grow op.

TOP 5 INDICA STRAINS TO GROW IN THE NORTH

Below is a special list of our top 5 recommended indica strains for northern growers. Read on for more information about each individual strain and remember; for the highest quality cannabis seeds delivered direct to your door, order at RQS today.

1. Sweet ZZ

Whoever said quality cannabis couldn’t be grown in northern regions never met Sweet ZZ. This stoning indica prefers a warm climate, but barely even detects when things get a little cold. Sweet ZZ earned recognition in the cannabis world primarily for her fruity and zesty flavour, inherited from scrumptious parent strains Grape Ape and Grapefruit. As well as producing irresistible terpenes, her bulbous flowers churn out a THC content of 22%—nothing to be scoffed at! A few tokes sends a heavy wave of euphoria over every inch of the body.

Sweet ZZ performs well outdoors, even in the chilly air at the end of the northern growing season. She’ll stand strong at a height of 160–200cm and produce up to 550g/plant at the end of September. Indoors, she produces an equally impressive 600g/m² after an ultra-brief 7–9 weeks of flowering.

Sweet ZZ Royal Queen Seeds

Sweet ZZ
23_genetic background_1 Grape Ape x Grapefruit
33_Yield indoors_1 550 - 600 gr/m2
31_plant height outdoor_1 80 - 140 cm
25_flowering time_1 7 - 9 weeks
29_THC_1 THC: 22%
28_Type Blend_1 Sativa 20% Indica 80%
34_yield outdoor_1 500 - 550 gr/plant
32_plant height outdoors_1 160 - 200 cm
27_harvest period_1 Late September
22_Effect_1 Calming, Stoned

Buy Sweet ZZ

2. Candy Kush Express (Fast Flowering)

Candy Kush Express derives from a world-renowned lineage of strains. Breeders harnessed the legendary genetics of OG Kush and paired it with Sweet Special to produce a strain rich in taste and fast to flower. Candy Kush Express isn’t just fast, but potent too. She produces a hearty THC content of 18% alongside sweet and sugary terpenes. Blaze these buds in the daytime for a mellow high that relaxes the body and supercharges the mind.

Candy Kush Express delivers a canopy loaded with flowers in as little as 7 weeks of flowering. Grown outdoors in containers or garden beds, she’ll peak at a height of 170cm and produce 450–500g/plant. Depending on how early you germinate your seeds, you can usually expect to harvest during late September. Indoors, 475–525g/m² is possible from comparably smaller specimens.

Candy Kush Express by Royal Queen Seeds

Candy Kush Express (Fast Flowering)
23_genetic background_1 Sweet Special x O.G. Kush
33_Yield indoors_1 475 - 525 gr/m2
31_plant height outdoor_1 60 - 100 cm
25_flowering time_1 7 - 9 weeks
29_THC_1 THC: 18%
28_Type Blend_1 Sativa 40% Indica 60%
34_yield outdoor_1 450 - 500 gr/plant
32_plant height outdoors_1 100 - 170 cm
27_harvest period_1 Early September
22_Effect_1 Physically Relaxing, Stoned

Buy Candy Kush Express (Fast Flowering)

3. Tatanka Pure CBD

Tatanka Pure CBD provides an efficient and weighty harvest that will warm your soul through the winter months. This clear-headed strain contains enormous amounts of CBD alongside almost no THC. Breeders gave life to this relaxing variety by crossbreeding parent strains Elixir Vitae and Medical CBD. The progeny emerged from the mix with 70% indica genetics and 30% sativa. Her huge quantities of CBD will leave your mind feeling lucid and engaged. Her minimal amount of THC produces zero psychoactive side effects. You can blaze and vape these buds all day long without feeling high.

Tatanka Pure CBD peaks at a height of 160cm outdoors. Leave her to do her thing, and she’ll develop a large central cola. Enjoy harvesting a rewarding yield of 400–450g/plant at the end of the season. The same yield (per m²) can be achieved indoors after only 6–8 weeks of flowering!

Tatanka Pure CBD

Tatanka Pure CBD
23_genetic background_1 Elixir Vitae x Medical CBD
33_Yield indoors_1 400 - 450 gr/m2
31_plant height outdoor_1 80 - 100 cm
25_flowering time_1 6 - 8 weeks
29_THC_1 THC: 0,15 - 0,25%
28_Type Blend_1 Sativa 30% Indica 70%
34_yield outdoor_1 400 - 450 gr/plant
32_plant height outdoors_1 100 - 160 cm
27_harvest period_1 Early October
22_Effect_1 Calming, Clear

Buy Tatanka Pure CBD

4. Royal Cookies Automatic

Do you live in a northern part of the world? Do you enjoy the sensation of candy-like flavours blasting your taste buds? If so, Royal Cookies Automatic has your back! This sensational indica produces sticky and aromatic buds a mere 8–10 weeks after germination. Royal Cookies Automatic derives from legendary Cali favourite Girl Scout Cookies. With a THC level of 18%, this indica-dominant lady will massage your muscles with her relaxing and slightly sleepy properties. Smoke these buds before bed to switch your mind off like a light.

Royal Cookies Automatic maintains a medium height, making her easy to conceal in a garden surrounded by nosey neighbours. She’ll peak at 140cm, but you can keep her lower to the ground using a few stakes and the main-lining technique. Ready yourself for a harvest of 130–180g/plant outdoors and 450g/m² indoors.

Royal Cookies Automatic

Royal Cookies Auto
23_genetic background_1 Girl Scout Cookies x Ruderalis
33_Yield indoors_1 325 - 450 gr/m2
31_plant height outdoor_1 70 - 100 cm
25_flowering time_1 7 - 9 weeks
29_THC_1 THC: 18%
28_Type Blend_1 Sativa 20% Indica 60% Ruderalis 20%
34_yield outdoor_1 130 - 180 gr/plant
32_plant height outdoors_1 80 - 140 cm
27_harvest period_1 10 - 12 weeks after sprouting
22_Effect_1 Calming, Euphoric

Buy Royal Cookies Auto

5. Quick One

This list of ideal indicas for northern climates just wouldn’t be complete without Quick One. By crossbreeding Lowryder 1 with Old School Indica, our breeding team produced one of the fastest strains in existence. This slightly indica-dominant specimen rages through the entire growing cycle in just 8–9 weeks, with a flowering time of 5–6 weeks. Her dense and spiky buds feature a THC content of 13%. They won’t blast your mind into the atmosphere, but instead will bring it back to Earth and pull you into the present moment. The subtle high works wonders during the daytime to tame an over-analytical mind.

A true queen of speed, Quick One also wins the title of champion of stealth. You can keep this strain at a mere 60cm to ensure she remains hidden among companion plants. When it comes time to harvest, make sure you have enough jars to handle 100–150g/plant outdoors. Indoors, Quick One can deliver up to 325g/m².

Quick One by Royal Queen Seeds

Quick One
23_genetic background_1 Lowryder 1 x Old School Indica
33_Yield indoors_1 275 - 325 gr/m2
31_plant height outdoor_1 50 - 60 cm
25_flowering time_1 5 - 6 Weeks
29_THC_1 THC: 13%
28_Type Blend_1 Sativa 10% Indica 60% Ruderalis 30%
34_yield outdoor_1 100 - 150 gr/plant
32_plant height outdoors_1 60 - 100 cm
27_harvest period_1 9 - 10 weeks after sprouting
22_Effect_1 Physically Relaxing

Buy Quick One

Cookies settings

We are requesting your permission to use your data for the reasons stated below:

Functional cookies

Functional cookies help our website to function optimally and allow us to personalise certain features.

Preference cookies

Preference cookies allow us to remember information that influences the way our website looks, including your preferred language based on your region.

Analytical cookies

Analytical cookies give us insights into website traffic and customer behaviour, including how many people visit our site, how long they browse for, and which parts of our site they visit.

What are cookies?

Cookies are small pieces of data from a particular website that get stored on a user’s computer while they’re surfing the internet. Cookies have several different functions. Some of them track browser activity that enables businesses to deliver targeted advertisements. Other cookies serve to remember user login details to different websites to make jumping on social media, or other sites, a more fluid process. Because each cookie has its own unique ID, these pieces of data allow website owners to measure the unique traffic coming into their site.

Why do we use cookies?

Cookies come in handy when you visit our website. They ensure you stay logged in, that you can shop safely, and that the items you add to your cart stay there before you make a purchase. But cookies also help us. The data they provide allow us to improve our website and enable us to present you with targeted advertisements that are compatible with your interests.

What kind of cookies do we use?

Functional cookies

Functional cookies help our website to function optimally and allow us to personalise certain features.

Preference cookies

Preference cookies allow us to remember information that influences the way our website looks, including your preferred language based on your region.

Analytical cookies

Analytical cookies give us insights into website traffic and customer behaviour, including how many people visit our site, how long they browse for, and which parts of our site they visit.

How can I disable or delete cookies?

Not a fan of cookies? No worries. You can disable them (with the exception of necessary cookies) in your browser settings. However, blocking cookies may impact your browsing experience and prevent you from enjoying all of the technical features of our site.

Privacy Policy - Royal Queen Seeds

To ensure a safe online environment and guarantee adequate data protection, we strictly comply with all legal requirements. In this privacy statement, we provide information about how and for what purpose data is collected, safety measures, storage periods and contact details.


COMPANY NAME: SNORKEL SPAIN, SL (hereinafter ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS)

C/ Vilar d'Abdelà, 5 (nave 1) CP: 08170 de Montornès del Vallès

+34 937 379 846

support@royalqueenseeds.com


The present Privacy Policy sets out the terms on which we will treat personal data at ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS; this includes any personal data collected through our website https://www.royalqueenseeds.com/ as well as any other data we process in the course of our business activities.

ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS collects the following personal data for the purposes listed below:

SECTION 1 – PERSONAL INFORMATION WE COLLECT

1.1 Account purchases

Account purchases can only be made if you are in possession of a personal account. When you create an account or purchase something from our shop, as part of the buying and selling process we collect the following personal information that you provide to us:

This information is required for delivery. In addition, when you browse our shop, we automatically receive the Internet Protocol (IP) address of your computer. Based on this information, we can optimise your online experience and at the same time protect our online environment.

Purpose of data collection

We collect and store account-related data for the following purposes:

(a) to carry out obligations arising from any contracts between you and us, and to provide you with information, products and services that you may request from us;

(b) to set up, manage and communicate with you about your account and your orders;

(c) to conduct market research and analysis;

(d) to confirm your age and identity, and to detect and prevent fraud.

1.2 Newsletters

With your explicit permission, we may send you newsletters about our shop, new products and other updates. We send newsletters based on your explicit consent. In the event that you purchase a product, and in accordance with current regulations, we may send you commercial communications in accordance with the legitimate interest of our company, always about products or services similar to those you have purchased or contracted. In any case, you may exercise your right of opposition through the channels announced in this Privacy Policy. The following information is collected in relation to the newsletter:

We do not need to know the sex of the person in order to send the newsletter (data minimisation: by law we must ask for data that is strictly necessary to provide the service, and in this case knowing the sex is not necessary to send the newsletter).

Purpose of data collection

The data collected is used to:

(a) personalise our emails, including your name and gender;

(b) provide gender-specific content.

You can withdraw your consent at any time by using the link provided in the newsletter or the contact information provided in section 2.

1.3 Customer service and contact form

In order to provide appropriate support, our customer service employees have access to information related to the account. Consequently, their support will be highly effective and friendly. The data provided in our contact form is used by our CRM provider, SuperOffice. We will only use your details to respond to your message.

SECTION 2 – LEGITIMATE INTEREST

If you have purchased any of our products, please note that we may process your personal data for promotional purposes, based on Royal Queen Seeds' legitimate interest only to offer you products or services from our company and about products or services similar to those you have purchased. You may exercise your right to opt out of future messages by the means set out in this Privacy Policy or through any notification you receive.

2.1 How do you withdraw consent?

If you change your mind, you can withdraw your consent for us to contact you for the purpose of collecting, using, or disclosing your data at any time by reaching out to us at: support@royalqueenseeds.com.

SECTION 3 – DISCLOSURE

We may disclose your personal information if we are required to do so by law or if you breach our Terms of Service.

SECTION 4 – HOW LONG DO WE KEEP YOUR DATA?

At Royal Queen Seeds, we will not retain your data for longer than is necessary for the purposes described in this Policy. Different retention periods apply for different types of data; however, the longest period we will normally hold any personal data is 10 years.

4.1 Account information

Data relating to the account remains relevant for as long as the consumer is in possession of an account. Therefore, the data remains documented for as long as the account exists. When our customers delete an account, the associated data will be deleted within a reasonable period of time. Requests regarding the inspection or correction of stored personal data or the deletion of an account can be sent to support@royalqueenseeds.com.

4.2 Newsletters

In the event that you give us your consent to inform you about our products or services, we will keep your data until you express your wish not to receive any further communications from us. However, we regularly (every month) carry out a relevance check. Registered customers (and their personal information) will be deleted whenever customers do not reply to our request. In addition, our newsletter mailing has an opt-out feature. Consumers can withdraw their consent by using this opt-out feature.

SECTION 5 – COOKIES

Cookies are small information files that notify your computer of previous interactions with our website. These cookies are stored on your hard drive, not on our website. Essentially, when you use our website, your computer displays its cookies to us, informing our site that you have visited before. This allows our website to function more quickly and remember aspects related to your previous visits (such as your username), making your experience more convenient. At Royal Queen Seeds, we use two types of cookies: functional and analytical.

5.1 Functional Cookies

Functional cookies are used to enhance your online experience. Among other things, these cookies track what is added to your shopping cart. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

5.2 Analytical Cookies

Analytical cookies are used for research and market analysis. The data collected with these analytical cookies is anonymous, making it unusable for third parties. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

SECTION 5 – THIRD-PARTY SERVICES

Third-party services are required to conduct transactions and provide our services. In general, the third-party providers we use will only collect, use and disclose your information to the extent necessary to enable them to perform the services they provide to us.

However, certain third-party service providers, such as payment gateways and other payment transaction processors, have their own privacy policies regarding the information we must provide to them for your transactions.

We encourage you to read the privacy policies of these providers so that you can understand how these providers will handle your personal information.

In particular, certain suppliers may be located or have facilities located in a different jurisdiction than yours or ours. Therefore, if you choose to proceed with a transaction involving the services of a third party, your information may be subject to the laws of the jurisdiction in which that service provider or its facilities are located.

Once you leave our website or are redirected to a third-party website or application, you are no longer governed by this Privacy Policy or the Terms of Service of our website.

Web analytics service (anonymous data)

On this website we have integrated an element of a web analytics service (with anonymisation functionality). Web analytics can be defined as the gathering, processing and analysis of data about the behaviour of visitors to websites. An analytics service collects, among other things, data about which website a person came from (the so-called referrer), which sub-pages they visited or how often and for how long they visited a sub-page. Web analytics is mainly used for website optimisation and for a cost–benefit analysis of internet advertising.

Courier service

To complete deliveries we use a courier service. This courier service carries out the delivery between our company and the consumer's home. To complete these logistics, the company requires access to the consumer's name and address information.

Mailing service

Royal Queen Seeds uses a third-party mail service provider to send its newsletter. This provider has access to limited account information related to opt-in consent (e.g. email address).

Marketing services

Royal Queen Seeds has the support of a company that specialises in marketing and communication activities. Their access to personal information is very limited and mostly anonymous.

Payment services

At Royal Queen Seeds we use external payment services to handle our transactions (e.g. credit card payments).

SECTION 6 – SECURITY

To protect your personal information, we take reasonable precautions and follow industry standard best practices to ensure that it is not inappropriately lost, misused, accessed, disclosed, altered or destroyed.

If you provide us with your credit card information, the information is encrypted using secure socket layer technology (SSL) and stored using AES-256 encryption. Although no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure, we follow all PCI-DSS requirements and implement additional industry standards that are commonly accepted. Information related to the account is protected with a hashing method. This method transforms the information into a generated hash. As a result, confidential information is protected and invisible, even to us. In addition, our databases are exceptionally protected against unauthorised access. For example, access to the database is only possible and permitted via approved IP addresses (e.g. from Royal Queen Seeds headquarters). Other attempts and addresses are rejected at all times.

Furthermore, data is anonymised as much as possible, so it cannot be directly linked to a specific consumer. With this data, however, we may be able to carry out market research and analysis. In addition, the third parties concerned (e.g. mailing service) are examined prior to our collaboration, comply with the GDPR from the EU and receive a processing agreement. Within Royal Queen Seeds, employees are assigned different access permissions. Specific permission provides access only to information that is strictly required to perform a task. Digital security measures are subject to change and must meet high requirements to ensure the safety of online customers. That is why, at Royal Queen Seeds, we appoint a security officer. Regular verification and improvement of security measures (where necessary) are part of the role.

SECTION 7 – CHANGES TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY

We reserve the right to modify this Privacy Policy at any time, so please check back regularly. Changes and clarifications will be effective immediately upon being published on the Website. If we make substantial changes to this policy, we will notify you here that it has been updated so you will know what information we collect, how we use it and under what circumstances, if any, we use and/or disclose it.

SECTION 8 – YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO: