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

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