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The top 5 indica strains to grow in northern climates in 2023
Looking for reliable strains that can handle the colder and shorter growing season of northern environments? Look no further; we've got you covered with these five fast and furious indicas.
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 realize, 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
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Grape Ape x Grapefruit |
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550 - 600 gr/m2 |
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80 - 140 cm |
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7 - 9 weeks |
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THC: 22% |
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Sativa 20% Indica 80% |
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500 - 550 gr/plant |
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160 - 200 cm |
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Late September |
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Calming, Stoned |
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 (Fast Flowering)
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Sweet Special x O.G. Kush |
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475 - 525 gr/m2 |
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60 - 100 cm |
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7 - 9 weeks |
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THC: 18% |
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Sativa 40% Indica 60% |
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450 - 500 gr/plant |
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100 - 170 cm |
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Early September |
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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
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Elixir Vitae x Medical CBD |
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400 - 450 gr/m2 |
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80 - 100 cm |
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6 - 8 weeks |
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THC: 0,15 - 0,25% |
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Sativa 30% Indica 70% |
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400 - 450 gr/plant |
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100 - 160 cm |
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Early October |
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Calming, Clear |
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 Auto
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Girl Scout Cookies x Ruderalis |
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325 - 450 gr/m2 |
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70 - 100 cm |
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7 - 9 weeks |
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THC: 18% |
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Sativa 20% Indica 60% Ruderalis 20% |
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130 - 180 gr/plant |
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80 - 140 cm |
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10 - 12 weeks after sprouting |
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Calming, Euphoric |
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
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Lowryder 1 x Old School Indica |
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275 - 325 gr/m2 |
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50 - 60 cm |
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5 - 6 Weeks |
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THC: 13% |
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Sativa 10% Indica 60% Ruderalis 30% |
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100 - 150 gr/plant |
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60 - 100 cm |
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9 - 10 weeks after sprouting |
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Physically Relaxing |
