Northern climates aren’t ideal for growing sativa cannabis environments. These strains are usually native to warmer climates closer to the equator, and therefore struggle to hold up against the sometimes cold and frosty conditions and short grow seasons of the northern hemisphere.
Luckily, we’ve gone ahead and created this list of the top 5 sativa varieties that can grow in the less friendly climate of the north. Read on to find out what strains made the cut.
UNDERSTANDING NORTHERN CLIMATE
Before we shine the spotlight on a handful of sativa strains that grow well in northern climates, it's important to understand what actually distinguishes a normal climate.
When we talk about northern climates, we are generally referring to grow environments which are cooler and wetter than some of the more southern areas of Europe, such as the UK, parts of Germany, and the Netherlands.
One of the biggest concerns for growers in northern environments is cold weather and frost. Traditionally, most sativa varieties grow in warmer climates, and struggle to grow in these conditions.
Now, the more north you go, the further you get from the equator and you’re potential of dealing with frost and cold weather obviously increases. On the other hand, the the closer you get to the equator, the warmer the climate gets, making it easier to grow sativa varieties.
Due to these conditions, growers in the north general face shorter grow seasons, which can dramatically drive down the overall yield per harvest, especially in sativa varieties.
Now, this is obviously a generalized overview of northern climates, and the local climate where you live (or plan to grow) may vary quite dramatically to other northern regions. Hence, it’s important you take the time to understand your climate and how you can best prepare for it before you actually start sprouting your seeds.
TOP 5 SATIVA STRAINS FOR NORTHERN CLIMATES
Below we’ve handpicked a list of the best sativa cannabis strains to grow in northern climates. Read on for more information and follow the links for more details on each strain.
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1. PAINKILLER
Painkiller derives from famed high-CBD parent strain Juanita la Lagrimosa. Breeders crossed this powerhouse with Respect 13 to create a strain with 75% sativa genetics and 25% indica. Her dense, sticky flowers generate high levels of CBD alongside 9% THC, giving rise to a clear-headed and subtle high—perfect for daytime use.
Painkiller thrives in both indoor and outdoor settings. Her explosive growth and brief flowering time mean she’ll be ready way before the first frost sets in. Even if you’re a little late with her, she’ll tolerate chilly temperatures for a while. Indoor plants reach 60–100cm tall and produce a respectable bounty of 500–550g/m² after 8–9 weeks of flowering. Outdoors, she really comes into her own, reaching a max height of 150cm and churning out up to 550g/plant in late September or early October.
2. MOTHER GORILLA
Mother Gorilla is an epic strain that deserves a space in every growers garden. As a cross between Gorilla Glue #4 and Queen Mother (Reina Madre), this is a sativa-dominant hybrid with strong, stable genetics that can easily stand up to the challenges of a northern grow environment.
Boasting THC levels of 25%, this strain is ideal for recreational use, as well as medicinal use centered around pain relief. Being a feminized strain, this strain is easy to germinate and grow even for rookies.
Mother Gorilla has a flowering time of just 8 weeks, which makes it perfect for the short growing seasons of the north. They only grow to about 1.8 metres, which still makes them relatively discreet for outdoor growers.
Plants are usually ready for harvest by October, and can easily produce between 600 and 650 grams per plant. The buds offer a full flavour and aroma, and produce a strong euphoric high typical of sativas, underlined with some indica-style relaxation.
Most importantly, thanks to its strong genetic background and the expert breeding that went into creating this strain, you can rest assured that Mother Gorilla will have no problem holding up to the tough grow conditions of the north.
3. GREEN CRACK PUNCH
The cold won’t stop Green Crack Punch from zooming right on through the flowering stage to harvest. The strain inherited her vigorous genes from indica-dominant parent strains Green Crack and Purple Punch. This combination gave rise to a closely balanced variety with 60% sativa genetics and 40% indica. A THC level of 18% and slight sativa dominance converge for a cognitive and energising high that will motivate you to get your work in order!
Enjoy a rich blend of terpenes alongside these pleasant effects. High levels of myrcene, caryophyllene, limonene, and pinene dominate the mix, generating tastes of sweetness and citrus. Indoors, she’ll reach a height of 90–160cm and produce 450–500g/m² after a speedy flowering period of 8–9 weeks. Green Crack Punch performs best outdoors, and she doesn’t let a bit of cold get in her way. Plants peak at 220cm and produce up to 600g/plant of purple-tinged buds.
4. GREEN GELATO AUTOMATIC
Breeders created Green Gelato Automatic by crossing Green Gelato with Cookies Automatic. This combination took the mind-blowing terpene profile and potency of the Green Gelato and supercharged it with the autoflowering trait. Cannabis lovers need to be careful with these buds. THC levels of 24% can easily overwhelm the mind.
Green Gelato Automatic will grow to an average height of 100–120cm under the sun. Expect a rewarding yield of 100–175g/plant after a rapid growing cycle of 9–10 weeks. Such brevity makes her a suitable option for impatient growers seeking a quick turnaround. Start plants in greenhouses in March, and you’ll be harvesting them just as the weather begins to surge. Stagger your germination schedule, and you can achieve several harvests in one year.
5. HULKBERRY AUTOMATIC
HulkBerry Automatic ticks all of the boxes for a northern sativa. She boasts cold tolerance, rapid harvests, and a cannabinoid profile that will catapult your mind up into the clouds. The descendant of HulkBerry and Diesel Automatic, this cultivar boasts potency that outcompetes most other autos on the market. Her tapered, dark-green flowers put out a THC content of 21%, infusing some serious mental stimulation into this sativa-dominant variety.
Smoke these buds in the morning for a cerebral boost. Each hour at work will fly by as you lose yourself in the moment. Grown indoors, HulkBerry Automatic reaches 80–120cm in height and produces an impressive 450–500g/m². Outdoors, plants can be sown as late as early July. Expect a harvest of 100–150g/plant after a rapid growing cycle of 8–9 weeks.
