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Top 5 Heat-Resistant Weed Strains to Grow in Warm Climates
As a highly adaptive plant, cannabis spread all over the world after originating in Central Asia. Accordingly, certain cannabis strains have developed an innate ability to deal with high temperatures and blazing sun, which makes them perfect for growers in warm climates. These strains are not only heat-resistant; they actually thrive in it!
Many cannabis growers around the world envy those that live in hot climates with long summers. Weed plants grown in these regions spend their days bathing in strong sunlight and heat—two factors that lead to fast and luscious growth. It sounds dreamy, but growing in warm locations comes with unique challenges.
Not all strains can easily deal with the stress inflicted by heatwaves, droughts, and big doses of UV light. So, if you want to achieve the best results possible in warmer climates, you need to select strains that thrive in these conditions. Below, we provide a selection of the very best strains to grow in high heat. Not only are these varieties genetically equipped to handle hotter temperatures, but their long flowering times mean they don’t perform well elsewhere—they’re made for long, warm summers.
You’ll notice a common thread throughout these varieties: most belong to the Haze lineage. If you know anything about Haze, it’ll all make perfect sense. Breeders honed this variety in the 1960s under the beating sun in Santa Cruz, California. Using South American, Thai, Mexican, and South Indian genetics, they created the foundation for a plethora of heat-loving strains.
1. Shining Silver Haze
What do your summers look like? If intense heat, dry soil, and plenty of sun fall into the equation, then you’ll benefit from sowing Shining Silver Haze seeds. Our breeders created this sativa-dominant hybrid using Haze, Skunk, and Northern Light—a legendary trio, each known by most cannabis users.
This variety achieves a small and easily manageable size, yet produces thick, plump colas displaying dazzling shades of green, purple, and orange. Shining Silver Haze thrives in the heat and capitalises on UV exposure to ramp up secondary metabolite production (the chemicals that make growing weed worthwhile). With a THC content of 21% and medium quantities of CBD, Shining Silver Haze exerts a clear-headed high that elevates the mind while weighing heavy on the body. Moreish flavors of citrus, earth, fruit, and pine accompany these pleasant effects.
Grown in containers, raised beds, or directly in the ground, Shining Silver Haze reaches a height of 5.9 – 7.2 feet. If you’re low on space or want to keep things stealthy, you can top her early on to keep her at the lower end of this spectrum. Come late October, prepare enough jars to stash a yield of 21.2 – 22.9 oz. To achieve the best results in a warm climate, we suggest laying down a thick layer of mulch to keep the soil cool and moist. Moreover, installing a drip irrigation system will keep plants constantly hydrated and ensure consistent, healthy growth.
Shining Silver Haze
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Haze x (Skunk x Northern Light) |
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21 to 23 oz/m² |
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3 to 4 feet |
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9 - 11 weeks |
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THC: 21% |
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Sativa 75% Indica 25% |
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21 to 23 oz/plant |
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6 to 7 feet |
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Late October |
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Heavy |
2. Chocolate Haze
When browsing for heat-resistant cannabis strains, know this: you’re not limited when it comes to aroma, flavor, and effects. Chocolate Haze offers growers in warm regions something genuinely exotic. This progeny of OG Chocolate Thai and Cannalope Haze hints at her chocolatey nature before you even smoke her; her colas sport brown-green shades as she reaches harvest, and her terpenes unleash deep, sweet scents. Naturally, many budding cannabis chefs and extract artisans grow this variety to experiment with edibles and concentrates.
With a THC content of 20% and a selection of fruity, earthy, and, yes, chocolatey terpenes, Chocolate Haze produces an elevated state of mind perfect for enjoying alongside a fresh cup of coffee of the morning. But how does she perform under the beating sun? Chocolate Haze takes wonderfully to hot climates. In fact, she requires a long summer to fully mature her large colas. Common among Hazes, Chocolate Haze peaks at a height of 78 inches if left untrained. If you choose to employ topping and LST, you can keep her at roughly 58.5 inches.
This cultivar handles the intense sun well, but there are several strategies you can employ to keep her happy and flourishing. Drip irrigation will make your life easier and keep the root zone consistently moist. If you have the space, consider planting winter squash to serve as a living cover crop to cast shade over the soil and reduce evaporation. At the end of the season, you’ll enjoy a nice carb-rich harvest alongside your weed. Prepare to start trimming up to 17.6 oz in late October.
Chocolate Haze
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OG Chocolate Thai x Cannalope Haze |
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17 to 18 oz/m² |
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3 to 5 feet |
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9 - 11 weeks |
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THC: 20% |
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Sativa 95% Indica 5% |
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16 to 18 oz/plant |
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5 to 7 feet |
|
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Late October |
|
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Heavy |
3. Haze Berry
Oh look, another member of the Haze family tree that likes things hot! In an attempt to create something both fruity and potent, our team crossed two legendary varieties: Blueberry and Shining Silver Haze. The result? Haze Berry—a slightly sativa-dominant cultivar that targets the taste buds with blueberry, earth, fruit, and pepper. Thanks to a THC content of 20% and medium levels of CBD, she produces a long-lasting, physically relaxing high.
Haze Berry’s fruity and peppery terpene profile only intensifies under the rays of the sun. Transplant this strain into raised beds or containers filled with soil rich in organic matter to optimise her performance outdoors. Once in the ground, apply a straw mulch, and water well. By the end of the flowering stretch, plants will be approximately 5.2 – 5.9 feet in height, making this heat-resistant strain a little on the shorter side, at least compared to the others on this list. Over the course of her 9–11-week flowering stage, Haze Berry develops up to 22.9 oz of dense, potent bud.
While she thrives in the heat, particularly intense heatwaves can take a toll on her. Under these circumstances, keep her well-irrigated and consider putting up some shade cloth until the worst of the weather passes. Moreover, if you encounter high humidity during the flowering stage, some defoliation may be necessary to prevent mold.
Haze Berry
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Blueberry x Shining Silver Haze |
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18 to 20 oz/m² |
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2 to 3 feet |
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9 - 11 weeks |
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THC: 20% |
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Sativa 60% Indica 40% |
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21 to 23 oz/plant |
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5 to 6 feet |
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Late October |
|
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Long Lasting , Physically Relaxing, Powerful |
4. Amnesia Haze
Imagine this for a moment: you come home after a long day of work on a warm summer’s evening, head out into the garden, kick your shoes off, take a deep breath, and see resinous flowers reflecting the setting sun’s rays. But these aren’t just any buds; they sat in the garden all day in 30°C heat and still look (and smell) fantastic, emanating waves of citrus, earth, herbs, and pepper you catch wind of on your approach.
Once you’re within arm's reach, the trichomes really start to pop. These glandular structures house a THC content of 22%, culminating in a high that melts the body while elevating the mind. Sounds good, right? Well, that’s just another day of growing Amnesia Haze. This cultivar has the potential to provide fantastic results, but she can’t do it all on her own. Prepare your beds or containers with organic soil that will hold onto and gradually deliver nutrients over Amnesia Haze's life cycle.
We also recommend harnessing the power of supplementary microorganisms, such as rhizobacteria and mycorrhizal fungi, to kickstart nutrient cycling, prevent root pathogens, and improve soil structure over time. Layer on organic material, such as well-rotted manure, straw, and compost, to provide food for soil organisms that will eventually break these materials down into plant-available ionic nutrients. If you treat her well, Amnesia Haze will reach up to 81.9 inches in height and reward you with a bounty of up to 24.7 oz by the end of October.
Amnesia Haze
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Original Amnesia Haze |
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21 to 23 oz/m² |
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3 to 5 feet |
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10 - 11 weeks |
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THC: 22% |
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Sativa 70% Indica 30% |
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23 to 25 oz/plant |
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6 to 7 feet |
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Late October |
|
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Long Lasting , Physically Relaxing, Powerful |
5. Sour Diesel
Well, would you look at that! You’re not limited to Haze genetics when it comes to growing heat-resistant cannabis strains. Sour Diesel also ranks as one of the best strains to grow in hot conditions. This sativa-dominant powerhouse descends from Original Diesel, Northern Light, Shiva, and Hawaiian.
Sour Diesel is known to produce dense and compact colas that really ramp up resin production in warm climates to protect themselves from UV rays. Overall, Sour Diesel packs a THC content of 19% and a terpene profile characterised by aromas of sour citrus, fruit, herbs, and pepper. Blaze up these buds during the day for increased focus, physical relaxation, and mental drive.
For the best results outdoors, transplant Sour Diesel into no-till beds filled with companion species. Heat-loving plants such as basil will attract beneficial insects, while white clover acts as a living mulch to help stabilise the soil, retain moisture, and provide shade to protect the soil surface. With these techniques in your arsenal, you’ll find Sour Diesel deals with the heat well. Once harvest comes around at the end of October, she’ll reward your efforts with 19.4 – 21.2 oz.
Sour Diesel
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Original Diesel x (Northern light x Shiva x Hawaiian) |
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17 to 18 oz/m² |
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3 to 5 feet |
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10 - 11 weeks |
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THC: 19% |
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Sativa 70% Indica 30% |
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19 to 21 oz/plant |
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5 to 7 feet |
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Late October |
|
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Clear, Physically Relaxing |
Heat-Resistant Cannabis Strains: Take Advantage of Hot Conditions
There you have it. If you live in a hot climate and want to grow weed, you know five of the best strains for the job. These varieties not only perform well under the blazing sun, but they each offer unique traits, flavors, and effects.
But despite their inherent hardiness in the face of high temperatures, each cultivar still benefits from a helping hand and some TLC. Incorporating companion plants, high-quality soil rich in organic matter and microbes, drip irrigation, and various training and pruning practices can really bring out the best in your plants, allowing them to not only survive, but thrive.
