How to Choose the Best Cannabis Strain to Grow Next

Choosing the right cannabis strain to grow is one of the most important decisions a grower can make—especially when you’re just getting started. With thousands of strains available today, figuring out which one is right for your setup, experience level, and goals can feel overwhelming.

Before you focus on flavor, potency, or yield, the first thing you need to decide is what type of cannabis plant you want to grow: autoflowering or photoperiod. Understanding the differences between these two options will help you choose the best strain for your grow.

Autoflower vs Photoperiod: Which Should You Grow?

When choosing a cannabis strain, one of the biggest factors to consider is how much time and control you want over the grow. Each type of plant has clear advantages depending on your priorities.

Photoperiod Cannabis Strains

Photoperiod strains are the traditional type of cannabis plant and are favored by growers who want maximum control. These plants remain in the vegetative stage as long as they receive enough light, typically 18 hours on and 6 hours off.

One of the biggest benefits of photoperiod strains is their ability to recover from stress and training. They’re harder to permanently stunt and can grow extremely large if vegged for an extended period. This makes them ideal for growers looking to produce massive plants with high yields.

The downside is time. Photoperiod plants require a strict 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness to enter the flowering stage, which often means several extra months in the grow room.

Best for:

  • Growers who want full control

  • Long grow cycles

  • Large plants and high yields

Autoflowering Cannabis Strains

Autoflowering strains are a newer development in cannabis genetics and have rapidly gained popularity among both beginner and experienced growers. Unlike photoperiod plants, autoflowers automatically switch from vegetative growth to flowering based on age, not light cycle.

Most autoflower cannabis strains finish in around 8–12 weeks from seed, making them perfect for growers looking for a fast turnaround. Modern autoflowers have come a long way, and it’s now common to see one-pound-plus yields from a single plant under the right conditions.

Another major advantage of autoflowers is lighting flexibility. They can be grown under 18/6, 20/4, or even 24 hours of light throughout the entire grow while still producing flowers normally.

Best for:

  • Faster harvests

  • Limited grow time or space

  • Simple light schedules

Choosing the Right Strain for Your Goals

Whether you choose an autoflower or photoperiod strain ultimately depends on what you want out of your grow. If speed and simplicity matter most, autoflowers are hard to beat. If size, control, and long-term yield are your priorities, photoperiod strains may be the better option.

Once you’ve decided between autoflowering and photoperiod cannabis, you can narrow your search even further by looking at factors like strain genetics, growth structure, yield potential, and terpene profile.

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