Growing cannabis outdoors in Southern California can be a rewarding experience. In the right conditions, you can grow a variety of strains that thrive in the warm weather and sunshine.
When you’re deciding what to plant, consider the climate in Southern California. It’s typically hot, but there are microclimates where temperatures remain moderate throughout the year. If you’re planting somewhere like this, you’ll have more options for strains you can grow. If you live in a hot area, though, you’ll want to look for cannabis strains that tolerate higher temperatures.
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Best Strains to Grow Outdoors in Southern California
Jack Herer
Jack Herer is a classic sativa-dominant hybrid that will do well in Southern California’s hot, dry climate. Jack Herer is known for its citrusy flavor and cerebral effects. It has a flowering time of about 10 weeks, so it will take a bit longer to mature than some of the other strains on this list. Luckily, it can be grown both indoors and outdoors, making it super convenient for you to get your hands on this unique strain!
California Orange
California Orange: This strain is a classic for growers in the Golden State. Its genetics are California Orange crossed with Afghani, and it has an average flowering time of 9-10 weeks. It’s ready for harvest at the end of September, and contains an average THC content of 20%, .5% CBD and .1% CBN.
Northern Lights
Although she is a little picky, Northern Lights makes our list because she is such a great producer. This compact lady can reach over 150cm in the right conditions and will produce up to 600 grams per plant. The plants are bushy with wide leaves, and her indica dominance means she will be broad in stature but not too tall. She’s also a great choice for beginners who might not have the experience to tackle some of the more advanced strains on this list as she isn’t as sensitive to pests or nutrient deficiencies. Her flowers are dense and resinous, perfect for making your own hash or extracts.
Sour Diesel
Sour Diesel is one of the most popular strains in the world, and it’s not hard to see why. With a THC content of 22% and CBD content of less than 1%, this sativa-dominant hybrid offers a clear, cerebral high with uplifting effects that will keep you coming back for more.
Yields are very good, with flowering time around 10 weeks. The flowers are soft and fluffy, so they’re easy to handle when it comes time for harvest. Sour Diesel plants have a strong smell during growth, but the odor can be contained by covering them in mulch or keeping them in greenhouses until harvest time.
Sour Diesel has been around for decades because it’s an excellent strain that gives great yields year after year—it really is just about perfect if you’re searching for a classic outdoor strain that never disappoints.
OG Kush
OG Kush is an immensely popular strain of cannabis that originated in Florida, USA. It is a hybrid of Chemdog and Hindu Kush. OG Kush has become a staple for marijuana users across the globe. It’s widely used as a medicinal strain, though recreational users also enjoy its earthy smell and taste with notes of citrus, pine and fuel.
OG Kush may be purchased in seed form for indoor or outdoor cultivation or as clones to be grown indoors; growers looking to cultivate it outdoors should look forward to a harvest by mid-October at the latest, with the plants reaching heights up to three feet tall!
Northern Lights x Haze
This indica-dominant hybrid is generally considered to be a strain for seasoned growers but, if you can master it, the rewards are some of the best that Southern California has to offer. With a 70:30 indica/sativa ratio, Northern Lights x Haze is not recommended for beginners due to its unique needs and unusual preferences during cultivation.
Given this strain’s resistance to pest and mold, an experienced grower in Southern California could easily get 21 ounces per plant when growing outdoors in containers with plenty of sunshine and room for ventilation. When grown well, Northern Lights x Haze will flourish quickly into compact, dense nuggets of light green buds with orange hairs that resemble tiger stripes. The aroma is musky with hints of tropical fruit and spice while the taste is quite similar.
Super Skunk
Super Skunk is one of the most well-known strains, and it’s a great choice for growers in Southern California. Growers love Super Skunk because it has a short flowering time, it is resistant to mold and mildew, and its thick buds produce high yields.
Super Skunk was created by crossing Afghan with Skunk No. 1. This strain is indica-dominant and is known for its relaxing effects. Users often describe Super Skunk as a great strain for unwinding after work or relieving pain and stress.
In Conclusion
So there you have it, folks. In our humble opinion, these are the top 7 best strains to grow outdoors in southern California. These elite cannabis plants have been recognized for their high levels of THC and CBD, as well as their ability to fight off pests and disease.
