Autoflower seeds produce cannabis plants that automatically transition from vegetative growth to flowering based on age rather than light cycle.
What Are Autoflower Seeds?
Autoflower cannabis is created by crossing traditional photoperiod cannabis with Cannabis ruderalis, a subspecies that flowers based on time instead of daylight hours. Because of this genetic trait, autoflowers will begin flowering after a few weeks of growth regardless of how much light they receive.
This makes them different from photoperiod plants, which require a change to a 12/12 light cycle to flower.
How Growers Use Autoflower Seeds
Autoflower seeds are commonly used by growers who:
- Want faster harvests
- Prefer simpler lighting schedules
- Grow in small tents or limited spaces
- Run perpetual grows without changing light cycles
Most autoflowers are grown under 18–24 hours of light from seed to harvest.
Why Autoflower Seeds Matter
Autoflower seeds:
- Have shorter life cycles
- Are more beginner-friendly
- Can be grown year-round indoors
- Allow multiple harvests per year outdoors
Modern autoflower genetics can rival photoperiod plants in quality and yield.
Limitations & Notes
Autoflowers have a fixed lifespan and limited recovery time from stress. Mistakes made early in growth can reduce final size and yield.
Autoflower Breeders
Resources
- PODCAST: Alebrije Genetics Talking Breeding, Collabs & The Grow Life – The Crew (Grateful Nerd)
- PODCAST: Take These Seeds To The Bank W/ Alebrije Genetics – The Circle (Your Average Grow)