Autoflower
The Ultimate Guide to Autoflowering Cannabis: Evolution, Cultivation, and the Top 33 Strains
Welcome to the definitive resource on Autoflowering Cannabis.
For decades, autoflowers were the "ugly ducklings" of the cannabis world—small, low-potency plants dismissed by serious growers. Those days are over. Thanks to relentless breeding innovation, modern autoflowers now rival photoperiod strains in potency, flavor, and yield, all while finishing from seed to harvest in under 10 weeks.
This guide covers the biology of the Cannabis Ruderalis species, the history of the autoflower revolution, and serves as the directory for our in-depth reviews of the Top 33 Autoflowering Strains on the market.
Part I: What is an Autoflower?
To understand autoflowers, you must understand Cannabis Ruderalis.
Most cannabis (Indica and Sativa) is Photoperiod. This means the plant relies on the changing of the seasons (specifically, the shortening of daylight hours) to trigger flowering. Indoor growers must manually flip their lights to 12 hours on / 12 hours off to tell the plant to make buds.
Autoflowers are different. Originating in the harsh, cold climates of Russia, Central Asia, and Siberia, Cannabis Ruderalis evolved to survive in areas with short summers and almost constant daylight. It lost the ability to wait for the sun to change. Instead, it developed an internal biological clock.
Key Characteristics:
Automatic Flowering: They begin flowering automatically based on age (usually 3–4 weeks), regardless of light.
Speed: Most finish in 65–80 days from seed.
Hardiness: They are incredibly resistant to cold, pests, and mold.
Size: They generally stay smaller (2–4 feet), making them perfect for stealth and small tents.
Part II: The Evolution (From Ditch Weed to Super Autos)
The history of autoflowers is a story of three distinct generations.
Generation 1: The Prototype (The Lowryder Era)
In the early 2000s, a breeder named The Joint Doctor released the original Lowryder. It was a botanical curiosity—a tiny plant that flowered automatically. It was low potency and low yield, but it proved the concept worked.
Generation 2: The Hybridization
Breeders began crossing Lowryder with high-potency photoperiod strains (like Santa Maria and AK-47). This era produced plants that yielded decent buds and had respectable THC levels (12-16%).
Key Strain: Lowryder 2 (The strain that saved the genre).
Generation 3: The Super Autos
This is where we are today. Breeders like Mephisto Genetics, FastBuds, and Dutch Passion have completely stabilized the Ruderalis gene. Modern "Super Autos" can grow 5 feet tall, yield 5+ ounces per plant, and test over 25% THC.
Part III: The Top 33 Autoflower Strains
Below is our curated list of the most important autoflowering genetics in history. This list covers the pioneers, the modern heavy-hitters, and the flavor chasers.
The Pioneers: Where It All Started
These are the strains that laid the foundation. Essential history for any grower.
The Godfather of modern autos. A cross of Lowryder x Santa Maria that proved autos could be potent.
The tiny prototype that started the revolution. A true piece of history.
An early auto-flowering staple known for its extreme speed and discreet size.
The Heavy Yielders (Super Autos)
Designed for growers who want massive harvests in under 3 months.
A legendary heavy yielder. Famous for producing massive, dense colas.
The Sativa-dominant yield king. Known for explosive growth and cerebral effects.
Living up to its name, this strain is purely about maximizing gram-per-watt production.
The classic commercial strain, now in fast-forward. Huge, chunky flowers.
The unkillable strain. High resistance, high yield, and classic Indica effects.
Bringing the soaring Sativa high of Amsterdam to a 10-week grow cycle.
A modern yield monster combining the best of GG4 and Gelato.
The Flavor Chasers (Terpene Focus)
Strains selected for their elite terpene profiles and "bag appeal."
Candy-sweet terpenes that taste like the rainbow. A favorite for extract artists.
Incredible bag appeal with red/pink hues and a thick layer of cookie-dough resin.
Famous for turning almost jet-black or deep purple, with a smell of dark berries.
A citrus bomb that offers muscle relaxation and pain relief.
Sharp, astringent lemon flavors for the citrus lover.
A dessert strain offering grape candy flavors and a heavy sedative knockout.
A brunch favorite. Citrusy, creamy, and uplifting.
The Potency Kings (High THC)
Modern genetics pushing the 25%+ THC barrier.
One of the stickiest autos on Earth. Pungent pine/glue aroma and couch-lock effects.
Pure energy. A mango-flavored Sativa that hits like an energy drink.
The classic GSC stabilized in auto form. Doughy, minty, and potent.
The "Incredible Hulk" of autos. High THC and massive size.
A THC powerhouse often testing at 27%, with sweet fruit flavors.
Foundational auto flowering strain behind many of today's top strains.
The Connoisseur’s Choice (Mephisto & Night Owl)
Small-batch artisanal breeding for the true auto snob.
Double Grape (Mephisto Genetics)
Widely considered the "frostiest" auto ever created. A hash-maker's dream.
The auto version of Wedding Cake, perfected by the masters of autoflowering.
Mephisto's take on the Forum Cut GSC. Denser and funkier than standard auto cookies.
A true OG Kush auto. Watermelon, lemon, and gas flavors with a heavy stone.
The "feel good" strain. Known for its incredible grape-candy smell and happy high.
A Sativa-dominant hybrid that brings pure tropical funk and energy.
Cosmic Queen (Night Owl Seeds)
A rare Sativa auto known for a "honeysuckle" aroma and psychedelic edge.
The Medicinal & CBD
Strains designed for relief.
A 1:1 THC/CBD ratio. Perfect for daytime pain relief without intoxication.
A Sativa-dominant auto from Buddha Seeds known for huge yields.
White Dwarf x Skunk = One Remarkable Autoflowering Strain!
Part IV: Growing Tips for Autoflowers
Before you dive into the reviews, remember the Golden Rules of Autoflowers:
Don't Transplant: Start them in their final pot (3-5 gallons) to avoid shock.
Light Schedule: Run your lights 18/6 or 20/4. They love light.
Go Light on Nutrients: Autos eat less than photoperiods. Start at 1/4 strength.
No High-Stress Training: Avoid topping (unless you are experienced). Stick to LST (Low Stress Training).
Ready to find your strain? Click the links above to explore the in-depth reviews for each genetic masterpiece.