Grow your favorite strains more easily with seeds from these top sources. These recommendations on the best autoflower seed banks are made by Leafly’s Product Picks team after extensive research, internal debate, and expert consultation. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission.

Growing your own cannabis has never been easier, and more and more Americans are discovering their green thumbs and falling in love with cannabis cultivation. A big part of the plant’s newfound popularity is the rise of autoflowering strains, which have charmed novice and expert growers alike with their low-maintenance growing style and consistent yields.

A quick look at the best autoflower seed banks

Best selection: Seed Supreme

Best classic strains: Royal Queen Seeds

Best for beginners: ILGM.com

Most innovative: DNA Genetics

Best high-potency strains: Fast Buds

Our team has been eagerly charting the epic rise of autoflowers, and we’re happy to say that the future is bright for this eternally excellent, accessible crop. To help you get in on the action, we’ve assembled a list of the best autoflower seed banks for the top spots to buy autoflowering cannabis seeds online. This list of seed banks is full of champions, innovators, and artisans, and they’re all well deserving of your hard-earned dollars. 

If you’re curious about what exactly makes an autoflower an autoflower, and what sets this strain apart from traditional photoperiod strains, stick around after the list to read our breakdown of the science—no lab goggles required. But first, and without further ado, here’s our list of the very best autoflower seed banks of 2024.

The best autoflower seed banks of 2024: Reviews and recommended products

Recommended strain

GG4 is one of the most famous strains in the cannabis world today and essential growing for cannabis cultivators in the same way that Citizen Kane is essential viewing for film lovers. Seed Supreme’s autoflowering rendition of this famous strain is a fast-growing and low-effort indica-like that is a great pick for either your first grow or your five hundredth. Named after the gloriously sticky resin that it produces in prodigious quantities, GG4 induces a heavily sedating high that relaxes the body, making it a perennial favorite for those who turn to cannabis as a pain reliever or sleep aid.

There’s a staggering number of cannabis strains out there—we oughta know—and the plant’s endless variety is part of the reason why so many people keep falling in love with cannabis. If you have the heart of a collector and gotta grow and smoke em’ all, then Seed Supreme is the bank for you.

They’re a verified weed seed emporium with dozens and dozens of autoflowering strains available at an affordable price point. If you’ve heard of a strain in a song, movie, or here from Leafly, then the odds are good that Seed Supreme can ship it directly to your door. Our advice? Spend an afternoon browsing Seed Supreme’s vast catalog, you’ll find enough enticing strains to plan out your next several grows & see why they’re one of our best autoflower seed banks.

GG4 gets its high potency from its heavyweight progenitors, Sour Dubb and Chocolate Diesel. This heritage is also where GG4 gets its polarizing flavor; a heavy punch of diesel and ammonia undergirded by more subtle, sour aromas that make themselves known on the inhale. You can expect your GG4 to have somewhere in the low 20% THC range, plenty for even an experienced consumer with a tolerance to match. Seed Supreme’s GG4 auto is also a cinch to grow, despite the strain’s wide leaves and titanic colas due to the sturdy genetics bred into it by the team at Seed Supreme.

Recommended strain

Amnesia Haze has been a mainstay of stash boxes the world over for many years, and Royal Queen Seeds’ autoflowering rendition of this classic is the best way to get it in your grow. Amnesia Haze first rose to prominence in the freewheeling Amsterdam scene, where cannabis’ pseudo-legal nature allowed for incredible amounts of experimentation. Amnesia Haze is one of the standout strains from that process, a citrusy sativa-like that our team loves for a morning smoke that won’t end your day prematurely with overwhelming potency.

Royal Queen Seeds is one of the relative newcomers to the US market on this list, but don’t mistake that for inexperience; they only crossed the Atlantic after establishing themselves as one of Europe’s premier sources for autoflowering and photoperiod seeds.

Born in the legendary coffeehouses of Amsterdam, the team at Royal Queen Seeds has had a front-row seat to the development of cannabis into the massive industry it is today. They’re the stewards of some of the genetics from that classic era of experimentation and popularization when Amsterdam was the center of the cannabis universe.

But don’t get it twisted and start thinking that Royal Queen Seeds is just a purveyor of hall-of-fame strains, you’ll also find both new twists on classics and wholly unique strains on the Royal Queen Seeds storefront.

Amnesia Haze is one of those strains from a shadowy era of cannabis history when genetics and pedigrees get a bit muddled, but it has DNA from both South Asian and Jamaican Landrace strains. Those ancient genetics make Amnesia Haze one of the most recognizable strains on the smoke, but Amnesia Haze is also quite distinctive on the stem as well. You can expect long, thin leaves and foxtail buds with plenty of deep, verdant greens. Amnesia Haze is a bit of a shy one; it takes its time to bloom, but once it does, patient growers will be rewarded with heaps of thick, high-quality buds.

Recommended strain

White Widow, a massively popular strain that began to dominate cannabis culture in the mid-90s, is often recommended for newer growers to get their feet wet with growing before diving in. ILGM has made it even easier to grow this famous it-strain by creating an autoflowering variant that does almost everything but water itself. Even if you’ve struggled with keeping plants alive in the past, ILGM’s White Widow Auto is a cinch to care for; with the ability to thrive in virtually any setup. This strain laughs at cramped apartment closets, fluctuating temperatures, and even some common diseases that make less hearty strains tremble. 

ILGM aka I Love Growing Marijuana and their incomparable founder, Robert Bergman, have been some of the biggest names in American cannabis seeds through several of the plant’s different eras. As you may have guessed from their name, ILGM is a passion project sustained through a commitment to the joys of cannabis cultivation.

We’re big fans of their grow bible, a massive tome full of growing wisdom that ILGM sends to your email when you buy any of their seeds. And that’s the type of outfit Robert Bergman has made—a company that cares about spreading knowledge and furthering the accessibility of cannabis cultivation.

Like all the best heroines, White Widow’s past is a little mysterious. We aren’t sure of the specifics, but we know that White Widow is descended from a Brazilian sativa landrace and a heavily resin-producing South Indian indica. The result is the Goldilocks of indica-likes, potent but not too potent, relaxing but not sedating, an uplift that comes without panic.

These balanced qualities extend to White Widow’s flavor as well; you can expect a woody, subtly sweet taste that still carries a delightful dankness that our team of writers go wild for. Newcomers to growing and old hands alike will find something to love in ILGM’s White Widow Autoflower, so click the link below and don’t wait another day to start growing.

Recommended strain

You may not have heard of this strain from DNA Genetics yet, but trust us, it might be everywhere soon. A true indica-lovers indica, Canelo is a closer that is best saved for the end of the night when it’s time to tune out and turn off. It excels in this role, and we’re putting our marker down that DNA Genetics’ Canelo’s profile will only keep rising as time goes on, and you can grow it and smoke it way before your local dispensary has it in stock with these autoflowering seeds.  If you love indicas, or even just next-big-things, then you need to check Canelo out.

DNA Genetics is a legendary bank that occupies a rare and hallowed spot in cannabis-growing culture. They’ve recently celebrated their 20th anniversary, an incredible feat that makes them older than Methuselah in weed years. They’ve stuck around so long by consistently looking to the future and never resting on their quite considerable laurels.

They’re the minds behind several of the most popular strains to arrive since the new millennium, with a commitment to quality that has earned them the respect of breeders, retailers, and homegrowers alike. The odds are good that the next big strain is somewhere on DNA Genetics storefront, so get ahead of the curve and order some exciting autoflowering seeds from DNA Genetics before they’re cool and never let your friends hear the end of it.

OG Kush and Strawberry Banana are the direct progenitors of Canelo Auto, a prestigious parentage that makes the strain nothing less than indica royalty. You can taste and smell that heritage as well, both in the kush earthiness and fruity sweetness. These genetics also mean Canelo is a resilient plant that is quite forgiving to novice growers and less-than-ideal conditions, so don’t let either of those factors stop you from taking the plunge.

You can expect your Canelo buds to have a THC percentage somewhere in the high teens or low twenties, just enough to put you down for the count at night without a trace of grogginess in the morning. Grow what people are going to be talking about before they’re talking about it and order yourself some Canelo Auto seeds today.

Recommended strain

Fast Buds’ Strawberry Gorilla Auto is one of the most-awarded autoflowering strains in the world, and it can be yours in no time flat. It recently triumphed in the American Autoflower Cup and even beat out some photoperiod strains to earn honors at the 2023 Farmer’s Cup. Those are pretty some pretty serious kudos to earn, but if you ask them, the team of Fast Buds breeders responsible for this strain would put more stock in the overwhelmingly positive response from growers who have tried their hand at growing their own Strawberry Gorilla Auto. Their hybrid has won hearts with its surprisingly potent strawberry flavor and classic diesel aroma.

Fast Buds has been on a meteoric rise, quickly rising to become some of the preeminent autoflower specialists in the world. They’re an autoflower seed bank that takes pride in their top-tier California genetics while also maintaining a global perspective on the cannabis industry.

Fast Buds’ trophy case features awards from all over the planet, a truly globe-trotting tour of excellence that we here at Leafly have to applaud (and give our best autoflower seed banks list stamp of approval). As a bank that focuses on autoflowers, they’ve done incredible work in ensuring that autoflowering strains can stand on equal footing in terms of yield and potency to their photoperiod counterparts. They’re an easy recommendation for all the autoflower lovers out there, but if you’re a skeptic who’s made it here, then our advice is to see if the autoflower experts at Fast Buds can change your mind.

Strawberry Gorilla Auto isn’t for novices in more ways than one. It benefits from an experienced hand that knows how to properly handle its height by providing support and plenty of nutrients. Those growers who are up to the task will reap some truly stunning rewards when their gorgeous purple buds are ready for harvest. Strawberry Gorilla Auto is a monstrously potent strain that can produce buds with up to 28% THC. If you’ve ever been skeptical about autoflowering strains’ ability to stack up to traditional photoperiods, we dare you to give Strawberry Gorilla a try; we won’t even say “I told you so!”

Why you can trust Leafly Product Picks

Leafly is the world’s leading cannabis discovery platform and provides a vast library of content from some of the most respected voices in cannabis. Leafly Product Picks prioritizes accuracy and integrity in our selections, working through mountains of research and testimonials to source products you can trust.

Jake Rosendale: Lead Content Writer, Brands & Products

Jake Rosendale is Leafly’s Lead Content Writer, Brands & Products. He’s been with Leafly since 2022, where he spends his time researching the best products in the wide world of weed. Jake’s been writing about cannabis, food, and wine in the Seattle area for 5 years. In addition to Leafly, you can find his work in Seattle Met Magazine and High Times. He loves sci-fi novels, country music, and Super Lemon Haze.

Anna Elliott: Senior Content Editor, Brands & Products

Anna Elliott is Leafly’s Senior Content Editor, Brands & Products. She’s been with Leafly since 2021, managing and editing brand-related content and bringing the best stories on the industry’s top products to life. With a decade of experience reviewing products, covering brands, and editing stories, Anna loves talking up the people & products that make a real difference in readers’ every day. She’s found that Space Mints makes the perfect pairing for enjoying her frankly irresponsible vinyl collection.

What is an autoflower?

An autoflowering cannabis plant is any breed of cannabis that will flower after a certain period of time regardless of the amount of light the plant receives. This is opposed to traditional photoperiod strains, which will only flower due to changing light levels, either caused by the changing of the seasons or by a grower artificially lowering the amount of light the plant receives.

Autoflowers tend to be smaller, faster growing, and less potent than their photoperiod cousins, although enterprising growers are doing their best to mitigate this last point. Since autoflowers are categorically easier to grow than photoperiod plants, they’re very popular with newer growers who aren’t eager to deal with changing light levels. 

All autoflowering strains share some DNA with the cannabis ruderalis plant, a variety of cannabis native to harsh northern climates, forcing the plant to evolve in ways to cope with the lack of sunlight and short growing seasons. Ruderalis isn’t very potent on its own, but breeders can cross cannabis ruderalis with traditional indica or sativa strains in order to produce a plant that flowers automatically, or an “autoflower.”

Pretty cool, right? If you’re still curious about autoflowers, cannabis ruderalis, or anything else having to do with growing cannabis, then head over to Leafly’s guide to growing marijuana. It’s the best spot on the internet to learn everything there is to know about cultivating & harvesting our favorite plant after you’ve made your picks from our best autoflower seed banks list.

Final thoughts

That’s all from us this time, so get to growing! But while you’re waiting for your seeds to germinate, make sure to check back in on this list of the best autoflower seed banks regularly to see if there are any hot new banks with fire strains you have yet to try. And don’t forget to check out the rest of our Product Picks to see our selections fore the greatest finds in the wide world of cannabis. Happy growing! 

For business inquiries, please direct messages to affiliate@leafly.com.

Availability subject to law.

These recommendations on the best cannabis seed companies are made by Leafly Product Picks after extensive research, internal debate, and expert consultation. If you make a purchase through links on this page, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Updated for 2024.

A quick look at 2024’s best cannabis seed companies

ILGM.com

Seed Supreme

DNA Genetics

Royal Queen Seeds

Homegrown Cannabis Co

Cookies Seed Bank

Premium Cultivars

Selecting seeds ahead of the planting season is one of the most exciting parts of growing your own cannabis for experts and novices alike. There are thousands of strains out there to try, with more dropping every season, so the only real question is where you want to start.

We’ve put together this list of the best places to buy seeds online to help you navigate where to find quality seeds you can count on. We’ve gone ahead and classified these into several categories like best genetics, best for beginners, etc, so read on until you find the right seed bank to fit your needs. Happy growing!

Top seed banks of 2024: Reviews and recommended products

Recommended product: Do-si-dos

Highlights

• Expert knowledge courtesy of Robert Bergman
• Extensive resources for newcomers
• Highly affordable

The cannabis journey of a thousand harvests begins with a single seed, and tons of happy hobbyist growers get their start with I Love Growing Marijuana, affectionately known as ILGM. Founded in 2012 by the incomparable master breeder Robert Bergman, ILGM.com is our recommendation for the best seed bank to start your growing journey due to their extensive online resources for novices, as well as plug-and-play grow kits that are ideal for those just starting out. That’s not all—ILGM will also include a free download of Robert Bergman’s Grow Bible with every purchase.

Do-si-dos: Winner of one of the biggest prizes in cannabis, our very own 2021 Leafly Strain of the Year award, Do-si-dos may be a total champion, but it hasn’t let all that fame go to its head. Do-si-dos is still the easy-to-grow sensation that arrived on the scene nearly a decade ago and has been a friendly introduction to the world of cannabis growing ever since.  Do-si-dos is a slightly indica-leaning hybrid that can hold up well in a variety of climates and growing conditions, although it slightly prefers an indoor environment. You can start your cultivation adventure with ten Dos-i-dos feminized seeds for just $149.

Recommended product: Alien OG Feminized

Highlights

• Great for medical patients
• Easy delivery
• High-CBD options

Many growers first take to the hobby because they get tired of giving so much of their paycheck to the local dispensary. If you’re one of those cannasseurs that got into growing green to save some green, then look no further than Seeds Supreme. They have a massive selection of strains both common and rare, expertly collated into an easy-to-use webpage. You’ll be hard-pressed to find seeds for a better price anywhere, and Seed Supreme even frequently slashes their own already low prices with heaps of special deals and promotions.

Seed Supreme goes the extra mile when it comes to taking care of their customers who primarily grow cannabis to ease the symptoms of their medical ailments. Not only do they have multiple strains popular in the medical community, Seed Supreme allows you to sort strains via the particular symptom you are hoping to relieve or condition you are suffering from. Customers are able to browse either by ailment, like multiple sclerosis or arthritis, or by symptoms, like nausea or insomnia. This means that Seed Supreme is one of the best spots around for finding the perfect strain to help with whatever ails you.

Alien OG Feminized: A true 50/50 hybrid the likes of which are increasingly rare, Alien OG is the sort of strain that’ll have you questioning your place in the universe. Hailing from outer space by way of the San Francisco Bay, Alien OG gets its potent DNA from Alien Kush and Tahoe OG Kush, two parents who are no slouches in the THC department either. You can expect your Alien OG buds to reach up to 28% THC in ideal conditions, enough to satisfy the strongest of tolerances and help anyone explore the farther reaches of the galaxy.

Recommended product: Chocolope Fem

Highlights

• Multiple award-winning genetics team
• Incredibly in-depth growing information
• Special members-only Seed Vault Club

With twenty years of excellence under their belt, DNA Genetics are some of the elder statesmen of the cannabis world. They’ve migrated from California to the Netherlands and back again, breeding legendary strains and filling their trophy case with prestigious awards. There’s hardly a cannabis award in the twenty-first century they haven’t won by introducing the world to favorites like Tangie, Kosher Kush, and Lemon Skunk, magical strains that continue to loom large in cannabis culture to this day.

DNA Genetics has begun to license its precious genetics to home breeders, spreading the DNA to be shared and iterated upon, in the true spirit of cannabis culture. If you’re interested in growing weed that is one step short of mythical, then DNA Genetics has the storied genetic legacy you’ve been dreaming of.

Chocolope Fem: The delicious winner of over ten awards, Chocolope is descended from OG Chocolate Thai, a hard-to-find cultivar notable for its chocolate and coffee aroma, and Cannalope Haze. Chocolope is a mouthwatering sativa-like that produces huge, resin-coated buds, perfect for the hash-maker or anyone who appreciates a stronger smoke. This strain is beginner-friendly, resilient, and oh-so tasty; there’s no reason not to treat yourself with a seed or twenty.

Recommended product: Titan F1

Highlights

• Custodians of classic strains
• Innovative genetic team
• Scientific outlook

Earning the crown for the most innovative purveyor of seeds is Royal Queen Seeds, a European seed bank that has had a British Invasion-level impact on American growers. Based in Amsterdam, a site of stoner pilgrimage for decades, Royal Queen Seeds has been the careful shepherd of cannabis DNA that goes back to the days of the coffeeshops. However, it’s Royal Queen’s ability to look towards the future that has earned them the spot on this list.

Royal Queen’s dedication to innovation extends to all levels of their business. Not only are they advancing the frontiers of cannabis genetics with their line of F1 Hybrids, but they’re also making sure growing weed is more accessible and fun than it ever has been before through tools like their online seedfinder. Touring Royal Queen’s incredible genetic library will surely have you seduced by a special strain that you can crown as your next fave.

Titan F1: F1 strains are famed for their resilience and robust genetics, and Titan F1 is an exemplar even among the F1 crowd. A pioneering hybrid, Titan F1 is an inbred cross of princely genetics including stand-out strains like Blue Dream, Amnesia, and Sugar Magnolia. Cannabis inbreeding won’t result in your weed going pug-shaped—in fact, RQS uses the technique to reinforce beneficial traits like resilience to pests or high-THC content. Get Titan F1 growing in your garden today, and experience some truly titanic majesty.

Recommended product: Kyle’s Sweet Island Feminized

Highlights

• Great resources for growers of all levels
• Several experts on staff
• Unique cultivars

The best growers in the business will tell you that there’s always more to learn about cannabis cultivation. Like an iceberg, most of the substance of cannabis growing is below the surface. Growers who are interested in learning from some of the best minds in the cannabis industry should find a home at Homegrown Cannabis Co, a seed bank that offers extensive seed options as well as all the resources you could ever need to take your growing game to the next level. 

Homegrown Cannabis Co has a crew of cannabis-growing heavyweights bringing their knowledge to Homegrown customers by writing articles, producing videos, and recommending strains. These experts are a veritable Mount Rushmore of cannabis legends, including Parker Curtis, Victoria Rouland, Nikki Lasterto, Swami Chaitanya, and the incomparable Kyle Kushman. With combined decades of experience, you can’t go wrong consulting with these legends.

Kyle’s Sweet Island Feminized: One of Homegrown’s Cultivars with Character (CWC), Kyle’s Sweet Island bears the stamp of approval from one of Homegrown’s biggest assets, the man himself, Kyle Kushman. Sweet Island has a robust pedigree featuring Sweet Pink Grapefruit and Big Skunk #1, two famous parents who always bring a tropical vibe. 

After planting Sweet Island, prepare for it to grow to a formidable height — this hybrid leans sativa and will bear the growing hallmarks of those strains. On the smoke, Sweet Island is an energizing, mentally stimulating strain that Homegrown recommends for a wake’n’bake companion. And with a respectable 19% THC, Sweet Island will give you just the push you need without sidetracking your whole day.

Recommended product: Fried Banana

Highlights

• Very innovative
• Embedded in San Francisco culture
• Originated world-famous strains

If you’re a seasoned hand at cannabis cultivation, and you find yourself craving something new and exciting to grow to keep the hobby fresh, then Cookies Seed Bank would like a few words. Cookies are legendary in the business, creating multiple world-famous strains, like GSC, a strain whose name pays homage to both the brand itself and the girls in green sashes. While picking up strains you’ve heard of before is certainly an option, in our opinion, the real reason to check out Cookies is the strains you haven’t. The team at Cookies is constantly cooking up new, unique strains that push the boundaries of cannabis cultivation. 

Cookies was founded by the dynamic duo of Gilbert Anthony Milam Jr, AKA Berner and the enigmatic growmaster known only as Jai. Berner is nothing short of a cannabis mogul in the mold of Jay-Z, hip-hop career included. His partner Jai is a pillar of the San Francisco Bay Area community and a foundational part of the broader cannabis culture. His creativity has influenced the makeup of American cannabis forever, and if you want to know which strain will take the country by storm next, there’s a decent chance Jai is dreaming it up right now. Get your seeds from Cookies and impress your friends with a harvest of the next big thing.

Fried Banana is the sensitive type; a skilled hand can be necessary to help this strain reach its full potential, but there’s no better investment to make. Fried Banana features a depth of flavor and aroma that’d have a sommelier stuttering, a true treat for the connoisseur of finer cannabis flower.

Fried Banana is a backcross of Cookies’ legendary Gelato #41, with additional genetics from Stardawg Guava, where Fried Banana gets its tropical flair. Make sure you keep an eye on Fried Banana plants when they reach maturity, they tend to grow spindly as they near harvest. The team at Cookies recommends providing Fried Banana a bit of support to make sure it becomes all it can be.

Recommended product: Jealousy

Highlights

• Impeccable genetics
• Outstanding user community
• Resources for all experience levels

There’s nothing quite like word of mouth to inspire trust, and a company that isn’t afraid of letting their customers speak freely is usually one you can bank on. Such is the case with Premium Cultivars, our selection for the seed bank with the best user community. Each strain available on the Premium Cultivars storefront features insightful, relevant reviews from growers all over the United States. This creates a dedicated community of growers that customers have access to, without digging through a dozen Reddit threads to find a worthwhile review from a real person.

Premium Cultivars was able to cultivate this online community because of the undeniable quality of their genetics, and the care they take in preserving that legacy. Growers respect quality and hate a scam, and the fact that Premium Cultivars has been able to inspire such a loyal community speaks incredibly well to their product. See for yourself what these seeds can do in your garden, and then pay it forward and leave your own review!

Jealousy: Jealousy is currently having a moment, earning a slew of accolades including the big one; the coveted Leafly Strain of the Year award. All this popularity has made Jealousy a hard girl to find, with many dispensaries selling out as fast as breeders can grow. Now, thanks to Premium Cultivars, you can snag Jealousy for yourself with these autoflowering, feminized seeds. The word from the Premium Cultivars community is that Jealousy is an easy, low-maintenance strain to grow, so pick up a pack of twelve seeds for just $129.00 and get to planting.

Why you can trust Leafly Product Picks

Leafly is the world’s leading cannabis discovery platform and provides a vast library of content from some of the most respected voices in cannabis. Leafly Product Picks prioritizes accuracy and integrity in our selections, working through mountains of research, testimonials, and testing to source products you can trust.

Jake Rosendale: Lead Content Writer, Brands & Products

Jake Rosendale is Leafly’s Lead Content Writer, Brands & Products. He’s been with Leafly since 2022, where he spends his time researching the best products in the wide world of weed. Jake’s been writing about cannabis, food, and wine in the Seattle area for 5 years. In addition to Leafly, you can find his work in Seattle Met Magazine and High Times. He loves sci-fi novels, country music, and Super Lemon Haze.

Anna Elliott: Senior Content Editor, Brands & Products

Anna Elliott is Leafly’s Senior Content Editor, Brands & Products. She’s been with Leafly since 2021, managing and editing brand-related content and bringing the best stories on the industry’s top products to life. With a decade of experience reviewing products, covering brands, and editing stories, Anna loves talking up the people & products that make a real difference in readers’ every day. She’s found that Space Mints makes the perfect pairing for enjoying her frankly irresponsible vinyl collection.

Final thoughts

No matter the season, these seed banks are the best in the business. With options for every type of grower, from horticultural novices to captains of cannabis cultivation, our selections for the best cannabis seed companies are poised to kick off a renaissance in homegrowing. A greener world is a better world, so find the seed bank that’s right for you and get your hands in the dirt today!

For business inquiries, please direct messages to affiliate@leafly.com.

Availability subject to law

Growing cannabis for seed is a passion project undertaken by plant-loving breeders of every caliber. Generation after generation, parent plants are selected and tracked, genetics are improved and stabilized through traditional farming methods, and the resulting traits are documented and enjoyed by growers and consumers. On the other hand, some folks grow seeds accidentally when stray pollen from a rogue plant enters the garden. Which seeds are good?

When talking about recognizing quality weed seeds, there are two main considerations: 

• Quality of the future cannabis plant (genetic contents)
• Quality of the seed in terms of its characteristics “as a seed” (i.e., suitability for growing)

This article will assume you are already familiar with the genetic characteristics of the plant you’re planning to grow. It instead examines how to recognize high-quality weed seeds in a batch that you harvested, received as a gift, found in a bud, or bought from a reputable cannabis seed bank. 

What do healthy cannabis seeds look like?

Healthy cannabis seeds are robust, oval-shaped, shiny, dark-colored, firm, and fully formed when harvested. By contrast, immature and unhealthy seeds appear stunted or shrunken on the non-pointy end (the “abscission” area, i.e., the base where the seed was attached to the flower) and may be light green or white.

Cannabis seed identification myths

Almost all cannabis seeds available to consumers today are incredibly similar in appearance. This is due to how closely related the extreme majority of popular and commercially viable cannabis cultivars (strains, as we incorrectly call them) are compared to their wild and landrace ancestors. 

In the 20th century, folks who wanted to grow and breed high-yielding, THC-rich, and fast-finishing (including autoflowering) cannabis under prohibition had a limited selection from which to identify and refine genetics. 

For this reason, many easy-to-grow cannabis types share a lot of DNA. Sometimes nicknamed “OG” or “Old School,” stabilized family lines were (and continue to be) used by contemporary cultivators to experiment with hybrid forms that can improve or present unique spins on existing favorites. 

Some people believe you can tell what you have just by looking at a seed. In fact, historically, folks have shared some creative ideas about identifying future plant characteristics based on the look or character of the seeds. 

Let’s start by answering some questions you may have after hearing popular myths about the appearance of cannabis seeds and what people think it says about their quality: 

Are light or dark weed seeds better?

It is fair to say that dark weed seeds are better for growing than light-colored seeds. This is because the dark color indicates the seeds have completed their journey from pollination to maturity. They have developed all of the protective shell structures necessary to survive until they find the right conditions to germinate and start the cannabis life cycle again. 

On average, fiber cannabis types, which have been forcibly bred with low THC under hemp-growing laws in many parts of the world, tend to display slightly lighter shades of brown.  

Can you recognize feminized or autoflower seeds?

Feminized and autoflower seeds look just like regular and photoperiod seeds. You cannot tell how long a seed will take to grow into a finished plant by looking at it. 

Can you recognize if the resulting plant will be male or female?

It is impossible to recognize whether a resulting plant will be male or female by its seed’s observable qualities. Purchasing feminized seeds and ensuring they are kept separate from any other seeds in your collection is the only way to know your plants will grow to be female.

Shop Feminized Seeds

• Female plants for healthy bud
• Quality genetics, high yields
• All popular cultivars

Can you tell the strain by a cannabis seed?

You cannot tell the strain of cannabis by looking at a seed. A grower who produces seeds may notice they become familiar with how their seeds look when made by certain plants (as in the case of stabilized lineages). Still, the likelihood of identifying any given strain in, let’s say, a bag of random seeds is next to, if not entirely, impossible. 

Can you even tell if a seed is indica or sativa?

You can’t tell if a seed is indica or sativa from its appearance. 

Indica and sativa cannabis types grown for high cannabinoid content and easy cultivation are hybridized forms of plants selected for those features. 

Unless (until?) you become as passionate about (might I even suggest “obsessed with”?) growing cannabis as some of us around here, most of the good seeds you will encounter in your life as a grower of high-quality cannabis will look very similar. 

Should a cannabis seed have (tiger) stripes?

A lack of stripes is not a good reason to downgrade a cannabis seed, but the presence of stripes or mottling does indicate that its internal structures were mature at harvest. 

Seed striping in cannabis is related to an evolutionary need for camouflage, protecting the seeds dropped by plants from being eaten (by birds, mainly). The genes of a subtype can retain this trait, but it may also not be part of that particular variety’s DNA expression. 

The stripes on a cannabis seed are among the last characteristics to develop, and the layer in which they appear can sometimes be “sloughed off” in the collection and handling process.

There is no reason to insist that a cannabis seed should have stripes to be a good quality seed. 

Does cannabis seed size matter?

Cannabis plant breeding (outside of “hemp” grown specifically for fiber) has created varieties that consistently make larger and more uniform seeds.  

Larger seeds serve the interests of growers seeking more protein and oil from the seed. In the absence of pollination, this portion of the plant’s energy goes to creating the cannabinoid-rich oils found in and on the unseeded, tightly stacked, and plump buds. 

The relative size of a cannabis seed does not matter when it comes to its eventual size: large cannabis seeds will not inherently make bigger plants. 

What color should a good weed seed be?

Color is one important characteristic that seed growers use to evaluate whether their seeds are good enough to sell or to plant for the next crop. The color of the seed indicates its maturity at harvest. There is only a short window of time during which the contents of the seed are fully formed, and the outer shell of the seeds is not. For this reason, a good weed seed is generally dark in color. 

Light or white cannabis seeds

Light or white cannabis seeds were pollinated closer to their harvest date than their counterparts on the same plant. As it takes a minimum of four, but usually more, weeks for cannabis seeds to become mature after pollination, the seed producer is occasionally forced to harvest their plants before some of the seeds have fully developed. 

White or light-colored cannabis seeds can be just as viable as their dark-brown counterparts. However, they are more vulnerable to storage climate conditions (e.g., temperature fluctuations, humidity, dryness) and infection. 

If you have white or light cannabis seeds, attempt to germinate them during the first growing season after you acquired them. Under ideal conditions, older white seeds may still germinate, but you are likely to see a reduction in healthy seedling rates the longer you wait to grow them.

Dark or black cannabis seeds

Dark or black cannabis seeds are ready to propagate their genetics at the time of harvest. High-quality weed seeds are usually dark brown, gray, or black in color. 

Green cannabis seeds

A greenish-white cannabis seed is probably not completely formed inside, and a green color is a strong indicator it will not grow at all. 

Cannabis seeds can retain a green tint until completely formed and dry in the buds. When they are complete, they are ready to withstand the period between the plant’s natural seasons of regrowth. 

Sometimes, seeds are still slightly green because they are very fresh. A greenish-colored brown cannabis seed will usually darken as it dries, to the point where the green color fades or disappears. A green hue on cannabis seeds that was otherwise quite dark when the plants were cut down is not usually a concern.

How can you tell the quality of weed seeds?

You can tell the quality of weed seeds by using the same evaluation criteria as the growers who made them. In commercial seed production, no matter what type of plant is being grown, a uniform harvest of high-quality seeds is the goal. 

When all the seeds in a pack look almost identical, the grower likely had a good handle on the variables to make vigorous seeds with high germination rates and a reasonable storage lifespan. 

Look for fully-matured, oval-shaped seeds with a dark color and firm shell, with no signs of damage. 

Shop High-Quality Seeds

• High-quality, hand-picked seeds
• The best genetics out there
• Delivery and germination warranty

Is the firmness of a marijuana seed an indicator of quality?

The firmness of a seed, which in agricultural regulations is called its “resistance to compression,” is one of the measurable indicators of maturity. Although you may be able to crush good quality seeds if you try (so don’t try too hard!), a seed’s firmness is an indicator that you have a good quality cannabis seed. 

Older seeds can have thick shells.

Seeds with very thick outer shells make it hard for water to penetrate them. The thick outer shell of an older seed may have preserved its viability but may also make your germination period longer. 

Seeds from different batches, harvested from differently mature parts of the same plants, or with different genetics can have varied shell thicknesses. Regardless, ideal germination conditions should be maintained even if the seeds of one type or source have already ‘popped’ (sprouted) while others lag behind.  

Dry or brittle seeds

Seeds subjected to overdrying lose their ability to support themselves through germination. Dry or brittle seeds are considered poor quality. 

What if your seed has a damaged or scratched shell? 

If your seed has a damaged or scratched shell, you may consider this a lower-quality weed seed. Any damage sustained by the seed’s protective coating makes it vulnerable to the elements, compromising the viability of the contents. 

Don’t throw it out, though. A scratched shell is not a reason to discard the seed without attempting to grow it. However, you should lower your expectations for successful germination.  

Seed identification has great potential.

The future may hold fascinating new developments in seed quality and type identification. There is a resurging interest in sourcing, identifying, and protecting global cannabis genetic diversity. 

Using cannabis seeds purchased at a market in Thailand in 2022, a group of scientists recently released the first known open-access dataset containing four thousand images for machine learning (AI-training) purposes. 

With researchers all over the world studying and sharing information about cannabis and its seeds, new data may come out that will put some of the old myths to rest (or perhaps reveal exciting insights!). 

Conclusion

Today, as growers, our ability to estimate the quality of seeds we intend to grow comes down to a few key aspects.

Observations of the seed characteristics and general appearance.

Does it look like it was mature when collected? Was it protected from damage throughout its post-harvest journey from the parent plant to the garden? 

Trust in the seed producer. 

Do you trust your source, especially their skills in cultivating, harvesting, and preserving high-quality cannabis seeds from healthy plants? Do you trust their quality control standards and guarantees? 

Experience. 

What data collection, documentation, and analysis of our own experiences growing high-quality cannabis seeds do you have? What can you tell from what you’ve experienced? 

These are the three things you should always consider when evaluating cannabis seeds. However, when you start with brown, firm, uniform, and not visibly damaged seeds, you give yourself the best chance at success. For high-quality marijuana seeds with guaranteed germination, visit ILGM.com. 

Learn more about cannabis seeds

Be sure to check out the following articles if you want to learn more about cannabis seeds:

Once you’ve got your hands on some high-quality cannabis seeds, don’t forget to download Robert’s free Marijuana Grow Bible and check out the ILGM Grow Support Forum to get growing!