When you’re considering growing your own weed, you’ll eventually run into the question, what seeds should I be growing? Researching what cannabis to grow, one can get lost in the myriad of choices you find online. Indica, sativa, feminized, autoflower, thc, and many strains, are just some of the indications you’ll come across. 

We have many guides for those who want to educate themselves on all these topics. You’ll even find some of the info below. But you’re just here for seeds and not for a cannabis Ph.D., are you? For you, we built this seedfinder tool, AKA the ILGM Strain Quiz. 

By taking a minute and going through this quiz, you will learn what type of cannabis strains and which seed types are best for your personal needs.

Start the seedfinder quiz immediately, or read on to learn more about its contents.

Experience level

Are you new to growing marijuana? Or are you a seasoned grower looking for their next delight? By sharing your experience level, we can filter out strains that are more of a challenge to grow. As a new grower, you probably don’t want a plant that is unforgiving towards minor mistakes in watering, fertilizer, or other forms of plant care. This will save you from unintentionally killing your plants.

If you’re really new at this, you will want to download my free eBook, the Marijuana Grow Bible. This guide will save you from finishing off your grow.

Where will you grow?

Where your plants will be growing is very important to the type of seeds you pick. Some plants are more sensitive to catching a bug or some other misfortune. These are better grown indoors, where you control the grow conditions. 

When growing outdoors, you will want a type of plant that thrives in the climate that you live in. Lanky and sleek sativa plants are beautiful to grow when you’re in a very sunny and hot climate whit lots of sunlight hours. But when you live up north, some sturdier indicas will do better in the colder days and nights of early Spring and Fall.

Plant size

Next up, you must consider the space you will be growing in. Some autoflowering cannabis plants don’t grow larger than a foot or two. But other strains that you’ll find through the seed finder can sprout towering monster plants of almost ten feet in height. You wouldn’t want one of those filling up your stealthy grow tent.

How do you like your high?

Some people get up early to wake and bake. A great way to start the day, but you wouldn’t want to kick off with a relaxing couch-lock strain if you have errands to run and things to do. The same goes for toking up an energizing strain just before bedtime. That thing’ll keep you up for hours while you were really looking forward to a night of deep and dreamless sleep. Here’s where our seedfinder helps you select a strain that affects your day in just the right way. You’re welcome 🙂

THC vs CBD

Consuming cannabis is not always about getting high. Though some people like the strongest, highest THC-level strains available to mankind, others prefer just a light buzz. Then there are folk who just prefer to get the CBD cannabinoid in their system. Let the seed finder help you get the perfect dose for you.

More to consider

Once you’ve entered all your preferences in the seed finder, you’ll be greeted by a set of strains that fit your needs. If you like, you can delve deeper even. Here are some additional considerations that may be important to you.

Photoperiod vs Autoflowering Seeds

Cannabis plants grow over the Summer season and start flowering when days become shorter towards Fall. This process can be simulated indoors. We call these plants photoperiod cannabis plants. Contrary to light-dependent photoperiod plants, autoflowers automatically go into flowering after a few short weeks. This makes them smaller and quicker to harvest. 

All our seeds grow feminized plants. This means that you will never have to worry about male plants which yield no weed at all.

Want to harvest soon?

Grow autoflowers if you’re short in time and want your bud a.s.a.p. Autoflowering plants finish in two to three months from the moment you sprout the seeds.

Want a heavy yield?

If you’re in the market for the biggest yields possible, you will want to grow photoperiod feminized seeds. They take longer to finish than autoflowers, but they grow more flowers and heavier buds.

Terpenes for taste and aroma

In our store, you will find that each strain has a terpene profile. A lot can still be learned about terpenes and their effects on the flavor and even the type of high. For the aficionados out there, you can do a deep dive into our store for more information and to find the seeds that fit your needs!

Learn more about seeds

If you made it all the way here and you’re hungry to learn more about cannabis seeds, check out this set of guides to help you on your way!

That’s about it when it comes to selecting the right seeds. Try our seedfinder for yourself, and you will be growing the perfect plant in no time. New to growing? No sweat! Download my free Marijuana Grow Bible and learn all about growing your own!

Happy growing!

Fast-flowering strains combine photoperiod genetics with autoflowering genetics. They have been engineered to grow and mature faster than traditional cannabis plants. This means quicker harvests and increased yields compared to autoflower strains. Fast flowering strain yields can match those of photoperiod cannabis varieties.

Understanding fast flowering weed and how it differs from established photoperiod and autoflower cultivars is key for growers of any level. This article’ll dive deeper into these differences, how fast-flowering cultivars are made, and their added benefits.

ILGM has seeds on offer regularly! Sign up below to stay posted on the latest deals.

The difference between fast-flowering and autoflowers

The primary difference between fast-flowering cannabis variants and autoflowering cannabis variants is how they flower. Fast-flowering variants are photoperiod dependent (they need light manipulation to flower and mature). The light cycle will need to be turned back or “flipped” from 18 hours on and 6 hours off to 12 hours on and 12 hours off for the plants to transition from their vegetative stage into their flowering stage. 

This is in contrast to autoflowering strains, which automatically go into their flowering period within 4-6 weeks of germination from seed. Thus, fast-flowering cultivars give growers the benefits of sturdy and potent photoperiod strains in a shorter period of time.

Buy Fast-Flowering Seeds

• 2-5 weeks faster than normal seeds
• High-quality feminized genetics
• Delivery and germination guaranteed

How fast-flowering strains are made

There has been a surge in the development of fast-flowering strains due to the increased demand for cannabis products. Breeders utilize selective genetics and hybridization techniques to produce these fast version strains. In the case of fast-flowering cultivars, the breeders selected genetics from plants that flowered faster than some of their sisters.  

Sometimes, fast-flowering cannabis varieties are made by introducing photoperiod plants to pollen from autoflower plants. This introduces even more fast-flowering genetic traits to the new phenotype (strain). After that, breeders stabilize the Ruderalis genetics by reintroducing photoperiod genetics through a process called “back-crossing”. 

This produces fast-flowering, photoperiod-dependent, and cloneable cultivars.

Growing fast-flowering strains

One of the significant advantages of growing fast-flowering cannabis strains is that they’ll reach the flowering phase quicker than traditional light-cycle dependent strains. The flowering time for these strains can range from 6-8 weeks, while many traditional photoperiod strains can take 7 -to 10 weeks or longer. 

The shorter flowering period allows growers to turn over more crops. Additionally, fast-flowering strains can be grown multiple times a year in the same space, potentially increasing yields and profits.

Fast-flowering strains can have a longer period of vegetative growth and training if desired, giving growers more options.

Pros and cons of fast-flowering strains

Besides the reduced growth cycle time, fast-flowering plants are also more resistant to pests and diseases than traditional strains. This is likely because they mature quicker, leaving less time for diseases and pests to take hold. 

Fast-flowerers are also more resistant to environmental factors such as temperature changes and extreme weather conditions, making them easier to grow in a wider range of locations. The shorter growing times also allow for more potential harvests on a yearly basis.

While fast-flowering strains have many advantages, they also have some drawbacks. One of the main disadvantages is a potentially smaller yield than traditional strains. Lower yields occur because these strains complete their life cycle much quicker than traditional strains. That means they have less time to develop and grow. Additionally, fast-flowering strains may produce lower levels of THC and other cannabinoids than traditional strains.

Fast-flowering strains may also require more immediate attention from growers due to their shorter lifespan. Any potential errors or mistakes may mean extending the growth cycle or delaying flowering for the plants to recover.

Are fast flowering strains good?

This is a tough question to answer. It all depends on what you consider “good”. Fast-flowering strains are a good option for growers looking for decent yields of potent flowers in less time than photo cultivars take. But, due to shorter growth cycles, as I stated before, the yield might not be as high as with ‘regular’ photoperiod plants, which get all the time they need to fully flourish. 

Fast-flowering cultivars also offer more customization for growing and training than autoflowers, as well as more time to recover from any potential mistakes or accidents that might occur.

So, yes. Ultimately, fast-flowering cultivars are “good” if you want training flexibility and production speed with a decent and potent yield compared to most autoflower varieties. But if you’re looking for fully optimized yields, our feminized photoperiod options are a ‘better choice.’ 

What is the fastest-growing cannabis strain?

There may be some debate as to which cannabis strains grow the fastest. Afghani and Skunk strains tend to be the fastest-growing from what I’ve experienced. However, those were regular photoperiod cultivars. 

When you look online, pretty much every site has its own lists, each with different strains of claiming to be the fastest. But are those claims justified? It’s hard to say since no one has really tested it. The only thing we can say for certain is that autoflowering seeds can be harvested earlier than many of their photoperiod counterparts. And when it comes to subspecies, sativa tends to need longer than indica plants.   

Check out our list of fast flowering strains to see which ones we think are our fastest. And if you’re new to growing or just want some great information on enhancing your current skills, download Robert’s free Grow Bible here.

The dream cannabis garden is often a wide-open area full of beautiful plants and blue skies. However, most of us are growing plants indoors in tents and wondering exactly how many plants can fit. Several factors contribute to the answer, and we will review those in detail here.

In general, the answer is partially about the quantity of selection, partially about integrated pest management (IPM), and partially related to plant physiology. We’ll detail the important decisions you must make before you start growing.

How to determine the space needed per plant

You can figure out how much space you need from your plant’s morphology. One of the best ways to learn the morphology of the seeds you intend to grow is by checking the breeders’ information. Indica plants tend to be shorter and bushier, with minimal space between the internodes. Sativa plants tend to stretch and grow taller, with more space between the internodes (often needing more vertical space to grow). Autoflowers remain relatively short, even if a sativa cultivar.

Do an internet search for the strain you intend to grow and see if there are grow reports to reference. Regardless of indica or sativa, the amount of vegetative time will influence the number of cannabis plants per tent. If you want multiple strains in your tent, keep plants smaller by using a quicker vegetative cycle. Gardeners who grow less variety but have large plants with bigger yields will often veg longer.

For the average-sized indoor plant, a 2ft x 2ft (61cm x 61cm) designated footprint should give the branches enough space to stretch for the light. The overlapping leaves from neighboring plants will be minimal, and there should be enough remaining open canopy areas for airflow. The two biggest factors for determining the growing space needed per plant will be the genetics and the amount of time you choose to veg for.

What is the recommended grow tent size for beginners?

The natural inclination is to start with a smaller tent, usually 2ft x 2ft (61cm x 61cm). However, controlling the environment in a 2ft x 2ft (61cm x 61cm) tent is multitudes more difficult than controlling the environment in a 4ft x 4ft (122cm x 122cm) tent. The smaller area heats quicker and reaches higher temperatures due to the light source, but it also drops faster when the light goes out. 

Humidity levels are increasingly harder to control in smaller tents. Each time a grower waters, extra moisture in the soil raises the relative humidity in the grow tent. You may have heard about vapor pressure deficit (VPD) regarding driving growth. VPD relies on transpiration, which is the release of water from the stomata on the underside of cannabis leaves. More transpiration means more moisture is released into the air.

Smaller grow tents make it more difficult to maintain a balance of environmental conditions. Balance is important with nutrients, watering, and the environment. Large swings, either in temperature or humidity, are to be avoided. For example, Powdery Mildew (PM) can strike low-humidity grows if there are large spikes in humidity. Because of these concerns, our recommended grow tent size for beginners is a 4ft x 4ft (122cm x 122cm) tent.

Below are a few more of our preferred sizes.

• 3ft x 3ft (91.5cm x 91.5cm)
• 2ft x 4ft (61cm x 122cm)
• 4ft x 4ft (122cm x 122cm)
• 5ft x 5ft (152.5cm x 152.5cm)

Is there a difference in grow tent size for autoflowers?

No. Autoflowers typically have the morphology of indica plants, but some can have more upward stretch. The average vegetative time for autoflower varieties is around 30 to 45 days. When growing multiple smaller photoperiod plants in the same tent or grow room, 30 to 45 days of vegetative time is normal. Therefore, there should be roughly the same requirements for tent size with autoflowers.

If you’re looking to grow autoflowering seeds, check out our collection at ILGM!

Buy Autoflower Seeds

• For new and experienced growers
• Easy-growing, low maintenance
• All popular cultivars

How many cannabis plants fit in various-sized grow tents?

The plant counts below are based on a quick vegetative time, aiming to increase the variety of strains in the tent. Every tent size example in this chart can be filled wall to wall with just one plant, given the proper training and a long enough vegetative period. If that is your goal, check out our low-stress training for cannabis tutorial. The numbers below represent the average plant count per tent size.

How big of a tent do I need for X number of cannabis plants?

After selecting new seeds on ILGM, you will know how many plants you want to grow at one time, and you can base your tent size decision on that information as well. 

Let’s say you have two that are short and wide but one that likes to grow tall and thin. That scenario may be best for a 2ft x 4ft (61cm x 122cm) tent, whereas two tall thin plants and one wide plant may fit in a 3ft x 3ft (91.5cm x 91.5cm) tent.

We separated the suggestions in this chart by morphology. Short and bushy plants are typical of indica, and tall, slender plants are typical of sativa, but this will vary by strain. We’ve also only listed the maximum recommended in this chart. Although you could physically put more in that space, we’ll explain in a moment why you don’t want to overpack your tent.

*calculated using a 45-day vegetative period / maximum number of plants / no training

How much yield per plant based on the number of plants per tent

As we have hinted earlier, you can grow one marijuana plant in a 4ft x 4ft (122cm x 122cm) tent or up to eight smaller plants. So which way yields more? The chart below gives rough averages for the expected yields based on the number of plants in a tent. More plants per tent mean less vegetative time and smaller plants, but do the yields stack up?

Another way to look at this metric is in harvests per year. If the larger plant yields more per plant but only allows for half the number of harvests compared to shorter vegging plants, which method yields the most over time? Many variables contribute to yield; to ensure you hit them all, download Robert’s Grow Bible for clear instructions on growing the best dank.

30 to 45 day vegetative cycle:

*Harvests per year are based on a 60 day flowering cycle / no plant training

60+ day vegetative cycle:

*Harvests per year are based on a 60 day flowering cycle / minimal LST

Why the size and shape of your final plants matter

There are numerous grow methods and plant training techniques. Growers familiar with “sea of green” (SOG) and “screen of green” (SCROG) plant training techniques will know that choosing one or the other will greatly impact the number of mature plants per tent.

SOG setups will pack as many 4-liter containers into a grow tent as possible. The plants are small, and side branches are removed to create a single spear-shaped cola. SCROG is the opposite. Growers use larger pots and spread the top and side branches outward to create a level canopy with multiple tops. SOG plants take up little space; SCROG plants will fill the space.

Cannabis plant training techniques like low-stress training (LST), topping, and fimming can also help shape plants for maximum yield. The more training a grower does, the more time the plant will need in the vegetative stage. Growers should use larger container sizes if they intend to do extensive training. The choice of plant training style will contribute to the answer of how many plants to include.

How much light do I need to install?

The number of plants in a tent can impact this decision, but it is best to gauge lights by the amount of floor space in the grow tent, not the number of plants. The consensus for high-intensity discharge (HID) lighting systems was 50W per square foot (roughly 500W per square meter). With the advancement of LED technology, this number has fallen to approximately 35-40W per square foot (roughly 350-400W per square meter).

Aim to purchase grow lights with a footprint nearly identical to your tent dimensions for even light distribution. When a light is located only over the tent’s center (common for HID systems and quantum board LEDs), the photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) will be lower in the tent’s corners than in the center. The most efficient form factor in lighting is currently LED bar-style lighting because of its even light distribution.

Want to know how to build a DIY grow tent?, Check out our guide to learn the ropes.

What are the effects of having too many / few plants in the tent?

Having too few plants in the tent is OK; however, your tent may take up more space than needed. You also may be using more power for the lighting than is needed (because tent size, not plant count, should determine power). However, having too few plants in your grow tent will not cause detrimental effects that could reduce yield.

On the other hand, too many plants in the grow tent can be an issue. Cannabis plants, like other plants, experience a phenomenon known as shade avoidance syndrome (SAS). When a plant senses it is being heavily shaded by surrounding foliage, it causes a redistribution of growth hormones. Responses include:

• The main stalk (internodes) and the branches leaves grow from (petioles) become longer
• Altered flowering times
• Less growth energy focused on side branching 

Another negative side effect of having too many plants is increased transpiration. In a crowded tent, this extra moisture can become trapped in the thick canopy of leaves and create microclimates. One Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategy to reduce powdery mildew and botrytis is providing adequate airflow within the canopy. By cramming as many plants as possible into a tent, growers are playing with danger in the eyes of IPM experts.

We’ve created a grow light distance guide for each light source to answer this question.

Final thoughts on grow tent sizes

I always advise people to buy bigger than they need today because growing is fun, and you’ll want to do more. Be realistic with the number of cannabis varieties you want to grow and the expected yields. The temptation to stuff the tent is there; I’ve done it. But by removing some of that volume, I discovered my overall yield actually increased.

Choosing a tent that will allow you to meet your goals for yield per run, or annually if that is how you look at it, is an important step on the road to success. Before starting the grow journey, you’ll need to know what strains you will grow, whether it be a few large plants or a lot of small plants, and how many you can safely fit in a tent. We hope the charts above have answered all the tough questions for you.

Let us know in the comments below if we’ve left out anything. How many plants do you fit in your tent? What is the size of the tent, and how long are you vegging for? We love your feedback. Your contributions help make ILGM the number one resource for excellent grow knowledge and reliable, top-shelf genetics. Happy growing!