How much yield can I expect from a single Autoflower plant?

Autoflowering cannabis flowers automatically, regardless of the light cycle a grower exposes to it. This makes it a popular choice for beginner growers since there’s less room for error. In general, auto-flowering cultivars tend to yield less than photoperiod cultivars. 

This article will discuss the various factors determining autoflower yield and how to maximize them. By understanding potential auto flower yield and taking the proper steps to optimize your grow, you can enjoy a fruitful harvest of high-quality cannabis.

What is the yield per plant (exactly)?

Autoflower yield per plant is a measure of the amount of cannabis that a single plant can produce. It is denoted in grams, ounces, and pounds. Yield can vary significantly depending on various factors, such as the genetics of the plant, the growing conditions, and the skill of the cultivator.

Regarding autoflower yield, growers often wonder if autoflower varieties produce less weight and THC than photoperiod plants. Whereas autoflowers often make less weight, the THC content of autoflowers varies in auto-flowering plants as much as it does in photoperiods.

Why do autoflowers yield less than regular photoperiod and feminized flowers?

Autoflowers can trace their lineage through Siberia and Central Asia, where researchers discovered and observed smaller, shorter, and bushier cannabis plants. This smaller stature is a byproduct of the plant having shorter vegetative cycles due to its automatic flowering. These ruderalis genetics are not present in feminized and regular seed varieties. As a result, photoperiod plants have a longer vegetative period than autoflowers.

What’s the average yield I can expect from my autoflower seeds?

You have your tent, nutrients, your seeds, and you’re ready to grow… now what do you expect when it’s all said and done? How much weed does an autoflower produce? Aside from the average autoflower harvest beginners can expect, we’ll provide some tips for growing autoflower plants that can boost your results. We’ll dive into what you can expect from an average autoflower yield, outdoor and indoor autoflower yield, and different autoflower tips and tricks that will set you up for success. 

How much yield can I expect from a single Autoflower plant?

It is difficult to predict an autoflower harvest yield accurately; it can vary significantly depending on various factors such as the specific strain, the growing conditions, and the skill of the cultivator. However, some auto-flowering cultivars can produce yields of up to a few hundred grams per plant, while others may yield less than 100 grams per plant.

Depending on various factors, auto-flowering plants can range in yield from 50-250 grams per plant on average. When posing the question, “how much do autoflowers yield?” you must consider growing conditions, cultivar genetics, and the grower’s skill.

Growing autoflower strains is a simple process that requires basic knowledge of plant cultivation and some attention to detail. Download my FREE marijuana grow bible and follow the step by step process for the best yield.

How much weed do you get from an autoflower? 

Indoor yield

When considering autoflower yield indoors, it’s all about the environment. Indoor yields typically range from 50-120g/plant.  

Outdoor yield

Although you have less control of the environment and a higher susceptibility to pests and diseases, given good conditions, outdoor autoflowers can yield from 100-200g/plant. 

Small autoflower yield

Average autoflower yield ranges from 50-100g/plant.

SUPER Autoflower yield

Super autoflowers have been the crowning achievement of autoflower breeding. Autoflower breeding has come far since Lowryder, the first autoflower cultivar, was introduced to the market. With growers selectively choosing larger and more potent breeds, autoflower plants are at a point where they are almost competitive with standard photoperiod plants. 

While a typical autoflower may produce 50-100g/plant, super autoflowers can produce from 100-200g/plant on average.

How to get bigger yields from autoflowers

Indoor vs. outdoor

When growing autoflowers indoors, it’s easiest to maximize autoflower yield by optimizing lighting, nutrient schedule, climate, and airflow.

With outdoor autoflower cultivation, yield maximization comes from choosing proper genetics for the environment and ensuring your plant gets as much sunlight as possible.

Pots and container size

To maximize yield, you should sow seeds directly into their final containers. With autoflowers having such quick growth cycles, you can’t risk stunting your plant’s growth by transplanting them to their final pot. 

While growing indoors, it may make sense to grow in 1.5-2.5 gallon pots to maximize how many autoflowers per square foot your space can support. Growing more plants at a time helps make the most of your yield. 

With outdoor growing, the largest recommended is a 5-gallon pot. This provides ample room for roots to grow.

Here’s some different pot sizes, and the average yield you can expect using each container:

• 2L: 100–150g/m² indoors or 35–40g/plant outdoors
• 5L: 200–250g/m² indoors or 75–85g/plant outdoors
• 11L and bigger: 400–500g/m² indoors or 150–170g/plant outdoors

Nutrients and Root Stimulants

To maximize the yield of autoflowers, it’s important to use the right nutrients and feeds to boost vegetative growth. Nitrogen is especially important during the vegetative cycle; adding this nutrient is how to grow big autoflowers.  Nitrogen aids the process of photosynthesis, maximizing your veg growth. ILGM’s line of fertilizers covers all stages of plant growth to give you the best-producing, vigorous-growing, highest-quality buds you can grow.

Buy Cannabis Nutrients

• Marijuana fertilizer set
• Plant protectors
• Grow kits
• Marijuana grow bible

Read about nutrient composition here!

When working with clones or tiny seedlings, try applying root-stimulating hormones to spur faster growth. With autoflowers, root stimulants are ideal due to their faster veg and flower cycles. Kickstarting root growth is key in allowing your plants to take up as many nutrients as possible, thereby boosting your autoflower average yield!

Training: LST & HST

Low-Stress Training (LST) is an ideal solution to maximizing your autoflowers’ yield because they won’t stunt the growth of the plant in a significant way. ScrOGging is a perfect training method since it opens your canopy and allows for customizing it without harming the plants. When autos have tight timelines, like nine weeks of growing from seed to harvest, it’s essential to maximize the time you have to make your plant robust while ensuring you don’t sour your harvest.

High-Stress Training (HST) is a hazardous choice for your training method with autoflowers because they don’t have enough time to repair themselves. With that time crunch, if you top your plants and they don’t thrive afterward, you’ll be left with a stunted plant that won’t produce as much yield as alternative training methods (or not training your plant at all!).

18/6 light formula

While growing photoperiod plants, the typically recommended amount of light is 18 hours with 6 hours of darkness to allow the plants to rest. With autoflowers, growers will use this same light cycle, or even up to 22 hours, to maximize the plant’s growth in the short amount of time it has from seed to harvest.

ScrOG

The “Screen Of Green” method is a form of low-stress training where plants are distributed across an even canopy to produce more top buds. Manipulating the branches allows for an open canopy for light and airflow. This method is the perfect tool to maximize your autoflower yield because it doesn’t stunt plant growth and allows the plant canopy to be as spread out as possible.

Top Autoflower Grow Tips to Try

• Supplement with Nitrogen
• Use Root Stimulants
• Practice Low-Stress Training
• Utilize Screen of Green

What Causes Low Autoflowering Yields?

A variety of issues can cause poor autoflower yields. Here are some of them: 

Autoflower Strains with Reliable Yields 

Finding genetics with reliable yields is an important aspect of your grow, and it happens before you even water your first plant! These autoflower genetics produce reliable yields and respond well to training, bringing quality and quantity to your garden.

Buy Autoflowering Seeds

• Easy to grow
• Beginner friendly
• Guaranteed germination
• Grow guide available

Girl Scout Cookies Extreme

An excellent choice for beginners, GSC Extreme is mold resistant. It does best in warmer, more humid climates. 

Buy GSC Auto Seeds

• 80% Indica 20% Sativa 
• High THC levels up to 21%
• Good yields indoors and outdoors
• Easy going relaxing high

White Widow

This vigorous plant is resistant to pests and diseases and handles well in most weather. White Widow is a perfect choice for a potent, hardy yield. 

Buy White Widow Auto Seeds

• 60% Indica 40% Sativa
• THC levels up to 19%
• Very easy to grow plants
• Euphoric high with powerful mental buzz

Gorilla Glue

This Original Glue is ideal for growers looking for a quick turnaround time and a reliable harvest.

Buy GG4 Autoflower Seeds

• 50% indica 50% sativa
• Extreme THC levels up to 26%
• Very easy to grow, great for beginners
• Great for relaxation but uplifting as well

Gold Leaf

Bred by our very own Robert Bergman, Gold Leaf is a potent cultivar that is easy to grow indoors or outdoors. It produces a pungent aroma and a sweet taste. 

Buy Gold Leaf Auto Seeds

• 60% indica 40% sativa
• High THC levels up to 21%
• Consistently easy growing plant
• Robert Bergman’s own strain!

Autoflowers have a reputation for producing low yields, but with proper growing techniques and reliable yield cultivars, growers can still achieve respectable harvests. To increase your chances of good autoflower yield per plant, provide optimal growing conditions, use techniques such as LST and ScrOGging, and choose reliable autoflower genetics like the four we listed above.

Are you ready to grow high-yielding, quick-growing cannabis? Check out the autoflowers at ILGM.  

FAQs

Is 20 hours of light too much for an autoflower plant?

No, an autoflower plant requires eight or more hours of light and usually 22 hours or less of lighting. The amount of lighting a cultivator uses should depend on their grow approach or the cultivar’s genetics. Indica plants fare better with shorter light cycles, whereas sativas thrive on longer light cycles, going up to 18 hours.

Do commercial growers use autoflowers?

Though commercial growers may utilize autoflowers for their short timeframe, most commercial growers use photoperiod cannabis plants.

Do Autoflowers take longer in bigger pots?

No, autoflowers will take the same amount of time in any pot due to not responding to light cycles. Although a larger pot may help achieve a larger plant yield, a pot that is too large will cause you to waste your feed and nutrients