Guides | 10.24.2024

Growing Guide: Autoflower Vs. Feminized

What's the difference between autoflower and feminized? Let's find out.

Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced grower, you’ve likely heard this discussion more than once.

Choosing between autoflower seeds vs feminized seeds is, without a doubt, one of the most important decisions when growing cannabis, either indoors or outdoors. 

Determining which is the best depends on a multitude of factors, mainly your overall goals, access to optimal environments, and your experience level. Understand these, and you’re already one step ahead.

What Are Autoflower Seeds?

These seeds, from their name, already tell you a little about what they are.

Autoflowering seeds flower automatically, are easier to grow, smaller in size, and faster to harvest than feminized seeds.

Their lighting requirements are relatively simple, and they are more resistant to temperature fluctuations, pests, and fungi.

Autoflowering seeds turn into female plants that produce the smokable cannabis that most growers are looking for. Basically, this is the beginner’s version to start your own cannabis crop.

The average time from seed to harvest for autoflowering is 8-12 weeks, which makes them perfect if you want to have several harvests in the same season.

STRNG Seeds Premium Grow Kit

product
View Product

Starting your own grow can be daunting. You need the right seeds, growing environment, and nutrients for your plants to thrive. That’s where STRNG Seeds comes in.

Their Premium Grow Kit gives you access to a long list of autoflowering seeds to choose from, including popular picks like White Widow, Gorilla Glue, Sour Diesel, and tons more. Plus, it comes with everything you need for a complete grow. That includes:

  • 2 autoflowering seeds of your choice
  • 1 germination plug
  • 2 high-quality coco compost mixes (over 3 liters of dirt when expanded)
  • High-quality organic nutrients
  • Biodegradable fabric container
  • Instruction manual

With these, you’ll be able to grow a mature, flower-bearing plant in just 10 weeks. Whether outdoors or indoors, this Premium Grow Kit is an excellent choice for new growers on their cultivation journey.

What Are Feminized Cannabis Seeds?

Feminized seeds provide larger plants and higher yields, with smokable cannabis often being more potent than cannabis grown from autoflowering seeds.

These seeds are a little more complex to grow but can be cloned. Most experienced growers opt for this type of seed, as the work involved in their cultivation is greater but also has greater rewards. 

Feminized seeds usually need between 12 to 20 weeks from seed to harvest and only start flowering when they receive 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness per day.

Pineapple Donut Feminized Seeds By ILGM

product
View Product

These feminized seeds from I Love Growing Marijuana (ILGM) are a great example of reliable seeds that’ll grow your new favorite strain. The Pineapple Donut Feminized Seeds have a generous potency of 28% THC, give or take a few points, depending on how well it’s cultivated. This juicy Sativa-dominant hybrid zaps you with energy for a sweet, well-rounded creative buzz.

Its flavors are exotic, fruity, and sweet, perfectly reflecting its name. Whether you’re a beginner grower or a seasoned cultivator, this strain is suitable for all. It’s incredibly robust and resilient, and its exceptional genetics are something that every weed smoker should experience. Get 5 seeds for $109, 10 for $159, or 20 for $209.

Feminized Vs Autoflower Seeds

The difference between autoflower and feminized seeds lies in several factors.

Origin

Feminized seeds were created to avoid the male plants inside the crops, which do not give buds. On the other hand, autoflowering seeds arise from a cross of the Ruderalis gene and are usually aimed at less experienced growers.

Autoflower Vs Feminized Seeds Indoors

Autoflowering seeds are more suitable for indoor growing, while feminized seeds work better for outdoor growing.

Flowering Period

Autoflowering seeds flower automatically, while feminized seeds grown indoors require a manual adjustment of the light, going from 18 hours of light to 12 when the flowering period begins.

Size 

Generally, feminized seeds produce larger and taller plants and tend to produce fewer leaves compared to autoflowering seeds.

Autoflowering seeds also tend to produce denser foliage, which means they tend to be bushier and therefore have fewer buds.

Yields

Feminized strains produce higher yields than automatic seeds, both indoors and outdoors, due to their morphology and physiology.

As for the buds, feminized strains are denser and produce more resin around the flowers than autoflowering strains, which can mean more intense flavors and aromas. 

Resistance 

Automatic seeds are more resistant to over-fertilization, pests, and fungus, while feminized seeds require a higher level of care.

Autoflowering plants are the result of crossing sativa or indica strains with a Ruderalis. They are, therefore, very vigorous compared to feminized plants.

Potency

Nowadays, it all depends on the type of strain you are growing, as both autoflowering and feminized seeds can give very good results in terms of potency.

Also, remember that in terms of power, it’s not only influenced by THC but also terpenes and other cannabinoids.

Do not forget that everything will ultimately depend on the quality of cultivation and the care you put into it. Whether feminized or autoflowering seeds, if grown under optimal conditions, they will give great results!

Choosing Autoflowering Vs Feminized Seeds

To choose the best seed for your crop, you should take into account factors such as your preferences, resources, and level of experience.

Generally speaking, autoflowering seeds work well for beginners and those looking for fast yields, while feminized seeds are the choice of more experienced growers who want maximum potency and quantity from their harvest.

So, if you’re looking for maximum potency and the highest yield possible, then feminized seeds are definitely the way to go. 

If you are just starting to grow or are limited in knowledge, experience, space, and time, then autoflowering seeds might be the choice for you, as they provide the quickest and easiest way to get a bountiful harvest. 

Remember that if your seeds are of high quality and you take proper care of your crop, you can expect a good cannabis yield regardless of whether you have chosen autoflowering or feminized seeds.

Herb Recommended Products:

Featured Brands:

Herb Recommended Products:

READ MORE