The 5 Hardest Cannabis Strains To Grow

Growing cannabis can feel like raising a stubborn child—some strains are laid-back and thrive with just a little TLC, while others demand constant attention, perfect conditions, and a touch of magic.

Landrace strains, especially landrace Sativas, are widely considered to be the most challenging strains to cultivate due to their exceptionally long flowering periods. Difficult strains like these are notorious for their picky nature, needing precise temperatures and specific nutrient levels to thrive. 

Plus, these strains are rarely found in dispensaries today, making them a rare and valuable find for those looking for a challenge or seeking to revive classic strains.

Here are five of the hardest strains to grow for experienced growers looking to push their skills to the limit. 

Cheddar Cheeze is a rare find.

With a lineage of Cake Mints/Platinum GSC crossed with Gorilla Diesel #3, this strain racks up THC levels of over 30% and rewards you with frosty, dense nugs after just 61 days indoors.

Keep your grow room between 65-80°F with 50-70% humidity, and you’ll be blessed with cheesy, garlicky buds that bring a classic wave of euphoria, followed by blissful relaxation.

Thankfully, ILGM has made growing Cheddar Cheeze as easy as it gets.

Their seeds are stress-resistant and churn out resin like nobody’s business. Seriously, the pictures from reviewers are insane.

Trainwreck is a potent strain known for its high THC levels, making it a favorite among many users for its powerful and intense effects. However, its rapid growth challenges growers, requiring a high-yield, high-maintenance environment. Tall and slender in structure, Trainwreck combines accelerated growth with a need for careful attention to thrive. 

What Are the Challenges of Farming Trainwreck? 

1. Specifically, proximity to the grow lights can pose a significant challenge for the plant. This can lead to mild burns and a decrease in crop quality. 
2. The thickening of the stem can also make low-stress training on the branches challenging. Indoor cultivation is recommended for optimal results from late October to early November. 

Malawi Gold is widely considered the most elusive cannabis strain globally, known for its legendary landrace sativa properties. It’s definitely one of the hardest-to-grow marijuana sativa strains out there. 

Rumored to achieve colas reaching up to two feet (60 cm) in length, this strain also boasts one of the lengthiest flowering periods worldwide. Taking between 84 to 120 days to flower, this equatorial gem poses a significant challenge when cultivated outside of its natural habitat. 

Favorable Conditions For Malawi Gold To Thrive 

This particular strain thrives in a tropical climate and may not be suitable for colder, northern regions. Those attempting to cultivate this variety outside of its native environment are recommended to do so indoors or within a temperature-regulated greenhouse.

When grown indoors, ensure there is ample room for the plant to flourish. This plant flourishes outdoors in the proper conditions and thrives best in high-quality organic soil.

Finding a high-quality, pure sativa like Dr. Grinspoon can be challenging in a market saturated with Kush. This unique strain, bred by Barney’s Farm Seeds and named after Dr. Lester Grinspoon, stands out for its distinctive bud structure. Dr. Grinspoon’s round calyxes are bulbous and slightly sparse, making it a fascinating choice for sativa lovers.

Maintenance Practices for Growing Dr. Grinspoon 

The plant has a slender and delicate appearance, often requiring support during the latter stages of flowering. Like Malawi Gold, Dr. Grinspoon has an exceptionally long flowering period lasting 90 to 100 days. Properly managing the plant’s height is essential when cultivating indoors.

The Headband strain is notorious for its challenge in producing large buds, leading many to waste time if they do not meet the crop’s specific requirements. The biggest struggle lies in achieving a consistent yield and quality due to the prevalence of small buds. 

Potential Dangers to Headband Strain’s Growth 

The hybrid variety’s main adversaries are: 

• Frost. 
• Humid climates. 
• High humidity levels. 

Best Practices While Growing Headband 

• For optimal growth, consistent exposure to sun and heat is recommended.  This hybrid strain, known for its calming effects, lemongrass scent, and high THC levels, typically takes 70 days to mature. 
• It is important to monitor the growing conditions of the plants consistently. 

Thai is another type of landrace sativa, representing a family of strains from Thailand. Some cannabis historians believe that the original Thai strains have been lost, but any Thai family strains that are found are likely to be challenging to cultivate. 

Maintenance Practices For Farming Thai Weed Strain 

1. This particular strain thrives in tall growth and thrives in hot outdoor climates.
2. Similar to other landrace Sativas, it requires careful topping, pruning, and training to successfully cultivate Indoors. 
3. This particular breed thrives in organic soil and compost. Therefore, cultivators must provide ample premium, all-natural nutrients for optimal growth. 

How Long Does It Take For Thai Weed Strain to Grow? 

The duration of flowering for Thai strains can range from 65 to 98 days, with Chocolate Thai being one of the longest-maturing variants.

These strains are notoriously tough to grow. But it’s not just these strains. Without the right nutrients, pH levels, and general environment, any seedling simply won’t survive. But with a grow kit, your chances of successful germination skyrocket.

The STRNG Seeds Premium Grow Kit is a prime example. It’s an eco-friendly kit coming complete with everything you need to grow a healthy, flower-bearing plant in just 10 weeks. Here’s what’s inside:

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

But which strains will you receive? Choose from a long list of classics, lesser-known gems, heavy hitters, and everything in between. Use it indoors or outdoors, and follow the instructions from STRNG Seeds to guarantee a successful harvest 10 weeks down the line.

Landing on one rarest weed strain is definitely a debate amongst canna-lovers.

Some of the most rarest weed strains include:

1. Idukki Gold – Potent and scarce, originating from Kerala, India
2. Malawi Gold – Pure sativa landrace strain
3. Jamaican Lion – CBD-rich strain that’s hard to find outside of native Jamaica
4. Panama Red – Popular sativa from the 60s and 70s
5. Lasqueti Haze – Almost extinct, a premium haze strain

What’s The Most Exotic Strain Of Weed?

Malawi Gold often takes the crown as the most exotic cannabis strain. With gold-colored buds, this strain delivers a very strong cerebral and body high.

Oftentimes, you want the best bang for your buck while still getting premium-quality buds.

A few weed strains are known to produce huge buds:

• White Widow
• Skunk #1
• Blue Dream
• Northern Lights
• Amnesia Haze