Stoney Tark edited on: March 16, 2023 8 minutes read
"If you start with seeds or clones…everyone starts out as a beginner grower. Knowing exactly which are the most grower friendly and low maintenance cultivars available will be a big advantage when first starting out. With so many stains available on the market today, it can be confusing and difficult to know which ones are ideal for someone with little to no experience.
Learning the hard way, which strains are difficult and best suited for more experienced growers, can be an expensive and time-consuming task that can leave you overwhelmed. Indica, sativa and hybrid Cannabis plants will all express themselves differently, with some being much easier for a beginner to grow than others.
Learning the hard way, which strains are difficult and best suited for more experienced growers, can be an expensive and time-consuming task that can leave you overwhelmed. Indica, sativa and hybrid Cannabis plants will all express themselves differently, with some being much easier for a beginner to grow than others."
Nirvana’s easiest to grow beginner strains
When it comes to easy to grow strains that are best for beginners or those with little experience, we have provided a list of the most indica dominant, short flowering, low maintenance and easiest to grow plants. Everything in this list and our honorable mentions are an excellent starting point for any Cannabis enthusiast growing a photoperiod strain.
1. Cement Shoes
We start this top 10 list with a super potent hybrid from the US, that is effortless to grow. Cement Shoes is a hybrid cross of OG Kush Breath, Wet Dreams and Animal Cookies.
A low maintenance hybrid that is highly productive, and will require 8-10 weeks flowering time depending on the phenotype. Plant height will reach as tall as 150 cm (59 inches), and with plant training can be easily controlled.
Cement Shoes can produce yields of 500 g/m² (1,6 oz per square foot), where she grows frosted, chunky buds that have a purple, pink and green hue. We strongly recommend this cultivar to first time growers looking to experience some of the best genetics the US has to offer.
Her aroma and taste can be described as a complex fruity, sour, earthy, pine, and spicy with hints of cookie doe. The effects when smoking are mind-bending and have a strong stone, which can become totally demotivating over time.
Discover Nirvana’s Feminized Cement Shoes seeds for just … USD (5-pack).
2. Sweet Tooth
Sweet Tooth is a beautiful hybrid that has the most intense, sugar sweet terpenes around. A cross of Afghan, Nepalese and Hawaiian, this hybrid will grow between 90-120 cm (35-47 inches) tall, making her ideal for SOG and small indoor spaces.
She does not need much maintenance once flowering, and can be left alone without any support and produce excellent results. With a high resilience to mold and mildew, Sweet Tooth is a great start point for a new grower.
Flowering time will take between 8-9 weeks depending on the phenotype, with plants yielding up to 450 g/m² (1.5 oz per square foot). Thanks to her hybrid vigor, we strongly advise Sweet Tooth to growers who want to experiment with plant training.
Her aroma and taste can be described as candy sweet, berry, tropical with woody overtones. A very delicious flavor that has a pick you up, feel good, euphoric and blissful high. Perfect for social scenarios and days out in nature.
Discover Nirvana’s Feminized Sweet Tooth seeds for just … USD (5-pack).
3. California Orange Bud
California Orange Bud is a old Dutch school strain that was in every coffee shop during the 1990’s. A cross of Skunk genetics from California that have been back crossed to produce the ultimate progeny.
She is easy to grow and will reach a final height of 125 cm (49.2 inches) tall, and will require a flowering time of 9-10 weeks depending on phenotype. A well-suited strain for SOG and anyone who wants to keep a low profile plant outdoors.
Yields of 550 g/m² (1,8 oz per square foot) are capable indoors and with training, it is possible to grow huge plants. California Orange Bud will grow with a short and squat indica dominance and produce dense, round frosted buds.
When smoking, the aroma and taste is a delicious fresh orange, with an earthy, floral and citrus profile. Her effects are clear, calming, well-balanced and ideal for morning and day times.
Discover Nirvana’s Feminized California Orange Bud seeds for just …USD (5-pack).
4. Gelato
Gelato is one of the biggest strains to originate from the US and has taken the world by storm. A cross of Sunset Sherbet and Girl Scout Cookies, Gelato has an incredible terpene profile and is exceptionally frosty.
Plants will grow as tall as 120-150 cm (47-60 inches) once fully mature, and will produce thick buds that fill every branch and internode. Flowering time will require 8-10 weeks depending on the phenotype, with most plants finishing at 9 weeks.
A very productive strain that is capable of yielding 550 g/m² (1.8 oz per square foot) indoors. When it comes to training, Gelato reacts very well and can enhance yields even further.
What makes Gelato so special is her flavor and taste, which can be described as spicy, earthy, cookie doe with hints of vanilla and gas. She has a very uplifting and elevating effect that is perfect for keeping busy and creative tasks.
Discover Nirvana’s Feminized Gelato seeds for just … USD (5-pack).
5. AK48
AK48 is a solid performer that is a great beginner level strain. An easy to grow hybrid that is a cross of Colombian Gold, Thai, Mexican and Afghani genetics.
A fast flowering strain that can be ready to harvest in as little as 7 weeks, with some other phenotypes requiring 63 days. Thanks to her high resilience to pathogens and mold, AK48 produces impressive results in all climates.
Yields of up to 500 g/m² (1.6 oz/sq ft) can be achieved when grown indoors, with plants averaging a final height of 120 cm (47 inches). Expect plants to produce one main central cola with tightly packed side branches.
The flavor and aroma of AK48 is an old school earthy, peppery, sweet, fruity with strong floral overtones. Her effects are deeply relaxing and the ultimate strain to unwind to in the evening times.
Discover Nirvana’s Feminized AK48 seeds for just … USD (5-pack).
6. Green Crack
Green Crack is an epic producer that requires little maintenance, and was made by crossing Skunk #1 with Afghani genetics. Ideal for beginners as plants will take between 8-9 weeks flowering time and will produce stocky plants.
A tough and resilient hybrid that loves to be trained up, and will reward even a first-time grower with huge buds. Plants will grow as tall as 120-150 cm (49-59 inches) with an open structure that is representative of indica and sativa lineage.
Indoors, yields of 650 g/m² (2,1 oz per square foot) are achievable making Green Crack a must-have for any grower, who wants only the biggest yields possible.
The aroma and taste of Green Crack is a complex mixture of fruity, tropical, floral, mango, pine with woody overtones. Her effects will keep you energized and motivated for hours on end, with waves of euphoria and creativity flowing through you.
Discover Nirvana’s Feminized Green Crack seeds for just … USD (5-pack).
7. Chemdog
Chemdog is another large yielding hybrid that is straightforward to grow. A cross of Mass Super Skunk and OG Kush, she is the perfect beginner strain thanks to her stocky growth structure.
Plants will stretch to a final height of 120-150 cm (47-59 inches) tall, with a quick flowering time of only 8-9 weeks. Chemdog will produce a very bushy plant similar to a Christmas tree shape. Once flowered, the plants will become very dense and start to fill out quickly.
Indoor yields of 800 g/m2 (2.6 oz per square foot) are possible, making Chemdog one of the biggest yielding strains that we offer! She does not require much maintenance; however, we do recommend adding support to help hold the heavy side branches upwards.
The aroma and flavor of Chemdog is a loud, chemical, fuel, earthy and citrus profile that has a strong and devastating effect. We recommend this cultivar to growers with a high tolerance.
Discover Nirvana’s Feminized Chemdog seeds for just … USD (5-pack).
8. B52
B52 is an old school hybrid that was created using solid Skunk genetics. A cross of Big Bud and Skunk #1, the result is a large yielding, easy to grow hybrid that loves to be trained and can take hot and cold weather with ease.
A great choice for a beginner grower as plants will finish around 90-100 cm (35-39 inches), and will require 9-11 weeks flowering time, depending on the phenotype.
She is a prolific producer of bright green, glistening buds that swell up with thick calyx. 550 g/m² (1,8 oz per square foot) is possible when grown indoors, and with training the yield amount can be increased.
B52 has a flavor and smell that can be described as sweet, skunk with woody notes. The effect is a long-lasting physical stone that tires your legs and creeps onto your eyelids.
Discover Nirvana’s Feminized B52 seeds for just … USD (5-pack).
9. Bubble Kush
Bubble Kush is a wonderful Kush hybrid that was created by crossing OG Kush and Bubblicious. A quick flowering variety that will require between 8-9 weeks to flower.
An easy to grow cultivar that does not need much maintenance, and once flowering will stretch as tall as 140 cm (55 inches) in height. With training, reducing the final height is easily done.
One of the most productive Kushes we offer, with an epic yield of 750 g/m² (2.5 oz per square foot). It is advised to add support using a net trellis or bamboo canes to help support the weighted side branches.
Outdoors, this strain can yield up to 750 grams (26.5 oz) per plant, and will require 8-10 weeks of flowering time. Most plants will grow with an indica growth structure.
Bubble Kush has a unique and fruity flavor which can be described as candy, earth, citrus and sweet notes. Her effects are energizing, uplifting and perfect for gaming, making music, writing, or anything that involves keeping busy.
Discover Nirvana’s Feminized Bubble Kush seeds for just … USD (5-pack).
10. Girl Scout Cookies
We end this top 10 list with Girl Scout Cookies. A cross to emerge from the US, created using Durban Poison and OG Kush genetics. An easy to grow, fast flowering hybrid that is well suited for a beginner grower.
Plants can grow as tall as 125 cm (49 inches) once flowered, and will require between 7-9 weeks depending on the phenotype. Once flowering, this cultivar will produce an array of purple and pink colors that give the ultimate bag appeal when trimmed up.
Indoors, Girl Scout Cookies is capable of yielding up to 500g/m² (1,6 oz per square foot), making her a highly productive and easy to grow strain. She can take a high number of nutrients and when grown outdoors can endure cold temperatures with ease.
She has a very distinct and bold flavor and aroma, that is a combination of earthy, sweet, cookie dough, spice with overtones of pepper. The effects are intense, and will keep you focused, motivated and able to blast through a to-do list.
Discover Nirvana’s Feminized Girl Scout Cookies seeds for just … USD (5-pack).
Honorable Mentions: These may not have made the Top 10 list, however Critical, Grease Monkey, Green Crack and Super Skunk are perfect for beginner growers as well.
Conclusion
Easy to grow strains are one of the best ways for you to practice and dial in your growing techniques. The more time you spend working with low maintenance and grower friendly cultivars, then the more you can try different training methods.
Over time, as you become more experienced, you may want to consider trying more challenging sativa dominant hybrids that present a longer flowering time and more maintenance and hands-on training.
Stoney Tark
Stoney Tark has been involved with cannabis for over 15 years. During this time, he has become head writer for the long-standing magazine; Soft Secrets, a position he has held for the last ten years, alongside writing for every other main publication.
Author of Stoney Tark’s Top Tips on Growing Cannabis, host of The Roll Models Podcast, breeder and sponsored by SANlight LED. Stoney is well versed in many systems and methods of growing, including, Organics, Hydroponics, Breeding, and Hash production.
Well known in the public eye for his easy-to-understand and detailed breakdowns of all things related to cannabis.
