Stoney Tark edited on: March 21, 2023 10 minutes read
"When you need to rely on some solid performing hybrids, it is always best to know which Nirvana strains are best. Our team has created a top 10 list based on resilience, flowering time, skill level and maintenance. Using the strains mentioned below, you will have peace of mind your outdoor crop will not only produce stocky and vibrant plants, the yields will be just as impressive."
Nirvana’s best strains for growing in colder climates
Growing Cannabis plants in a cold climate can present several challenges, often resulting in small producing plants. Cold temperatures can seriously affect how well a plant can perform during the flowering stage, as well as nutrient uptake, vigor and overall health.
When using a greenhouse or poly tunnel, it is possible to use heaters to help keep nighttime temperatures in the comfort zone, but in most cases plants will be left outside exposed to the cold. Colder areas of the world such as Canada, Norway, Finland, Iceland, Russia, Venezuela, Chile and parts of Northern Europe can expect some of the coldest temperatures possible for growing Cannabis.
Unfortunately, not just any type of cultivar can be grown, and the best candidates for a grower in a colder climate are fast flowering, indica dominant hybrids. A quick flowering time eliminates the concern of mold and powdery mildew attacking the plants, combined with a high level of resilience to pathogens and disease.
1. Candy Kush
We start this top 10 list with an easy to grow Kush hybrid. Candy Kush was created by crossing OG Kush and Trainwreck, to produce a short, tough and extra resilient hybrid ideal for colder climates.
A very fast flowering hybrid that requires only 7-9 weeks, making her a quick finisher, reducing the risk of mold. A wonderful choice for Sea of Green, and a large producing plant.
Candy Kush will produce yields of up to 650 grams (23 oz), with most plants finishing around 150 cm (59 inches). The buds will be small and tight, and will not become affected by colder temperature.
The aroma and flavor can be described as candy sweet, gassy, fuel and a pungent citrus earth. Candy Kush has a much more mild effect compared to other Kushes making her ideal for morning and day times.
Discover Nirvana’s Candy Kush feminized seeds.
2. Black Domina
Black Domina is an old school tough girl that can withstand hot and cold temperatures with ease. She is a cross of Northern Lights and Afghani, so can withstand drops in temperature and is not affected by pathogens.
Most phenotypes will be ready to harvest between 8-9 weeks, making her a fast finishing strain, reducing the risk of mold. Black Domina is a very impressive producer that is well recommended for beginner growers.
Outdoors, yields of up to 600 grams (21 oz) per plant can be achieved of dens, golf ball sized, compact buds. Plants once stretched will finish at 100-120 cm (39-47 inches) tall, making her a great candidate for SOG.
Black Domina has a taste and aroma is old school and is a mixture of earthy, spicy and herbal. The effects are potent with THC levels testing at 22%, be warned this girl packs a serious punch.
Discover Nirvana’s Black Domina feminized seeds.
3. K2
K2 is another solid indica dominant variety perfect for colder climates, made by crossing Hindu Kush and White Widow. The result is a hybrid that displays exceptional resilience to plant disease and insects.
She will grow to a medium height, stretch very little and require almost zero maintenance. K2 absolutely loves hot or cold weather, and will produce rock-hard buds under all circumstances.
Outdoors, yields of 500 grams (17.5 oz) per plant, can be harvested in as little as 8-9 weeks. A great choice for commercial growers. We advise this cultivar for anyone with small growing space or those who prefer SOG setups.
The aroma and flavor of the buds can be described as spicy, sweet, musky with hash overtones. Thanks to her blend of indica and sativa, you can expect a well-balanced effect that is relaxing, therapeutic but not too tiresome.
Discover Nirvana’s K2 feminized seeds.
4. Sweet Tooth
Sweet Tooth is an indica dominant hybrid that is fast flowering, and was created by crossing Afghan, Nepalese and Hawaiian genetics. A short but stocky, resilient hybrid that can adapt very well to cold weather.
Not only is she very tough, and requires little maintenance, we strongly advise Sweet Tooth for Screen of Green set-ups. Her buds will be difficult to squeeze and covered in trichomes.
Outdoors, this hybrid will produce 500 grams (17.5 oz) per plant in 8-9 weeks. Flowering time will vary from 56-63 days, with a final plant height of 90-120 cm (35-47 inches) tall.
Sweet Tooth has a very candy sweet terpene profile that is berry scented, tropical and deeply fruity. The effects are giggly, dreamy and happy, however the more you smoke, the heavier she lays on you.
Discover Nirvana’s Sweet Tooth feminized seeds.
5. Bubble Kush
Bubble Kush is the mix of two world-class strains, and was made by crossing Bubblicious and OG Kush. She is a fast-growing, large producing Kush hybrid that is ideal for cold and wet climates,
Thanks to her Kush lineage, plants can withstand cold nighttimes, and will continue to produce many buds in 8-9 weeks. Like most Kushes, this hybrid works wonderfully well for SOG, and can take many nutrients when growing.
Outdoors, Bubble Kush can produce up to 500 grams (17.5 oz) per plant. The final height of the plants will be between 90-120 cm (35-47 inches).
The flavor and aroma of Bubble Kush is a mixture of fruity, chemical, gas with hints of pine. Her effects will keep you in a dreamy state with fuzzy eyes, without any unwanted lazy or tired qualities.
Discover Nirvana’s Bubble Kush feminized seeds.
6. AK48
AK48 is an old school Dutch strain that was made by crossing Colombian Gold x Thai x Mexican x Afghani. The result is a rock solid producer that will display hybrid vigor and has a strong resilience to cold and wet climates.
Also, a quick flowering variety that will require between 7-9 weeks, that is easy to grow and will reach a final height of 120 cm (47 inches). AK48 is also wind resistant, and can endure hot days and cold nighttimes.
AK48 can produce up to 750 grams (26.5 oz) per plant outdoors, and is well recommended for Screen of Green, and for beginner growers who demand a quick flowering, and very tough cultivar.
The aroma and taste can be described as earthy, sweet and floral with an effect that is euphoric and highly relaxing. A good choice for evening times and unwinding after a long day.
Discover Nirvana’s AK48 feminized seeds.
7. Northern Lights
Northern Lights is one of the most resistant plants you can grow, and was created by back crossing Afghani genetics together. Naturally, she is used to hot days and cold windy nights, making her perfect for colder and harsh climates.
Effortless to grow and a low maintenance cultivar, that keep a short and stocky profile well adapted for small space or SOG. She does get affected by the cold and will flower without any concern over mold.
Northern Lights is capable of producing up to 600 grams / 21 oz per plant. Flowering time will take between 7-9 weeks depending on phenotype. Final plant height will be 100-120 cm / 31-47 inches tall.
The terpene profile can be described as sweet, earthy with notes of pine. Her effects are giggly, happy, upbeat with a feel good factor. .
Discover Nirvana’s Northern Lights feminized seeds.
8. Lithium OG Kush
Lithium OG Kush is a cross of OG Kush and Master Kush. A hybrid that thrives in all climates and can endure the worst types of weather.
An indica dominant cultivar with superb resilience to insects, heat stress and cold climates. Not only is she a great beginner strain, Lithium OG Kush does not require much maintenance, and can be grown in small spaces easily.
Outdoors, Lithium OG Kush is capable of yielding up to 500 grams (17.5 oz) per plant, requiring 8-9 weeks depending on the phenotype. The final height will be around 90-110 cm (35-39 inches), so plants will need supporting once flowering starts.
Her taste and aroma is a classic Kushy dank, with pine, citrus and fuel overtones. The effects at first are energetic, euphoric and creative and the more you smoke, the more narcotic she becomes.
Discover Nirvana’s Lithium OG Kush feminized seeds.
9. Big Bud
Big Bud is a Dutch classic and well known for its huge yields and easy to grow nature.
A cross of Afghan and old school Big Bud created for commercial growers, and for those who experience colder climates or grow in greenhouses.
She is a great entry-level strain, that produces a bushy and stocky appearance. A wonderful strain for plant training to really enhance yields, and when flowering her buds are not affected by mold or mildew.
Outdoors, this cultivar is capable of yielding up to 600 g/m² (2 oz per square foot), per plant. Some plants can become tall and reach a final height of 180 cm (71 inches) tall.
It is well recommended to add bamboo canes or a net trellis to support the heavy buds during flowering.
The terpene profile of Big Bud is a mixture of sweet, earthy and floral with a classic dank Skunk funk. Her effects are potent and are therapeutic, relaxing and perfect for evening times.
Discover Nirvana’s Big Bud feminized seeds.
10. Master Kush
Master Kush is one of the original Kush hybrids from back in the day, that is still a superb producer in cold climates. A cross of Skunk #1 and Hindu Kush that resulted in an exceptionally fast flowering variety that requires only 50 days of flowering time.
Another low maintenance and easy to grow Kush hybrid, that will display a high resilience to hot and cold weather. Master Kush is also ideal for a Sea of Green and small spaces, and does not require a high amount of maintenance.
Master Kush is capable of yielding up to 500 grams (17.5 oz) per plant, with plants averaging a height of 100 cm (39 inches) tall. She can take large amounts of nutrients and is overall a tough and durable cultivar.
Kush lovers will enjoy the terpene profile and flavor and aroma, which can be described as earthy, pungent, gassy with woody and pine notes. Master Kush has a powerful and narcotic effect that will leave you with heavy eyes and in a dream world.
Discover Nirvana’s Master Kush feminized seeds.
Honorable Mentions
Honorable Mentions: These may not have made the Top 10 list, however Green Crack, Green Poison and Original Glue are ideal for cold climates.
Growing outdoors in a cold climate will keep you on your toes! Doing as much as possible, such as using fabric pots to keep the roots warm, heaters during the day and night in greenhouses, or building a cover for light rainfall, will increase your chances of growing top shelf flowers.
Using the cultivars covered above as well as the honorable mentions, we are sure your outdoor harvests will be top quality no matter how cold your environment.
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.
