Growing cannabis is a beautiful thing. Unfortunately, most of us live in areas where cannabis is still illegal, meaning we have to be very secretive about where and how we decide to grow. That’s where guerrilla growing cannabis comes in.
If you decide to start your own guerrilla grow, you’re probably wondering what strains can be left to fend for themselves yet still deliver great results. Here are 10 strains that are perfect for growing guerrilla style.
Durban strains have been around in Europe since the 1970s, when cannabis seeds were smuggled from the South African city of the same name to Amsterdam, where this cultivar was then bred with other local strains to create the Durban Poison we know and love today. Many seed banks carry their own version of this famous strain.
In terms of cultivation, Durban Poison initially looks like an indica, which is perfect for cultivators hoping to disguise their plants among other species. At the end of the flowering period, it is possible to see the sativa dominance, but this only makes Durban Poison more resilient when left alone in guerrilla growing locations. Overall, Durban Poison can reach heights of 2–3 metres and produce heavy yields. The flowering time is a relatively short 8–9 weeks, which also contributes to this strain’s stealthy nature.
When it comes to taste, Durban Poison is quite unique. It offers fruity and pine notes mixed with spicy anise and sour scents. The high is energetic, uplifting, and rarely overwhelming—thanks to a moderate THC content of 19% and an abundance of the terpene terpinolene.
Winner of the Hash Category at the 2013 Copa del Mar Argentina festival, Holland’s Hope is highly adaptable to all sorts of outdoor environments. This powerful indica-dominant strain maintains a small and compact stature, and thrives even in less than ideal climates. For this reason, she makes a great guerrilla strain.
Holland’s Hope was intentionally bred to withstand the harsh climate of the Netherlands. As a result, it is a durable and hardy cannabis strain, especially noted for its resistance to mould and the elements. Plants can reach between 1 and 2 metres, which helps them to blend in with other types of plants, and the flowering time lasts just about 8 weeks. Yields from Holland’s Hope can vary widely, depending on growing conditions. Harvests can range from a modest 100 grams per plant to over a kilo. You can plan to make the chop around the end of September or the beginning of October.
When it comes time to smoke Holland’s Hope, gear up for a hard-hitting and complex high that targets both the mind and body, and is known to cause a mild case of the munchies. Taste-wise, expect notes reminiscent of sandalwood, pine, and maple. Equally impressive are the scents, which are a wonderfully eclectic mix of rose, vanilla, fruit, bubble gum, lemon, and pepper. A THC level of 14% makes this a casual smoke that can be enjoyed whenever you please.
As the name suggests, this hardy marijuana strain was developed to endure harsh conditions. Hailing from northern Spain, Guerrilla’s Gusto is a 90% indica-dominant strain that will withstand practically any growing conditions you subject her to.
The resilience of the strain makes it perfect for beginner guerrilla growers, as the room for error is quite large. Plants put out large yields with a high flower to leaf ratio, even in cool climates, after a flowering time of just 65 days. This usually equates to a late September or early October harvest in the Northern Hemisphere. Despite her indica heritage, plants have the tendency to grow very tall, especially when given the room to do so. Even if she does not get a lot of sun, Guerrilla's Gusto can deliver a healthy harvest.
Expect an intense, long-lasting high from this one. Take enough tokes, and you might find yourself in couch-lock city. This strain has gusto indeed, especially when it comes to her taste and aroma. Strong flavours of musk and earth highlight every hit for a superbly dank smoke.
This little hybrid is the perfect strain for guerrilla growing. It first gained notoriety for its leaves that look like a duck’s footprint. As a result, this little canard of a cannabis plant has all the natural protection in the world, starting with the fact that she doesn't even look like a cannabis plant. Unless you know what you are looking for, she is easy to overlook.
Frisian Duck is a hybrid mix of Frisian Dew and Ducksfoot. This indica/sativa powerhouse produces significant yields, particularly outdoors. In fact, this cultivar is specifically recommended for greenhouses and outdoor operations, even if they are not stealth-driven. This dank duck will be ready to harvest after just 8 weeks of flowering; around early October outside.
Beyond her natural camouflage, this wonderful cannabis strain produces dark purple buds that make it even more difficult for the casual passerby to identify. Smoke her, however, and you’ll know this is a real “canna-bird” of prey, with a robust effect courtesy of 15–20% THC. The high is intense, marked by feelings of deep relaxation and a happy, dreamy cerebral effect. Her aroma is spicy, with hints of pine and citrus for good measure.
Taking home third place at the High Life Cup Autoflower competition in Amsterdam, 2014, Auto Frisian Dew was created in Holland specifically for growing outdoors in northern climates. The strain took over two years to develop and is based on a potent phenotype of the original Frisian Dew mixed with ruderalis.
Auto Frisian Dew exhibits exceptional “hybrid vigour”, meaning she is a robust strain that can thrive in adverse conditions. Her leaves are large, and she has strong and sturdy stems that do not break easily. If not pruned, she can develop into a huge bush. Auto Frisian Dew is known for her great yields, and most phenotypes have a very good flower to leaf ratio. She grows to a manageable 60–80cm in height, with a total seed to harvest time of just 10–11 weeks.
Yields can reach up to 100g/plant when cultivated in optimal conditions outdoors. In the “wild”, around 50 grams/plant is more reasonable. This strong and robust hybrid delivers a powerful high that lasts for several hours alongside sensual tastes reminiscent of fresh fruit and flowers.
This stocky little strain has several benefits going for it. It’s kind of like a skunky, psychotropic Christmas tree. A cross between Lemon OG and Lowryder, Lemon Wonder Automatic is fast to produce and has a high resilience to the elements.
Another benefit of this strain is its super-fast growing time of just 8–9 weeks from seed to harvest. Talk about quick! The plant reaches just around 80cm, yielding up to 150g/plant outdoors.
Lemon Wonder Automatic delivers on taste—big time. From the first hit, there are hints of lemon and citrus. That said, the strain is not overly pungent, so if growing discreetly, it is a sensible choice. The THC content of Lemon Wonder Automatic is not very high—just 12%—but the buzz is suitably subtle for daytime use, making it a great wake-and-bake or lunchtime strain. The high is uplifting, smooth, and fades away relatively quickly.
This rich hybrid has amassed much acclaim, becoming one of the top 10 autoflowers, and top 10 highest-yielding autos, according to CannaConnection. She is a cross between the original Mazar and ruderalis, which makes her a robust and resistant cannabis strain that also finishes fast—perfect for guerrilla growing in regions with short summers.
This little autoflowering cultivar does not take a lot of experience to grow, performing well in greenhouses or the great outdoors. And taking just 10 weeks from germination to harvest, you’ll be sampling her buds before you know it. Expect to harvest up to 200g/plant outdoors from cannabis plants of approximately 80cm tall.
Auto Mazar produces a rich assortment of wonderful tastes and smells, hitting on the spicy, dank, sweet, woody, and fruity notes redolent of quality hash. This variety also delivers a satisfying, heavy body high; she's a great strain for easing physical tension and promoting a refreshing night’s sleep.
This strain needs little introduction. Indeed, it resides in the CannaConnection Hall of Fame as one of the top 10 Jack Herer hybrid strains. Named after the legendary cannabis advocate, this little classic delivers the goods in just 10 weeks from germination. A 50% sativa, 40% indica, and 10% ruderalis mix creates the best of all worlds.
She is not dependent on light to bloom, which makes Jack Herer Autoflowering a great guerrilla strain, and further one that can be grown in a secluded area without much direct sun exposure. She is also very forgiving, making her perfect for both novices and outdoor growers that do not have a great deal of oversight. Suitable for indoor and outdoor cultivation, this hybrid will grow to a maximum height of 80cm indoors and 100cm outside.
Jack Herer Autoflowering’s THC content is 16%, with moderate CBD levels, resulting in a hearty but not overwhelming effect. Smokers can expect a surge of inspiration and euphoria followed by a relaxing full-body high. Flavour notes of spice, earth, and sweetness round out the experience nicely, making her quite the moreish delight.
This 80% indica-dominant strain was created by crossbreeding Skunk #1, Afghani Hash, and ruderalis. The result is a great plant for beginners looking to achieve success with their first guerrilla grow, as well as those with more experience.
This cannabis strain requires little care, and does not need any extra grow or bloom nutrition. The ruderalis also ensures that the plant flowers all by itself, independent of the light cycle. Outside, yields from Super Skunk Autoflowering can vary, but you can expect around 60g/plant.
The aroma of this hardy strain is skunky and spicy, and fully capable of filling up a room. The THC content is around 14%, making for an enjoyable high that takes the edge off but allows users to remain functional and awake after indulging. Like most indicas, she catalyses a relaxing body buzz that's great for promoting sleep and easing tension. The perfect end-of-day strain!
This sweet autoflowering legend comes from one of the most famous cannabis strains on the market. This particular cultivar features 20% THC and a sensational aroma. When smoked, she produces an elaborate blend of kushy, earthy, and cookie flavours, followed by an intense cerebral high along with a nice body buzz.
Girl Scout Cookies Autoflowering can reach up to 100cm in height, depending on phenotype and environmental conditions. Plants are ready to harvest only 8–9 weeks after germinating the cannabis seeds, making her ideal for guerrilla growers working with short growing seasons. You can expect above-average yields from this little autoflowering monster.
Girl Scout Cookies Autoflowering exhibits red and orange hues on its buds and leaves as it matures, and the buds exude super strong aromas as they near the end of the flowering phase. This is why growing her away from humans in a remote guerrilla location is a great idea. She is an absolute resin machine, and her buds look as though they are covered in a delicious, scented frosting come harvest time.
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