The best outdoor strains for New York

If you live in North America, there’s a good chance that you’ll be able to grow your own cannabis seeds. New York residents can grow up to 6 cannabis plants for personal use, making it a great alternative to purchasing from a dispensary. 

New York is one of the best states to grow a variety of plants due to the humid air from the southwest and cooler temperatures from the northwest. This type of climate provides variety for cultivators and even allows them to grow cannabis outdoors in their backyards. 

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If you’re looking to grow your own cannabis in the city that never sleeps, it’s important to understand the best outdoor strains to grow in New York, alongside NYC weed strains as a whole. In this article, you’ll find which plants are best suited for indoor and outdoor growing and a list of classic New York strains.

OG Kush

OG Kush Strain
OG Kush Strain

With an unmistakable flavor, OG Kush is known around the world for its relaxed and happy high. This 75% indica strain has an enigmatic history and the origins are a little mysterious but the majority of evidence supports that OG Kush has close proximity to the Chemdawg family.

Plant type75% indica 25% sativa
THCUp to 19%
CBDInsignificant amounts
DifficultyModerate
ClimateIndoors | Mediterranean | Continental | Steppe
Plant sizeCompact
Vegetative stage4 to 8 weeks
Flowering time8 to 9 weeks
Yields16 to 17 oz per plant
Taste and SmellEarthy | Herbal | Lemon | Pine | Sour | Spicy
EffectsEuphoric | Happy | Hungry | Relaxed | Uplifted

Is OG Kush one of the best outdoor strains to grow in New York? Absolutely. OG Kush really thrives in hot climates and when tended to, hot conditions encourage growth.  

Read our full strain report for OG Kush, or find the prices for OG Kush autoflower seeds or OG Kush feminized seeds

OG Kush Strain

Buy OG Kush Seeds

  • 75% indica 25% sativa
  • THC levels up to 19%
  • Produces a high yield
  • Euphoric joy and happiness

Gelato 

Gelato strain
Gelato strain

Happy, smiley, berries and citrus, Gelato is a hybrid strain that brings good vibes and a delicious fragrance. With THC contents up to 25% Gelato provides you with deep relaxation and crystal-clear clarity. 

Plant type55% indica 45% sativa
THCUp to 21%
CBDInsignificant amount
ClimateIndoors | Mediterranean | Temperate
Plant sizeCompact
Vegetative stage4 to 8 weeks
Flowering time8 to 9 weeks
Yields16 to 18 oz per plant
Taste and SmellCitrus | Earthy | Fruity | Sweet
EffectsEuphoric | Happy | Relaxed | Uplifted

Gelato is a popular choice amongst New York growers because the state provides the ideal growing conditions. The Gelato weed strain can thrive in a warm and humid climate, making it one of the most perfect NYC weed strains to grow indoors and outdoors. 

Read our full strain report for Gelato, or find the prices for Gelato autoflower seeds and Gelato feminized seeds.

Gelato strain

Buy Gelato Seeds

  • 55% indica 45% sativa
  • THC levels up to 21%
  • Fun grow with above-average yields
  • Deep relaxation paired with crystal clarity

Wedding Cake

Wedding Cake Strain
Wedding Cake Strain

Known for its sweet taste, Wedding Cake is a mostly indica strain that can contain up to 25% THC. Wedding Cake is another popular choice for growers in New York, as it tends to have an average plant size and can be grown indoors and in continental climates. 

Plant type70% indica 30% sativa
THCUp to 25%
CBDInsignificant amounts
DifficultyEasy
ClimateIndoors | Continental
Plant sizeAverage
Vegetative stage4 to 8 weeks
Flowering time8 to 10 weeks
Yields18 to 21 oz per plant
Taste and SmellVanilla | Sweet | Earthy | Ginger
EffectsRelaxing | Energizing

If you’re a seasoned grower, you can utilize advanced growing techniques such as Sea of Green to take advantage of smaller growing spaces. As space can be limited in New York, sowing 4 seeds in a meter could make this the ideal NYC weed strain for you to grow next.   

Read our full strain report for Wedding Cake, or find the prices for Wedding Cake autoflower seeds and Wedding Cake feminized seeds.

Wedding Cake Strain

Buy Wedding Cake Seeds

  • 70% indica 30% sativa
  • Easy growing in- and outdoors
  • THC Levels around 25%
  • Relaxation while remaining sharp

GG4 aka Gorilla Glue

Gorilla Glue Strain
Gorilla Glue Strain

Gorilla Glue is what’s known as a “Heavy Hitter” because of its high 25-30% THC content. The sticky hybrid strain was created by mixing Chem’s Sister, Sour Dubb and Chocolate Diesel

Plant type50% indica 50% sativa
THCUp to 26%
CBDInsignificant amounts
DifficultyEasy
ClimateIndoors | Steppe | Mediterranean
Plant sizeCompact
Vegetative stage3 to 4 weeks
Flowering time7 to 10 weeks
Yields5 to 15 oz per plant
Taste and SmellEarthy | Pine | Sour | Sweet
EffectsHappy | Uplifted
AwardsCannabis Cup | Jamaican World Cup

When growing your own Gorilla Glue in New York, it can be grown indoors and outdoors in a sunny and warm climate. That means, it doesn’t have to be blazing hot to grow this super-potent strain. If you want to grow this glorious strain outdoors, then New York backyards are ideal in sunny and dry settings, producing around 21 ounces of yield per plant.  

Read our full strain report for Gorilla Glue #4, or find the prices for Gorilla Glue autoflower seeds and Gorilla Glue feminized seeds.

Gorilla Glue Strain

Buy Gorilla Glue Seeds

  • 50% indica 50% sativa
  • THC levels up to 26%
  • Very easy to grow
  • Great for relaxation

Northern Lights

Northern lights strain
Northern Lights strain

With the right setup, Northern Lights is perfect for growing indoors, as this low-odor, indica dominant NYC weed strain ticks all the boxes for stealthy grows. If grown outdoors, Northern Lights prefers a warm and sunny environment similar to the Mediterranean or west coast. New York is one of the coldest regions in the US, so it’s important to note that even though Northern Lights is unbothered by cold and wet climates, sunny climates will give a more generous harvest. 

Plant type90% indica 10% sativa
THCUp to 18%
CBDInsignificant amount
DifficultyEasy
ClimateIndoors | Steppe | Mediterranean | Mold Resistant
Plant sizeAverage
Vegetative stage4 to 8 weeks
Flowering time7 to 9 weeks
Yields12 to 16 oz per plant
Taste and SmellCitrus | Earthy | Lemon | Pine | Skunky | Spicy | Sweet
EffectsEuphoric | Happy | Relaxed | Sleepy | Uplifted
AwardsCannabis Cup

It’s important to note that even though Northern Lights may not smell as strong as other strains, the effects are still very real with 18% THC, which gives you relaxed and happy vibes. 

Read our full strain report for Northern Lights, or find the prices for Northern Lights autoflower seeds and Northern Lights feminized seeds

Northern lights strain

Buy Northern Lights Seeds

  • 90% indica 10% sativa
  • THC levels up to 18%
  • Best indoors and in sunny climates
  • Comfortable and easygoing high

AK-47

AK 47 Marijuana Strain
AK-47 strain

Shoot your shot and grow the mellow sativa-dominant AK-47 strain both indoors and outdoors in New York. Not only is AK-47 easy to grow, but it’s high yielding and super compact, making it great for growing in New York backyards. 

Plant type35% indica 65% sativa
THCUp to 20%
CBDInsignificant amounts
DifficultyEasy
ClimateIndoors | Mediterranean
Plant sizeCan grow quite tall but stays compact when pruned
Vegetative stage4 to 8 weeks
Flowering time7 to 9 weeks
Yields12 to 18 oz per plant
Taste and SmellEarth | Pungent | Sour | Sweet
EffectsEuphoric | Happy | Relaxed | Uplifted
AwardsCannabis Cup | Highlife | Toronto Expo

It’s important to note that the AK-47 strain has a potent smell, so it may attract your neighbor’s attention when grown outdoors. So, if you’d prefer to grow the strain indoors, it takes around 7-9 weeks to flower and produces an average yield of 14 ounces per square meter.     

Read our full strain report for AK-47, or find the prices for AK-47 feminized seeds and AK-47 autoflowering seeds.

AK 47 Marijuana Strain

Buy AK 47 Seeds

  • 35% indica 65% sativa
  • THC levels up to 20%
  • Easy to grow
  • Uplifting effect for social or creative activities

Afghan

Afghan cannabis strain
Afghan strain

As a fan-favorite strain, Afghan is a pure indica strain that’s known for its relaxing and strong sedative effects. Afghan is one of the many strains that derives from the Hindu Kush mountains, alongside NYC legend Captain Jack’s Afghanica flower.  

Plant type100% indica
THCUp to 20%
CBDInsignificant amounts
DifficultyEasy
ClimateIndoors | Continental | Mold Resistant
Plant sizeAverage
Vegetative stage4 to 8 weeks
Flowering time8 to 10 weeks
Yields14 to 21 oz per plant
Taste and SmellEarthy | Herbal | Pungent | Spicy | Sweet | Woody
EffectsEuphoric | Happy | Hungry | Relaxed | Sleepy

If you’re a New York cannabis cultivator that wants an easy-to-grow plant, Afghan might just be the one for you. Afghan cannabis seeds perform the best when grown indoors at regulated temperatures. However, if you have the space and want a NY outdoor grow, the Afghan strain can survive in colder temperatures. When growing outdoors, it’s important to keep your plants over 55 degrees Fahrenheit at nighttime. 

Read our full strain report for Afghan, or find the prices for Afghan autoflower seeds and Afghan feminized seeds.

Afghan cannabis strain

Buy Afghan Seeds

  • 100% indica landrace descendant
  • High THC level towards 20%
  • Easy growing inside and outdoors
  • A great strain for relaxation

NYC Diesel

NYC Diesel Strain
NYC Diesel strain

This fruity favorite by Soma Seeds is an NYC classic and was originally created in the 90s. The strong cerebral effects may lead to bursts of inspiration and an influx of fresh ideas. It’s no wonder that NYC Diesel has been the popular choice for the artists and creatives of New York. 

Plant type40% indica 60% sativa
THCUp to 20%
CBDInsignificant amounts
DifficultyHard
ClimateIndoors | Steppe | Mediterranean
Plant sizeTall
Vegetative stage4 to 8 weeks
Flowering time9 to 11 weeks
Yields14 to 17 oz per plant
Taste and SmellChocolate | Diesel | Pungent
EffectsEnergetic | Happy | Relaxed

If you’ve got the space to grow lush tall cannabis plants then NYC Diesel is one of the best outdoor strains to grow in New York. This strain is for experienced cultivators, as it does require knowledge about upkeep and if you neglect to trim the plants accordingly, they can grow up to 12 feet tall. 

Read our full strain report for NYC Diesel, or find the prices for NYC Diesel feminized seeds and NYC Diesel autoflower seeds.

NYC Diesel Strain

Buy NYC Diesel Seeds

  • 40% indica 60% sativa
  • THC levels up to 20%
  • Produces a high yield
  • Has an uplifting effect

Chemdawg

Chemdawg Cannabis strain
Chemdawg strain

This strain is rumored to stem from Nepalese and Thai sativa and has many different stories that shroud the secrecy of its origins. It’s known for its potency and for cannabis cultivators, it’s regarded as notoriously difficult to grow so only experienced growers should attempt cultivating their own Chemdawg plants. 

Plant type55% indica 45% sativa
THCUp to 25%
CBDInsignificant amount
DifficultyHard
ClimateIndoors | Steppe | Mediterranean
Plant sizeTall
Vegetative stage4 to 8 weeks
Flowering time8 weeks
Yields14 to 28 oz per plant
Taste and SmellDiesel | Pungent

This strain is regarded as an NYC classic with tall plants and THC content between 18% – 26%. As Chemdawg is prone to the detrimental effects of mildew and molds, it’s best to grow this strain indoors to optimize levels of humidity and air circulation. 

Read our full strain report for Chemdawg, or find the prices for Chemdawg feminized seeds.

Chemdawg Cannabis strain

Buy Chemdawg Seeds

  • 55% indica 45% sativa
  • THC levels up to 25%
  • Fast flowering plant
  • Soothing mindful high

Sour Diesel 

sour diesel strain
Sour Diesel strain

The origin story for Sour Diesel comes straight out of New York Wetland’s Music Club, a dude called “As*hole Joe” or AJ for short crossed paths with big bands like Rage Against the Machine and Pearl Jam. During that time, AJ crossed paths with a grower who introduced him to Chemdawg 91 and after potentially crossing that with Super Skunk it birthed Sour Diesel.

Sour Diesel is a mostly sativa strain (70%) that thrives in dry, arid climates, so New York cultivators should consider growing indoors in a highly optimized setting.

Read our full strain report for Sour Diesel, or find the prices for Sour Diesel autoflower seeds and Sour Diesel feminized seeds.

sour diesel strain

Buy Sour Diesel Seeds

  • 40% indica 60% sativa hybrid
  • THC levels up to 20%
  • Sun-loving, high yielding plant
  • Energy-driven psychedelic high

The New York climate can be quite extreme, from harsh winters to extremely hot summers, especially in NYC. It’s important to select a strain that suits the environment that you’re located in and a strain that you feel comfortable growing. 

Cannabis cultivation is fun and can be easy when you know what you’re doing. To learn more Download Robert’s Grow Bible, a free 70-page grow guide. 

Avatar for Robert Bergman

Robert Bergman

Robert Bergman is an Amsterdam-based marijuana grow expert who has years of experience from small grows to massive operations. His passion for growing lead him to develop his own Gold Leaf strain. Now, Robert is dedicated to sharing his knowledge with the world.... [Read full bio]

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