The Best Marijuana Strains to Grow Outdoors in Northern California

California is the best place to grow weed, particularly in the northern region, where you’ll find the Emerald Triangle. Known for being the largest cannabis-producing region, the Emerald Triangle consists of three Northern California counties, Humboldt, Trinity, and Mendocino, where legendary growers have been growing weed since the 1960s. While a rich history led to the Emerald Triangle, the main draw is this area’s rich and arable soil with varying but idyllic Mediterranean climates that allow cannabis to flourish.

But that’s not to say that Northern California is the only place weed can thrive. All parts of the state, including Central and Southern California, can support an array of weed strains. Central California has a hot Mediterranean climate with hot summers and wet winters. Meanwhile, Southern California has Mediterranean and semi-arid climates with warm to hot, dry summers and mild winters with very little annual precipitation.

Now that you know what climate to expect in each region of Cali, all that’s left is to grow the right type of seed. Use our list of the 10 best weed strains to grow in California to help you decide. 

Super Silver Haze

A sativa-dominant cannabis strain that thrives in places that offer mild to warm summers with lots of sunshine, Super Silver Haze would easily flourish in the idyllic climates of Northern California. While it can grow in any part of the state, it would especially thrive in the Emerald Triangle’s mild summers and sunshine.

Super Silver Haze Feminized Seeds

Super Silver Haze feminized is a sativa-dominant hybrid good for a maximum all-day high. Super Silver Haze seeds grow a herb that offers a mellow yet potent high that lifts the mood.

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Under ideal growing conditions, Super Silver Haze can consistently yield 19 ounces per plant with flowers with a THC content of up to 18%. And don’t let those small numbers fool you. Super Silver Haze is deceptively strong, earning it the nickname “one-hitter quitter” for its mood-boosting and energizing high that coincidentally matches the California vibe.

Read our full review of Super Silver Haze, or buy Super Silver Haze feminized seeds in our store.

Super Silver Haze cultivar profile

White Widow

White Widow is a great choice if you’re looking for a resilient weed strain to grow in either Central or Southern California, areas known for their sudden temperature drops during harvest season. It also helps that this hybrid indica strain thrives in both ‘Mediterranean climates’ that are warm to hot, as well as dry summers or suddenly cold winters.

White Widow Feminized Seeds

Are you looking for a relaxing smoke to unlock your conversational and creative side? You are going to love our White Widow seeds!

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In regards to growing, White Widow is one of the easiest indica strains to cultivate. They don’t require any extra effort from the grower for a considerable yield of high-quality flowers. However, they do respond well to plant training techniques like Sea of Green (SOG) or Screen of Green (SCRoG), which can improve yields. It’s even recommended to use White Widow plants as a strain to practice these plant training techniques and other advanced growing methods because of how easy and forgiving they are to maintain.

Grow this strain by buying White Widow feminized and autoflower seeds in our store.

White Widow cultivar profile

Gelato

Gelato is one of the most sought-after Californian marijuana strains because of its euphoric and relaxing effects. When growing, this California marijuana strain is known to appreciate Mediterranean climates with moderate humidity levels, so the state’s coastal areas, with their humid and warm weather, make for the perfect place for this strain to thrive. If you’re in the Emerald Triangle, you’d know this strain would love Humboldt County with its mild and foggy summers.

Gelato Feminized Seeds

Are you a marijuana veteran burdened by a high tolerance, looking for an easy smoke that hits hard every time? You are going to love Gelato!

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Gelato is an easy strain of marijuana to grow. It prefers humid environments, but other than that, this indica hybrid doesn’t need much effort. This is especially true of its autoflowering variant, which has a shorter grow cycle in exchange for smaller yields.

Read our full review of Gelato, or buy Gelato feminized and autoflower seeds in our store.

Gelato cultivar profile

G13

It’s said that this potent indica hybrid was an experimental blend of different cannabis strains the U.S. had acquired throughout the 60s and 70s and was smuggled out from the research lab that created it. The fact that, until recently, G13 could only be grown from clones adds to the idea that it was a government-made strain.

G13 Feminized Seeds

G13 is one of the most famous unknown marijuana strains in history. Its origins are unclear. Its effects are unusual, and until recently, it was only grown from clones.

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But regardless of whether all of that is true or simply the stuff of legends, G13 is a strain you’d want to grow since it’s a high-yielding cultivar that can produce 21 ounces per plant with flowers boasting a THC content of up to 24%. As for where in California you can grow this strain, it can flourish in parts that offer dry and sunny climates with cool temperatures that range around 65-85°F (18-29°C). Think Northern California and the Emerald Triangle with its mild summers and plenty of sunshine.

Read our full review of G13, or buy G13 feminized and autoflower seeds in our store.

G13 cultivar profile

Durban Poison

The city this landrace cultivar was grown in and named after closely resembles the coastal regions of California in that it has hot and humid summers. Durban Poison would easily flourish in the coastal areas of California and, when grown under the best conditions, can produce 14 to 18 ounces per plant, with flowers producing a THC content of up to 20%.

Durban Poison Feminized Seeds

Durban Poison is a pure sativa named after its city of origin: Durban, South Africa. Despite its name, it is a delightful strain that gives the user energy, joy, and creativity.

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When smoked, this pure sativa will give you a huge boost in energy while also putting you in a good mood. And unlike most head highs that leave you scatterbrained and dazed, the buzz you get from Durban Poison will keep your mind clear and focused. It is the ideal strain to smoke in the morning and a good replacement for caffeine.

Grow Durban Poison by buying Durban Poison feminized and autoflower seeds in our store, where you can also buy plant protectors to safeguard your plant against bugs and mold.

Durban Poison cultivar profile

Sunset Sherbet

Sunset Sherbet is an indica-dominant strain you’d want to grow in the Emerald Triangle since it flourishes in Mediterranean climates with mild and sunny summers. Sunset Sherbet is also one of the best marijuana strains for beginners since it produces low-maintenance plants with high mold resilience. That means it doesn’t need extra effort to grow well and thrives in areas with moderate to high humidity levels.

Sunset Sherbet Feminized Seeds

Sunset Sherbet is an indica dominant hybrid that will spark your creativity. Sweet like a scoop of sherbet while watching the sunset, this strain is a tasty descendant of Girl Scout Cookies.

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Under the right conditions, Sunset Sherbet plants have an average yield of 11 ounces per plant, but experienced growers can see higher yields of up to 16 to 21 ounces.

Read our full review of Sunset Sherbet, or buy Sunset Sherbet feminized seeds in our store, where you can also download our Harvest Guide to pinpoint the best time to harvest your plants.

Sunset Sherbert cultivar profile

Sour Diesel

Sour Diesel is one of the most popular weed strains and a staple in California. It is sought after for its intense head highs and equally intense blend of flavors and smells. Yet, to experience its mood-boosting buzz and strong stink of diesel with lemon undertones, you must go through a lot of effort.

Sour Diesel Feminized Seeds

Are you looking for an energetic, fun, and psychedelic high? Then you are going to love Sour Diesel seeds! Known around the world as 'Sour D', there's no mistaking its fuel-forward scent.

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Sour D plants have a high nutrient requirement due to their Chemdawg heritage. Therefore, we recommend buying complete marijuana fertilizers to help your Sour Diesel plants’ vegging and flowering. As for the climate where they can thrive, Sour Diesel plants prefer sunny, warm areas that have a dry and hot climate. This makes Southern California the perfect place to grow Sour D with its Mediterranean-like climate and warm, dry summers.

Grow Sour Diesel by buying Sour Diesel feminized and autoflower seeds in our store, where you can also buy marijuana fertilizers to give this nutrient-hungry strain the boost it needs.

Sour Diesel cultivar profile

Super Lemon Haze

Super Lemon Haze is a sativa hybrid known for its high yields, producing up to 21 to 25 ounces per plant with a little nurturing. The flowers have a THC content of up to 22%. But even with moderate THC levels, this sativa strain delivers a long-lasting euphoric and energizing head-high.

Super Lemon Haze Feminized Seeds

Among the various strains of marijuana, Super Lemon Haze has held its own in the marijuana market for years. The Cannabis Cup winner has earned worldwide popularity that has not wavered despite the creation of new strains.

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To cultivate the best Super Lemon Haze cannabis plants, grow this strain in Northern California’s Emerald Triangle. It loves Mediterranean-like climates that offer warm summers. If you want the best yield out of this strain, try growing it hydroponically.

Read our full review of Super Lemon Haze, or buy Super Lemon Haze feminized and autoflower seeds in our store.

Super Lemon Haze cultivar profile

Jack Herer

When it comes to growing Jack Herer, you’ll find that this strain lives up to being called the “grower’s dream” with how easy it is to grow. The plants it produces don’t need extra maintenance thanks to their hardiness and high resistance to disease and mold. For its ideal climate, you’d want to grow this sativa hybrid in a Mediterranean climate with warm and dry summers. Think Southern or Central California.

Jack Herer Feminized Seeds

Jack Herer is one of the most popular strains in the world. It was first bred for marijuana patients due to genetics that delivered happy and soothing feelings combined with potent properties for therapeutic use.

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Under ideal growing conditions, Jack Herer can yield 16 to 18 ounces per plant, with flowers containing a THC content of up to 20%. Don’t let the moderate levels of THC fool you. Jack Herer delivers a strong body buzz and a long-lasting head high. If you don’t believe it, find out for yourself by growing your own Jack Herer cannabis.

Buy Jack Herer feminized and autoflower seeds in our store. Pick Jack Herer autoflower if you want faster and easier grows.

Jack Herer cultivar profile

Chocolope

Chocolope is a sativa hybrid made by DNA Genetics by crossing Chocolate Thai sativa and Cannalope Haze sativa. The resulting cultivar has a very chocolatey flavor and a strong scent of coffee. And like its delectable flavor and aroma, Chocolope delivers potent effects that energize and give you a boost of energy as if you had a cup of coffee and a bite of chocolate.

Chocolope Feminized Seeds

Chocolope seeds grow a 10% indica and 90% sativa plant. It's a special strain that motivates and energizes the user, making it a quick way to start a busy day.

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Regarding growing, Chocolope is a straightforward strain that doesn’t need extra effort to flourish. You only need to provide it with the right conditions and climate. Like most strains, you must maintain proper airflow around your Chocolope plants by pruning them when needed. For its climate, Chocolope thrives in sunny, balmy climates. Think Northern California and its Emerald Triangle. Provide all of this, and you can expect a yield of around 16 to 23 ounces per plant covered in flowers with a THC content of up to 19%.

Read our full review of Chocolope, or buy Chocolope feminized seeds in our store.

Chocolope cultivar profile

Conclusion

Growing cannabis is a fun experience for everyone; growers anywhere can pick up the hobby. To help learn how to cultivate cannabis as a pro, download Robert’s Grow Bible, a free 70-page grow guide to get you started growing marijuana today!