Northern Lights is one of the most iconic and beloved marijuana strains worldwide. This legendary strain has its roots in ancient Afghan and Thai landraces, combining the best of both worlds into a predominantly indica genetic profile.
It was perfected in Holland by Neville Schoenmakers during the 1980s and has since won countless awards, becoming a cornerstone in the creation of other famous hybrids. Additionally, it played a fundamental role in developing legendary strains like Jack Herer, Super Silver Haze, NL5 x Haze, and the Diesel family, among many others.
This strain is known for its ease of cultivation and for producing robust and compact plants. It grows quickly and always offers top-quality buds. Outdoors, Northern Lights stays under 6 feet, making it very discreet and easy to manage. Its structure resembles a Christmas tree, with short internodes, thick branches, and large green leaves.
Northern Lights buds are dense and compact, often showing purple hues when grown in optimal conditions. They are covered with a thick layer of sticky resin that gives them an almost crystalline appearance. This resin produces typical Afghan hash that is a delight for high-quality extraction enthusiasts.
Flavor and Effects
The aroma of Northern Lights is a delicious mix of fresh pine, earth, and sweetness, creating a unique olfactory experience. When consuming this strain, the sweet and earthy flavor with spicy undertones unfolds on the palate, leaving a lasting impression. A smooth smoke will leave very sweet notes like honey in your mouth, with herbal and earthy touches and a spicy hint.
With a THC content ranging from 15% to 20% and a CBD low of less than 1%, Northern Lights provides a slight initial euphoria, but its effects are so relaxing that a few puffs will be enough to glue you to the couch for hours. It’s perfect as nighttime weed, ideal for enjoying a deep and restful sleep.
Users often describe the effects as a mix of euphoria and elevated happiness, followed by deep relaxation and stress relief. This strain is ideal for combating anxiety, depression, and headaches. Additionally, its ability to induce sleep makes it a favorite option for those looking to fight insomnia.
Terpenes of Northern Lights
The terpenes in Northern Lights are a true gift from nature. Predominant is myrcene, with its earthy aroma and relaxing effect; caryophyllene, which brings spicy notes and anti-inflammatory properties; and limonene, which adds a citrus touch and mood-lifting effects. Other terpenes present include alpha-pinene and beta-pinene, offering a piney freshness and contributing to mental clarity and concentration.
These terpenes not only enhance the flavor and aroma of the buds but also boost the therapeutic effects of Northern Lights. Caryophyllene, for example, is known for its properties in relieving anxiety and depression, while limonene can improve mood and combat stress. This symphony of terpenes makes Northern Lights a versatile and powerful option for both professional and amateur growers.
Yield and Flowering Time
Northern Lights excels in both indoor and outdoor grows, offering generous and consistent yields. Indoors, this plant can produce between 16 and 19 ounces per square yard, efficiently utilizing space thanks to its compact structure. With 300-350W LED lighting, anyone can achieve a bountiful harvest with minimal complications.
Outdoors, Northern Lights shows its full potential, reaching yields of 21 to 28 ounces per plant. This strain thrives best in sunny and warm climates, and its discreet height, which rarely exceeds 6 feet, makes it ideal for those seeking stealth in their grows.
The flowering time of Northern Lights is notably short. In indoor grows, it is ready for harvest in a record time of just 45 to 50 days from the switch to the flowering photoperiod. This allows the most dedicated growers to achieve up to 8 harvests per year with a setup dedicated exclusively to continuous flowering clones.
Outdoors, Northern Lights is also a speed champion. Depending on the cultivation latitude, flowering begins between late July and early August, and harvest takes place in mid-September. This rapid flowering and early harvest make it an ideal option for growers looking to maximize their yield before the autumn weather sets in.
How to Grow Northern Lights
Northern Lights is one of the easiest strains to grow, ideal for both beginners and experienced cultivators. Its robustness and adaptability make it an accessible choice for anyone looking to achieve a quality harvest without complications.
This plant thrives in sunny and warm climates, with daytime temperatures between 68°F and 80°F and slightly cooler nighttime temperatures, between 59°F and 72°F. It is essential to maintain the relative humidity around 55%-60% during the vegetative phase, reducing it to approximately 40% during flowering and down to 30% at harvest time.
Northern Lights shows excellent resistance to pests and diseases, reducing the need for constant interventions and allowing for a more relaxed growing experience. This natural resilience is especially useful for growers seeking a hassle-free cultivation experience.
What We Like Most
- High yield both indoors and outdoors
- Ease of cultivation and adaptability
- Exceptional aroma and flavor
- Powerful relaxing and euphoric effects
- Fast and discreet flowering
What We Like Least
- Requires careful humidity control
- Can be too strong for novice users
Frequently Asked Questions
Below you’ll find answers to the most frequently asked questions from growers interested in these bulk seeds:
When does Northern Lights start flowering outdoors?
Depending on the latitude of the grow, Northern Lights starts flowering between late July and early August. It’s a fast-flowering strain, which allows for harvest by mid-September.
When to harvest Northern Lights outdoors?
It’s a super-fast flowering cannabis strain that is ready for harvest by mid-September.
How to grow a feminized Northern Lights?
It’s a very easy, discreet, and productive plant. We recommend using a line of organic fertilizers to achieve the best flavor and potency. Maintain controlled humidity and provide a warm, sunny climate to maximize yields.
What are the effects of bulk Northern Lights?
The effects of Northern Lights are very relaxing, inducing a state of calm and deep sleep. It’s also known for its ability to relieve stress, anxiety, and pain, providing a euphoric and happy effect with just a few puffs.
Is Northern Lights a sativa or indica?
Northern Lights is predominantly indica. Indica strains, like this one, are known for their relaxing and sedative effects, ideal for rest and muscle relaxation. On the other hand, sativa strains tend to provide a more stimulating and cerebral effect, suitable for daytime use and creativity. Northern Lights offers a deeply relaxing experience, perfect for the end of the day.
What type of aroma and flavor does Northern Lights have?
Northern Lights has a sweet and earthy aroma with spicy undertones. When smoked, sweet notes like honey, herbal and earthy touches, and a spicy hint can be appreciated, creating a unique sensory experience.
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