Northern Lights

Northern Lights is one of the most iconic and highly regarded cannabis varieties in the world. This legendary variety has its roots in ancient Afghan and Thai landraces and combines the best of both worlds in a clearly indica-dominant genetic profile.

It was perfected in the Netherlands by Neville Schoenmakers in the '80s and has since won countless awards, becoming a cornerstone in the creation of other famous hybrids. It played a key role in the development of legendary varieties such as Jack Herer, Super Silver Haze, NL5 x Haze and the Diesel family, among many others.

It is known for being easy to grow and for producing sturdy, compact plants. It grows fast and always delivers top-quality flowers. Outdoors, Northern Lights stays under 2 metres, which makes 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 and often take on purple hues in optimal conditions. They are covered in a thick layer of sticky resin that gives them an almost crystalline look. This resin makes a classic Afghan-style hash, a treat for lovers of quality extracts.

Flavour and effects

The aroma of Northern Lights is a delicious mix of fresh pine, earth and sweetness, a truly unique bouquet. When you smoke it, the sweet, earthy flavour with spicy undertones unfolds on the palate and lingers. The smooth smoke leaves very sweet, honey-like notes in your mouth, with herbal and earthy touches and a hint of spice.

With THC between 15% and 20% and CBD below 1%, Northern Lights gives a slight initial euphoria, but its effect is so relaxing that a few tokes are enough to glue you to the sofa for hours. It is perfect as night-time weed, ideal for ending the day with a heavy, laid-back finish.

The effect is often described as a mix of euphoria and good mood, followed by deep relaxation and a calm, mellow state of mind. It is ideal for a cheerful, laid-back evening. Its heavy, drowsy finish also makes it a favourite for winding down before bed.

Northern Lights terpenes

The terpenes in Northern Lights are a real gift from nature. The main ones are myrcene, with its earthy aroma and relaxed character; caryophyllene, which brings spicy, peppery notes; and limonene, which adds a bright, citrusy touch. Alpha-pinene and beta-pinene are also present, bringing a piney freshness and linked to a clearer high.

These terpenes not only enhance the flavour and aroma of the buds but also round off the relaxing effect of Northern Lights. Caryophyllene, for example, adds warm, spicy notes, while limonene brings a bright citrus lift and a cheerful mood. This symphony of terpenes makes Northern Lights a versatile, powerful choice for professional and hobby growers alike.

Yield and flowering time

Northern Lights excels both indoors and outdoors, with generous, consistent yields. Indoors it can produce between 450 and 550 grams per square metre, making very good use of space thanks to its compact structure. Under 300-350 W of LED lighting, anyone can bring in a bumper harvest without any hassle.

Outdoors, Northern Lights shows its full potential, with yields of 600 to 800 grams per plant. It does best in sunny, warm climates, and its modest height, which rarely exceeds 2 metres, makes it ideal if you want a discreet grow.

Its flowering time is remarkably short. Indoors it is ready to harvest in a record 45 to 50 days from the switch from the vegetative to the flowering photoperiod. This allows the most dedicated growers to achieve up to 8 harvests a year with a tent devoted solely to continuous flowering of clones.

Outdoors, Northern Lights is also a speed champion. Depending on latitude, flowering starts between late July and early August, and harvest arrives in mid-September. This fast flowering and early harvest make it an ideal choice if you want to secure your crop before the autumn weather sets in.

How to grow Northern Lights

Northern Lights is one of the easiest varieties to grow, ideal for beginners and experienced growers alike. Its toughness and adaptability make it an accessible choice for anyone after a quality harvest without complications.

This plant thrives in sunny, warm climates, with daytime temperatures between 20 °C and 27 °C and slightly cooler nights, between 15 °C and 22 °C. It is essential to keep relative humidity around 55-60% during the vegetative phase, lowering it to about 40% during flowering and down to 30% as harvest approaches.

Northern Lights shows excellent resistance to pests and diseases, which reduces the need for constant intervention and makes for a more relaxed grow. This natural toughness is especially useful if you are looking for a hassle-free growing experience.