The Grower’s Guide to High-Yielding Cannabis Strains

There’s nothing more rewarding than cultivating a crop with a high yield. This is especially true for finicky plants that require a lot of love and attention, like cannabis. Luckily, there are some high-yielding cannabis strains that will give you lots of bang for your buck. 

Many factors go into a high-yielding cannabis strain beyond the flowering period alone. It’s about providing proper care and mastering the challenges associated with growing and managing each strain. For example, even the highest-yielding plant ever grown will depend entirely on the environment, level of care, and a variety of other factors. 

So what are the biggest yielding strains in the cannabis world, and how can you maximize your harvest?

Sativa vs. Indica: Which Strain Provides a Higher Yield?

At first glance, you might think that indica is the natural choice for a high-yielding cannabis strain seeing as it’s well-known for its shorter flowering periods. These stubbier plants tend to be easier to manage, and you can slide in another crop harvest outdoors during the fall before the winter chill rolls in. More cycles annually, however, doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll get a higher yield — only that you’ll be harvesting more often.

The big secret regarding the high-yielding strains is that sativa plants are in fact the winner when it comes to the highest-yielding strains. Sativa’s flowering cycle takes longer than indica’s, but is offset by quicker vegetative growth. Moreover, the genetics of many purebred sativa plants have been altered to accommodate shorter flowering cycles so that you can get the best of both worlds.

Note: If you live in a hotter part of the country and are looking for the best outdoor strain for high yield, the only choice is sativa. Sativa originates from the equator, meaning they’re better equipped to handle the heat.

How to Increase Your Cannabis Yield

Naturally, growing cannabis correctly and caring for your crops ensures you get a better yield. However, there are a few specific factors that will have a direct impact on your yield. So, what aspects decide how much you’ll be harvesting this year?

Genetics

Genetics underpin every advantage and disadvantage of your crop. The science behind cannabis is extraordinarily complex, and experimentation has led to many ‘super strains’ that overcome the natural weaknesses of the sativa and indica plants.

There’s a reason why hybrid plants exist — well-made hybrids combine the best of both worlds. If you’re looking to get the biggest yield possible, make sure you examine the genetics closely. 

Train Your Plants

Plants are most vulnerable during the vegetative phase, which is an advantage because you can guide the development of your plant via low-stress training techniques.

Manually spreading out the main stem and side branches by tying them with string will encourage your plant to grow outwards, like a bush. Training your plants doesn’t mean you don’t need to care for your plants, but it will help you achieve larger yields.

Increase Container Size

Scaling up your production by increasing the number of pots you have and the size of those pots allows you to grow more plants from the best yielding strains.

Pay attention to the types of pots you’re using. Beginners often use the usual array of gardening pots, which is fine, but you can do better. Try using air pots or smart pots. These pots are manufactured using breathable fabrics that increase the aeration given to the roots. More aeration means more room to breathe and expand above and below the soil.

Change the Indoor Light Intensity

If you’re looking for the best indoor strain for yield and potency, you need to have total control over the lighting conditions.

Your lighting setup must maximize available direct light and come from an evenly distributed light source. Vertical variations surrounding a central point have become popular for growing rows upon rows of plants stacked on multiple levels. Research energy-efficient bulbs, and adjust the color and intensity of your lighting. Increasing intensity can bolster the photosynthetic process, but it’s crucial that you don’t go overboard. Each strain will vary on the amount of light it needs, so make sure to confirm before you dial up the light. 

Improve Your Soil Quality

Soil quality is essential for outdoor growing because you lack the control you would have with an indoor grow. For more natural results, many growers prefer outdoor growing methods over artificial lights indoors.

Examine the quality of your soil and the nutrients within. You should already know what type of soil you have and how that relates to growing. Fertilization is also essential. It’s why Dr. JimZ has worked tirelessly to create the ideal mixture of science and generations of agricultural experience to produce a cannabis fertilizer that increases growth and yields.

10 High-Yielding Cannabis Strains

So let’s get to the good part: what are the highest yielding strains?

Whether growing indoors, outdoors or both, you have hundreds of varying strains to choose from. Finding suitable high-yield strains, and knowing how to maximize their potential, will make your small growing patch the envy of the neighborhood.

Let’s get you started by examining some of the highest-yielding strains around.

1. Blue Dream

Blue Dream was initially planted in the surfer’s paradise of Santa Cruz. It’s a 60% sativa-dominant hybrid strain that made its name as part of the medical marijuana industry. The lineage of Blue Dream comes from Super Silver Haze, which was a blueberry indica. It contains anywhere from 17% to 24% THC, with just 2% CBD.

It’s ideal for growing indoors, with a potential 21 ounces per plant. Its flowering time ranges from nine to ten weeks. You can also grow it outdoors, giving you a similar yield, with the flowering time taking eleven weeks.

The full-body relaxation properties and the fantastic taste have made it a popular choice among creatives.

1. White Widow

White Widow is the most famous European cannabis import and has parented several offshoot strains. It’s 60% indica-dominated and was developed by Dutch breeders who crossed a sativa from South America and an indica from southern India.

Its THC content can be as high as 25%. It’s well-known for its fat, sticky buds and looks like it’s coated in sugar due to crystalizing resin. Indoors, the yield can be as high as 18 ounces per square meter. Outdoor growers can boost their yield to a maximum of 21 ounces per plant.

White Widow is another easy-growing option because it’s strong enough to handle the cold and easy-growing enough to thrive in the warm. White Widow is one of the finest euphoria-inducing smokes for a smooth, enjoyable cerebral high.

1. Strawberry Kush

Strawberry Kush is one of the high-yielding indica strains that can be grown indoors. It’s the child of OG Kush and Strawberry Cough, with THC content as high as 23%. As an indica strain, it focuses on providing an uplifting high to its users.

Strawberry Kush is perfect if you’re running a small indoor cultivation facility because the plants typically don’t grow taller than three feet. Instead, it grows wide, meaning you’ll need to trim more often than you would with other strains.

Expect a yield of roughly 18 ounces per square meter of plant. It’s an excellent option for newbies, as it’s considered one of the more accessible strains to grow.

1. Chocolope

Chocolope is another excellent strain to grow indoors. Its lineage is Cannalope Haze and Chocolate Thai. It’s famous for its chocolatey scent and earthy tastes. Due to the dominance of the sativa, you can expect an energetic experience with a 20% THC rating.

The downside is that Chocolope plants can be challenging to manage because of their height. Even outdoors, it can reach almost seven feet tall. Indoors you can control it by topping it out below four feet.

With nine to ten weeks of flowering time, you can harvest monster yields of 22 ounces per square meter.

1. Super Skunk

Super Skunk is a fan-favorite among recreational smokers. Sensi Seeds developed this strain by crossing Skunk #1 and an unnamed strain from Afghanistan. What makes Super Skunk special is that its effects vary based on the user. Most people report a calm high that keeps the head clear but relaxes the body.

It’s considered a good option for first-time growers. However, you must be aware that it has a highly pungent odor. Depending on where you’re growing it, you may prefer to grow it indoors to avoid bothering the neighbors.

Expect to harvest more than 20 ounces per plant. Despite the smell, outdoor growing with Super Skunk is typically easy and straightforward.

1. Northern Lights

Northern Lights is a legendary strain not only due to its euphoric, feel-good high, it’s also one of the high-yielding indica strains around. It’s easy to grow and only reaches 39-51 inches tall. Despite being a hybrid, it’s almost totally dominated by indica, with dominance reaching up to 95%.

Its yields are relatively lower than some of the other strains on this list, with 16 ounces per square meter, but the sweet, spicy, or bitter taste has made Northern Lights a favorite in the cannabis industry.

It requires a sunny, Mediterranean-style climate to get the most out of it. Unless you live in the west or the south, you may want to choose this strain as an indoor growing option.

1. Amnesia Haze

Amnesia Haze is an award-winning strain dominated by sativa. The extreme complexity of Amnesia Haze demonstrates how much thought and experimentation went into it. It’s a cross of seven strains from around the world, including Hawaiian, Thai, Cambodian, and Jamaican sativas, alongside South Asian and Afghani indicas. Finally, you’ve got straight-up haze mixed in for good measure.

With a THC rating of 21%, it offers a strong high without being overwhelming. Note that Amnesia Haze is ideally grown outdoors because of its size, but can also be grown indoors. Unlike most outdoor strains, which are harvested at the beginning of October, Amnesia Haze is harvested at the end of October. However, for the extra wait, you’ll be rewarded with an exceptional 25 ounces per plant.

1. Big Bud

It’s no surprise where this indica-dominant hybrid strain got its name from. The enormous buds on this strain give it a yield of more than 20 ounces per square meter, with a relatively short flowering time of seven to nine weeks. The key to the success of Big Bud is a combination of an indoor hydroponic system and the Sea of Green method.

Big Bud originates from Sensi Seeds and was crossed with Northern Lights, Afghani, and Skunk #1 to create this hefty crop. Its high is euphoric, followed by intense relaxation. The high stands out as an incredibly potent high-yielding cannabis strain, with 26% THC.

Note that if you use regular outdoor soil as the growing medium, you’ll likely experience lower yields, so keep this one indoors if possible.

1. NYC Diesel

The sativa-dominant hybrid NYC Diesel is perhaps best known for its odor intensity. Make sure you grow it indoors in a well-ventilated space to avoid this potent plant’s smell becoming permanent.

NYC Diesel originates from a combination of Sour Diesel, Hawaiian, and Afghani. It has a 21% THC rating and is well-known for sparking creativity. If you’re looking for a chill and innovative high, this is the strain for you.

You can expect to get 22 ounces of bud per square meter with the right amount of attention. Note that it’s a moderately tricky strain to grow, with longer flowering times and towering heights.

1. Lemon Skunk

Lemon Skunk gains its name from the citrusy aroma and its sweet lemon taste when smoked. Mildly sativa-dominant, it contains 22% THC and 1% CBD. The high is energetic and clear-headed, perfect for daytime use.

Due to the heights this plant can reach and its thirst for sunlight, it’s best to grow outdoors. While you can harvest an indoor grow, space can quickly become limited and this hefty crop needs room to breathe. Flowering time is approximately eight to nine weeks. 

What makes Lemon Skunk a great grow is that it thrives in wetter, cooler climates. Get it right, and you’ll enjoy a massive 28 ounces per plant come the beginning of October.

Boost Your Yield with Dr. JimZ

Deciding on the highest yielding strains is only part of the perfect grow. Let Dr. JimZ enhance your next harvest with 50 years of research in the best nutrients and trace minerals for marijuana plants. 

To learn more about the science-backed formulations in Dr. JimZ’s premium products and experience the magic for yourself, check out our fertilizer for cannabis today. 

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