Best Cannabis Strains To Grow In California

With an average of 265 sunny days a year, California is well-known for producing a variety of vegetables, fruits, and other crops thanks to excellent weather conditions. However, did you know that cannabis can also fare exceptionally well if grown in the Golden State? It's true, and we're here to give you the lowdown on all you need to know, including examples of strains you might want to check out.

Growing cannabis in the climate of California

It's no secret that plants typically perform extremely well in warm, sunny conditions, and cannabis is no different! As mentioned, with plenty of sunny days per year, and temperatures able to soar well past the 30°C mark, cannabis cultivars can flourish and reward attentive growers with a bevy of buds. However, not all strains can take the heat and intense illumination that this particular climate brings, so your choice of seeds is paramount to performance. But don't worry; we'll shortly get into what makes an ideal cultivar for your California grow-op!

When to germinate seeds in California

Germinating your seeds at the right time is critical to maximising your plants’ performance. This is something that's not left to chance, although it might take a little practice (especially if you're new to the growing process). As a rule of thumb, many Cali cannabis cultivators germinate their seeds in early April through May. This gives plants plenty of time to take advantage of the summer months and be ready to yield around September/October. Depending on where growers are located (Northern, Central, or Southern California), it may be wise to germinate seeds indoors if there’s still a threat of cold temperatures during this time.

Tips for growing cannabis in the California climate

Growing cannabis in a hotter climate comes with its own rewards and caveats. The abundance of heat and light can make for bumper yields, but it can also wreak havoc on your specimens if the proper care isn’t taken. With that in mind, here are some pointers to consider when growing weed plants in the California climate:

1. Provide adequate shade for your plants, as too much sun and heat can damage them. As a rule of thumb, be sure to provide temporary shade during the hottest part of the day (12–4pm).
2. Keep a close eye on your plants’ soil; when the top couple of inches are fully dry, you should water your plants. You want to make sure they’re adequately hydrated, but you don’t want to overwater. Cannabis plants can handle small periods of drought better than they can periods of excess moisture!
3. Protect your plants from harsh winds and other potential adverse weather conditions. Wind can cause structural damage to plants as well as windburn, so be sure that they're not in a direct line of constant winds. If needed, you can always build a polytunnel to add further protection.
4. If you like foliar feeding, be sure to spray your plants when they are shaded and not in direct sunlight.

How to choose the right cannabis strains to grow in California

There are numerous schools of thought when it comes to what types of cannabis seeds you should grow in hotter climates, such as California. Typically, many growers favour sativa strains as their structure is more open and airy, which is ideal for both hot and dry climates as well as humid ones.

However, your cultivation experience will play a considerable role in your strain choice as well. Beginners, for example, may opt for autoflowering varieties that take any complexity out of the growing process, while more experienced growers can opt for feminized photoperiod cultivars that really thrive in the Cali sunshine.

Best strains to grow in California

If you’re looking to select a strain for your very own California grow, allow us to be your guide. The following five varieties should be more than enough to get you started. Whether you're new to the game or have vast experience, we're sure we've got the perfect strain for you.

Gelato (Zamnesia Seeds)

Gelato showcases rich flavours, potent effects, and robust genetics, thanks to parentage in the form of Wedding Cake x Gelato x Gelato 33. This strain responds exceptionally well to hot climates, making it perfect for those warm California summers. Capable of reaching up to 2m, each majestic specimen is able to deliver around 300–400g come mid-October. Once the buds are dried and cured, Gelato offers a creamy blend of flavours with hints of lemon, mint, and vanilla. With 26% THC to play with, users will be treated to hours of uplifting euphoria that will satisfy any stoner.

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Gelato (Zamnesia Seeds) feminized

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Parents: Wedding Cake x Gelato x Gelato 33

Genetics: 60% Indica / 40% Sativa

Flowering Time: 8-9 weeks

Potency: 26%

CBD: 0-1%

Flowering Type: Photoperiod

Stress Killer Automatic (Royal Queen Seeds

As the name might suggest, relaxing and soothing sensations are the order of the day with Stress Killer Automatic. This autoflowering strain from Royal Queen Seeds boasts a 1:1 THC:CBD ratio alongside hazy lemon flavours. Basking in the summer sun and with plenty of room to spread her roots, Stress Killer Automatic can reach around 160cm in height, and doesn’t require much special attention to deliver impressive results. When ready to harvest (after 11–12 weeks from germination), growers will be treated to a hefty return of up to 200g/plant.

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Stress Killer Automatic (Royal Queen Seeds) feminized

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Parents: Lemon Haze x Juanita la Lagrimosa x Ruderalis

Genetics: Ruderalis/Indica/Sativa

Flowering Time: 10-11 weeks from seed to harvest

Potency: 11%

CBD: High

Flowering Type: Autoflowering

Wedding Cake Automatic (Zamnesia Seeds)

Next up is Wedding Cake Automatic. This autoflower is resilient, productive, and tasty to boot, making it appealing to California cannabis growers of all experience levels and climates. Taking just 9 weeks from start to finish, growers needn’t wait long to get their hands on this sought-after delicacy. Much like other autoflowering strains, very little is needed in terms of maintenance, but Wedding Cake Automatic isn't afraid of a bit of LST should the need arise. Harvests peak in the region of 150g/plant, and these 24% THC-laden buds will delight with a strong cerebral rush that tapers off into chilled contentment. Coupled with sweet, fruity, and vanilla flavours, you've got a strain that ticks a lot of boxes!

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Wedding Cake Automatic (Zamnesia Seeds) feminized

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Parents: Triangle Kush x Animal Mints x Ruderalis

Genetics: Indica-dominant Auto

Flowering Time: 8-9 weeks from seed to harvest

Potency: 24%

CBD: 0-1%

Flowering Type: Autoflowering

Cookies Gelato (Royal Queen Seeds)

Cookies Gelato comes from a potent pairing of Girl Scout Cookies with Gelato 33, showcasing a massive THC content of 28% and earthy, citrus flavours. It also flourishes in the Californian sunshine, bolstered by its strong genetics. If space isn't an issue, Cookies Gelato can reach 180cm, churning out maximum yields. Ready in mid-October, Cookies Gelato gets to work quickly to deliver mind-blowing harvests of up to 650g/plant. Users are in for a fast-acting and hard-hitting physical and cerebral high that is almost psychedelic. Not for the faint of heart, Cookies Gelato is a well-established strain that's perfect for whiling away those hot California days (and nights!)

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Cookies Gelato (Royal Queen Seeds) feminized

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Parents: Girl Scout Cookie x Gelato 33

Genetics: Indica/Sativa

Flowering Time: 9-10 weeks

Potency: 28%

CBD: Low

Flowering Type: Photoperiod

OG Kush (Zamnesia Seeds)

Last on our list is the awesome OG Kush. If you haven’t heard of this strain before, where have you been? This popular cultivar combines Chemdawg, Lemon Thai and Pakistani Kush, and is just crying out for some California sun to flourish in! When left to its own devices, OG Kush can soar up to 220cm in hot and sunny conditions. This plant is ready by early October and can deliver up to 550g/plant. While this isn't a strain that will cause any major issues, growers have the opportunity to use some training techniques on a very willing plant partner. Once those buds are ready, users can unwind with a blissful and happy high. Regardless of how you enjoy OG Kush, the earthy, citrus, and pine-like flavours will shine through flawlessly.

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OG Kush (Zamnesia Seeds) feminized

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Parents: Chemdawg x Lemon Thai x Pakistani Kush

Genetics: 75% Indica / 25% Sativa

Flowering Time: 8-9 weeks

Potency: 19%

CBD: 3%

Flowering Type: Photoperiod

Is it legal to grow cannabis in California?

Yes, growing cannabis in California has been legal since November 2016. However, there are a few caveats. You have to be over 21 years old, and you can only cultivate up to 6 plants per household, which should be more than enough for the casual home grower. But be sure to check with your municipality about their respective laws, as some do require permits—it's certainly better to be safe than sorry when cultivating cannabis from home!

California dreaming of cannabis?

Whether you live on the West Coast or in a country that sees its fair share of warm and sunny weather, there's nothing stopping you from cultivating one of the strains mentioned on our list. After smoking enough of your homegrown cannabis, you'll have the carefree California attitude in no time, whether you're there or not!

Adam Parsons

Professional cannabis journalist, copywriter, and author Adam Parsons is a long-time staff member of Zamnesia. Tasked with covering a wide range of topics from CBD to psychedelics and everything in between, Adam creates blog posts, guides, and explores an ever-growing range of products.

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