What Are The Best Strains To Grow In Nevada?

If you’re looking for a break from the infamous casinos and glamorous nightlife of Nevada, then growing cannabis provides the perfect respite. Not only is it legal to cultivate cannabis recreationally, but the state’s arid climate is ideal for strains that thrive in hot summers and mild winters.

However, with so many strains to choose from, it’s challenging for growers, new and old, to know which cultivars have the best chance of making it to harvest in this region. That’s where we come in. Below you’ll find ten strains with a long list of desirable attributes, as well as some tips on navigating Nevada’s unique climate and cultivation regulations. Whether it is the scorching deserts in the south or the cool mountain forests in the north, you’ll be cultivating plants like a pro in no time.

Growing cannabis in Nevada: What to expect

Navigating Nevada’s arid climate is quite straightforward, and provided you live more than 25 minutes from a licensed dispensary, cultivating plants outdoors is legal for recreational use (more on this shortly). Still, it’s important to understand the subtle adjustments you’ll need to make to your grow-op to ensure you get the best bang for your buck.

Climate

Whether you’re in the north or south of Nevada, the state remains dry, with low humidity. This is great for cannabis cultivation because it reduces the risk of mold. However, plants still need some moisture, and if you’re growing in the south, where temperatures can reach highs of over 100°F, you’ll need to take steps to raise humidity. In the north, the temperature can bottom out at around 39°F, but the chance of rainfall remains low, so again, the biggest challenge is maintaining an optimal humidity range.

Growing environment

To make life easier for would-be cultivators, we’ll split the main concerns of Nevada’s growing environment into northern and southern regions. For the latter, shielding your plants from the midday sun is paramount. Many strains thrive under the watchful eye of natural sunlight, but too much causes plants to wilt and, in worst-case scenarios, stop trichome production altogether.

For southern parts of Nevada, consider the following:

• Plant outdoor specimens in containers so you can move them out of direct sunlight during peak hours.
• Install barriers or add companion plants to your garden to provide shade.
• Water well at dusk and dawn to prevent scalding (if you have to water during the day, avoid direct contact with plants).

In the north, temperatures are far more manageable, and you won’t need to worry as much about shielding plants from the midday sun. That said, they may need some support at night when ambient temperatures can drop as low as 39°F. To help deal with these fluctuations, consider cultivating in a greenhouse or using a polytunnel, which can help to trap heat and moisture, keeping plants warm at night.

For northern and central parts of Nevada, consider the following:

• Use a greenhouse or polytunnel to help mitigate large fluctuations in temperature.
• Select strains with a shorter flowering period to avoid the risk of freezing in late autumn.
• Though heavy rain, thunderstorms, and flash flooding are rare, planting at the highest point in your garden is a good precautionary step.

Legal compliance

Growing cannabis plants for recreational use is legal in the state of Nevada. However, it’s not without strict guidelines. These include:

• You must be over 21 years old, and plants must be for personal consumption.
• You must live over 25 miles from the nearest licensed dispensary.
• There’s a limit of 6 plants per person, with a maximum of 12 plants per household.
• Plants must be kept out of public view, and any access securely managed.
• You must own the property where you plan to grow or have the explicit permission of the property owner.

Fortunately, the rules are fairly reasonable, and most green-fingered growers will have no problem legally cultivating several plants. Still, remember that cannabis regulations are in a constant state of flux, so it’s always best to check with your local authority for the most up-to-date information.

Top 10 cannabis strains to grow in Nevada

You’re prepared for the environmental challenges, and you’ve brushed up on the legal implications of cannabis growing in Nevada. Now for the fun part—picking a strain. Here are ten specimens that are primed to flourish in the Silver State.

Northern Lights Automatic

A generous helping of ruderalis genetics helps this autoflowering variant of Northern Lights go from seed to harvest in as little as nine weeks. This means you’ll have no trouble harvesting before the temperature drops in autumn. Plus, she packs the perfect amount of potency at 15%.

Durban Poison

This particular cultivar loves to stretch. As such, she’s a prime pick for greenhouses and outdoor gardens (provided you have decent barriers to block public view). It even has a strong resilience to mold, which is great should you get caught in unpredictable weather.

Blue Dream

Boasting medium yields, manageable heights, and ready to harvest by late October, Blue Dream is the perfect choice for growers in southern parts of Nevada. She soaks up all the sun you can throw at her and doesn’t ask for much in return.

The Church

Church isn’t just on Sundays—it’s all year round! An expert blend of a Swiss sativa hybrid called Erdbeer, Super Skunk, and Northern Lights gives The Church a long list of highly desirable attributes. Most noticeable is her high potency (20%), perfect for those long summer evenings.

Hindu Kush

Descended from cannabis royalty, you don’t get much more authentic than Hindu Kush. Her genetics have stood the test of time and promise to thrive in the midday sun of the south or the more mountainous regions in north Nevada. She’s also an excellent yielder.

Moby Dick

How does over 35 oz/plant sound? What about up to 17% potency and a flowering period of 9–10 weeks? If that sounds like the perfect strain for you, then all aboard. Moby Dick boasts excellent parentage, making it a foolproof cultivar for novice growers.

Pineapple Express F1 Automatic

Delve into the reliable and consistent world of F1 hybrids with Pineapple Express. If you’re looking to push your cannabis quota to its limit, then why not grow plants with unrivaled uniformity? Well, now you can in just nine weeks from sprouting.

Critical Mass

Maybe you want to keep your grow-op simple and push one or two plants to their absolute max. Well, to ensure you get the best possible return, you need to consider Critical Mass. Each plant is capable of delivering up to 21 oz of dense, full-bodied buds.

Original Auto Amnesia Haze

Residents in southern Nevada will have all the warm weather they need to take this autoflowering strain to harvest. Although it has a slightly longer seed-to-harvest time than most autos (10–11 weeks), the wait is worth it. The buds boast a unique blend of orange citrus and floral notes.

Green Crack Punch

Outdoor Green Crack Punch plants are ready to harvest by the end of September, which is just in time for the drop in temperature experienced in northern parts of Nevada. Plus, you get the added benefit of excellent outdoor yields and a solid 20% potency.

Few strains are off limits in Nevada

The conditions in Nevada are close to perfect for most cannabis strains. Not unlike the warm Mediterranean climates in which these plants thrive, Nevadan growers of all skill levels should have little trouble achieving a good harvest in their home state.

The trick, of course, is refining your strain choice so that it meets not only your personal needs but also the legal requirements of the state. Maintaining a compact size will be key to keeping plants hidden from public view, while cultivars with a shorter flowering period can help northern residents secure their buds before the cold sets in. No matter your choice, Zamnesia is armed and ready to bring cutting-edge genetics to your door!

Luke Sholl

Luke Sholl has been writing about cannabis, the wellness potential of cannabinoids, and the positive influence of nature for over a decade. Working with several cannabinoid-centric publications, he publishes a variety of digital content, supported by strong technical knowledge and thorough research.

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