Growing cannabis outdoors in the UK isn’t easy. It may be the most cost effective and most natural way you can grow, but, you will have less control over the environment, than you would if you were growing indoors.
Because you will not be able to control humidity and temperatures like you would indoors, you will need to choose a strain that is more resistant to the conditions you will be growing in.
Some strains of cannabis have been bred to be more resistant to bugs, mould, and cold temperatures. If you are going to grow cannabis outdoors in the UK, it is recommended you get a strain that is suited for the UK environment.
Any of the strains you see here, can be bought directly from this page. All you have to do is click the image and you will taken to the site that sells them.
If you have any problems choosing which strain you should grow, then feel free to ask for help in our cannabis growers forum
Which Strain is Best for Growing Cannabis Outdoors in the UK
For growing outdoors in the UK, you need to consider that summer temperatures rarely exceed 26°c, and there can also be a lot of rain. You need a strain that will harvest early in autumn. Otherwise, your plant will be left outside whilst the weather gets colder and wetter.
It doesn’t matter how resistant to mould your strain is, if the temperatures drop below 15°c, and the humidity is high, you can easily find mould on your buds. The strains listed below, have all been grown successfully outdoors in the UK.
Remember, be safe when you’re growing! Follow the three rules, if you think someone is going to find out about your plant, then don’t do it! Cannabis cultivation is illegal, dont tell, don’t sell, cover the smell.
It isn’t going to be possible to cover the smell outdoors, so if you’re to close to people, either neighbours or passers by on paths, do not grow outdoors! Security is number one priority.
Durban Poison
Durban poison has been bred since the 70’s, to be well suited for the hard rainy environments of outdoor growing in the northern hemisphere. It is one of the most popular strains to grow outdoors in the UK. One of Dutch Passion’s originals, a heavy yielder and a potent plant too.
This would be a top recommendation for your outdoor cannabis grow in the UK. Many growers have had good results from it.
Durban Poison seeds come originally from South Africa and was inbred over many years during the 70’s. With each generation, Durban Poison® became increasingly adapted to the windy and rainy conditions of Northern Europe.
Dutch Passion
| Breeder | Dutch Passion |
|---|---|
| Indica/ Sativa | Sativa Dominant |
| Auto/ Photo | Photoperiod |
| Flowering time | 8.5 Weeks |
| Harvest Time | First Week of October |
| Yield | Large |
Purple Maroc
Purple Maroc is famed for its ability to be grown outdoors in the UK. Along with Durban Poison, Purple Maroc is one of the top outdoors strains.
” Purple Maroc is a superbly aromatic plant which grows long, slender buds which have a somewhat open structure. Mould and damp resistance is good with this strain. In the northern hemisphere they should be sown outdoors from mid-April to Mid-May. “
Seedsman.com
| Breeder | Seedsman |
|---|---|
| Indica/ Sativa | Indica Dominant |
| Auto/ Photo | Photoperiod |
| Flowering time | 7-8 Weeks |
| Harvest Time | End of September |
| Yield | Average |
Passion #1
Many plants that are grown outdoors in the UK will be purple in colour come harvest time. This is because of the low temperatures. Passion #1 is a rare example of cannabis plants grown outdoors in the UK that stay green.
An indica sativa hybrid strain that will bring you long slender buds, with an uplifting euphoric high. It also has a very short flowering time, which means it can be harvested before the colder weather sets in.
Passion#1® grows long and compact buds that are heavy with resin, this is a variety developed only for outdoor/greenhouse and is not for the indoor grower. When you trim this plant remove only the large fan leavers, the smaller leaves are often dripping with resin. The smoke is soft and gentle with a fresh citrus aroma, then Passion #1 hits you quickly with a strong exhilarating ‘up’ high.
Dutch Passion
| Breeder | Dutch Passion |
|---|---|
| Indica/ Sativa | Hybrid |
| Auto/ Photo | Photoperiod |
| Flowering time | 6 Weeks |
| Harvest Time | Mid October |
| Yield | Large |
Frisian Dew
A very popular strain for outdoors growers in the Northern Hemisphere. Frisian Dew is mould resistant, and yields a lot of cannabis. It is a 50/50 hybrid, and will bring you an all round euphoric high.
A Super Skunk female x Purple Star male, seen after 3 years of selecting clones. Although we produced many Skunk/Purple hybrids in the past 20 years, we have never seen anything coming close to this hybrid. Light purple color. (50% Indica, 50% Sativa). Very high yielder, very good stem to leave ratio (only little leaves). Not susceptible to mold. Absolute premium quality outdoor strain. A must for the outdoor grower
Dutch Passion
| Breeder | Dutch Passion |
|---|---|
| Indica/ Sativa | 50/50 Hybrid |
| Auto/ Photo | Photoperiod |
| Flowering time | 8 Weeks |
| Harvest Time Outdoors | Mid October |
| Yield | Very Large |
White Widow
A strain all cannabis enthusiasts love, White Widow. Bred by many seed banks, but Dutch Passion has a pheno that has that old school white widow flavour and high.
Not as easy to grow outdoors in the UK, but you can do it with some persistence and extra care in the grow. Hard hitting, with a great flavour and decent yield too.
White Widow is a classic, a winner of countless awards with a reputation as one of the most powerful strains ever created. Our geneticists have worked intensively on this potent and vigorous strain to optimize and then stabilize the best features. The result is a legendary and highly desirable variety that is covered with crystals and delivers generous levels of excellent quality bud.
Dutch Passion
| Breeder | Dutch Passion |
|---|---|
| Indica/ Sativa | Indica Dominant |
| Auto/ Photo | Photoperiod |
| Flowering time | 8-9 Weeks |
| Harvest Time | End of October |
| Yield | Average |
Dutch Passions Outdoor Collection
Because Dutch Passion are based in the Netherlands, which has a similar climate to the UK, a lot of their strains can be cultivated outdoors in the northern hemisphere.
You can get a specific, outdoor bundle for growing cannabis outdoors in the UK. This bundle has some of the best strains to grow outdoors. You will not be disappointed with the results they bring.
Growing Autoflowering Cannabis Strains Outdoors in the UK
Photoperiod cannabis plants can take from mid april, until November, to complete their grow cycle. This can be far too long for some growers, and of course if you’re growing illegally, the longer the grow takes, the more risk you are at.
Auto flowering cannabis plants can start from germination, and finish at harvest in as little as 12 weeks. This makes them ideal for outdoor growing, as you can fit the grow into the best part of the season.
You can find the autoflower inversions of all of the strains listed above. They have the same characteristics as the photoperiod versions, but they will come to harvest sooner. Growing an auto, instead of a photoperiod plant, will also remove the problem of light leaks during night hours.
Auto Frisian Dew
Fast, resilient, and tasty. The plants will stay small and stocky, which is good if you’re growing discreetly. There is also a strain called Frisian Duck, which grows webbed leaves, and looks less like a cannabis plant.
Dutch Passion work hard to make sure home growers have all the bases covered. This is one of their top strains, and it can be grown outdoors.
The plants tend to have rich purple colourations on the blooms, though the leaves stay green. Mold resistance is improved, so is taste. Plants typically reach 60-80cm tall and are often ready 10 weeks after germination, sometimes in under 10 weeks.
Dutch Passion
| Breeder | Dutch Passion |
|---|---|
| Indica/ Sativa | Hybrid |
| Auto/ Photo | Auto Flowering |
| Life Cycle | 10-12 Weeks |
| Yield | Average |
Auto Durban Poison
Auto Durban Poison, is just like its photoperiod counterpart. But of course, it will automatically flower. It shares the same sativa qualities too, so this auto will grow a little taller than others. Height can still be maintained with some LST. The increase in size does bring with it a good yield.
Auto Durban Poison® also shares the same luxuriously pleasant and uplifting experience as the original. This is a top quality feminized automatic which delivers a connoisseur quality vape/smoking experience with good yields. Auto Durban Poison® tends to take longer during vegetative growth than other autoflowers, which can allow her to grow a little taller. The buds grow large and resinous with that special, celebrated, Durban aroma.
Dutch Passion
| Breeder | Dutch Passion |
|---|---|
| Indica/ Sativa | Sativa Dominant |
| Auto/ Photo | Auto Flowering |
| Life Cycle | 10-11 Weeks |
| Yield | Large |
You can grow many different auto flowering plants outdoors in the UK. This is because of the speed at which they complete their life cycles in. You can start a grow at the start of summer, when the weather’s going to be at its best. Then, the grow should be finishing as the autumn approaches with the colder days, and risk of mould.
Final Thoughts on Which Strains to Grow Outdoors in the UK
You can never tell how the weather is going to be when growing cannabis outdoors in the UK, so prepare for rain! Before planting your seeds, or cuttings, make sure the ground or soil you’re using has good drainage. If you’re going to plant your seed directly into the ground, dig a hole first, and fill it with good soil. This will keep the plant happy as it grow bigger.
Check out our full guide to growing cannabis outdoors. It is one of the most cost effective ways to grow cannabis.
If you do not have a place where you can grow safely, maybe consider “Guerrilla Growing”. You can find a guide for that here too:
Thanks for reading! You can find more information on anything related to growing in our cannabis grow guides. All of our guides are written by experienced growers, and members of our cannabis growers forum. If you have any questions, sign up. It is free, and we are always happy to help!
great information give me a lot to think about answered some questions and saved me making a post
Hi all
I’m in uk
I will be trying to grow a photo period to harvest next year I have completed a few auto grows outside with no problem. I find from germination in April I am harvesting end of June. I veg my photo period plants outside in a cheap plastic greenhouse but flower under lights inside September onward
I will try to grow hso fast flower white runtz outside next year and will also bring one inside to flower too . Be interesting to see any difference
Regards
H
This is going to inspire me to do an outdoor. I’ve found 2 excellent hillside locations that are South facing, both areas are heavily covered in gorse and nettles. And I’ve read from a reputable source that growing cannabis in the same soil used by nettles gives cannabis a stronger taste and smell due to increased terpene production.
I was planning on doing pots instead of in the ground but I’m driven to cutting the bottom off the pots and planting them in the ground. And I was also planning on building a small greenhouse with green plastic and a few lengths of 2×2. To shelter the plants from the elements including pests. Because both locations are full of wildlife. Hares, badgers, deer, foxes. And possible black cats. I even have to arm myself with a big stick incase I get attacked by one.
However the guides are great reading and I hate reading. Without it though I wouldn’t have discovered auto frisian dew. And I’m going to be doing that
Nice one.
Excellent read macky, love my Dutch passion it’s my personal favourite 🙂
So true uk wether so unpredictable man
Couldn’t agree more mate. Autos will be done way before the cold weather sets in. And you can never be sure on a good summer in the UK. Probably only get about 2 weeks of decent grow time lol
In the uk outdoors it’s autoflowers all the way for me, size is more manageable and no problem waiting for it to finish too late in the autumn, personally I’d build or buy something that will keep the rain off them.