Growing

Autoflower vs photoperiodic - the right choice

Autoflower vs photoperiodic: autoflowers harvest in 8–12 weeks without light schedule change, photoperiodic varieties react to 12/12 — key differences compared.

AUTOFLOWER ADVANTAGES

Fast: 8-12 weeks from seed to harvest

Simple: No need to change light cycle

Compact: Perfect for small spaces

Inconspicuous: Short growth phase

Year-round outdoor: Not photoperiod-dependent

AUTOFLOWER DISADVANTAGES

Smaller yields: 20-80g per plant

No cloning possible: New seeds every time

Time pressure: Less forgiving of mistakes

Fixed timing: No control over flowering start

PHOTOPERIOD ADVANTAGES

High yields: 100-500g+ per plant

Cloning possible: Genetics preserved

Control: Extend vegetative phase as desired

Training: More time for LST, SCROG, etc.

Recovery: Recovers from mistakes

PHOTOPERIODIC DISADVANTAGES

Light cycle: 12/12 required for flowering

Longer: 4-6 months total time

More complex: More technical expertise required

Space requirements: Can become very large

WHEN TO AUTOFLOWER

First time grower: Easy to get started

Fast harvest: Impatient or time pressure

Stealth: Little space, short time

Outdoor summer: Several harvests per year

Low electricity costs: Less light required

WHEN PHOTOPERIODIC

Maximum yield: Best g/watt ratio

Experimentation: LST, SCROG, training

Cloning: Propagate favourite variety

Indoor control: Perfect environment

Experienced growers: More challenge

BEST AUTOFLOWER STRAINS

Northern Lights Auto

White Widow Auto

Amnesia Haze Auto

Gorilla Glue Auto

BEST PHOTO STRAINS

Blue Dream

OG Kush

Girl Scout Cookies

White Widow

PROFI-TIP: Beginners start with autoflower, then switch to photoperiod for better yields.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between autoflowering and photoperiod plants?

Autoflowering plants bloom after 8–12 weeks regardless of light cycles, while photoperiodic plants respond to changes in light and require a vegetative phase before they bloom.

Which variety is easier for beginners to grow?

Autoflowering strains are considered easier for beginners because they require less attention when it comes to light cycles and reach harvest faster.

How do light cycles affect the harvest time of photoperiodic plants?

For photoperiodic plants, the cycle of 18 hours of light and 6 hours of darkness during the vegetative phase and 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness during the flowering phase determines the harvest time.