Buying cannabis seeds for the first time feels like reading a foreign language. Seed banks pack descriptions with genetics terminology, yield estimates, flowering times, THC percentages, and difficulty ratings. Understanding what the specifications mean helps you select genetics that match your space, experience, and goals.
Regular vs. Feminized vs. Autoflower
Regular seeds produce male and female plants at roughly 50/50. Males do not produce smokable bud and will pollinate females. Feminized seeds produce only female plants, eliminating male identification. Over 99 percent from reputable breeders will be female. Autoflowering seeds flower based on age rather than light schedule, beginning automatically after three to four weeks. Shorter total grow times (8 to 12 weeks seed to harvest) and simpler lighting, but generally lower yields per plant.
Indica vs. Sativa vs. Hybrid
Descriptions specify genetic lineage as a ratio. A 70/30 indica dominant strain grows shorter, bushier, with wider leaves and shorter flowering. Sativa-dominant strains grow taller with narrower leaves and longer flowering. For indoor growers, sativa-dominant strains can double in height during flowering stretch, problematic in tents. Indica-dominant strains are generally more manageable indoors.
Flowering Time
Indicates weeks in 12/12 light to mature buds. Most indicas: 7 to 9 weeks. Sativas: 10 to 14 weeks. Hybrids: in between. Real-world times often run one to two weeks longer than listed, especially for beginners.
Yield Estimates
Listed in grams per square meter indoor, grams per plant outdoor. Typical range: 400 to 600 g/m2 average, up to 700+ for heavy producers. These represent experienced grower results under optimal conditions. First-time growers will likely harvest 30 to 50 percent of listed yield.
THC and CBD Percentages
THC percentages reflect genetic potential under optimal conditions. Environmental factors, nutrients, harvest timing, and curing all affect final content. CBD percentages matter for medical use. High-CBD strains are specifically bred with ratios like 1:1 THC:CBD or 20:1 CBD:THC.
Growing Difficulty
Rated easy, moderate, or difficult. Easy strains tolerate environmental fluctuations and feeding errors. For your first grow, choose easy-rated strains like Northern Lights, Blue Dream, or Critical Mass for best chances of reaching harvest with quality flower.
Terpene Profiles
Terpene descriptions indicate expected flavor and aroma. Myrcene: earthy. Limonene: citrus. Pinene: pine. Caryophyllene: peppery. Prioritize breeders with lab-tested terpene data rather than vague descriptions.
Reading Between the Lines
Watch for breeders listing every strain as 25+ percent THC with 600+ gram yields and easy difficulty. Inflated numbers are a red flag. Check grower forums for real-world reports from people who actually grew the strain.
