These are the differences between indoor and outdoor cannabis seeds

To rely on sunshine for your cannabis plants to grow strong and healthy or to opt for an artificial environment that mimics natural conditions. All cannabis growers have considered the pros and cons of indoor and outdoor growing at some point, particularly when they have to choose their strains based on the location of the grow space.

Needless to say, in the beginning all cannabis seeds were outdoor seeds. Cannabis is a highly adaptable plant and this has helped the different strains adapt to different outdoor environments. Nowadays, however, cannabis plants can flower in a room or even a tent.

As a rule, it is the available space and the legal restrictions in force - e.g. growing your plants somewhere visible to the public is not allowed in Spain - that will determine your choice of environment. That said, the strain you're intending to grow can have a large bearing on the decision too, as some genetics thrive particularly well in certain environments.

If you have the chance to grow both indoors and outdoors but are still undecided about the strain, below you will find the main differences between indoor and outdoor seeds so that you can get a better idea of which option might best suit you.

The climate outdoors…

One of the main factors to consider when deciding whether to opt for a natural or a controlled environment is the region you live in, as the climate varies greatly from region to region and not all strains thrive in all weather conditions.

Hot and Mediterranean climates are suitable both for sativas, which grow large, vigorous branches outdoors, and for indicas, which are especially well suited to balconies thanks to their smaller, more discreet size. Accordingly, if you live in a region characterised by this type of climate and have a terrace or any other large grow space at your disposal, there's no reason why you shouldn't go for outdoor growing.

If the weather is rainy, then you should opt for seeds that produce fast-flowering plants with a short life cycle. Otherwise, if the rains arrive immediately after the summer, you could lose your whole crop to a storm.

In cold regions with short summers, however, it is the autoflowering plants that will produce the best results, as their life cycle won't be affected by aspects like the moment you choose to grow them.

Besides the climate, another factor that will determine the best time to start your seeds is the hemisphere you live in. The general advice here is to avoid planting when there's risk of frost.

…and the available space indoors

While all seeds are supposed to be suitable for indoor growing - it is the grower that sets the light and temperature parameters - lack of space can become a problem as the plant gets bigger. This is why you should always have an accurate idea of the size it will grow to when fully developed and in bloom.

Thus, while all indicas are suitable for indoor environments, sativas are best avoided as a massive size and long flowering period is probably not what you want for your grow tent.

Previous experience (and time you can devote to learning)

Even if with the right equipment and expert advice you can obtain similar results indoors and outdoors, beginners will definitely fare better in a natural environment.

If the weather is nice, nature will do all the hard work and produce a good crop, although some watering skills and the ability to properly protect the plants from adverse elements including rain, wind and frosts will also be necessary.

This is probably the reason why most of the growers that lack the experience or the time to learn the basics and purchase the necessary equipment for an indoor grow set up - aspects like light, ventilation, temperature and humidity must be taken care of - tend to avoid indoor environments for their first growing experience. Still, with just a little effort anyone can learn the tricks of the trade and enjoy their own indoor grow.

Price

Regardless of the price of the seeds, it comes without saying that indoor set-ups are more costly to install and maintain. When you grow indoors, you can't do without the systems that replicate the natural light and ventilation conditions, and these tend to be pricey.

Among them, the most important one is the lighting system, which consists of lamps, ballasts and reflectors. Equally important is choosing the right lightbulb, which can be a bit overwhelming considering the array of choice. To this you will have to add the energy cost: during the vegetative stage plants need 18 hours of light and a 6-hour dark period, while the norm for the flowering period is 12 hours of light.

A ventilation system for temperature control and a filter system that helps keep odours at bay are part of the equation too, yet another thing to take into account when considering indoor growing.

Main indoor and outdoor strains

With the above in mind, here at Dinafem you can find a wide range of top-quality seeds both for indoors and outdoors. We have selected three per category based on eligibility, although some of the seeds might be suitable for either of the environments:

Indoor seeds:

• Purple Afghan Kush:Compact-shaped and moderate in size, this indica cannabis seed is perfect for indoor growing. Fast-flowering, it stands out for its intense aroma.
• Critical 2.0.:Its ability to produce high yields in small spaces is what makes this seed highly recommended for indoor set-ups.
• Bubba Kush Autoflowering:Small and easy to grow, this sees is ideal both for indoors and for beginners.

Outdoor seeds:

• OG Kush:Recommended for hot climates, this is one of the most acclaimed seeds around the world.
• Blue Widow:Fast-flowering and pest-resistant, this seeds rewards beginners with amazing fast crops.
• Amnesia XXL Autoflowering:This autoflowering plant grows much bigger than you would expect form an auto, so it is outdoors that it can reach its full potential.

Whether you're considering outdoor growing or you want to start your own indoor grow, the possibilities are virtually limitless. For a successful crop, just remember to consider the characteristics of both environments first and pick the seeds that are best suited to your choice of grow space.