10 Best Strains To Grow In Minnesota
You can successfully grow Bubba Kush, Hindu Kush, and Bruce Banner in Minnesota. But because of the state's extreme climates, auto-flowering or Indica strains are generally better for outdoor growth due to their faster flowering times.
Minnesota, unlike many other places in the United States, has extreme weather conditions for both summers and winters. This makes it tricky to grow just any kind of cannabis strain.
After carefully observing and evaluating various strains under Minnesota's unique climate conditions, we’ve realized that some strains thrive better here than others. So it’s all about planting the right ones for a more rewarding harvest.
In this article, we’ve reviewed ten different cannabis strains that grow well in Minnesota, their respective characteristics, and their growing requirements. But first, what are the climate and growing conditions in the area?
Climate and Growing Conditions in Minnesota
The growing season depends on where you are in the state.
If you live in Breckenridge, in the north of the state, the growing season can be as short as 90 days. But people in the southern region experience up to 160 days.
Here's a table explaining the climate and growing conditions for cannabis in Minnesota.
Climatic Factor | Details | How It Impacts Growth of Cannabis |
Thunderstorms | 30 to 40 days of thunderstorms each summer | Causes physical damage to the plant, disrupts growth, and increases mold risk. |
Growing Season Length | Varies by region | Strains with shorter flowering time will grow better in areas with shorter growth seasons. |
Temperatures | Hot summers and freezing winters | Optimal temperatures for cannabis are 70–85°F (21–29°C) during the day and 58–70°F (14–21°C) at night. Extreme temperatures will influence the strain’s potency, yield, and susceptibility to diseases. |
Soil Type | Loamy soil, which is ideal for cannabis roots | Provides excellent drainage, aeration, nutrient retention, and root support to the seeds. |
Pests | Common pests include aphids, whiteflies, and rabbits. | Pests like spider mites, aphids, and whiteflies damage cannabis plants, reducing yield and quality. |
Review of the Top 10 Strains for Minnesota
Now that growing weed is legal, many people are wondering what strains of cannabis will successfully grow in Minnesota. While this list focuses on outdoor cultivation, any strains from our catalog can be grown indoors in Minnesota with the right setup.
Here are some of the best cannabis strains to grow in Minnesota:
CBD level | 0.1% |
THC level | 20% |
Grower profile | Beginner |
Yield indoor | 500-600 grams per m2 |
Height indoor | 70-120 cm |
Height outdoor | 120-180 cm |
Bubba Kush blooms quickly in only 8–9 weeks, making it perfect for Minnesota's weather. It handles the unpredictable climate well and grows well both indoors and outdoors.
When grown outdoors, it shows beautiful purple colors in the fall and stays short, between 4 to 6 feet, making it easy to manage.
Indoors, it grows to about 2.3 to 3.9 feet, fitting well in smaller spaces. It produces a lot, yielding around 46 to 56 grams per square foot indoors or 800 grams per plant outside.
2. Shishkaberry Kush
CBD level | 0.6% |
THC level | 24% THC |
Grower profile | Beginner |
Yield | 16 to 23 oz. per plant |
Lineage | DJ Short Blueberry x Afghani |
Type | Indica dominant |
Shishkaberry Kush feminized cannabis seeds can grow virtually anywhere. They are also not prone to mold or pests.
Even if it's your first time cultivating marijuana seeds, Shishkaberry Kush's feminized seeds give you a bountiful harvest.
Just because raising Shishkaberry Kush-feminized seeds is easy doesn't mean their flowers are weak.
Lastly, the thick trichome blanket of the strain makes it perfect for those looking for excellent resin production.
3. Bruce Banner
CBD level | 0.1% |
THC level | 30% |
Grower profile | Experienced Toker |
Yield indoor | 18 ounces per m2 |
Type | Mostly Sativa |
Height outdoor | 120-180 cm |
Even though it's sativa-dominant, Bruce Banner seeds, with a flowering time of 8-10 weeks, grow well in Minnesota.
You can plant these and harvest them in the summer. It combines the OG Kush and Strawberry Diesel strains.
It has a sweet, earthy smell with a hint of fuel.
4. Big Bud
CBD level | 0.3% |
THC level | 18% |
Grower profile | Beginner |
Yield indoor | 18 ounces per m2 |
Yield outdoor | 25 ounces per plant |
The high resilience characteristics of the Big Bud strain make it suitable for the Minnesota climate.
Meanwhile, the strain is susceptible to mold, so you have to be cautious about keeping humidity levels low when growing these seeds.
The flowering time for this strain is up to 8 weeks. So, to ensure optimal growth and protect against Minnesota's unpredictable weather, we recommend using a greenhouse or controlled environment where you can manage temperature and humidity levels effectively.
People who use it for medical reasons find it helps with anxiety, depression, pain, and insomnia.
5. Hindu Kush
CBD level | 1% |
THC level | 19% |
Grower profile | Beginner |
Yield indoor | 450–550 grams per m2 |
Type | Indica |
Hindu Kush is another fantastic option for those growing cannabis in Minnesota.
Like OG Kush, it can handle Minnesota's weather because it originally comes from mountainous areas.
This tough strain grows well in natural soil, indoors or outdoors, and doesn't need much care, which makes it suitable for all kinds of growers.
6. Skywalker OG
CBD level | 0.5% |
THC level | 20% |
Grower profile | Advanced |
Yield indoor | 500-600 grams per m2 |
Type | Indica dominant |
Genetics | Skywalker x OG Kush |
Skywalker O.G. does well in Minnesota's humid climate if properly cared for.
Sure, it grows nicely outdoors during the summer, but it’s susceptible to mold in highly humid conditions.
Indoor growing gives the best results since the short outdoor season hinders the full growth potential.
Pro Tip:
- This strain will grow large, dense buds. So give it enough space and support indoors.
The changing seasons in Minnesota don’t affect the seed’s viability or quality. Once you have the proper indoor setup, expect big buds to yield with a piney, earthy aroma.
7. Wedding Cake
CBD level | 0.8% |
THC level | 25% |
Grower profile | Beginner |
Yield outdoor | 18 to 21 oz. per plant |
Plant size | Average |
Minnesota’s humid climate has nothing on the Wedding Cake strain. Growing this strain doesn't require a lot of work to produce a good amount of weed.
We like the balance of relaxation and focus this strain can help you achieve.
You can get about 18 to 21 ounces of cannabis from each plant. That's why a lot of people love growing it.
8. Cheese
CBD level | 0.3% |
THC level | 18% |
Grower profile | Beginner |
Yield indoor | 550-650 grams per m2 |
Height indoor | 70-100 cm |
Height outdoor | 100-140 cm |
Cheese does well in Minnesota's changing weather because it is mold-resistant. This is handy during the humid late-summer rains.
One of the challenges of growing Cheese strains is the pungent smell that can overwhelm the garden area when they begin to flower. It smells a bit like old cheese mixed with that typical spicy cannabis smell.
If you grow this strain, you'll have plenty of fresh cannabis without needing a lot of gardening skills.
9. Blueberry Autoflower Cannabis
CBD level | 0.5% |
THC level | 20% |
Grower profile | Beginner |
Type | Mostly Indica |
You can get a very good yield from Blueberry plants in about 8 to 10 weeks. And if you get blueberry autoflower seeds, you can enjoy the benefits of autoflowering plants, which thrive in outdoor conditions without requiring a specific light schedule.
The short time it takes to harvest makes it suitable for growing in Minnesota.
Even though it feels gentle, it's strong enough to make you feel dizzy or anxious if you smoke too much too quickly.
10. Amnesia Haze
CBD level | 0.5% |
THC level | 20% |
Grower profile | Beginner |
Yield indoor | 450–500 grams per m2 |
Amnesia Haze may require more care and attention, but its exceptional quality makes it a strain worth considering for experienced growers.
Outdoors, it can quickly produce 800 grams per plant.
The seeds grow into plants with many cannabinoids and terpenes. It might not have the highest THC levels like some other strains, but it's still very strong.
There you have it: the best cannabis strains to grow in Minnesota.
But it doesn't end with picking the seeds. You also want to know things to consider before and during growing these strains.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Strains
It's one thing to grow the right strain; it's another to know what is at stake as you begin.
Some of the non-negotiable things we advise growers in Minnesota to always consider before growing their strain are resistance to pests and mold, growth speed, and genetic stability.
- Pests and mold: Aphids and whiteflies are the most common pests in Minnesota that affect cannabis plants. But you'll have peace of mind if the strains you’re growing have high resistance to these pests because of their characteristics. For example, this factor makes you want to steer away from strains like Jack Herer.
- Growth Speed: Since the growing season can be as short as 90 days, it makes more sense to grow strains with higher growth speeds.
- Genetic Stability: When researching a strain, look for breeder or grower feedback, reviews, and lab testing data to get an idea of its genetic stability. Keep in mind that genetic stability is not always a fixed trait and can vary depending on factors like growing conditions and breeding practices.
Based on these three factors, we have compared and rated the recommended strains in our review.
Strain Name | Pest Resistance | Mold Resistance | Growth Speed | Genetic Stability |
Bubba Kush | High | High | Fast | Very stable |
Shishkaberry Kush | High | High | Moderate | Stable |
Bruce Banner | Medium | Medium | Moderate | Stable |
Big Bud | Medium | Low | Fast | Stable |
Hindu Kush | High | High | Fast | Very stable |
Skywalker OG | Medium | Medium | Fast | Stable |
Wedding Cake | Medium | High | Moderate | Stable |
Cheese | High | Medium | Moderate | Stable |
Amnesia Haze | Medium | High | Moderate | Stable |
Where To Buy Cannabis Seeds in Minnesota
Now that growing cannabis is legal in Minnesota, it can be a struggle to find a legit seed bank online. We're proud to be one of the leading, and most reliable sources that ship to the state.
At Homegrown Cannabis, we offer a variety of feminized seeds that you can grow either indoors or outdoors.
Check out our wide selection of cannabis seeds and start growing today.