Top 10 Strains to Grow This Aussie Summer
Australia is a huge nation with wildly fluctuating climates – from the hot, tropical north to the cold, breezy regions down south and the arid, hot deserts in the center. It all has a huge impact on cultivating cannabis, so selecting the right strain for your conditions is utterly crucial. When you live in an area where the climate is unpredictable and the growing season is short, autoflowering plants are a godsend. They’re quick and reliable. On the other hand, if your region enjoys more stable weather and a longer growing season, photoperiod strains truly shine – they thrive in those conditions!
What to Grow Outdoors in Australia
In the north, places like Cairns and Darwin have a tropical vibe – hot and humid, great for growing but with a risk of mould during rainy spells. Here, autoflowers and hardy hybrids are your best friends. In central regions like Alice Springs, conditions are completely different: dry heat with big temperature swings. Drip irrigation is essential, and once again, autoflowers perform especially well. Further south, in areas like Victoria and Tasmania, the climate is cooler and more stable. Summers are light and autumns are generally dry, making these regions perfect for photoperiod strains to perform at their best. No matter where you are in Australia, there’s a strain that can handle your conditions in our collection.
Best Strains for Australia at Herbies
Outdoor cannabis cultivation in Australia requires respect for both climate and genetics. The correct strain not only survives but thrives. Here are a few time-tested outdoor favorites that mix speed, toughness, and yield potential to do well in Australian conditions.
Godzilla Cookies Auto (Herbies Seeds) – The Autoflowering Giant
- Autoflowering
- Hours of belly laughs
- 450 - 600 g/m² indoors
This autoflowering cross (GG#4 × Girl Scout Cookies × Ruderalis) packs a powerful 27% THC punch with impressive yields. Its hardy genetics and stress tolerance make it perfect for the warm regions of central and northern Australia. These bushy, high-yielding plants finish before the rainy season, delivering robust, sedating Cookie-hybrid effects.
Runtz Autoflower (EGS) – Sweet Power
- Autoflowering
- Sustained serenity
- 450 - 500 g/m² indoors
100 - 150 g/plant outdoors
Bred from Gelato, Zkittlez, and Ruderalis, Runtz Auto is a potent cultivar with 28-29% THC and a potential harvest of up to 500 g/m² indoors or 100-150 g per plant outdoors. Small, fast, and easy to grow, it's ideal for short but reliable summers in the south. Its strong, caramel-fruity flavour and balanced body-and-mind effects make it a favorite among connoisseurs.
RudeBoi OG (Seedkeepers) – A Resistant Legend
- Photoperiod
- From bold buzz to serenity
- 600 - 800 g/m² indoors
800 - 1200 g/plant outdoors
This photoperiod strain delivers 25-30% THC, dense conical buds, and intensely relaxing effects. Strong and resilient, it performs well in southern climates with gentle winters and dry springs. With outdoor yields of as much as 1.2 kg per plant, it's best suited for growers who want consistency and classic OG effects.
Blackberry Moonrocks (AlphaFem Seeds) – Berry Power
- Photoperiod
- Loud buzz of happiness
- 550 g/m² indoors
750 g/plant outdoors
With THC levels around 32%, this photoperiod strain combines potency with strong berry terpene flavour. It performs well in southern latitudes where there is ample sunlight and dry blooming weather to produce large, resinous buds and yields of up to 750 g per plant outdoors.
Mimosa x Orange Punch (Barney's Farm) – Citrus Charge
- Photoperiod
- Sweet happiness
- 650 - 750 g/m² indoors
1500 g/plant outdoors
This cross offers citrus-flavoured effects with about 30% THC. In the warm, fairly humid weather in South Australia, it yields a maximum of 1.5 kg of cannabis per plant. Its euphoric and stimulating effects make it excellent as a daytime weed, especially in areas with longer daylight hours.
Apple Betty (Herbies Seeds) – Power and Sweetness
- Photoperiod
- Sugary psychedelia
- 600 - 800 g/m² indoors
2300 - 2600 g/plant outdoors
Apple Betty reaches THC levels of up to 33% and massive outdoor yields of up to 2.6 kg per plant. It thrives in southern Australia’s mild climate, producing a sweet, rich flavour and a mellow, stony high. A favorite among experienced growers, it rewards consistent care with record-breaking harvests.
Gorilla Cookies Auto (Fast Buds) – Resin Resilience
- Autoflowering
- As high as a comet
- 550 - 650 g/m² indoors
50 - 350 g/plant outdoors
With 28.5% THC and abundant resin, this autoflower is perfect for central and northern climates. Stress-tolerant and fast, it delivers a euphoric, giggly high followed by deep relaxation – ideal for challenging conditions.
Easy Bud Auto (RQS) – Beginner-Friendly Auto
- Autoflowering
- Good bye depression
- 275 - 325 g/m² indoors
30 - 80 g/plant outdoors
This robust autoflower is straightforward to grow, making it perfect for beginners. It finishes quickly, withstands temperature swings, and still produces solid yields. The strain’s smooth, calming high makes it great for coping with Australia’s hot weather with minimal fuss.
Black Herer Autoflower (EGS) – The Classic in Auto Form
- Autoflowering
- Relaxing yet functional
- 450 - 550 g/m² indoors
150 - 250 g/plant outdoors
This autoflower brings the legendary Haze lineage into a climate-adapted package. It offers balanced Indica-Sativa effects, moderate yields, and adaptability to most Australian regions, especially where photoperiod strains might struggle. Expect a relaxed yet uplifting high with that classic Haze vibe.
Ghost Train Haze (Seedkeepers) – A Potent Sativa
- Photoperiod
- A high-speed ticket to euphoria
- 500 - 600 g/m² indoors
600 - 800 g/plant outdoors
A cross of Ghost OG and Neville's Wreck, this Sativa-dominant strain offers 24% THC, piney-sweet buds, and stimulating effects. It thrives best in southern Australia's moderate climate, where it gets an opportunity to finish its longer cycle before cold weather arrives. With its stimulating and medicinal properties, it's great for driving away fatigue and low spirits.
Practical Tips for Outdoor Growing of Cannabis in Australia
Growing cannabis outdoors in Australia comes down to two big things: picking the right strain and giving your plants steady care. From the moment you prep your soil to the last round of pest checks, each step makes a difference. Here are some tried-and-true tips to keep your grow thriving:
- Timing: Aim to plant in September or October. That way, your plants get the most out of the long Aussie season.
- Soil Prep: Start a few months ahead. Mix in compost, worm castings, and a bit of dolomite lime to balance pH and feed the microbes that make your soil come alive.
- Watering: Hot northern climates love drip irrigation. Down south, where temps are milder, a moderate watering schedule works just fine.
- Shade Cloth: In tropical or arid areas, a 30-50% shade cloth keeps plants from stressing out while still letting yields shine.
- Training & Rotation: Use low-stress training (LST) and rotate your plants weekly. This keeps canopies balanced and ensures lower branches don’t miss out on the light.
- Rainwater Harvesting: Catch runoff from your roof and use it in the garden. It helps reduce soil salinity and sneaks in some extra micronutrients.
- Fertilisers: Stick with organic inputs like compost and add foliar feeding into the mix. This boosts plant resistance and overall health.
- Mould Watch: If you’re in a wetter climate, keep airflow strong and check your plants regularly. Early mould control beats fighting fungus later.
- Pest Patrol: Check in on your plants once a week. Keep an eye out for aphids, thrips, and mites, and fight back with neem oil or beneficial insects when needed.
Final Thoughts
Picking the ideal strain in Australia is purely location-dependent. Up north and in the center, autoflowers and quick-flowering strains complete their cycle before the climate becomes extreme. Down south, photoperiod strains take over, enjoying the hot summers and dry autumns. There is no single fit – Australia's climate requires adaptability and flexibility.
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