USA Express 
Growing weed in India is challenging in many ways, but if you’re ready to read up a little to confidently navigate the country’s legal landscape and understand its distinctly different climates, you can learn to grow buds you can be proud of. Hopefully, our article will set you on the right path and also help you choose the best strains for cannabis cultivation in India.
Is the Climate in India Good for Growing Marijuana?
India's vast size makes it challenging to provide a one-size-fits-all answer that would be relevant to all of its many climates. What we can say with confidence is that cannabis thrives in mild, temperate conditions and hates extremes. Unfortunately, growing weed in India requires exactly that – dealing with extremes, be it temperature swings, droughts and floods, scorching sun, high winds, and other common calamities of agriculture.
Luckily, modern cannabis seeds are also resilient and adaptable to almost anything, and often, your success as a grower is dependent on finding the right strain and choosing the least challenging part of the season to bring your plants from seeds to full maturity.
Keep in mind that our favorite crop generally prefers day temperatures at around 25°C with a 5-10-degree drop at night, relative humidity of 40-60%, plenty of sunshine, and regular but not excessive fertigation. Indoors, you have full control of the environment.
- Invest in a dehumidifier to keep the RH in check.
- Use powerful exhaust fans for heat and moisture extraction.
- Install cooler-running yet powerful and efficient LED lights.
If you’re just embarking on your growing journey, take a look at our quick guide for beginners and pick a strain that will be a breeze to grow. For our part, we’re always there to give you valuable insight into how to grow marijuana properly.
Top Cannabis Strains for the Wet Tropical Regions of India
Cannabis hates waterlogged soil and prefers regular but moderate watering. If you reside in regions like Goa, Maharashtra, or Odisha, your primary consideration should be selecting the driest part of the season for cultivation. This will also help prevent common issues stemming from humid climates such as fungal infections (mold and bud rot).
Super Silver Haze (GHS)
Sativas are the best type of marijuana to grow in the wet tropical regions of India thanks to their open bush structure and the airy texture of their buds. Super Silver Haze is one of the best specimens of this type of marijuana, as evidenced by its multiple awards, high THC level of 19%, and huge productivity that allows it to yield up to 1.5 kg (3+ pounds) per plant outdoors.
Strawberry Cough (Dutch Passion)
An even purer Sativa than the one before, Strawberry Cough flowers fast enough for you to fit the entire cycle into the period when the temperatures and humidity decrease and the skies clear up. After 9 weeks of flowering, you’ll be rewarded with buds that burst with up to 22% THC and offer euphoric cerebral effects worthy of India’s tropical vibe.
Outdoor Growing Tips for a Wet Tropical Climate
Picking mold-resistant cannabis strains for a wet climate is crucial, but taking some simple and timely precautions can save the day when it comes to protecting your plants from the elements. Don’t forget to cover them on those too-rainy days, or at least shake the plants and buds afterward so they won’t gather too much moisture, as this can cause mold and mildew to appear.
Here are some more tips that can be useful in a wet tropical climate:
- Use a tarpaulin shelter to protect your plants from heavy rains or winds.
- Consider growing in containers that you can move in case of a massive storm. However, this will require you to be extra careful when feeding and watering your plant.
- If you opt for containers, choose large and aerated ones; 25 liters or more are usually required for a sizable harvest.
Top Cannabis Strains for the Dry Regions of India
The northwest of the country has enough steppe- and desert-like regions like Rajasthan and Punjab to pose another set of challenges for cannabis growers: dry air, unmerciful sun, sand-filled wind, and lack of rain for months on end. Choose a strain that’s likely to survive or even thrive in arid climates and do your best to protect it from the elements.
Afghan Kush (World of Seeds)
While it originated well to the north of India on the mountain slopes in Afghanistan, this timeless classic thrives anywhere where the air is dry and the water scarce. Just don’t plant it in the hottest part of the season, or else shelter it from direct afternoon sun if you can. Your efforts will be rewarded with potent Indica buds, boasting 20% THC and earthy, fruity flavors.
Durban Poison (Dutch Passion)
This strain is as different from the one above as can be, but it likewise adapts well to dry, arid climates. No surprise here, as Durban Poison is an African Sativa landrace and a top-selling strain due to its unique flavor profile featuring notes of licorice, anise, and clove. When you’re done savoring this amazing mix, you’ll be ecstatically high in a clear-headed, energized way as only pure Sativas can make you.
Outdoor Growing Tips for an Arid Climate
Aside from picking a strain for a hot and dry climate, there are several things you can do to make the most of your plants’ potential:
- Consider placing your plants in pots that will allow you to move them out of the scorching sun when necessary. Pots measuring 25 or more liters can guarantee a good harvest.
- Cover your plants with a simple shade net, which will protect them from getting too much sun while still allowing some in.
- If you sprinkle some water-absorbing polymers into your soil, your plant will have a secret stash for when a dry spell gets too tough.
Top Cannabis Strains for the Subtropical Regions of India
For the north-central regions, such as Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, it’s essential to catch a few good months after the wet summer season is over and before the cooler winter weather sets in.
Critical XXL (Herbies Seeds)
Critical XXL (Herbies Seeds) - Photoperiod
- Critical relaxation
- 500 - 600 g/m² indoors
1300 - 1600 g/plant outdoors - 24 - 27 %
Herbies’ own Critical XXL is a perfectly versatile super producer that will adapt to any climate, including Northern India. It can yield up to 1.3-1.6 kg per plant, and the buds are tolerant of high humidity while they are still small; when they bulk up in fall, the weather is likely to get drier. With up to 27% THC, this lemon-scented smoke provides the perfect nighttime Indica relaxation.
Amnesia Haze Auto (Barney’s Farm)
Autoflowers, with their ability to mature in any season in under 3 months, give the grower the freedom to choose the best time of year in terms of mild temperatures and optimal humidity levels. Plant Amnesia Haze Auto when you expect a spell of comfortably warm and dry weather, especially when the buds start to fill out. The plants will mature in just 65-70 days from sprout, and the smoke will be top-notch – anticipate 21% of energizing daytime THC and a delightful flavor mix of citrus fruit, earth, and pine.
Colombian Gold (World of Seeds)
When choosing medical marijuana to grow in India, the safest bet is to opt for a landrace from a country with a similar climate. Colombian Gold is one such natural wonder – a 100% Sativa untouched by hybridization and enjoying a cult status thanks to its pure psychedelic effects and recognizable aroma of sweet fruit. The growers in India will appreciate this plant’s enhanced mold resistance.
Outdoor Growing Tips for a Subtropical Climate
When growing marijuana in subtropical regions, there are two things to worry about: too-hot temperatures during daytime hours if you grow in dry subtropics and too much moisture in the case of humid subtropical climates. The weather outside will dictate the course of action you’ll need to take, so take a look at the tips provided for too-wet or too-hot regions. Also, keep in mind that cannabis prefers morning sunlight, so consider this when choosing a site for growing.
Top Cannabis Strains for the Montane Regions of India
We’ve all heard about India’s own outstanding landraces, and the best of them grow on hillsides where the elevation above sea level cools temperatures to a more comfortable range. However, higher up the mountains, the weather may become too cool, arid, and windswept. This calls for a careful choosing of cultivars.
Original Auto Northern Lights (FastBuds)
It’s a rare region that doesn’t offer 2-3 months of stable summer weather, and that’s all a good autoflower needs. Original Auto Northern Lights is a reliable classic beloved for its ease of growing, ample yields of up to 160 g/plant, and strong relaxing high. With 20% THC, it’s a powerful medicine to end a hard day and allow you to sleep like a baby ‘til morning.
Harlequin CBD (Kera Seeds)
Harlequin CBD isn’t unlike India’s own hemp varieties, but thanks to breeders’ efforts, it produces an outstanding 17% CBD with only a little THC – just enough to take the edge off things and contribute to nerve-calming relaxation. This medical cabinet of a strain is a dominant Sativa – tall and hardy, with long internodes and airy buds resistant to fungal infections. It also matures quite quickly and can be grown at higher altitudes.
Purple Lemonade Auto (FastBuds)
Why not use the cool mountain air for growing a plant with exotically colored flowers? Purple Lemonade Auto is exquisitely beautiful, but its quality goes way beyond that. Expect a hardy cultivar with record-breaking yields of up to 250 g/plant and the buds generously covered in 22% THC resin. The sweet citrusy flavor palette and balanced body-numbing and happy, giggly high complete the picture.
Outdoor Growing Tips for a Cold and Montane Climate
As you can see, there are strains for cold climate and harsher conditions, and these are mostly Indicas or Indica-dominant. Autoflowering strains would also be a great choice since they go from seed to harvest much faster.
Remember to take extra care of your plants during their lifecycle periods when they’re most vulnerable: germination, seedling, and ripening.
- Germinate the seeds indoors.
- Apply artificial light to the seedlings for the first several weeks.
- Protect your plant from excessive moisture if need be during the germination period.
Is Cannabis Legal in India?
Although India has a centuries-long tradition of cannabis use, it adheres to international treaties and bans cannabis resin (charas) and flowering tops (ganja). It makes an exception for the consumption of leaves (bhang), although in some states, such as Assam, Maharashtra, and Karnataka, even bhang is criminalized.
While marijuana is low-priority for the police, the laws are strict, and possession, use, and especially sale of the substance can get you in a lot of trouble. Marijuana legalization efforts in India are underway but not likely to result in a tangible policy any time soon.
Delivery to India
While cannabis seeds are exempt from the laws banning the plant and its psychoactive constituents in India, it’s best to keep your hobby under wraps and receive your order in the mail in the most discreet manner possible. Here at Herbies, we offer a stealth delivery option where the seeds are removed from their original colorful package, as well as 24/7 online support.
Final Thoughts
While marijuana isn’t legal in India yet, its use is widespread, and some people prefer to grow the plant for personal consumption. The climate may be challenging, but it’s often a matter of choosing the right strain, and we hope our article has given you enough insight to prepare for your first successful harvest. Stick with the strains we mentioned or pick a strain from our seed collections that will tick all the right boxes for you, be it type, ease of growing, or price. And by the way, for price-conscious growers, we’ve also gathered these cheap cannabis seeds that won’t break the bank!
Herbies Head Shop expressly refuses to support the use, production, or supply of illegal substances. For more details read our Legal Disclaimer.
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