Northern Lights Cannabis Seeds
In the world of cannabis, there are few strains as famous as the legendary Northern Lights. This pure Indica with Afghani landrace ancestry was first developed in Seattle in the 1970s by a cannabis aficionado only known as ‘The Indian’.
The seeds were then brought to Neville Schoenmaker’s seed bank in the Netherlands. This was when Thai Sativa strains were introduced to certain varieties, creating the Indica-dominant (95/5% or so) strain we have today.
When introduced to the market in the mid 80s, Northern Lights took the marijuana world by storm. Winner of cannabis cups all over the world and hugely popular with consumers and growers alike, Northern Lights remains a beloved, iconic strain whose genetics has also been used to create other legends such as Super Silver Haze, Sour Diesel, and Jack Herer.
Flavor & Aroma
Northern Lights has the aroma of rich earth mixed with piney and fruity undertones. Some phenotypes also have slightly spicy notes. The flavour mirrors the aroma, delivering a smooth, earthy hit with a hint of sweetness.
Effects & Experience
Northern Lights is almost pure Indica, and indeed, the original strain sent from Seattle to the Netherlands was cultivated as such. With 15 to 21% THC levels, it is a moderately potent strain that can send you into couch lock if you get too enthusiastic with your hits! The body high is powerful and is usually a mix of euphoria quickly followed by a deep sense of calm and relaxation.
This strain is best used at the end of the day, and some common side effects are dry mouth, red eyes, and of course, the munchies!
Cultivation Tips
Northern Lights is an almost pure Indica strain that grows stocky and bushy with dense, compact buds. You’ll need a generous amount of airflow to keep mold, mildew, and pests at bay. They are resilient plants that flower in 8 to 10 weeks, but if you want shorter or multiple seasons, opt for the Northern Lights autoflower version that automatically flip in 7 or 8 weeks.
They like the sun, so be sure to pick sunny spots or provide loads of light exposure. You might also think about LST techniques like the sea of green to extend each plant’s growth and maximize cola development. Experienced growers can also employ HST techniques such as defoliation, but beginners should approach with caution or risk damaging or killing the plants.
Keep temperature at 21 to 27 C, and humidity at 50 to 60% during the vegetative stage and 40 to 50% during flowering. Indoor plants should grow about 100 to 160 cm and yield 500 to 550 gr/m2, while outdoor plants will grow 180 to 220 cm and yield 575 – 625 gr/plant.
Terpene & Cannabinoid Profile
Northern Lights is a moderately potent strain with 15 to 21% THC levels and low CBD. The dominant terpenes are myrcene, caryophyllene and limonene, giving the plants the distinctive earthy aroma.
Known Medical Benefits
Northern Lights have many therapeutic applications such as helping with inflammation, chronic pain, stress, anxiety, and depression. The deeply sedative effects also have been known to help with insomnia and other sleep disorders. Like many other strains, the effect known affectionately to us as the ‘munchies’ has been used to treat nausea, appetite loss, and other eating disorders.
Did You Know?
Despite its obvious namesake, the name ‘Northern Lights’ didn’t come from the famous aurora borealis, but instead, was a homage to the strain’s Seattle origins. First created by a cannabis enthusiast and breeder only known as ‘The Indian’, or ‘Seattle Greg’, the earliest versions were pure Indica.
It was only when the seeds reached Neville Schoenmaker, founder of the first seed bank in the world, “Seed Bank of Holland”, were Sativa genetics introduced to create the strain we all know and love. Today, the genetics of Northern Lights are being used to create hundreds of hybrids including Sour Diesel, Ortega, Super Silver Haze, Shiva Skunk, and Jack Herer.
