A Complete Guide To Growing Autoflowers Outdoors (When To Plant ...

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow A Complete Guide to Growing Autoflowers Outdoors (When to Plant, How Often to Water, & How Much They Yield) PDF download Download Article Explore this Article IN THIS ARTICLE 1 When should I plant my autoflowers outside? 2 What kind of container should I plant my autoflowers in? 3 What kind of soil should I plant autoflowers in? 4 Do autoflowers need direct sunlight? 5 How often should I water my autoflowers? 6 Do autoflowers take longer outdoors? 7 How much does an outdoor autoflower yield? + Show 4 more... - Show less... Other Sections Video Tips and Warnings Related Articles References Co-authored by Artemisia Nursery and Hannah Madden

Last Updated: May 30, 2025 Fact Checked

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This article was co-authored by Artemisia Nursery and by wikiHow staff writer, Hannah Madden. Artemisia Nursery is a retail plant nursery in Northeast Los Angeles specializing in California native plants. Artemisia Nursery is a worker-owned small business with plans to become a worker-owned cooperative. In addition to California native plants, Artemisia Nursery offers a selection of succulents, heirloom veggie and herb starts, house plants, pottery, and gardening tools and supplies. Drawing on the knowledge of the founders, Artemisia Nursery also offers consultations, designs, and installations. There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 146,793 times.

If you’re new to marijuana growing, autoflower seeds are a great choice. These cannabis seeds don’t require a rigorous light schedule, and they’re more forgiving when it comes to temperature fluctuations and fungus control. They also grow much faster than typical cannabis seeds, so you can get a full yield in just 8 to 12 weeks! We’ve answered your questions about autoflowering seeds so you can pick the right strain for you.

Steps

Question 1 of 7:

When should I plant my autoflowers outside?

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  1. Aim for mid- to late-summer. Aim for mid- to late-summer. Marijuana doesn’t do well in colder temperatures, so summer is your prime growing season. Autoflowering seeds don’t need a strict light schedule like typical marijuana does, but they still like long, sunny days.[1]
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Question 2 of 7:

What kind of container should I plant my autoflowers in?

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  1. Pick a large pot with drainage holes in the bottom. Pick a large pot with drainage holes in the bottom. The size of the pot depends on the size of the plant. Medium-sized plants need a 5 to 7 US gal (19 to 26 L) pot, while large ones need a 11 US gal (42 L) pot. The pot that you start your seeds in will be the one you grow your plant in, so don’t count on transplanting to a larger container.[2]
    • Since autoflower plants grow so quickly, transplanting them can shock them (and even kill them). It’s best to pick out a container that they can stay in the entire time.
    • If you don’t have containers, you can plant autoflowers straight into the ground. However, since you can’t control the soil nutrients as well, it’s not ideal.
Question 3 of 7:

What kind of soil should I plant autoflowers in?

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  1. Go for well-draining, slightly acidic soil. Go for well-draining, slightly acidic soil. Stay away from clay and rocky soil, since it can waterlog your autoflower’s roots. Pick out a potting soil that has a pH of 5.5 to 6.5 to keep your plant happy all season long.[3]
    • You can buy a soil pH test kit at most nurseries and garden supply stores.
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Question 4 of 7:

Do autoflowers need direct sunlight?

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  1. Yes, autoflowers prefer direct sunlight. Yes, autoflowers prefer direct sunlight. They don’t require the strict 12 hours on 12 hours off schedule that feminized seeds do, but autoflowers will grow better in direct light. Try placing your container in an area that gets at least 8 hours of sunlight per day.[4]
    • If you’ve ever grown tomatoes outdoors, try to put your autoflowers in the same spot. They both require the same amount of light per day.
Question 5 of 7:

How often should I water my autoflowers?

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  1. Water them about once per day. Water them about once per day. All cannabis types need a lot of water, but they can get waterlogged with too much. If you live in a dry climate without rain, check on your soil every day to see if it’s dry. If the soil is still wet, don’t worry about watering your plant that day.[5]
    • Watering is most important during the first week of planting. After that, you can be a little less strict with your schedule.
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Question 6 of 7:

Do autoflowers take longer outdoors?

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  1. Yes, they might take slightly longer outdoors. Yes, they might take slightly longer outdoors. However, it shouldn’t be that noticeable—most autoflowering seeds take 8 to 12 weeks to grow fully, and your outdoor ones might be on the higher end of that range. In general, if they get enough light and water, they’ll grow just fine outside.[6]
    • You can find strains of autoflowers that are better suited for the outdoors. The Joint Doctor and Emerald Triangle are great ones to plant outside.[7]
Question 7 of 7:

How much does an outdoor autoflower yield?

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  1. It ranges from 25 to 150 grams per plant. It ranges from 25 to 150 grams per plant. The yield really depends on which strain you choose, and not so much on indoor versus outdoor.[8] If you want a super high yield, go for a strain like Paradise Pandora, Emerald Triangle, or Grass-O-Matic.[9]
    • You can also check with the person who you’re buying the seeds from. They probably have a good idea of what kind of yield you can expect from your particular strain.
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Tips

  • Autoflowers are usually smaller than feminized seeds, so they’re easier to grow discreetly. Most only grow up to 2 ft (0.61 m) tall.[10] Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 1
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References

  1. https://theweedblog.com/growing/august-is-your-last-chance-to-start-growing-marijuana-outdoors
  2. https://northerngardener.org/growing-marijuana/
  3. https://howtogrowmarijuana.com/how-to-grow-marijuana-outdoors/
  4. https://herbceo.com/autoflowering-vs-feminized-seeds/
  5. https://howtogrowmarijuana.com/outdoor-autoflowering-feminized-seeds/
  6. https://herbceo.com/autoflowering-vs-feminized-seeds/
  7. https://howtogrowmarijuana.com/auto-flowering-cannabis-seeds/
  8. https://ilgm.com/resources/guides/how-to-grow-autoflowers
  9. https://howtogrowmarijuana.com/outdoor-autoflowering-feminized-seeds/
More References (1)
  1. https://howtogrowmarijuana.com/outdoor-autoflowering-feminized-seeds/

About This Article

Artemisia Nursery Co-authored by: Artemisia Nursery Plant Nursery & Garden Shop This article was co-authored by Artemisia Nursery and by wikiHow staff writer, Hannah Madden. Artemisia Nursery is a retail plant nursery in Northeast Los Angeles specializing in California native plants. Artemisia Nursery is a worker-owned small business with plans to become a worker-owned cooperative. In addition to California native plants, Artemisia Nursery offers a selection of succulents, heirloom veggie and herb starts, house plants, pottery, and gardening tools and supplies. Drawing on the knowledge of the founders, Artemisia Nursery also offers consultations, designs, and installations. This article has been viewed 146,793 times. 137 votes - 93% Co-authors: 10 Updated: May 30, 2025 Views: 146,793 Categories: Planting and Growing In other languages Spanish German Dutch Japanese
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Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Artemisia Nursery Co-authored by: Artemisia Nursery Plant Nursery & Garden Shop Co-authors: 10 Updated: May 30, 2025 Views: 146,793 93% of readers found this article helpful. 137 votes - 93% Click a star to add your vote

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