Autoflower Cannabis at Home: From Seed to Harvest in Under 10 Weeks

Growing cannabis at home can be both fun and rewarding—but let’s be honest, not everyone wants to wait four or five months for that first smokeable bud. That’s where autoflowers shine. If you're looking for speed, simplicity, and solid yields in a short amount of time, autoflower cannabis is your fast lane to harvest—often in just 8 to 10 weeks from seed.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through every step of the process—week by week—so you can grow autoflower cannabis at home like a pro, even if it’s your very first time.

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What Is Autoflower Cannabis?

Autoflowering cannabis plants differ from photoperiod plants in one major way: they don’t rely on light cycles to flower. Instead of waiting for 12 hours of darkness to trigger bloom, autoflowers start flowering automatically—usually around week 3 or 4, regardless of how much light they get.

They’re typically bred with Cannabis ruderalis, a subspecies known for its short life cycle and resilience. That means:

• No need to change light schedules

• Faster harvest

• Smaller, more compact plants perfect for stealthy indoor grows

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What You’ll Need to Get Started

You don’t need a full grow tent setup (though it helps), but here are the essentials:

Basic Autoflower Setup:

• Seeds: Choose a trusted strain from a reputable breeder (like Fast Buds, Mephisto, or Dutch Passion)

• Soil or Coco: Autoflowers prefer light, airy mixes. Avoid heavy soils with lots of nutrients.

• Grow Container: 5-gallon fabric pots are ideal.

• Lights: LED grow light (at least 100W per plant)

• Ventilation: Small clip-on fan or passive airflow is enough for small grows

• Nutrients: Autoflower-friendly nutrients with a light nitrogen content early on

• Timer (if using lights): 18/6 or 20/4 light cycle from seed to harvest

Optional but helpful:

• pH meter (for water)

• Humidifier/dehumidifier

• Magnifying loupe for checking trichomes

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Week-by-Week Autoflower Growing Timeline

Week 1: Germination & Early Seedling

• Soak seeds in water for 12–24 hours

• Transfer to a damp paper towel or directly into soil

• Keep humidity high (60–70%) and temps around 75–80°F

• Expect sprouting in 2–4 days

• Light should be low intensity (if using LED, keep it 24–30” above)

Week 2: Seedling Establishment

• First true leaves appear

• Roots are forming—keep soil lightly moist, not soaked

• Begin low-strength cal-mag if needed

• Increase light intensity slightly

Tip: Don’t transplant autos! Plant them directly in their final pot to avoid stunting.

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Week 3: Early Vegetative Growth

• Rapid leaf development begins

• You can start low-strength vegetative nutrients

• Watch for signs of overwatering—autos don’t like soggy roots

• Increase airflow and spacing between plants

Week 4: Pre-Flowering

• You’ll see pistils (white hairs) forming at nodes—she’s entering bloom!

• Switch to bloom or transition nutrients (lower nitrogen, higher phosphorus)

• Trim only dead leaves—no aggressive training

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Week 5–6: Flowering Phase

• Buds begin forming and stretching slows down

• Light should be closer (about 18–24” above canopy)

• Defoliate only if needed to improve airflow

• Watch for pests and mold—use neem oil or sticky traps as needed

Tip: Keep humidity lower (40–50%) to prevent bud rot.

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Week 7–8: Bud Fattening

• Trichomes and smell ramp up!

• Use bloom nutrients until ~1 week before harvest

• Pistils start turning orange or amber

• Begin monitoring trichome color: clear = early, cloudy = ready, amber = relaxing

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Week 9–10: Flush & Harvest

• Stop feeding nutrients and flush with plain pH-balanced water

• Trichomes should be mostly cloudy with some amber

• Harvest when ~70–90% of pistils have darkened

Bonus: Autoflowers often don’t need 10 full weeks—some strains finish in as little as 8!

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Popular Autoflower Strains That Finish Fast

• Fast Buds’ Gorilla Cookies Auto – ~9 weeks, potent and frosty

• Mephisto’s 3 Bears OG – Heavy yielder, ~8.5 weeks

• Dutch Passion’s Auto Mazar – High resin, 10 weeks max

• Northern Lights Auto – Beginner-friendly, ~8 weeks

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Autoflower Growing Tips for Best Results

• Don’t Overfeed – Start with ¼ strength nutrients and increase slowly.

• Avoid Stress – Topping, transplanting, or overwatering can stunt growth during their short life cycle.

• Maximize Light Hours – 18/6 or even 20/4 schedules keep growth strong without needing darkness.

• Harvest at the Right Time – Use a magnifying lens to check trichomes. The color tells you everything.

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Is Autoflower Cannabis Right for You?

If you’re new to growing, short on time, or just want a no-fuss grow with great results, autoflowers might be your perfect match. In under 10 weeks, you can go from seed to harvest, skip the complex light schedules, and still walk away with sticky, smoke-ready buds that rival photoperiod plants.

Whether you’re growing on a closet shelf, balcony, or a dedicated indoor space—autoflowering cannabis is proof that great things come in fast little packages.

At HomeGrow Helpline, we believe growing great cannabis at home shouldn’t feel complicated—or lonely. We’re just a bunch of passionate growers, curious cultivators, and everyday stoners who’ve been through the trial-and-error trenches and came out the other side with better buds (and plenty of funny stories). If you need help just reach out.