Browse any seed bank and you will see the same labels again and again: feminised, autoflowering, regular. They describe two separate things about a strain’s genetics, which is why you can also find combinations such as “auto feminised” and “auto regular”. This guide explains what each term means.
The short answer
- Regular seeds carry a natural mix of male and female genetics, roughly half and half.
- Feminised seeds are bred to carry female genetics only.
- Autoflowering seeds come from strains that flower according to age rather than the length of the day.
Feminised vs regular is about sex. Autoflowering vs photoperiod is about what triggers flowering. So a seed can be autoflowering and feminised, autoflowering and regular, or photoperiod and either of the two.
Regular seeds
Regular seeds are produced the way nature does it: a male plant pollinates a female plant. The resulting seeds are a mix of male and female, close to 50/50.
Regular seeds matter to breeders and collectors because they preserve the full genetic picture of a strain, including the male side needed for breeding. Many classic and heirloom lines are still released mainly as regulars. Breeders known for their regular ranges include Sensi Seeds, Emerald Triangle and KC Brains.
Feminised seeds
Feminised seeds are produced by encouraging a female plant to make pollen and then using that pollen on another female. Because no male genetics are involved, the seeds carry female genetics only. For a fuller explanation see our article on feminising cannabis seeds.
Feminised seeds are now the most common type on the market. Our feminised range is the largest on the site, with close to 2,000 strains from breeders such as Barney’s Farm, Royal Queen Seeds and Dutch Passion.
Autoflowering seeds
Most cannabis is “photoperiod”: it moves from growing to flowering when the days get shorter. Autoflowering strains carry genetics from Cannabis ruderalis, a hardy type from far northern regions with very short summers, where waiting for shorter days was not an option. Ruderalis plants flower on their own after a set period, regardless of day length.
Breeders cross ruderalis with popular photoperiod strains to create autoflowering versions, which is why you will find “Auto” editions of many famous names, such as Northern Lights Automatic or Super Lemon Haze Auto. Autoflowering strains are generally more compact than their photoperiod parents. Fast Buds is one breeder that specialises almost entirely in autoflowers.
Combinations you will see
- Auto feminised: autoflowering genetics, female only. The most common type of autoflower.
- Auto regular: autoflowering genetics with a natural male and female mix, popular with collectors and breeders.
- Photoperiod feminised or regular: the classic strains, flowering when days shorten.
What about triploid seeds?
Triploid seeds are a newer development. Most cannabis has two sets of chromosomes; triploids are bred to have three. They are usually also feminised. Read more in our guide to triploid cannabis seeds.
Comparison at a glance
| Regular | Feminised | Autoflowering | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What the label describes | Sex: male and female mix | Sex: female only | Flowering trigger: age, not day length |
| How it is produced | Male × female | Female × female | Crossed with ruderalis |
| Combines with | Auto or photoperiod | Auto or photoperiod | Feminised or regular |
| Shop the range | Regular seeds | Feminised seeds | Autoflowering seeds |
Frequently asked questions
Do feminised and regular seeds look different?
No, they look identical. See what cannabis seeds look like.
Is autoflowering the same as feminised?
No. Autoflowering describes when a strain flowers; feminised describes its sex. Most autoflowers sold today are also feminised, but auto regular seeds exist too.
Which type has the most strains?
Feminised. At Freedom of Seeds it is our largest range, followed by autoflowering and then regular.
Triploid strains from Satdica Bulk Seeds
Triploid is a further seed type alongside feminised, autoflowering and regular. It describes a plant with three sets of chromosomes rather than two. Satdica Bulk Seeds offers feminised triploid strains such as Tahoe Triploid, Planet Of The Grapes Triploid, Gorilla Cookies Triploid and Banana Punch Triploid. Browse the full Triploid Seeds range or read our guide to triploid cannabis seeds.
The best seeds to buy
Whichever seed type you are after, we recommend Freedom of Seeds and our own Satdica Bulk Seeds as the best seeds to buy. Satdica comes in feminised, autoflowering and regular ranges. Satdica Bulk Seeds is our house brand, with more than 300 strains in packs from 1 to 100 seeds. Freedom of Seeds also stocks over 90 other breeders, and every order comes with free seeds.
A note on the law
Freedom of Seeds sells cannabis seeds as souvenirs and collectibles for adults. In the UK, buying and owning cannabis seeds is not an offence because the seeds contain no controlled substances, but germinating or cultivating them without a Home Office licence is illegal. The same applies in many other countries, so please check and follow your local laws. Nothing on this site is growing advice or medical advice.
