10 Facts About Northern Lights You Didn’t Know
1. It probably wasn’t born in the Netherlands. Everyone thinks Northern Lights came out of Amsterdam’s haze-drenched breeding labs in the '80s. But nah—most signs point to the Pacific Northwest. Some say Seattle. Some say a hippie named “The Indian” grew the original eleven plants. Who knows. The Dutch just made it famous.
2. There were 11 original phenos—only a few survived. Northern Lights #1 through #11. That’s how it started. But over time, breeders narrowed it down. NL #5 became the golden child. #2 and #1 stuck around too, in whispers. The rest? Gone. Maybe someone’s still growing #7 in a basement somewhere. Doubt it.
3. It’s not as pure indica as people think. Yeah, it hits like a truck and glues you to the couch. But genetically? It’s got some Thai sativa in there. Just a sliver. Enough to give it that dreamy, floaty high that doesn’t always knock you out—unless you want it to.
4. It smells like a pine forest after rain—plus cat piss, sometimes. People always say “earthy” or “sweet.” But real heads know: some phenos reek. Like ammonia and wet socks. Others? Straight-up Christmas tree. Depends on who grew it, how they cured it, and if the gods were in a good mood that harvest.
5. It was the backbone of the '90s weed scene. Before Blue Dream, before Girl Scout Cookies, before all the dessert strains—there was Northern Lights. It’s in the DNA of half the hybrids on dispensary shelves. Big yields, short flowering time, easy to grow. Breeders loved it. Still do.
6. It’s one of the few strains that actually helps you sleep. Not just “relaxing.” I mean lights-out, drool-on-the-pillow, wake-up-eight-hours-later kind of sleep. If you’ve got racing thoughts or a body that won’t shut up—this one’s a lullaby in plant form. Just don’t smoke it before a party. You’ll vanish into the couch.
7. It’s weirdly resistant to mold. Like, freakishly so. Most indicas hate humidity. Not Northern Lights. You can grow it in a damp basement and it’ll still come out looking like a frosted Christmas ornament. That’s part of why it’s so popular with first-time growers. It forgives you.
8. It doesn’t always get you “high” in the traditional sense. Some batches hit like a warm blanket. Others? More like a slow dissolve. You’re not giggling or paranoid—you’re just... gone. In a good way. It’s not showy. It’s not loud. It’s the quiet friend who always knows when to pass you the lighter.
9. It’s been cloned, crossed, and bastardized beyond recognition. You’ll see “Northern Lights” on a label and think you’re getting the real deal. Maybe. Maybe not. Some of it’s watered down. Some of it’s just marketing. If you want the original vibe, you’ve gotta hunt. Or grow it yourself from a trusted seed bank. Good luck with that.
10. It’s still one of the best strains ever made. Period. No hype, no gimmicks. Just solid, reliable, beautiful weed. The kind you smoke alone on a rainy night and remember why you started in the first place. It’s not trendy. It’s not flashy. But it’s real. And sometimes, that’s all you need.