How to Visually Distinguish Northern Lights Phenotypes?
Okay, so you’ve got your hands on some Northern Lights — classic strain, old-school vibes, the kind of stuff that’s been passed around since your uncle’s college days. But here’s the kicker: not all Northern Lights look the same. Phenotypes, man. They’re like siblings—same parents, wildly different personalities. Some are chill and squat, others stretch like they’ve got something to prove. So how do you tell them apart just by looking?
First off, height. Some phenos stay low to the ground, bushy like a hedgehog in winter. Others? They shoot up like they’re trying to kiss the ceiling. If you’ve got a lanky one, it’s probably leaning more toward a sativa expression—yeah, even though Northern Lights is mostly indica. Genetics are weird like that. Don’t trust the label, trust your eyes.
Then there’s the leaves. Broad, fat-fingered fans? That’s your classic indica look. Deep green, sometimes almost blue if the lighting’s right. But every now and then, you’ll spot a pheno with thinner leaves, more spaced out—like it’s trying to breathe more. That one’s different. Not worse, just different. Maybe a little more energetic in the high, too.
Color’s a whole other rabbit hole. Some Northern Lights phenos stay green as grass, even at harvest. Others? They’ll throw purples, reds, even a little black if the temps drop. It’s not just about the cold though—some of them are just genetically dramatic. Like, “look at me, I’m royalty” kind of dramatic.
And trichomes. Oh man. Some phenotypes frost up like they’ve been dipped in sugar. Others are stingier—still potent, but not as sparkly. You’ll know when you see it. If it looks like it could blind you in direct sunlight, that’s a keeper. Sticky too—like, ruin-your-scissors sticky.
Smell is visual, too, in a way. You ever open a jar and just see the aroma in your head? Some phenos reek of pine and earth, like a forest floor after rain. Others lean sweet—almost candy-like. That sugary funk? That’s usually the one that hits hardest. Don’t ask me why. Just does.
Bud structure is another tell. The tight, dense nugs that feel like little rocks? That’s the old-school indica pheno. But sometimes you get looser buds, more open, with visible calyxes poking out like little alien pods. Those ones might dry faster, cure differently. Smoke smoother, maybe. Or not. Depends on the grow.
Honestly, you can’t always tell everything just by looking. But if you’ve grown a few, smoked a few, stared at them under bad lighting at 2am—you start to notice. The way the pistils curl, the way the sugar leaves hug the bud, the way the whole plant just carries itself. Some phenos are humble. Others strut.
And sometimes you get a freak. A Northern Lights that doesn’t look like any Northern Lights you’ve seen. Don’t panic. Could be a mutation. Could be a cross that snuck in. Could be magic. Grow it out. Smoke it. Then decide.
Anyway, that’s how I do it. No lab tests, no charts. Just eyes, nose, hands, and a little bit of gut instinct. Works more often than not.