Northern Lights vs Northern Lights Autoflower

Northern Lights. The name alone hits like a soft thud in the chest—nostalgic, warm, a little hazy around the edges. It’s one of those strains that’s been around so long, it’s practically mythologized. Old-school indica, pure couch-melting magic. But then there’s the other one. The autoflower version. Same name, different beast. Or maybe not so different? Depends who you ask.

The original—photoperiod Northern Lights—is like a slow-burning record from the ‘80s that still slaps. You grow it with patience. You wait for the light cycle to flip. You nurture it like a moody houseplant that only blooms when the stars align. But when it does? Damn. Dense buds, piney-sweet funk, that unmistakable body buzz that doesn’t just relax you—it erases you. Like a warm bath for your brain. It’s not subtle. It’s not trying to be. It’s the kind of high that makes you forget what you were saying mid-sentence and not even care.

Now the autoflower version—Northern Lights Auto—it’s like the younger cousin who shows up to the family reunion in ripped jeans and a vape pen. Same bloodline, sure. But it’s faster, scrappier, less fussy. You don’t have to wait for the seasons to change. It flowers when it wants to—on its own damn schedule. That’s the whole point. Stick it in a pot, give it some light, and boom. You’ve got weed in 9 weeks. Maybe less if you’re lucky or reckless.

But here’s the thing. That speed? It comes at a cost. The high’s still there—relaxing, mellow, a little dreamy—but it doesn’t hit quite as hard. Less depth. Like a remix of a classic song where the bassline’s been turned down. It’s fine. It’ll do the job. But if you’ve had the original, you’ll know. You’ll feel the difference in your bones. Or maybe you won’t. Maybe you’ll just be stoked you didn’t have to wait three months and babysit a light schedule like it’s a newborn.

Some growers swear by the autoflower. Especially if you’re working with limited space, or you’re just impatient as hell. It’s forgiving. It’s discreet. You can run a few cycles a year without breaking a sweat. But if you’re chasing that old-school, knock-you-on-your-ass Northern Lights vibe? The photoperiod’s still king. No contest. It’s like comparing a microwave burrito to your grandma’s enchiladas. One’s fast. The other’s soul food.

Honestly, I think it depends on what you want. If you’re growing for yield, speed, and convenience—Auto’s your friend. If you’re growing for ritual, for flavor, for that deep, narcotic body stone that makes time slow down and music sound like honey—go with the original. Just be ready to wait. And maybe mess up once or twice. That’s part of it.

Weed’s weird like that. The same strain can wear different faces. And sometimes, the name doesn’t tell the whole story. You’ve gotta grow it. Smoke it. Sit with it. Let it tell you who it is.

Or don’t. Just light up and see what happens.