CBD rich cannabis strains are bred to produce more CBD relative to THC than a typical modern strain. If you want to grow one at home, the three easiest places to start at Kind Seed Co are CBD Cookies Auto, CBD Northern Lights Auto and CBD Zenergy, a feminized photoperiod. You can browse every option on our high CBD seeds page. This guide covers how each one grows, how to choose between them and how to get a clean harvest. It is written for adults 21 and older where home growing is legal, and it is about cultivation only.

A quick note before we start. This article does not make health or medical claims, and it does not list cannabinoid numbers. Each product page lists the breeder’s reported profile, and that page is the authority. Cannabinoid balance can vary from plant to plant, even from the same pack.

What makes a strain CBD rich

Cannabis plants make cannabinoids in the resin glands, called trichomes, that cover the flowers. Which cannabinoids a plant makes is mostly decided by its genetics. Most popular strains today were bred to be THC dominant. CBD rich strains carry genetics that steer more of the plant’s output toward CBD instead.

For a grower, that means two things. First, the seed you choose matters more than anything you do in the tent. No feeding trick turns a THC dominant plant into a CBD rich one. Second, the growing itself is no different. CBD rich plants need the same light, water, nutrients and airflow as any other cannabis plant. If you have grown one strain, you already know most of what you need.

CBD rich strains still contain some THC. Treat them like any other cannabis plant under your state’s law, including plant limits and age rules.

Our picks for CBD rich strains to grow

1. CBD Cookies Auto

CBD Cookies Auto is an autoflower, which means it starts flowering on its own after a few weeks, no matter how many hours of light it gets. It comes from the Cookies family and keeps that family’s compact, bushy shape. That makes it a good fit for a 2×2 or 2×4 tent, a closet setup or a balcony.

Autoflowers like this are commonly listed at roughly 9 to 11 weeks from seed to harvest, but check the product page for the current listing. Keep training gentle. Low stress training, where you bend the main stem and tie it down, works well. Avoid heavy topping late in veg, since autos have little time to recover.

Best for: small spaces and growers who want a quick, simple run.

2. CBD Northern Lights Auto

CBD Northern Lights Auto brings the classic Northern Lights growth habit into a CBD rich autoflower. Northern Lights is known among growers for being sturdy, compact and forgiving, and that reputation is a big part of why it is a common first strain. The CBD version is a solid pick for a beginner who wants a CBD rich plant without a steep learning curve.

Like other autos, it flowers on its own schedule. Give it a light schedule of 18 hours on and 6 off, or 20 on and 4 off, from seed to harvest. Plant it straight into its final pot if you can, because autos do not like transplant stress.

Best for: first time growers and anyone who values an easy, forgiving plant.

3. CBD Zenergy (photoperiod)

CBD Zenergy is a feminized photoperiod. Unlike an autoflower, it keeps growing leaves and branches until you cut its light to about 12 hours a day. That gives you full control over how big it gets. Veg it longer for a bigger plant, or flip early to keep it small.

Photoperiods reward training. You can top the plant, spread its branches under a scrog net and build an even canopy that makes the most of your light. Our guide on how to SCROG your cannabis plants shows how. Outdoors, a photoperiod follows the natural seasons and usually flowers as days shorten in late summer.

Best for: growers with some experience who want control over size and timing.

Want more options?

The full CBD seeds collection and the auto CBD seeds page list every CBD rich strain currently in stock, with the breeder’s reported profile on each product page.

Autoflower or photoperiod: how to choose

	Autoflower (CBD Cookies, CBD Northern Lights)	Photoperiod (CBD Zenergy)
When it flowers	On its own after a few weeks	When you switch to 12 hours of light
Plant size	Usually compact	Depends on how long you veg
Training	Gentle low stress training	Topping, scrog and heavier training
Light schedule	18/6 or 20/4 the whole run	18/6 in veg, 12/12 in flower
Best for	Small spaces and quick runs	Control over size and timing

If you are not sure, read our live comparison of the six differences between feminized and autoflowering weed seeds.

How to grow CBD rich strains

Before you start

• Check your local laws. Grow only where home cultivation is legal and stay within your plant limit. You must be 21 or older. Federal treatment of cannabis seeds is also changing, so read our December 11 2026 seed rule explainer.
• Pick your space. A 2×2 or 2×4 tent suits the autos. A 3×3 or 4×4 tent gives a photoperiod room to grow.
• Gather supplies. A quality full spectrum LED, fabric pots, a light, airy soil or coco mix, a small fan, a pH meter and a timer.

Germination

Soak the seed in clean, room temperature water for 12 to 24 hours, then move it to a damp paper towel in a warm, dark spot. When a small white taproot appears, plant it about half an inch deep with the root facing down. Our guide on how to germinate cannabis seeds covers other methods.

Seedling and veg

Keep the light gentle for the first week and water in small amounts around the stem. Autos do best when planted straight into a 3 to 5 gallon final pot. Photoperiods can start small and move up once roots fill the container. Keep temperatures in the mid 70s Fahrenheit and humidity a little higher for seedlings, then lower it as the plant grows. Our VPD chart for cannabis shows target ranges for each stage.

Flowering

Autos begin flowering on their own. For a photoperiod, switch to 12 hours of light and 12 of uninterrupted dark when the plant is about half the height you want, because it will stretch. In flower, lower humidity, keep air moving through the canopy and switch to a bloom feed with less nitrogen.

Harvest, dry and cure

Harvest timing is judged by the trichomes, not the calendar. Use a jeweler’s loupe and look at the resin glands on the buds. When most look cloudy, the plant is usually ready. Our guide to cannabis trichomes 101 shows what to look for.

Dry branches in a dark space with gentle airflow, around 60 degrees Fahrenheit and 60 percent humidity, for about 7 to 14 days. Then trim and cure in airtight jars, opening them daily for the first two weeks. Our guide on cannabis drying temperature and humidity has the details.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Expecting the grow to change the chemistry. Genetics decide whether a plant is CBD rich. Pick the right seed first.
• Overwatering seedlings. Let the top inch of soil dry before watering again.
• Transplanting autos. Plant autos directly into their final pot when possible.
• Ignoring humidity in late flower. Dense buds can rot. Our guide to bud rot in cannabis explains what to watch for.

Frequently asked questions

Are CBD rich strains harder to grow than THC strains?

No. They need the same light, water, nutrients and airflow as any other cannabis plant. The difference is in the genetics, not the care.

Do CBD rich strains contain THC?

Yes. CBD rich strains still contain some THC, and the balance can vary from plant to plant. Check each product page for the breeder’s reported profile, and follow your state’s cannabis laws.

Which CBD rich strain is best for a beginner?

CBD Northern Lights Auto is a good first choice because Northern Lights genetics are known for being sturdy and forgiving. CBD Cookies Auto is another simple option for small spaces.

Can I grow CBD rich strains outdoors?

Yes, where home growing is legal. Autos work well in short seasons, and a photoperiod like CBD Zenergy follows the natural light cycle and flowers as days shorten.

Where do I find the cannabinoid profile for each strain?

On each product page. Kind Seed Co lists the breeder’s reported profile there, and that page is the authority for current details.

Start your CBD rich grow

A CBD rich garden starts with the right seed and ends with patient drying and curing. Browse our high CBD seeds to pick your strain, or explore the full Kind Seed Co shop. New to growing? Start with our ultimate beginner’s guide to growing cannabis. Kind Seed Co sells only to adults 21 and older.