If you grow autoflowering cannabis, you have probably landed on r/autoflowers at some point. It is a Reddit community built around these fast, compact plants, and it is full of progress photos, harvest shots and questions from growers at every level. Unlike general growing subreddits, nearly every post assumes an autoflower timeline, which makes the advice more relevant if you grow autos. This guide is organized around the life of an auto, showing what members typically post and ask at each stage, plus tips for using the subreddit well. It is for adults 21 and older growing where it is legal.

Before you post: know the culture

r/autoflowers is visual and upbeat. Many posts are photo updates with a short caption like “Day 45, first auto, how am I doing?” Members tend to encourage beginners. The subreddit has rules about flair, sales and self promotion, so read the sidebar first. Upvotes reward good photos and clear questions.

Use a separate Reddit account for growing if you want to keep your hobby private, and strip location data from your photos.

Week by week: what to post and ask

Days 1 to 14: germination and seedlings

Common posts: sprout photos, stretched seedlings, damping off and slow starts.

What helps: say how you germinated, your medium, light distance and humidity. Members will often point out lights that are too far away, which causes stretching, or soil that is too wet.

Typical advice: plant in the final pot, keep humidity moderate, avoid heavy feeding and give seedlings gentle light.

Days 15 to 30: early growth

Common posts: first training attempts, leaf color questions and early nutrient issues.

What helps: list nutrients and doses. Note pH if you measure it. Show the whole plant and close ups.

Typical advice: start low stress training, feed lightly and watch for overwatering.

Days 30 to 50: transition and early flower

Common posts: first pistils, stretch, yellowing and smell control questions.

What helps: mention your light schedule and how much the plant has stretched. Give temperature and humidity readings.

Typical advice: avoid high stress changes now, keep the environment steady and raise lights as plants stretch.

Days 50 and beyond: late flower and harvest

Common posts: “Is it ready?” questions, trichome close ups and harvest photos.

What helps: post sharp close ups of trichomes rather than only pistils. A cheap jeweler’s loupe or clip on phone lens works well.

Typical advice: harvest when most trichomes are cloudy, with some amber depending on your preference. Do not trust the breeder’s timeline alone.

Popular debates you will see

• Light schedules. 18 on and 6 off, 20 and 4, or 24 hours on. Members share results but rarely agree.
• Topping autos. Some growers top early with good results, while others say it stunts plants.
• Defoliation. How much leaf to remove and when.
• Flushing. Whether to flush before harvest at all.

When you see a debate, learn the arguments on both sides and try one approach at a time in your own grow.

How to judge advice on the subreddit

Upvoted comments are not always right. Look for commenters who explain their reasoning and show their own grows. If advice conflicts, ask follow up questions and choose the most cautious option for your plant’s stage. With autos, a mistake late in the grow is hard to undo.

Posting a great harvest update

Harvest posts are some of the most popular on the subreddit. Make yours useful:

• Strain and breeder.
• Days from sprout to harvest.
• Light, schedule and space size.
• Medium and nutrients.
• Dry weight if you weigh it.
• What you would change next time.

These details turn a nice photo into a helpful report for the next grower.

Staying legal and private

Autoflowers are small, but they still count toward plant limits in every legal state. Check your state’s rules on how many plants you can grow, whether plants must be locked up and whether they can be visible from outside. Never buy or sell cannabis or seeds through Reddit.

Choosing your next auto

Members often recommend picking strains with consistent reports and timelines that fit your schedule. If you are ready for your next grow, browse our autoflower seeds for fast, compact strains and post your journey on the subreddit.

Common auto problems posted on the subreddit

Stunted seedlings. Often caused by overwatering, low light or a transplant. Autos that stall early may never catch up, so start strong.

Yellow lower leaves in flower. Some yellowing late in the grow is normal as the plant uses stored nitrogen. Sudden yellowing early on may point to a feeding or pH issue.

Foxtailing buds. Spiky, stacked growth on bud tips is often linked to heat or light stress, though some strains do it naturally.

Light burn. Bleached tops close to the light. Raise the light or dim it.

Bud rot. Dense buds and high humidity late in flower can lead to mold. Improve airflow and keep humidity down near harvest.

When you post one of these problems, include close photos and your environment readings. Members can often spot the cause in minutes.

Learning from other growers’ timelines

Scroll through harvest posts for the strain you plan to grow. Compare days to harvest, heights and yields under setups like yours. That gives you realistic expectations before you plant.

Grow legally and responsibly

Home cultivation is only legal in some states, and each state sets its own plant limits, locking rules and rules about whether plants can be visible from a public place. You must be 21 or older to buy seeds from Kind Seed Co, and you should grow only where your state and city allow it. Check your state rules in our guide to the legal requirements for growing weed plants in your state before you plant. Federal treatment of cannabis seeds is also changing, so read our December 11 2026 seed rule explainer before you order. Keep plants and harvested flower locked away from children, pets and visitors, and never drive after using cannabis. This article is general information. It is not legal advice and it is not medical advice.

Frequently asked questions

What is r autoflowers?

It is a Reddit community dedicated to growing autoflowering cannabis plants.

How do I know when my auto is ready to harvest?

Check trichomes with a loupe. Most growers harvest when most are cloudy with some amber.

Should I top my autoflower?

Opinions differ. Many growers prefer low stress training to avoid stunting.

What should I include in a harvest post?

Strain, days to harvest, setup, nutrients, dry weight and lessons learned.

Final thoughts

r/autoflowers is a supportive place to share your auto grows from sprout to harvest. Post clear updates with your day count, learn from the debates and turn your harvest into a helpful report for the next grower.

Ready to start

Browse the full range in the Kind Seed Co shop or go straight to autoflower seeds. Kind Seed Co sells only to adults 21 and older. Always follow the cannabis laws where you live.