The 4 Types of Cannabis Seeds Explained: Reg, Fem, Auto, and Landrace

If you’ve ever browsed a seed bank and felt confused by the alphabet soup of Reg, Fem, Auto, or Landrace, you’re not alone. Each seed type serves a different purpose — and choosing the right one can make or break your grow.

Let’s break down the four main types of cannabis seeds, how they work, and which one’s right for your grow setup or experience level.

🌱 1. Regular Cannabis Seeds (Reg)

What are they?
Regular seeds are exactly what nature intended. When you plant a regular seed, there’s about a 50/50 chance it’ll be male or female.

Male plants produce pollen sacs
Female plants produce the smokable buds we love
If males aren’t removed, they can pollinate females, leading to seeded buds (and fewer cannabinoids)

Why use regular seeds?

✅ They’re preferred by breeders who want to create new strains
✅ More genetic stability and natural phenotypes
✅ Some growers believe they produce more robust plants

Downside?
You’ll need to sex your plants early and remove males unless you’re breeding. Not ideal for small stealth grows or beginners who only want bud.

🌸 2. Feminized Cannabis Seeds (Fem)

What are they?
Feminized seeds are specially bred to only produce female plants — the ones that develop flowers (buds) rich in THC, CBD, and terpenes.

Seed producers achieve this through techniques like colloidal silver spraying or stress reversal to eliminate the male chromosomes.

Why use feminized seeds?

✅ No need to identify or cull males
✅ Nearly 100% female plants = more bud, less waste
✅ Perfect for indoor and limited-space grows

Who are they best for?
New growers, home cultivators, and anyone who wants a set-it-and-forget-it style grow with predictable results.

⚡ 3. Autoflowering Seeds (Auto)

What are they?
Autoflower seeds are feminized cannabis seeds crossed with Cannabis ruderalis, a wild, Siberian cannabis species known for flowering automatically, based on age — not light cycle.

That means no need to flip from 18/6 to 12/12 to induce flowering. Autos do it on their own, usually in 3–5 weeks, regardless of light.

Why use autoflowers?

✅ Fast lifecycle – harvest in 60–90 days
✅ Compact size – perfect for small tents or stealth grows
✅ Beginner-friendly and ideal for outdoor “set and forget” planting

Things to note:
Autoflowers have improved yield and potency in recent years, but they generally yield less than photoperiod plants and don’t respond well to heavy training or cloning.

🌍 4. Landrace Seeds

What are they?
Landrace strains are the original cannabis genetics that evolved naturally in specific regions over thousands of years — without human interference.

Common examples:

Afghani – heavy indica, from the Hindu Kush
Durban Poison – classic sativa, from South Africa
Thai – tropical sativa, from Southeast Asia
Acapulco Gold – legendary strain, from Mexico

These are non-hybridized, naturally adapted strains that laid the groundwork for today’s modern cannabis genetics.

Why grow landrace seeds?

✅ They offer raw, untapped cannabinoid profiles
✅ Strong genetic diversity and resilience
✅ Great for breeding or preserving heritage strains

Things to consider:
Landraces may take longer to flower, grow wild and unruly, and be more sensitive to indoor environments. These are best for experienced growers or preservation projects.

💡 Which Seed Type Is Right for You?

Grower Type	Best Seed Choice	Why?
Beginner	Feminized or Autoflower	Easy, predictable, no males to remove
Stealth/Small Grow	Autoflower	Fast, compact, low maintenance
Breeder	Regular or Landrace	Needed to create new strains
Heritage Collector	Landrace	Pure genetics, rare diversity
Max Yield Seeker	Feminized (Photoperiod)	Responds well to training & high output