Auto flowering, or day-neutral, strains will begin flowering regardless of light cycle based on its genetic clock. This can be affected by nutrients, the environment, and plant husbandry, but overall this flowering cycle is genetically set. These day-neutral plants can be grown any time of the year, with no need for supplemental lighting. Recent advances in breeding have improved the potency and taste of autoflowering strains, allowing them to compete with the quality of traditional strains.
Unlike photoperiodic strains, autoflowering plants automatically switch from vegetative growth to flowering regardless of the light cycle they receive. This means that they can be grown under a wide range of lighting conditions, including a 24-hour light cycle, making them ideal for indoor cultivation. Autoflowering strains also have a relatively short life cycle of 8-10 weeks from seed to harvest, which makes it possible to grow multiple crops in a single season.