Northern High Lights vs Northern Lights Auto: Which One Is Right for You?

1. Introduction

Northern High Lights and Northern Lights Auto are both based on the classic Northern Lights lineage, but they’re built for slightly different growers and priorities. If you’re choosing between these two, you’re probably looking for a strain that’s easy enough for a first grow, delivers solid yields, and offers noticeable effects without being too complicated to manage.

This comparison focuses on how these two options differ for new growers, those who prioritise yield, and buyers who want strong effects. By the end, you should have a clear idea of whether the feminized Northern High Lights from Advanced Genetics Seeds or the automatic Northern Lights Auto from G13 Labs fits your situation better.

2. Quick Comparison Table

Feature	Northern High Lights	Northern Lights Auto
Strain Type	Hybrid	Indica
Seed Type	Feminized	Auto (autoflowering)
Breeder	Advanced Genetics Seeds	G13 Labs
Genetics	Not specified	Original Northern Lights x Ruderalis
Flowering Time	7–8 weeks	Not specified
Yield	Good	Good
THC Description	Strong	Not specified
Flavour / Aroma	Subtle aroma	Relatively mild

3. Northern High Lights Overview

Northern High Lights is a feminized hybrid strain from Advanced Genetics Seeds. As a hybrid, it sits between indica and sativa in terms of its overall profile, making it a flexible choice for growers who don’t want to commit to one end of the spectrum.

One of its key practical advantages is the relatively short flowering time of about 7–8 weeks. This makes Northern High Lights appealing if you want to move from seed to harvest on a tighter schedule, or if you like to run multiple cycles in a year. The yield is described as good, which suggests it can reward a basic level of care without needing highly advanced techniques just to get a reasonable harvest.

In terms of potency, Northern High Lights is described as having strong THC. While no specific percentage is provided, this indicates that users can expect noticeable effects. That may be appealing if you’re looking for a more intense experience from your homegrown flowers, but it also means beginners should be mindful of how much they use.

The aroma is noted as subtle. This can be beneficial if you want to keep odour a bit more discreet, for example when growing at home and trying to minimise strong scents. A more understated smell can make grow-room management easier if you’re trying to stay low-key.

Because the seeds are feminized, Northern High Lights is designed to produce female plants, which are the ones that develop flowers. This removes the need to identify and remove males, simplifying the process for new growers and reducing the risk of unwanted pollination.

4. Northern Lights Auto Overview

Northern Lights Auto from G13 Labs is an autoflowering indica strain bred from Original Northern Lights crossed with Ruderalis. The addition of Ruderalis genetics is what gives it its automatic flowering behaviour.

As an auto, Northern Lights Auto does not rely on a strict change in light cycle to start flowering. This characteristic can be very convenient for beginners or for growers who prefer a more straightforward light schedule. It also makes it suitable for compact, simple indoor setups or outdoor grows where controlling light hours isn’t realistic.

The strain is classed as an indica, so its general character will differ from a hybrid like Northern High Lights, although no specific effects are listed. Indica-leaning varieties are often chosen by growers who prefer a more traditional Northern Lights style of experience.

Yield is again described as good, so growers can expect a respectable harvest if they provide basic care and conditions. Since this is an autoflower, it’s often grown by those who want quicker, more hands-off runs, or by people who appreciate staggering small harvests over time by planting repeatedly.

The flavour and aroma profile is relatively mild. This, like the subtle aroma of Northern High Lights, may make Northern Lights Auto suitable for situations where strong smells are not desired, but you still want the essence of the Northern Lights line.

5. Key Differences

General Comparison

The main structural difference between the two is seed type. Northern High Lights is a feminized hybrid, while Northern Lights Auto is an autoflowering indica. With Northern High Lights, you control flowering by adjusting the light cycle, which can give you more say over plant size and timing. Northern Lights Auto, in contrast, moves into flowering on its own schedule once it reaches a certain age.

The breeders also differ: Advanced Genetics Seeds produces Northern High Lights, while G13 Labs is behind Northern Lights Auto. Each breeder brings their own take on the Northern Lights tradition, and growers who like to explore different breeders’ work might factor that into their decision.

Which Is Better for Beginners?

Both strains have beginner-friendly elements, but in different ways.

• Northern High Lights (feminized): Feminized seeds remove the need to sex plants, which is helpful for first-time growers. However, you still need to manage the light cycle to trigger flowering and might need a bit more planning around when to switch from vegetative to flowering phases.
• Northern Lights Auto (auto): Autoflowering behaviour can be very convenient for complete beginners. You typically run a simple, consistent light schedule and let the plant transition to flowering on its own. This reduces decisions about timing and can feel more straightforward.

For someone who has never grown before and wants the simplest possible routine, Northern Lights Auto has a slight edge because of its automatic flowering. A beginner willing to learn basic light-cycle management and who values a bit more control over plant size and timing may prefer Northern High Lights.

Yield Comparison

Both strains are described simply as having a “good” yield. Without specific numbers, it’s not possible to say confidently which one produces more under the same conditions.

In practice, your actual harvest will depend heavily on factors like pot size, lighting, nutrients, and overall care. A photoperiod feminized strain like Northern High Lights sometimes allows growers to extend the vegetative phase and potentially increase final size before flowering, which can benefit yields if managed well. An autoflower such as Northern Lights Auto tends to have a more fixed life cycle, which is convenient but gives you less flexibility to increase plant size before flowering.

If you already understand how to get the most from a photoperiod plant, Northern High Lights may offer more room to push yields by controlling veg time. If you prefer an uncomplicated grow with a good but more pre-defined output, Northern Lights Auto is appealing.

Effects Comparison

Specific effects are not listed for either strain, so any comparison has to stay general.

Northern High Lights is described as having strong THC. That indicates its effects are likely to be pronounced, which may suit users who prioritise intensity from their flowers. Being a hybrid, its overall character may feel more balanced between indica and sativa influences.

Northern Lights Auto, on the other hand, is classified as an indica with no THC level specified. Indica strains within the Northern Lights family are usually chosen by those who like the classic, traditional Northern Lights style of experience, though the exact effect strength for this auto version is not detailed.

If your main priority is a clearly stated strong THC profile, Northern High Lights stands out. If you lean more towards an indica-oriented version of Northern Lights and do not need explicit THC information, Northern Lights Auto fits that preference.

6. Which Should You Choose?

The better choice depends on what you value most: simplicity, control, potency information, or genetic style.

• Choose Northern High Lights if:
  • You want a feminized hybrid with a noted strong THC profile.
  • Controlling the light cycle and timing of flowering is something you’re comfortable with or interested in learning.
  • You appreciate a relatively short 7–8 week flowering period.
  • You prefer a subtle aroma that doesn’t dominate your growing space.
• Choose Northern Lights Auto if:
  • You want the convenience of an autoflowering indica based on Original Northern Lights x Ruderalis.
  • You’re a beginner who would rather avoid managing light-cycle changes.
  • You’re happy with a good, straightforward yield from a plant that follows its own internal schedule.
  • You like a relatively mild aroma that’s easier to live with in smaller or shared spaces.

For a first-time grower who prioritises ease and minimal decision-making, Northern Lights Auto from G13 Labs is often the more intuitive option. For a grower—beginner or not—who wants stronger stated THC and is willing to handle a standard photoperiod routine, Northern High Lights offers clear appeal.

7. Final Thoughts

Both Northern High Lights and Northern Lights Auto are solid options for growers who want a manageable plant with good yields and a relatively discreet smell. The choice mainly comes down to whether you prefer a feminized hybrid with strong THC and a defined flowering time, or an autoflowering indica that simplifies the grow cycle.

If you value control and clearly described potency, Northern High Lights may be the better match. If low-effort cultivation and automatic flowering are more important, Northern Lights Auto is likely to suit you well. Either way, both strains offer a practical way to explore the Northern Lights family in your own grow space.