Original Auto Northern Lights vs Northern High Lights: Which One Is Right for You?
1. Introduction
If you are choosing between Original Auto Northern Lights and Northern High Lights, you are already looking in the right direction. Both are hybrid cannabis strains with a reputation for reliability and solid performance, but they differ in how they grow and who they best suit. This comparison focuses on what matters most to many buyers: how beginner-friendly they are, how their yields compare, and what to expect in terms of strength and general effects.
Below, you will find a side‑by‑side look at these two hybrids so you can decide whether the autoflowering option from FastBuds or the feminized variety from Advanced Genetics Seeds is the better fit for your grow and your preferences.
2. Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | Original Auto Northern Lights | Northern High Lights |
|---|---|---|
| Breeder | FastBuds | Advanced Genetics Seeds |
| Seed Type | Auto (autoflowering) | Feminized (photoperiod) |
| Type | Hybrid | Hybrid |
| Flowering / Cycle | Autoflowering | 7–8 weeks flowering |
| Yield | Good | Good |
| THC | Very Strong | Strong |
| Flavor / Aroma | Not specified | Subtle aroma |
3. Original Auto Northern Lights Overview
Original Auto Northern Lights from FastBuds is an autoflowering hybrid based on Automatic Northern Lights seeds. As an auto, it does not rely on light schedule changes to start flowering, which is one of the main reasons many first‑time growers gravitate toward it. You can keep a simple lighting routine, and the plant transitions through its life cycle on its own.
This strain is described as having very strong THC, placing it at the more intense end of the potency scale. For users who prioritise powerful effects, that alone can be a deciding factor. While specific effect descriptors are not provided, the “very strong” label suggests that it is likely aimed at experienced consumers or those who specifically seek strong psychoactive impact, rather than those looking for something very mild.
In terms of productivity, Original Auto Northern Lights offers a good yield. For an autoflowering hybrid, this is attractive: you combine a relatively straightforward cultivation style with respectable harvest potential. Because autos typically have a fixed and relatively fast life cycle, growers who value quick turnaround and prefer not to manage complex light cycles may find this option appealing.
No specific flavour notes are listed, so if taste and aroma are your primary criteria, you may need to base your decision more on growing style and potency than on terpene profile for this particular strain.
4. Northern High Lights Overview
Northern High Lights by Advanced Genetics Seeds is a feminized hybrid designed for traditional photoperiod cultivation. Unlike an autoflowering strain, it depends on a change in light schedule to begin flowering, which gives the grower more control over plant size and veg time, but also demands a bit more involvement and planning.
Northern High Lights has a flowering time of 7–8 weeks. This is a relatively standard indoor flowering length for many hybrids and gives growers a clear timeframe for planning their cycle. For those with a controlled indoor setup, this predictability can be very helpful when planning rotations or fitting a grow into a specific time window.
The strain is reported to have a good yield, comparable in general terms to Original Auto Northern Lights. Growers focused on productivity can expect a solid performance, though actual output will depend heavily on environment, grower skill, and veg time, especially with a photoperiod variety.
Northern High Lights is described as having a subtle aroma
On the potency side, this hybrid is listed as having strong THC. While not characterised as “very strong” like its counterpart, it is still positioned in the higher‑strength category, suitable for users who want clear, noticeable effects without necessarily pushing to the very top of the intensity scale.
Both strains are hybrids offering good yields and robust potency, but they cater to slightly different grower profiles. Original Auto Northern Lights stands out as an autoflowering option, simplifying light management and generally leading to a more hands‑off growing experience. Northern High Lights, as a feminized photoperiod strain, offers greater control over the vegetative period and potentially more flexibility in training, at the cost of needing to manage light schedules.
Aroma is another distinguishing point: Northern High Lights specifically features a subtle aroma, while Original Auto Northern Lights has no defined flavour/aroma data here. If you are sensitive to strong scents or need a more low‑key presence in your grow area, Northern High Lights may have an advantage in this regard.
For a first‑time grower or a beginner who wants an easy cultivation experience, Original Auto Northern Lights is likely the more straightforward option. Because it is an autoflower, you do not need to switch light schedules from vegetative to flowering. This reduces one of the most common beginner mistakes and lets you run a simple 18–24 hour light cycle from seed to harvest.
Northern High Lights, while not necessarily difficult, is a feminized photoperiod strain and therefore requires:
Beginners who are comfortable managing light schedules or are growing under the sun in a suitable climate may still find Northern High Lights manageable. However, for someone looking for the simplest possible indoor start, Original Auto Northern Lights generally involves fewer steps.
Both strains are described simply as having a good yield, so on paper their production potential sits in the same broad category. The more practical difference comes from how yield is achieved:
For a grower focused on high yield and willing to put in more effort and time, Northern High Lights may offer more flexibility because you can choose when to initiate flowering. For someone who prefers a more predictable, shorter, and simpler run, Original Auto Northern Lights provides “good” yield without the added complexity.
Specific effect descriptions are not provided for either strain, but there is a clear distinction in THC strength:
For a user looking for strong effects, both options are suitable, but Original Auto Northern Lights is positioned as the more intense of the two. Users with lower tolerance or those who prefer to avoid extremely powerful experiences might find Northern High Lights a bit more approachable, while still firmly in the “strong” category.
Because both are hybrids and no further information is given about their effect profiles, the main decision point here is simply how intense you want those effects to be. If you want maximum impact, Original Auto Northern Lights matches that preference. If you want potency but are comfortable with something slightly less overwhelming, Northern High Lights may be the safer choice.
To summarise how these strains fit different needs, consider the following scenarios:
Both Original Auto Northern Lights and Northern High Lights are solid hybrid options with good yield and strong potency, but they suit different growers and consumers. The autoflower from FastBuds leans toward simplicity and very strong effects, ideal for beginners who want an easy start and experienced users seeking intensity. Northern High Lights from Advanced Genetics Seeds rewards growers who are comfortable with photoperiod cultivation, offering good yields, a clear 7–8 week flowering window, strong THC, and a more subtle aroma.
By weighing your experience level, desired potency, and how much effort you want to invest in managing your grow, you can confidently choose the strain that aligns best with your goals and environment.5. Key Differences
General Comparison
Which Is Better for Beginners?
Yield Comparison
Effects Comparison
6. Which Should You Choose?
Original Auto Northern Lights is generally the better fit. Its autoflowering nature removes the need to manage light cycles, making the overall process more forgiving.
If your priority is the most intense experience available between these two, Original Auto Northern Lights, with its very strong THC, is the more suitable choice.
Northern High Lights offers a standard 7–8 week flowering time and, as a photoperiod strain, lets you decide how long to veg. With adequate space and experience, this can support higher yields per plant, making it a good option for yield‑focused growers prepared to manage light cycles.
Northern High Lights, with its subtle aroma, is likely better if you are concerned about strong smells during flowering.
Northern High Lights still delivers strong THC effects but may be more comfortable for users who do not specifically seek the highest possible intensity.
7. Final Thoughts