Can You Clone Autoflowers? Cannabis Genetics, Seeds and Clones Explained

You can technically clone autoflowers, but it rarely pays off: the cutting keeps the mother's fixed life clock, so it starts flowering while it's still tiny. It all comes down to cannabis genetics, the specific combination of genes that gives each strain its flavor, aroma, potency, flowering time and effects. You can start a grow from seeds, which carry a fresh mix of genes from two parents, or from clones, which are exact copies of a mother plant.

Like any living thing, a cannabis plant's genetics define its identity, and they're the result of careful selection and crossing of different varieties.

Cannabis growers and breeders have turned working with genetics into an art, creating strains with the traits they want, whether that's bigger yields, better disease resistance or specific cannabinoid and terpene profiles tailored to what consumers need and like.

From classic indicas and sativas to modern hybrids, genetics are behind the diversity and evolution of cannabis around the world.

Cannabis seeds vs. clones: what's the difference?

When you decide to grow a cannabis plant, you've got two main ways to get started: seeds or clones. Either one can get you to mature, flowering plants, but each has its own quirks and perks.

Cannabis seeds: where it all begins

Cannabis seeds are, quite literally, where everything starts. They form inside a female plant after pollination. These little seeds, about the size of a peppercorn, carry a unique mix of genes from their parent plants, which means every seed can grow into a plant that's a little different from its siblings.

Growing from seed lets you experiment with a huge range of genetics and discover new cannabinoid and terpene profiles and other growing traits.

Cannabis clones: exact copies for consistent growth

Clones, on the other hand, are cuttings taken from a living mother plant. They're basically exact genetic copies of the mother, so they'll share all of her traits, from plant structure to cannabinoid profile.

Growers often go with clones when they want uniformity and consistency, since every clone grows just like its mother, giving you an even harvest.

Seeds or clones: pros and cons

Both seeds and clones can get you to a successful harvest, but which one you pick depends on your goals and situation. Seeds give you the thrill of genetic variety and the chance to discover a new favorite strain.

They do take a bit more time and patience, though, since they have to germinate and grow from scratch.

Clones give you predictability and a head start, since they begin life as part of a mature plant. But they come with their own challenges, like needing steady access to healthy mother plants and the risk of passing diseases or pests from the mother to the clone.

Both methods have a place in the world of cannabis genetics, and choosing between seeds and clones comes down to your preferences, your experience level and what you want out of your grow.

Can you clone autoflowering cannabis plants?

The short answer is yes, you can clone autoflowers, but it barely works. Plenty of experienced growers have tried it, and the results have mostly been disappointing.

Unlike photoperiod plants, autoflowers have a genetically fixed life cycle, which limits how well they can be cloned.

Why cloning autoflowers is tricky

Some growers top their autoflowers, cutting off the main growing tip to get a bushier plant and a bigger yield.

But cuttings from these plants usually turn into tiny bonsai plants that never reach a decent size before they start flowering. That's because an autoflower's life clock keeps ticking whether or not you've taken a cutting from it.

The genetic and time limits

Autoflowering strains like Auto Blackberry Kush or Auto Blueberry finish their whole life cycle in a very short time, sometimes in just 9 weeks. So a cutting from an autoflower that's already growing has very little time to settle in, root and flower before its cycle runs out.

In practice, that usually means a tiny yield, which is why cloning autoflowers isn't a realistic option for most growers.

Cloning autoflowers vs. photoperiods

Photoperiod plants need a change in the light cycle to start flowering. Autoflowers, by contrast, start flowering on their own after about 4 weeks of vegetative growth, no matter the light schedule.

That genetic trait is what makes cloning them so complicated. A cutting taken at 4 weeks would only have a few weeks to grow and flower, which usually means a very small harvest.

The verdict on cloning autoflowers

Bottom line: you can technically clone autoflowers, but the results usually aren't worth the effort. Most growers who've tried it have concluded it's not worth the time or resources. The smarter move is still to start new plants from autoflower seeds, so each one gets its full life cycle and gives you a bigger harvest.