How the Ruderalis Cross Turned Jack Herer Into an Autoflower
The original is a photoperiod plant; one added subspecies makes it flower on age instead.
The original Jack Herer is a photoperiod plant: it stays in vegetative growth as long as it receives 18 hours of light and begins flowering only when the day shortens to 12 hours. Cannabis ruderalis, a short, hardy subspecies native to Russia, Central Asia and Eastern Europe, evolved under summers too brief for that strategy and instead flowers automatically two to four weeks after germination regardless of light. Breeders began crossing ruderalis into elite cultivars in the early 2000s, and by the 2010s Royal Queen Seeds, ILGM, Pacific Seed Bank and WeedSeedsExpress had each released a Jack Herer autoflower by backcrossing the Sensi lineage onto a ruderalis-carrying line until the flowering trigger was fixed while the Haze terpenes and effect were recovered.
What survives the cross is the signature: terpinolene-forward citrus and pine, a peppery caryophyllene edge, and the daytime energy that led the Dutch medical programme to dispense the original as Bedrocan in the 1990s. What changes is scale and timing. The ruderalis share pulls plant height down from the two-metre stretch of the photoperiod version to roughly knee or waist height, shortens the whole life cycle to between 70 and 85 days, and removes the grower’s control over vegetative length, because the plant decides for itself when to flower. Yield per plant falls accordingly, which is why autoflower growers compensate with plant count rather than plant size.
The activist behind the name, Jack Herer, author of the 1985 book The Emperor Wears No Clothes, died in 2010 before the autoflower versions became mainstream; Royal Queen Seeds frames its Royal Jack Automatic explicitly as carrying on “the tribute to Jack Herer, the Emperor of Hemp”. Today the auto is the version most beginners meet first, and understanding what ruderalis adds and subtracts is the key to growing it well.
Autoflower Lineage: Haze, Northern Lights #5, Shiva Skunk and Ruderalis
An autoflowering Jack Herer has four genetic contributors rather than three, and no two banks share the same fourth.
An autoflowering Jack Herer has four genetic contributors rather than three. Haze supplies the cerebral effect and citrus-incense aroma and is also responsible for the residual stretch autos show in weeks four to six. Northern Lights #5 supplies resin, density and the early-finishing tendency that the ruderalis trigger amplifies. Shiva Skunk, Sensi’s Skunk #1 × NL#5 cross, contributes vigour and disease resistance, both of which matter more in an auto because there is no time to recover from setbacks. Ruderalis contributes the day-neutral flowering gene, compact structure, cold tolerance and, as an unavoidable side effect, a slight dilution of potency and terpene intensity relative to the photoperiod parent, which breeders reduce through repeated backcrossing.
No two banks’ autos share the same ruderalis donor, so the expressions differ more than the feminized reproductions do. Royal Queen Seeds’ Royal Jack Auto is the most widely distributed in Europe and is bred for aroma fidelity. ILGM’s Jack Herer Autoflower is selected for potency, with a 23% THC claim that matches its photoperiod line. WeedSeedsExpress and Pacific Seed Bank sell autos bred for US indoor growers, and Pacific lists Jack Herer Auto among its five best-selling autoflowers. Community reviewers on SeedFinder note that the phenotype spread of the original persists in miniature: some auto plants lean Haze and finish in week twelve at 100 cm, others lean Northern Lights and are done in week ten at 60 cm.
Haze-Leaning and Northern Lights-Leaning Auto Phenotypes
Because ruderalis compresses the cycle, the two dominant auto phenotypes are easiest to tell apart by week four. The Haze-leaning auto has narrower leaflets, longer internodes and keeps stretching into week six; it finishes between days 77 and 85, reaches 90–110 cm and delivers the sharpest citrus nose. The Northern Lights-leaning auto shows broader leaves and tight nodes, stops stretching by week five, finishes between days 70 and 77 at 60–80 cm and produces the densest, frostiest buds with a spicier, earthier profile. Growers running several plants in one tent should expect both and should not top a plant that has already begun to flower in an attempt to level the canopy; low-stress training is the only correction available once the auto clock is running.
| Auto phenotype | Days to harvest / height | Aroma |
|---|---|---|
| Haze-leaning | 77–85 days; 90–110 cm | Citrus, pine, incense |
| Northern Lights-leaning | 70–77 days; 60–80 cm | Earthy, pepper, skunk |
Jack Herer Auto vs Feminized Photoperiod vs Regular: Which Seed Fits the Grow
The auto wins decisively on some criteria and loses decisively on others.
The autoflower is one of three seed types sold under the Jack Herer name, and the comparison matters because the auto wins decisively on some criteria and loses decisively on others. Autoflower seeds are almost always feminized as well, so the practical choice is between an auto, a feminized photoperiod and, for the original Sensi genetics, a regular seed.
Jack Herer Autoflower Seeds
Autoflower Jack Herer seeds germinate, grow and flower under one unchanging light schedule, usually 18 hours on and 6 off or 20 on and 4 off, and finish in 70–85 days from the day the seed is planted. The plant stays at 60–110 cm, which fits a 1.2 m tent, a wardrobe grow or a balcony, and the short cycle allows two or three harvests in a single outdoor season or four or five a year indoors. Yield per plant is modest, typically 50–150 g dried, but sea-of-green planting at four to six autos per square metre recovers 300–400 g/m². Potency claims run 18–23%. The limits are fixed: there is no vegetative period to extend, the plant cannot usefully be cloned, and stress in the first three weeks (transplant shock, overwatering, heavy topping) permanently reduces the harvest because the clock does not pause.
- Seed to harvest
- 70–85 days
- Height
- 60–110 cm
- Price per seed
- $7–$15
Best forBeginners, small or discreet spaces, short seasons, turnaround over maximum yield
Jack Herer Feminized Photoperiod Seeds
The feminized photoperiod version is the one most seed banks sell by default. It produces female plants at a rate quoted as 99.99%, vegetates for as long as the grower keeps the light at 18/6, and flowers for 60–70 days after the switch to 12/12. Final size is a grower’s decision, from a short-veg 95 cm plant to a two-metre outdoor specimen yielding 600–800 g. It can be cloned, trained hard and recovered from mistakes. The cost is time, a total of 13–16 weeks, and height, since the plant can multiply its size fivefold after the flip.
- Seed to harvest
- 13–16 weeks
- Height
- 95–200 cm
- Price per seed
- $7–$17
Best forVertical space, a long season, the largest and most potent harvest, full control
Jack Herer Regular Seeds
Regular seeds are sold only by Sensi Seeds and are the sole route to the unaltered 1994 line. They produce males and females in roughly equal numbers, so plants must be sexed in early flower and males removed unless seeds are the objective. Regular seeds are the starting material for anyone who wants to breed, including anyone who wants to create their own autoflowering Jack Herer by crossing to a ruderalis line.
- Sex ratio
- ~50 / 50
- Source
- Sensi Seeds only
- Price per seed
- ≈ €3.60
Best forBreeders and genetic preservation
| Criterion | Autoflower | Feminized photoperiod | Regular |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light schedule | 18/6 or 20/4 throughout | 18/6 veg → 12/12 flower | 18/6 veg → 12/12 flower |
| Seed to harvest | 70–85 days | 13–16 weeks | 13–16 weeks |
| Height | 60–110 cm | 95–200 cm | 95–200 cm |
| Yield | 50–150 g/plant; 300–400 g/m² SOG | 500–600 g/m²; 600–800 g/plant outdoors | As feminized, females only |
| Harvests per year indoors | 4–5 | 3 | 3 |
| Cloning | Not practical | Yes | Yes |
| THC range | 18–23% | 18–24% (lab up to 26.92%) | 18–24% |
| Recovery from stress | Poor; clock keeps running | Good | Good |
| Price per seed (median) | $7–$15 | $7–$17 | ≈ €3.60 (Sensi) |
| Best for | Beginners, small spaces, fast cycles | Max yield, control, big rooms | Breeding, original genetics |
Choose the auto if the space is under 1.2 m tall, the season is short, or this is a first grow. See auto prices ↓
Choose feminized photoperiod if the goal is a 2 m plant and the largest harvest. Compare with the photoperiod ↓
Choose regular to breed a custom auto line from the original Sensi genetics. See the original breeder ↓
Jack Herer Autoflower Strain Profile
The specifications published for the autoflowering versions, alongside the photoperiod original for comparison.
The table below collects the specifications published for the autoflowering versions, alongside the photoperiod original for comparison. Breeders disagree on potency and yield, and no autoflower Jack Herer has a published third-party lab result, so all THC figures for the auto are breeder claims; the 26.92% lab value belongs to Sensi’s photoperiod feminized grow report and is included only as the ceiling of the lineage.
| Parameter | Autoflower value | Photoperiod reference | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Genetics | Haze × NL#5 × Shiva Skunk × ruderalis | Haze × NL#5 × Shiva Skunk | Breeders; Sensi Seeds |
| Sativa / indica / ruderalis | ≈ 50 / 30 / 20 | 55/45 | Breeder descriptions |
| THC | 18–23% (ILGM 23%) | 18–24%; 26.92% lab | ILGM; Sensi lab report |
| CBD | Under 1% | 0.1–2% | Breeder claims |
| Flowering onset | Day 21–28 from seed, automatic | At 12/12 switch | Breeders |
| Seed to harvest | 70–85 days | 91 days (21-day veg) | Breeders; Sensi report |
| Yield indoor | 50–150 g/plant; 300–400 g/m² | 500–600 g/m² | Breeders; ILGM 510 g/m² |
| Yield outdoor | 60–170 g/plant | 600–800 g/plant | Breeders; Pacific |
| Height | 60–110 cm | 95–240 cm | Breeders; Sensi 95 cm |
| Light schedule | 18/6 or 20/4 constant | 18/6 → 12/12 | Standard practice |
| Climate | Tolerates cooler nights; 20–26 °C ideal | Warm, dry; 21–27 °C | Ruderalis heritage; WSE |
| Dominant terpenes | Terpinolene, caryophyllene, myrcene | Same, higher intensity | Sensi; ILGM |
| Effects | Energetic, focused, euphoric | Same | Consensus |
| Difficulty | Easy | Moderate | Breeder consensus |
- Terpenes
- Terpinolene
- Caryophyllene
- Myrcene
- Pinene
- Limonene
What a Jack Herer Auto Delivers: Effect, Aroma and Potency
The autoflower keeps the character that made the original a daytime standard; aroma intensity is where it most often lags.
The autoflower keeps the character that made the original a daytime standard. The onset is quick and cerebral: a lift in mood and mental energy, then a focused, creative headspace that reviewers of the auto describe in the same terms used for the photoperiod plant, with Royal Queen Seeds calling its version “a strong Sativa dominant with an uplifting high”. The ruderalis share softens the finish slightly, and some growers report the auto as marginally gentler and shorter-lasting than a well-grown photoperiod Jack Herer, which makes it the version many prefer for functional afternoon use. The 20% indica inheritance from Northern Lights and Shiva Skunk surfaces as mild bodily relaxation at the end rather than sedation.
Aroma intensity is where the auto most often lags the original, and good breeding closes the gap. Royal Jack Auto is described as having “a Haze-like, peppery aroma” with “a slightly spicy herbal taste, much like the original”. Terpinolene still leads with citrus and pine, caryophyllene adds pepper, myrcene the earthy base. Because autos are harvested at a fixed point rather than when the grower chooses, a proper dry of 10–14 days and a cure of at least four weeks make a larger difference to the final flavour than with a photoperiod plant.
- Effects
- Energetic
- Focused
- Euphoric
- Creative
- Flavors
- Pine
- Citrus
- Pepper
- Herbal
Adverse effects and safety
Dry mouth, dry eyes and, at high doses, anxiety or paranoia are the reported adverse reactions across all Jack Herer versions; a 23% autoflower is not a mild product. It is not suited to use before sleep. Nothing here is medical advice; anyone with a health condition, or who is pregnant or taking medication, should consult a physician before using cannabis.
Growing Jack Herer Autoflower Seeds Without Resetting the Clock
Before germinating
Cannabis cultivation is illegal in many jurisdictions. The information below is educational and intended only for regions where home growing is permitted; see the legal status section before germinating any seed.
Autoflower cultivation has one governing rule: the plant will flower at three to four weeks old whether or not it is ready, so every decision in the first 21 days determines the harvest. Breeders rate the auto “Easy” because there is no light-schedule change, no sexing and no stretch to manage, but easy means forgiving of neglect, not forgiving of intervention. Growers who transplant, top or overfeed an auto in week two routinely harvest half of what an untouched plant would give.
Germinating Directly Into the Final Pot
The paper-towel method required by ILGM, Pacific Seed Bank and Premium Cultivars for guarantee claims works for autos, with one modification: the sprouted seed goes straight into its final container rather than a starter cube, because transplanting an auto costs it three to five days of growth it cannot recover. An 11–15 litre fabric pot of light, airy soil or coco is the standard. Expected germination is about 90%, so Pacific’s advice to order 10% more seeds than plants applies, and taproots should appear within 24–72 hours.
- Soak the seeds in room-temperature distilled water for 12–24 hours until they sink.
- Place them between damp paper towels on a plate, 3–5 cm apart, and cover.
- Keep in the dark at 21–25 °C; check that the towels stay moist.
- When taproots reach about 1 cm (24–72 hours), plant directly into the final 11–15 litre pot, 1 cm deep, root down.
- Water lightly around the seed only; do not soak the whole pot.
- Keep the light at 18/6 and 40–60 cm above the pot from day one; this schedule never changes.
Light Schedule and Environment for Autos
Autos take light for as long as it is offered, and 18/6 is the compromise most growers settle on between electricity cost and output; 20/4 gives a small gain in bulk, and 24/0 is used by some but denies the plant a dark period many consider beneficial. The schedule is set on day one and never changed. Temperature of 20–26 °C and humidity of 60–65% for the first three weeks, falling to 45–50% in the final weeks, mirror the photoperiod regime, and the ruderalis heritage gives the auto noticeably better tolerance of cool nights outdoors. A carbon filter is needed from week five, when the pine-citrus scent starts.
| Stage (from seed) | Light | Temperature | Humidity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1–2, seedling | 18/6, 40–60 cm above | 22–25 °C | 60–70% |
| Weeks 3–4, pre-flower | 18/6 | 21–26 °C | 55–60% |
| Weeks 5–8, stretch and bud set | 18/6 | 21–26 °C | 50–55% |
| Weeks 9–12, ripening | 18/6 | 20–24 °C | 45–50% |
Outdoor Autos: Two or Three Harvests a Season
Outdoors the auto’s independence from day length is its greatest advantage. A Jack Herer auto planted in April in the Northern Hemisphere is harvested in late June or early July, a second batch planted in June finishes in late August, and in warm regions a third planted in July comes down in late September; the Southern Hemisphere runs the same sequence from October. Plants reach 70–110 cm, need no staking in most sites, and their speed lets them dodge the autumn rains that threaten the dense colas of the photoperiod version. The trade is yield: 60–170 g per plant against 600–800 g for a full-season photoperiod Jack Herer. Cool spring nights are tolerated far better than by the original, a direct inheritance from ruderalis.
Low-Stress Training Instead of Topping
Training an auto is a question of timing more than technique. Topping, which the photoperiod guide recommends before the 12/12 switch, is risky for autos because the recovery period overlaps with the automatic start of flowering; a plant topped in week three may flower at half its potential size. Low-stress training, bending the main stem over in week two or three and tying side branches outward, carries no recovery cost and exposes the lower bud sites to light, which is where most of an auto’s extra yield comes from. Sea-of-green planting at four to six plants per square metre with no training at all is the other proven route, and it is the one commercial auto growers prefer. The WeedSeedsExpress FAQ notes that Jack Herer “responds well to training (SCROG/SOG)”; for the auto, read that as SOG.
LST
- When: week 2–3, before flowering starts
- Effect: wider canopy, more bud sites, no recovery cost
Sea of green
- When: planting, 4–6 autos per m²
- Effect: 300–400 g/m² without any training
Topping
- When: not recommended for autos
- Effect: stunting if recovery overlaps flowering onset
Mistakes That Stunt an Auto and How to Avoid Them
Most autoflower failures happen in the first three weeks. Overwatering a large final pot drowns a seedling whose roots occupy a fraction of it; the fix is to water in a small ring around the stem until the plant is established. Transplanting costs days. Nutrients at full strength burn seedlings that need at most a quarter dose until week three. Spider mites and thrips are the common pests and are best managed preventively with predatory insects, as Sensi did on its photoperiod reference grow. Powdery mildew follows humidity above 55% once buds form. Harvesting too early is the final error: an auto’s fixed cycle tempts growers to cut at the breeder’s “ten weeks”, but the plant is ready when trichomes are mostly milky, which can be a week later.
| Problem | Symptom | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Overwatering the final pot | Drooping seedling, wet soil for days | Water a small ring around the stem; let the top 3 cm dry |
| Transplant shock | Stalled growth for 3–5 days | Germinate straight into the final pot |
| Nutrient burn | Crispy, brown leaf tips in weeks 1–3 | Quarter-strength feed until week 3; light soil needs none |
| Spider mites / thrips | Stippling, webbing, silver streaks | Preventive predatory mites; inspect weekly |
| Early harvest | Clear trichomes, racy effect, low yield | Harvest on trichomes, not the calendar; expect day 75–85 |
A Jack Herer Auto Timeline: 12 Weeks From Seed to Jar
Built from breeder specifications, grower reviews and the physiology of the ruderalis cross, benchmarked against Sensi’s 91-day photoperiod report.
No seed bank has published a week-by-week lab-tested grow report for its Jack Herer auto, so the timeline below is built from the breeder specifications, the grower reviews cited on this page and the physiology of the ruderalis cross, benchmarked against Sensi Seeds’ 91-day photoperiod report where the two overlap. Sensi’s photoperiod plant was 19 cm tall at day 21 and 95 cm at day 91 with 80 g of dried flower and 26.92% THC; a Jack Herer auto at day 21 is typically 15–25 cm and already forming pre-flowers, finishes at 60–110 cm around day 75–85, and yields 50–150 g. The two curves diverge in week four: the photoperiod plant waits for the grower, the auto does not.
- Wk 1Seedling
- Wk 2Veg
- Wk 3Veg, LST
- Wk 4Pre-flower
- Wk 5Stretch
- Wk 6Stretch ends
- Wk 7Bud set
- Wk 8Colas fill
- Wk 9Resin peaks
- Wk 10Ripening
- Wk 11Flush
- Wk 12Harvest
Flowering begins automatically
Typical harvest window
Final height depending on phenotype
Harvests per year indoors
| Week | Stage | Typical height | Light | Feed | Humidity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Germination in final pot, cotyledons | 2–5 cm | 18/6 | None | 65–70% |
| 2 | First true leaves, roots spreading | 8–12 cm | 18/6 | Quarter strength | 60–65% |
| 3 | Rapid veg; LST begins | 15–25 cm | 18/6 | Half strength grow | 60% |
| 4 | Pre-flowers appear; stop training | 25–35 cm | 18/6 | Full grow | 55–60% |
| 5 | Stretch; switch to bloom feed | 40–55 cm | 18/6 | Grow → bloom | 55% |
| 6 | Stretch ends; bud sites set | 55–75 cm | 18/6 | Bloom | 50–55% |
| 7 | Buds forming; scent begins | 60–85 cm | 18/6 | Bloom | 50% |
| 8 | Colas filling, trichomes clear | 60–95 cm | 18/6 | Bloom | 50% |
| 9 | Resin peaks; trichomes cloudy | 60–100 cm | 18/6 | Bloom | 45–50% |
| 10 | Ripening; NL-leaning phenos ready | 60–105 cm | 18/6 | Bloom, reducing | 45% |
| 11 | Flush with plain water | Final | 18/6 | Water only | 45% |
| 12 | Harvest when trichomes mostly milky | 60–110 cm | — | — | Dry at 60% |
Benchmarks: Sensi Seeds photoperiod grow report (March 2023) for environmental targets; ILGM, Royal Queen Seeds, WeedSeedsExpress and Pacific Seed Bank autoflower listings for timing and height; verified grower reviews for phenotype spread.
Back to contentsJack Herer Autoflower Seeds by Breeder: Royal Jack Auto, ILGM Auto and the Rest
Every autoflower version is a separate recreation with its own ruderalis donor, so provenance matters more for autos than for photoperiod packs.
Because no breeder holds the Jack Herer name, every autoflower version is a separate recreation with its own ruderalis donor, and provenance matters more for autos than for feminized photoperiod packs. Royal Queen Seeds’ Royal Jack Automatic is the most widely sold in Europe and the version most often praised for aroma fidelity. ILGM’s Jack Herer Autoflower is the US reference with a 23% THC claim, 174 reviews at 4.8 across its Jack Herer listings and a buy-one-get-one offer. WeedSeedsExpress sells a Jack Herer Auto from its New York warehouse with six reviews, and Pacific Seed Bank lists its auto among the bank’s five best-selling autoflowers. Sensi Seeds, the original breeder, does not sell a Jack Herer autoflower; its line is available only as regular and feminized photoperiod seed, which is the genetic starting point every auto breeder used.
| Breeder / bank | Product name | Genetics | THC claim | Seed to harvest | Pack price | Verified reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Queen Seeds EU reference | Royal Jack Automatic | Jack Herer × ruderalis | Mid-range, sativa-dominant | 10–11 weeks | ≈ €2.70 per seed | 4.8/5 store rating |
| ILGM US reference | Jack Herer Autoflower Seeds | Haze × NL#5 × Shiva Skunk × ruderalis | 23% | 10–12 weeks | $74 per 5, BOGO | 4.8/5, 174 reviews (strain) |
| WeedSeedsExpress | Jack Herer Auto | Haze × Shiva Skunk × NL#5 × ruderalis | Up to 20% | 10–12 weeks | $54 per 3 | 6 product reviews; 4.7/5 store, 3,154 |
| Pacific Seed Bank (Original Harvest) | Jack Herer Auto | Reproduction × ruderalis | 18–20% | 10–12 weeks | From $33 per 3 (auto range) | 4.66/5 on feminized, 150 reviews |
| Sensi Seeds Original, no auto | Jack Herer Regular / Feminized | Haze × NL#5 × Shiva Skunk (1994) | Up to 27%; 26.92% lab | 13 weeks photoperiod | ≈ €18 per 5 regular | SeedFinder 8.8/10 |
The decision tree is short: growers in Europe buy Royal Jack Auto, growers in the United States buy ILGM for potency and guarantee or WeedSeedsExpress for payment flexibility, and growers who want the original expression accept that it does not exist as an autoflower and buy Sensi’s photoperiod seed instead.
Back to contentsJack Herer Auto Against Other Fast Sativa Autoflowers
The usual comparison set: three classic sativa-leaning autos and the photoperiod Jack Herer itself.
Growers choosing a Jack Herer auto are usually comparing it with the other classic sativa-leaning autoflowers, and with the photoperiod Jack Herer itself. Super Lemon Haze Auto offers a louder lemon profile but a longer cycle of 11–13 weeks. Green Crack Auto is the fastest of the group and more tropical in flavour but harsher in its energy. Durban Poison Auto gives pure-sativa clarity and exceptional mould resistance, useful for damp outdoor sites. The photoperiod Jack Herer remains the choice when yield and potency outrank speed.
| Strain | Seed to harvest | Height | THC | Why choose it over Jack Herer Auto |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jack Herer Auto | 10–12 weeks | 60–110 cm | 18–23% | Balanced pine-citrus, proven lineage, forgiving |
| Jack Herer (photoperiod feminized) | 13–16 weeks | 95–200 cm | 18–24%; 26.92% lab | Three to five times the yield per plant, higher potency ceiling |
| Super Lemon Haze Auto | 11–13 weeks | 80–120 cm | 18–22% | Sharper lemon terpenes, slightly more potent |
| Green Crack Auto | 9–10 weeks | 60–90 cm | 17–20% | Fastest cycle, fruity profile |
| Durban Poison Auto | 10–11 weeks | 70–100 cm | 17–20% | Pure-sativa clarity, best mould resistance outdoors |
Where to Buy Jack Herer Autoflower Seeds Online
Four banks sell a Jack Herer auto under that name, and three more sell the photoperiod version.
Four banks sell a Jack Herer auto under that name, and three more sell the photoperiod version for growers who decide the auto is not for them. For the auto specifically, ILGM offers the strongest guarantee (free replacement within 12 months, one reship per order, proof of purchase and its germination method required) but ships only within the United States from Modesto, California. Royal Queen Seeds ships Royal Jack Auto across Europe and internationally. WeedSeedsExpress ships from New York, accepts seven payment methods including Venmo, cash and crypto, and runs 3+3 and 5+5 seasonal offers. Pacific Seed Bank lists its auto among its top-five sellers with a 10% welcome code. Prices were checked on 15 October 2026 and change with promotions.
Disclosure: this guide may earn a commission on purchases made through the links on this page. Commission never affects the ranking, which is based on guarantee, verified reviews, shipping and price per seed.
| Seed bank | Auto product | Price / pack | Price per seed | Ships to | Delivery | Guarantee | Payment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ILGM Best guarantee | Jack Herer Autoflower | $74 / 5 | $14.80 ($7.40 with BOGO) | USA only | 1–5 days, free over $50 | Germination, 12 months | Card, Zelle/ACH, cash, Bitcoin |
| Royal Queen Seeds Best for EU | Royal Jack Automatic | ≈ €8 / 3; €13.50 / 5 | ≈ €2.70 | EU, UK, international | Tracked from Spain/NL | Per RQS terms | Card, bank transfer, crypto |
| WeedSeedsExpress Most payment options | Jack Herer Auto | $54 / 3 | $18.00 ($9 with 3+3) | USA (NY warehouse); worldwide via EU site | 2–5 business days | Free replacement if lost or damaged | Card, crypto, Venmo, cash, check, money order |
| Pacific Seed Bank | Jack Herer Auto | From ≈ $33 / 3 | ≈ $11 | USA | Tracked, discreet | 100% satisfaction | Card, Bitcoin |
| Seed Supreme | Jack Herer Feminized (photoperiod) | $59 / 4+4 | $7.38 | All 50 US states | US warehouse | Germination | Card and more |
| Sensi Seeds Original breeder | Jack Herer Regular / Feminized (photoperiod) | ≈ €18 / 5 regular | ≈ €3.60 | EU, UK, selected countries | From Amsterdam | Per Sensi terms | Card, bank transfer |
| Herbies Seeds (USA) | Jack Herer Feminized (Seedkeepers) | From $30.21 / pack | From $10 | USA and worldwide | Ships within 24 h | 1-year guarantee | Card, crypto |
How many Jack Herer auto seeds for a sea-of-green tent?
Multiply the tent area by the planting density, divide by 0.9 for a 90% expected germination rate, add a 10% safety margin and round up. The table gives the result for common tent sizes at four, five and six autos per square metre, with the expected harvest at roughly 100 g per auto.
| Tent | Area | 4 per m² | 5 per m² | 6 per m² |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60 × 60 cm | 0.36 m² | 1 plant · 2 seeds (3-pack) · ≈ 100 g | 2 plants · 3 seeds (3-pack) · ≈ 200 g | 2 plants · 3 seeds (3-pack) · ≈ 200 g |
| 80 × 80 cm | 0.64 m² | 3 plants · 4 seeds (5-pack) · ≈ 300 g | 3 plants · 4 seeds (5-pack) · ≈ 300 g | 4 plants · 5 seeds (5-pack) · ≈ 400 g |
| 100 × 100 cm | 1.0 m² | 4 plants · 5 seeds (5-pack) · ≈ 400 g | 5 plants · 7 seeds (10-pack) · ≈ 500 g | 6 plants · 8 seeds (10-pack) · ≈ 600 g |
| 120 × 120 cm | 1.44 m² | 6 plants · 8 seeds (10-pack) · ≈ 600 g | 7 plants · 9 seeds (10-pack) · ≈ 700 g | 9 plants · 11 seeds (25-pack) · ≈ 900 g |
| 150 × 150 cm | 2.25 m² | 9 plants · 11 seeds (25-pack) · ≈ 900 g | 11 plants · 14 seeds (25-pack) · ≈ 1,100 g | 14 plants · 18 seeds (25-pack) · ≈ 1,400 g |
| 200 × 200 cm | 4.0 m² | 16 plants · 20 seeds (25-pack) · ≈ 1,600 g | 20 plants · 25 seeds (25-pack) · ≈ 2,000 g | 24 plants · 30 seeds (bulk) · ≈ 2,400 g |
Legal Status of Jack Herer Autoflower Seeds by Region
Autoflowering seeds are legally indistinguishable from photoperiod seeds; the auto’s small size changes nothing.
Autoflowering seeds are legally indistinguishable from photoperiod seeds: the law looks at THC content of the seed, which is negligible for all cannabis seed, and separately at whether germination is permitted. Buying and possessing seeds is lawful in far more places than growing them, and the auto’s small size changes nothing about that distinction. The summary reflects October 2026; it is not legal advice, and readers must check the current rules of their own state, province or country before ordering or germinating.
United States
Buying: hemp under 0.3% THCGerminating: state lawBuying: seeds under 0.3% delta-9 THC are hemp under the 2018 Farm Bill, as the DEA confirmed in a January 2022 letter. Germinating: state law decides; home cultivation is legal in roughly half the states and prohibited in others, and some banks refuse to ship seeds to Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, South Carolina and Wyoming. Sources: DEA letter (Jan 2022); USDA hemp rule (7 CFR 990).
Canada
Buying: legalGerminating: 4 plantsBuying: legal for adults under the Cannabis Act (2018). Germinating: up to four plants per household, a limit autoflowers suit well, except in Quebec and Manitoba where home growing is prohibited. Source: Health Canada.
European Union and United Kingdom
Buying: collectors’ itemsGerminating: variesBuying: seeds are sold as collectors’ items across most of the EU, which is how Royal Queen Seeds and Sensi Seeds label them. Germinating: Germany allows three plants per adult since April 2024; Malta and Luxembourg permit limited home growing; the Netherlands tolerates up to five plants; the UK, France, Sweden and most other members prohibit cultivation. Sources: German CanG (2024); national criminal codes.
Rest of the world
Mostly prohibitedAustralia permits home growing only in the Australian Capital Territory; South Africa allows private cultivation since the 2018 Constitutional Court ruling; Thailand reversed decriminalisation in 2025; most of Asia, the Middle East and Africa prohibit seeds and plants alike. Sellers may refuse shipments to prohibited destinations.
Age and compliance
Every seed bank listed requires buyers to be 18 or 21 depending on jurisdiction and sells seeds on condition of compliance with local law. Growers in prohibited regions should not germinate.
What Growers Say About Jack Herer Autoflower Seeds
Review volume for the autos is smaller than for the photoperiod packs, but the pattern is consistent across banks.
Review volume for the autos is smaller than for the photoperiod feminized packs, but the pattern is consistent across banks: germination rates and ease are praised, final height varies more than buyers expect, and the aroma is judged against the original with mixed results. ILGM’s Jack Herer listings carry a 4.8 from 174 reviews, Pacific Seed Bank’s Jack Herer line 4.66 from 150, and WeedSeedsExpress’ store rating is 4.7 from 3,154 reviews with six on the auto itself. The recurring complaint, that a plant “doesn’t smell like Jack”, comes from the reproduction-versus-original issue explained in the genetics section and is more common for autos, where a ruderalis donor is added to the mix.
ILGM, 174 reviews across Jack Herer listings
Pacific Seed Bank, 150 reviews
WeedSeedsExpress store, 3,154 reviews
Royal Queen Seeds store rating
“Every single seed germinated within three days.”
“Got my seeds in the mail today. Good job with the packaging.”
“It’s fire but not true Jack.”
Jack Herer Autoflower Seeds: Questions Growers Ask
The answers below use the figures in the strain profile; legal and health answers carry the same disclaimers as the sections above.
The strain
What is the THC level of Jack Herer autoflower seeds?
Breeders claim 18–23%; ILGM lists its auto at 23%. No autoflower Jack Herer has a published lab test. The photoperiod original has been lab-tested at 26.92% by Sensi Seeds, which is the ceiling of the lineage rather than an auto figure.
Who created the Jack Herer strain, and who made the autoflower?
Sensi Seeds in Amsterdam launched the photoperiod Jack Herer in 1994. The autoflowering versions were bred later by Royal Queen Seeds (Royal Jack Auto), ILGM, WeedSeedsExpress and others by crossing the Sensi lineage with Cannabis ruderalis; Sensi itself does not sell an auto.
What are the parent strains of a Jack Herer auto?
Haze, Northern Lights #5 and Shiva Skunk from the original, plus Cannabis ruderalis, which supplies the day-neutral flowering trait and compact structure.
What are the effects of Jack Herer Auto?
A quick, energetic and euphoric lift followed by clear focus, finishing with mild relaxation; the same daytime profile as the original, which some growers find slightly gentler. Dry mouth, dry eyes and, at high doses, anxiety are the reported adverse effects.
What terpenes give the auto its smell?
Terpinolene leads with citrus and pine, caryophyllene adds pepper, myrcene the earthy base, with pinene and limonene in support. Aroma intensity depends on the breeder’s backcrossing and on a proper dry and cure.
What climate and temperature does Jack Herer Auto prefer?
20–26 °C with humidity falling from 60–65% in the first three weeks to 45–50% at the end. The ruderalis heritage gives it better tolerance of cool nights outdoors than the photoperiod version.
Why do different banks’ Jack Herer autos differ?
Each bank used its own ruderalis donor and its own selection of the Sensi lineage, so height, finishing time and aroma vary between Royal Jack Auto, ILGM’s auto and the rest; the two main phenotypes, Haze-leaning and Northern Lights-leaning, appear in all of them.
Growing
Is Jack Herer Auto feminized?
Yes. All Jack Herer autoflower seeds sold by the banks on this page are feminized autoflowers, producing female plants that flower automatically. Regular (male and female) seed exists only for the photoperiod original from Sensi Seeds.
How long does Jack Herer Auto take from seed to harvest?
70–85 days, usually quoted as 10–12 weeks. Northern Lights-leaning phenotypes finish around day 70–77, Haze-leaning ones around day 77–85. Harvest on trichome colour rather than the calendar.
What yield can I expect from a Jack Herer autoflower?
50–150 g per plant indoors, 60–170 g outdoors, and 300–400 g/m² in sea-of-green at four to six plants per square metre. The photoperiod version yields three to five times more per plant.
How tall does Jack Herer Auto grow?
60–110 cm. Northern Lights-leaning plants stay at 60–80 cm, Haze-leaning ones reach 90–110 cm. The photoperiod original grows to 95–240 cm.
Is Jack Herer Auto good for beginners?
Yes; breeders rate it easy. There is no light-schedule change, no sexing and no stretch to manage. The one rule is to avoid stress in the first three weeks: germinate straight into the final pot, feed lightly and do not top.
What light schedule should a Jack Herer auto be on?
18 hours on and 6 off from seed to harvest, never changed; 20/4 gives a small gain in bulk. Autos do not need 12/12 to flower.
Can I top or train a Jack Herer auto?
Low-stress training in weeks two and three is safe and increases yield. Topping is not recommended because recovery overlaps the automatic start of flowering and can stunt the plant.
When should I harvest Jack Herer Auto outdoors?
About 75–85 days after planting regardless of month: an April planting comes down in late June, a June planting in late August. Two or three outdoor harvests per season are possible in warm regions.
Does Jack Herer Auto smell strong?
Yes, from about week five the pine-citrus-pepper aroma is pronounced. Indoor growers need a carbon filter even for a single plant.
Can I clone a Jack Herer autoflower?
Cuttings root, but the clone inherits the parent’s age and flowers almost immediately at a fraction of the size, so cloning autos is not worthwhile. Buy seed for each cycle.
Legal and shipping
Are autoflower cannabis seeds legal to buy?
The same rules apply as to any cannabis seed. In the US, seeds under 0.3% delta-9 THC are hemp under the 2018 Farm Bill, confirmed by the DEA in 2022; in Canada they are legal under the Cannabis Act; in most of Europe they are sold as collectors’ items. Germination is governed by state or national law. Not legal advice.
Which US states can’t seed banks ship autos to?
Policies vary by bank. Premium Cultivars excludes Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, South Carolina and Wyoming; ILGM and Seed Supreme state that they ship to all US states. Buyers remain responsible for their state’s cultivation law.
Can I buy Royal Jack Auto in Europe or Canada?
Royal Queen Seeds ships Royal Jack Auto across the EU and UK and internationally; Canadian residents can order from licensed domestic sources. Home growing is legal in Canada outside Quebec and Manitoba and in Germany, Malta and Luxembourg within plant limits.
How long does delivery take?
US-warehouse banks deliver in 1–5 business days; Royal Queen Seeds ships tracked from Europe in roughly 3–10 days depending on destination. All ship in plain packaging.
Ordering
How much do Jack Herer autoflower seeds cost per seed?
From about €2.70 at Royal Queen Seeds to $18 for a three-pack at WeedSeedsExpress. ILGM’s $74 five-pack works out at $14.80, or $7.40 with its buy-one-get-one offer.
What happens if my auto seeds don’t germinate?
ILGM replaces them within 12 months, one reship per order, if its recommended method was used; WeedSeedsExpress replaces seeds lost or damaged in transit; other banks have their own terms. Keep the order number.
Which payment methods do seed banks accept?
All accept major cards. WeedSeedsExpress adds Venmo, cash, checks, money orders and crypto; ILGM accepts Zelle, ACH, cash and Bitcoin; Royal Queen Seeds accepts card, bank transfer and crypto.
How many auto seeds should I buy for a given tent?
Multiply tent area by four to six plants per square metre, divide by 0.9 for germination and add 10%: a one-square-metre tent at five plants needs about seven seeds. The seed-count table above does the arithmetic.
Sources: Sensi Seeds grow report (2023); Royal Queen Seeds, ILGM, WeedSeedsExpress and Pacific Seed Bank autoflower listings; SeedFinder strain database; Wikipedia, “Jack Herer”; DEA seed letter (January 2022); Health Canada; German Federal Ministry of Health (CanG, 2024); prices checked 15 October 2026.
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