Origins: Born to Survive

Ruderalis is a ruderal species—a type of plant that’s the first to pop up in disturbed soil or harsh environments. It originated in the wilds of Russia, Poland, and the Czech Republic, spreading all the way to China and the Caucasus mountains.

This stuff is tough. Ruderalis plants are short, rarely over two feet tall, and have smaller leaves compared to Indica or Sativa. They weren’t bred for potency—they were born to survive.

Autoflowering: No Light Games Required

Here’s where Ruderalis shines: it doesn’t rely on light cycles to start flowering. Unlike Indica or Sativa strains that need 12/12 light cycles to bloom, Ruderalis plants flower automatically once they hit a certain age.

That’s huge. Breeders cross Ruderalis with high-THC strains to create autoflowering hybrids—weed plants that don’t need finicky light schedules to produce chunky buds. This makes them perfect for outdoor grows and quick harvests.

Why Growers Love It

Even though pure Ruderalis has little THC (think hemp-level weak), its autoflowering genetics are gold. When crossed with potent strains, the result is:

• Faster-growing plants
• Multiple harvests per season
• Heartier genetics
• No stress over light cycles

Some popular Ruderalis autoflower strains include:

• LowRyder
• Easy Ryder
• Fast Haze
• Speed Ryder
• Quick Fruit
• Low Diesel

Smoking It Straight? Don’t Bother.

Pure Ruderalis isn’t worth smoking unless you’re into mild, no-effect weed. It has very low THC and delivers almost zero high. But when it’s bred into autoflower hybrids, you’ll get the same effects as the original Indica or Sativa—just with all the autoflowering perks.

Grow Tips: How to Cultivate Ruderalis & Autoflowers

If you’re growing autoflowers or Ruderalis-dominant hybrids, here are a few tips to get the most out of your grow:

• Skip the light schedule stress: Keep lights on 18/6 or 20/4 throughout. No need to flip cycles.
• Start in your final container: Autoflowers don’t like transplant shock—go straight into your pot or soil bed.
• Don’t overfeed: These plants grow fast and small—ease up on nutrients to avoid burn.
• Harvest quickly: Some autoflowers are ready in as little as 8–10 weeks from seed. Time it right to squeeze in extra grows.
• Outdoor growers: Perfect for short summers and stealth grows due to their size and speed.

A Little Weed Taxonomy Drama

Back in 2014, researcher John McPartland from GW Pharmaceuticals stirred the pot at the International Cannabis Research Society. He argued that the guy who originally classified cannabis—Richard Evans Schultes—got it wrong in the ’70s.

Here’s the twist:

• What we call Cannabis Sativa should’ve been Cannabis Indica (because it came from India)
• What we call Indica is actually Cannabis Afghanica
• And Cannabis Ruderalis is the real OG Cannabis Sativa

Confused? You’re not alone. But hey, welcome to weed history. For more, check out this peer-reviewed study on cannabis taxonomy.

FAQs About Cannabis Ruderalis

Is Cannabis Ruderalis legal?

In the U.S., Ruderalis falls under the same laws as all cannabis. Pure Ruderalis isn’t typically grown commercially, but hybrids are often legal in states with medical or adult-use laws.

Can Ruderalis get you high?

Not on its own. It contains very low THC. But hybrids that include Ruderalis genetics and are bred with Indica or Sativa strains can absolutely get you lifted.

Can you clone autoflowering plants?

Technically yes, but it’s not worth it. Autoflowers don’t have a vegetative stage to grow roots before flowering—so clones don’t really work well. Stick to seeds.

Is Ruderalis used for CBD?

Yes. Its low-THC, high-resilience traits make it great for breeding high-CBD autoflower strains for medical use.

Can Ruderalis grow indoors?

Absolutely. Just keep your lights on a consistent cycle (18/6 or 20/4) and watch for quick growth. They’re small, fast, and stealthy—perfect for closets or tents.

Ever Grown Autoflowers?

Ever seen a wild Ruderalis plant? Or tried growing autoflowers?

We’d love to hear about it—drop a comment below and let us know your experience. And if this guide helped, tag a friend or share it to spread the autoflower knowledge.