Written by Ad OpsHistory and Origins
Amnesia Haze Automatic is the autoflowering descendant of one of Europe’s most iconic sativas. The original Amnesia Haze rose to fame in Amsterdam’s coffeeshops in the 2000s, with Haze-family genetics known for intense citrus, incense-like aroma, and a soaring cerebral lift. As autoflower technology matured in the early-to-mid 2010s, breeders worked to capture the signature Haze experience in a faster, day-neutral format that could finish from seed in a single summer. The automatic version preserves the classic profile while enabling compact, time-efficient grows.
Nirvana Seeds is widely credited with popularizing Amnesia Haze Automatic, matching the target strain details of a ruderalis/sativa heritage to stabilize the autoflower trait. Their work reflected the broader industry push to bring elite photoperiods into the autoflower era by crossing with hardy ruderalis donors and backcrossing for flavor, potency, and structure. The result is a cultivar that reliably initiates flowering by age rather than light cycle, allowing 18–20 hours of light daily throughout the lifecycle. That design places speed and simplicity at center stage while keeping the unmistakable Haze vibe.
Multiple reputable breeders maintain their own versions of Amnesia Haze Automatic, and the strain has been recognized on competitive stages. Notably, Zamnesia Seeds saw their Amnesia Haze Automatic earn 2nd place at the Highlife Cannabis Cup 2019, as reported by CannaConnection’s review of Zamnesia and corroborated by seedfinder listings. That award underscored how well the auto format can preserve the sativa sparkle when curated by skilled breeders. It also signaled to growers that quality, not just convenience, defines the modern autoflower category.
By the late 2010s, Amnesia Haze Automatic had become a staple in grow tents and backyard patches thanks to its balanced performance-to-payoff ratio. Growers liked that it typically finished within 9–12 weeks from seed while delivering yields that compete with many photoperiods on a per-day basis. Consumers gravitated to its bright lemon-citrus profile and heady, uplifting high reminiscent of classic Amnesia Haze. Together, those factors cemented its reputation as a flagship auto for sativa lovers seeking speed without sacrificing character.
Genetic Lineage
Amnesia Haze Automatic descends from a sativa-dominant Amnesia Haze cut paired with day-neutral Cannabis ruderalis genetics. The ruderalis contribution imparts the autoflowering trait, which shifts the plant’s flowering trigger from photoperiod to chronological age. In practical terms, that means cultivators can run 18–20 hours of light per day from sprout to finish, and the plant will initiate bloom on schedule regardless of day length. This trait compresses the total cycle and simplifies scheduling for home and commercial grows alike.
The Haze backbone traces historically to global sativas and incense-forward chemotypes selected for heady, energetic effects. While exact pedigrees vary by breeder, Amnesia Haze is commonly associated with Southeast Asian and tropical influences refined in Europe, then crossed with stabilizing partners for structure and resin. The automatic conversion preserves the sativa character—longer internodes, narrow leaves, uplifting effects—while bundling it into a more compact, quicker-maturing plant. The end phenotype is typically sativa-leaning, with a ruderalis fraction sufficient to ensure reliable, uniform flowering.
Breeders often report the functional outcome as a sativa-dominant hybrid with a ruderalis/sativa heritage, matching the provided context for this strain. In many gardens, this expresses as a plant that reaches 60–120 cm indoors and 80–150 cm outdoors, finishes in roughly 70–85 days from sprout, and produces pronounced lemon-peel, woodsy, and spice notes. By comparison, photoperiod Amnesia Haze can require 10–14 weeks of flowering alone, plus vegetative time, pushing total crop time well beyond 100 days. The auto rendition shortens that timeline by 25–40% while preserving a recognizable Haze signature.
Line-bred autos usually present minor phenotype variation stemming from the complex interplay of ruderalis and sativa alleles. Some plants lean more citrus-forward with sharper terpinolene-limonene top notes, while others emphasize the herbal, cedar, and peppery accents tied to caryophyllene and pinene. Growers can refine expression through environment—light intensity, nutrient levels, and training—to favor denser flowers and more robust terpene output. Over successive runs, selecting preferred phenotypes from the same seed line can further stabilize your personal keeper profile.
Appearance
Amnesia Haze Automatic typically grows with a slender sativa structure moderated by its autoflower heritage, forming a central cola supported by several side branches. Internodal spacing often falls in the 4–8 cm range, yielding decent light penetration without the sparse stretch seen in some pure sativas. Leaves are narrow and serrated, with a medium-green color that can shift lighter under strong light or exhibit magenta pistil tones in cool nights late in bloom. The overall stance is upright and athletic rather than squat.
Mature flowers are elongated and moderately dense, reflecting the Haze influence in their calyx-stacking style. Buds display lime to moss-green hues, punctuated by tangerine to amber pistils that darken as harvest approaches. A thick resin coat develops by mid-flower, and by late bloom the trichome blanket can appear frosted to the naked eye. Under magnification, expect a sea of bulbous heads with mostly cloudy trichomes at peak maturity.
Growers frequently report a favorable calyx-to-leaf ratio for an auto, making trimming straightforward. The cola can show light foxtailing under high PPFD or heat, a Haze-linked trait that is cosmetic when kept within reason. When dialed in, yields reach competitive levels, with indoor harvests of 350–500 g/m² in optimized setups and 60–180 g per plant outdoors being common ranges. Bud integrity after cure remains firm with proper dry-room control, aiding long-term storage.
Aroma
Aromatically, Amnesia Haze Automatic leans zest-forward with clear lemon peel and sweet citrus top notes. Beneath that zest sits a resinous Haze core, often described as incense, cedar, and faint herbal tea. Peppery and piney accents surface when the flower is broken up, releasing caryophyllene- and pinene-linked volatiles. The overall effect is clean, bright, and invigorating.
During mid-flower, the room can smell like a citrus grove with spicy undertones, escalating in intensity during the final two weeks. Total terpene content in well-grown autos commonly lands between 1.0% and 2.5% by dry weight, and Amnesia Haze Automatic often resides near the middle of that range. Environmental tuning—particularly steady temperatures, moderate feeding, and careful dry/cure—can push aromatic clarity into the top tier. Carbon filtration is recommended, as the bouquet is distinct and diffuse.
After grinding, a candied lemon note frequently jumps out first, followed by a crisp woody resin reminiscent of fresh-cut cedar. Some phenotypes add a hint of sweet basil or eucalyptus, indicating a supporting cast of minor terpenes. The scent persists in the jar, and when cured at 60% relative humidity, the profile typically holds its brightness for months. Proper storage in airtight, UV-resistant containers preserves the zest and prevents terpene oxidation.
Flavor
On the palate, Amnesia Haze Automatic delivers a zesty lemon-lime front end that reads as lemon candy or citrus peel. Inhale is smooth when properly cured, lifting quickly into an herbal-cedar mid-palate. Exhale turns slightly peppery, with a lingering sweet citrus rind that coats the tongue. The finish stays clean and bright without heavy musk.
Vaporizing accentuates different layers depending on temperature. At 180–190°C, volatile terpenes like terpinolene and limonene dominate, showcasing citrus, floral, and light herbal tones. Increasing to 200–205°C brings out caryophyllene’s peppery warmth and a woodsy depth from pinene, at the expense of some top-note vibrancy. Many users prefer a staged session to enjoy the full spectrum.
Under joint or pipe combustion, the citrus expresses boldly at the start, then gradually deepens into a resinous Haze character. Glassware kept clean maintains clarity and allows the cedar-spice complexity to show through. Pairing suggestions include sparkling water with lemon zest, green tea, or a crisp apple to complement the bright profile. The flavor maintains integrity even after multiple pulls, a testament to its terpene density when grown well.
Cannabinoid Profile
Amnesia Haze Automatic is generally a Type I chemovar, meaning THC-dominant with minimal CBD. Lab-tested autos in this family commonly range from 16% to 22% THC by dry weight, with occasional phenotypes reported slightly below or above depending on cultivation variables. CBD typically registers below 1%—often in the 0.05% to 0.5% range—maintaining a classic sativa-leaning psychoactive experience. Minor cannabinoids like CBG often appear between 0.1% and 0.6%.
Compared to the original photoperiod Amnesia Haze, the auto’s THC median is similar in many modern lines, reflecting advances in autoflower breeding. Yield and potency can correlate with light intensity and nutrient balance: in side-by-side indoor grows with similar genetics, plants receiving 600–900 µmol/m²/s PPFD during bloom often post higher cannabinoid totals than those below 500 µmol/m²/s. Proper harvest timing also shifts the effect profile; harvesting at mostly cloudy trichomes with 5–10% amber often preserves the energetic sativa edge. Allowing more amber (15–20%) can mellow the experience and slightly alter the subjective potency.
Extraction yields from well-grown Amnesia Haze Automatic can be robust due to its resin production. Hydrocarbon extractions and rosin pressing from premium flowers regularly show cannabinoid recovery efficiencies in the 15–25% range by weight, depending on methodology and moisture. For rosin, many home pressers report 18–22% returns from mid-sized, well-cured buds, aligning with terpene-rich chemotypes. These figures assume careful post-harvest handling to preserve trichomes and prevent terpene evaporation.
Terpene Profile
Chemotypically, Amnesia Haze Automatic often expresses a terpinolene-forward profile, a pattern common among Haze-family sativas. Terpinolene contributes the zesty citrus, floral, and lightly herbal top notes that define this cultivar’s nose. Limonene commonly appears as a major secondary terpene, reinforcing lemon-peel brightness and adding perceived uplift. Beta-caryophyllene typically rounds out the top three, supplying a pepper-spice undertone and binding selectively to the CB2 receptor.
Supporting terpenes frequently include beta-myrcene, alpha-pinene, and ocimene, each contributing nuance and functional complexity. Beta-myrcene can soften the edges with a gentle fruit-herbal warmth, though its levels are often moderate here compared to indica-heavy profiles. Alpha-pinene lends crispness and a forest-like quality, while ocimene can add a green, sweet edge. Total terpene content in exemplary cuts usually falls between 1.2% and 2.5% by weight after a careful cure.
While specific percentages vary by phenotype and grow inputs, a representative distribution for this cultivar class might see terpinolene in the 0.3–0.8% range, limonene around 0.2–0.6%, and caryophyllene near 0.15–0.4%. Myrcene, pinene, and ocimene often trail in the 0.05–0.25% band each. Such ranges reflect aggregated public lab results for sativa-dominant autos and the known dominance of terpinolene in Haze-line chemotypes. Individual plants can deviate, especially under stress or suboptimal drying, which can reduce measured totals by 20–40%.
For connoisseurs, the terpinolene-limonene-caryophyllene triad explains the bright aromatics and the crisp, buzzy top end many users report. Caryophyllene’s CB2 activity may add a body-calming counterpoint to the otherwise cerebral tone. Pinene’s presence can improve perceived clarity and airflow, especially noticeable in vapor. When dialed in, this terpene ensemble delivers both character and punch, making Amnesia Haze Automatic stand out in a crowded auto market.
Experiential Effects
Subjectively, Amnesia Haze Automatic is uplifting, heady, and mentally activating, consistent with sativa-forward hazes. Users often describe an onset that lands within 2–5 minutes when vaporized and 10–20 minutes when smoked, with a quick rise into clear, euphoric focus. Mood elevation is a frequent theme, with many noting increased sociability and creative ideation. Physical heaviness is usually minimal at typical doses.
At the 1–3 inhalation mark for moderately potent flower (18–20% THC), the experience may settle into a clean, optimistic headspace. Music, brainstorming, and light outdoor activity tend to pair well, reflecting the cultivar’s bright terpene top notes. At higher doses—especially above roughly 10–15 mg THC in a single session—some users can encounter racy edges or transient anxiety. Staying within a comfortable dose reduces the likelihood of overstimulation.
Duration generally spans 2–3 hours for smoked or vaporized flower, with a gentle taper rather than a hard drop-off. The midpoint often features heightened sensory appreciation and a pronounced sense of task engagement. In the final hour, a mild body relaxation can appear, likely aided by caryophyllene and myrcene, while the mind remains alert. Many report little to no grogginess afterward when dosing conservatively.
Compared with indica-leaning autos, Amnesia Haze Automatic leans daytime-friendly. It is often chosen for errands, social gatherings, creative sessions, or as a pre-workout mood lift for low-impact exercise. Those sensitive to strong sativas may prefer microdosing or combining with CBD to smooth the curve. Hydration and mindful pacing further enhance experience quality.
Potential Medical Uses
As a THC-dominant, terpinolene-forward cultivar, Amnesia Haze Automatic is explored by patients for mood elevation, stress reduction, and energy. Anecdotally, users coping with low motivation, mild depressive symptoms, or situational anxiety report benefit from small, daytime-appropriate doses. Terpinolene and limonene are associated in preclinical literature with alertness and anxiolytic potential under certain conditions, though outcomes are dose- and individual-dependent. Clinical-grade evidence for this specific cultivar remains limited, so personal experimentation should be cautious.
The peppery caryophyllene in this strain binds to CB2 receptors, a target involved in inflammatory modulation. While not a substitute for medical care, some patients report relief for tension-type headaches, neck and shoulder tightness, or exercise-related soreness. Inhalation can offer relatively rapid onset—often within minutes—making it appealing for acute symptom flares. Pairing with non-steroidal routines like stretching or hydration may enhance perceived benefits.
For fatigue and attention challenges, the energizing profile can provide a temporary cognitive lift. Small, titrated inhaled doses such as 1–3 mg THC equivalents may support focus without overshooting into jitteriness. Overconsumption can impair attention in sensitive individuals, so a start-low, go-slow approach is advised. Daytime timing and low-dose vaping often deliver a clean functional effect.
Patients considering Amnesia Haze Automatic should be mindful of potential adverse reactions. High-THC sativas can occasionally provoke transient anxiety, dry mouth, or rapid heart rate. Those with a history of panic or cardiovascular concerns should consult a clinician and consider lower-THC or CBD-rich options. Nothing herein is medical advice; individual responses vary and should guide personal protocols.
Comprehensive Cultivation Guide
Lifecycle and timing. Amnesia Haze Automatic typically completes in 70–85 days from sprout under 18–20 hours of light daily. Seedlings establish in 7–10 days, early vegetative growth covers days 10–25, visible pistils often appear by days 21–28, and bulk flowering follows through day 70+. Many growers harvest around day 75–85, depending on phenotype and environmental control. Target harvest when trichomes are mostly cloudy with 5–15% amber for an energetic profile.
Environment and climate. Ideal daytime temperatures sit at 24–28°C with nights at 19–22°C, maintaining a VPD of approximately 0.8–1.2 kPa during late veg and early bloom. Relative humidity can start at 65–70% in seedling stage, move to 55–65% in veg, and finish at 45–55% in mid-late flower, dropping to 40–45% in the last 10 days to mitigate botrytis risk. Good airflow is essential due to the resin-heavy flowers; aim for 0.3–0.6 m/s gentle canopy movement. A carbon filter is recommended because the aroma is pronounced.
Lighting and DLI. Autos perform well under 18/6 or 20/4 schedules from start to finish. Aim for 300–450 µmol/m²/s PPFD in early veg, 450–650 µmol/m²/s in pre-flower, and 650–900 µmol/m²/s in mid-to-late flower, corresponding to a DLI of roughly 35–45 mol/m²/day in veg and 45–55 mol/m²/day in bloom. Some growers keep autos below 900 µmol/m²/s to avoid stress-related foxtailing in Haze-leaning phenotypes. Keep fixture distance and dimming tuned to leaf temperature and leaf-edge curl cues.
Medium and nutrition. In soil, use a light, airy mix with 30–40% perlite or pumice to protect against overwatering, plus added aeration like coco chips. Start seedlings at an EC of 0.6–0.8 (300–400 ppm 500-scale), raise to 1.1–1.3 EC in mid veg, then 1.5–1.8 EC in bloom depending on cultivar appetite. Soil pH should sit at 6.2–6.8; for coco/hydro, run 5.8–6.2. Calcium and magnesium supplementation is often beneficial under LED lighting; 100–150 ppm Ca and 40–60 ppm Mg through weeks 3–7 prevents common deficiencies.
Containers and irrigation. Autos resent early stress; transplant only once or start directly in final pots. For indoor grows, 11–19 L (3–5 gal) fabric pots balance root volume and speed; outdoors, 20–38 L (5–10 gal) helps buffer heat and moisture swings. Water to 10–20% runoff in soilless media to prevent salt buildup, and let the top 2–3 cm dry between irrigations. Avoid heavy saturation in the first two weeks to promote strong root oxygenation.
Training and canopy management. Use low-stress training (LST) from day 14–21 as growth allows, gently bending the main stem to encourage multiple tops. Topping is possible at the 3rd–4th node before day 20 for experienced growers, but skipping high-stress techniques is safer for autos. Light defoliation can open the canopy during weeks 4–6; remove only leaves that cast significant shade on bud sites. Maintain even canopy height to optimize PPFD distribution.
Pest and disease management. Keep intake air filtered and quarantine new plants or clones if applicable. Scout twice weekly for thrips, spider mites, and fungus gnats; sticky cards and leaf inspections help detect early populations. Biological controls such as Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis for gnats, predatory mites for spider mites, and Beauveria-based sprays for thrips are effective when applied early. Maintain RH and airflow to reduce powdery mildew risk; sulfur burners and potassium bicarbonate sprays can be used preventatively before flowers set.
Outdoor and greenhouse performance. In temperate zones, a single auto cycle can run from late May to early August, with a second cycle possible through early October if frost-free. Plants reach 80–150 cm outdoors, with 60–180 g per plant typical and 200+ g possible in large containers under high sun. Choose a sunny, wind-sheltered location with 6–8+ hours of direct light. Mulch to stabilize soil moisture and temperature.
Feeding schedule snapshot. Weeks 1–2: EC 0.6–0.8 with a balanced seedling formula and 150–200 ppm NPK total. Weeks 3–4: EC 1.1–1.3 with N-forward veg feed, 2–3 mL/L cal-mag, and micronutrients as per label. Weeks 5–8: EC 1.5–1.8 with bloom-focused nutrition maintaining adequate N to prevent yellowing, plus increased P and K. Weeks 9–10: taper EC to 0.8–1.0 if flushing in soilless systems; in living soil, simply water and allow the soil food web to finish.
Harvest, dry, and cure. Target trichomes at mostly cloudy with 5–15% amber for an uplifting effect. Dry at 18–20°C and 58–62% RH for 10–14 days until small stems snap and outer buds feel dry yet pliable. Cure in airtight jars at 60–62% RH, burping daily for the first week and then weekly, maintaining 10–12% internal moisture content. Proper cure enhances terpene perception and can improve subjective smoothness by 20–30% per user reports.
Yield optimization. Indoors, optimized grows commonly achieve 350–500 g/m² with quality LEDs, CO2 at 800–1200 ppm, and tight environmental control. On a per-plant basis in 11–19 L pots, 60–140 g is a frequent range, with expert runs exceeding 150 g per plant. Outdoors, genetics, season length, and container size dominate outcomes; larger containers and full-sun exposure correlate strongly with higher yields. Keeping root-zone temperatures between 20–24°C improves nutrient uptake efficiency and overall biomass.
Quality control and phenotype notes. Expect two broad expressions: a lemon-forward phenotype with pronounced terpinolene and a spice-cedar phenotype with slightly heavier caryophyllene-pinene. The lemon phenotype often finishes on the earlier side of the window, while the spice phenotype may benefit from an extra 3–5 days for terpene depth. Stress during weeks 3–5 can increase foxtailing and reduce density, so keep PPFD, temperature, and VPD stable then. Gentle handling at harvest preserves trichome heads and maximizes both potency and flavor.
Breeder context and recognition. The version popularized by Nirvana Seeds adheres to the ruderalis/sativa heritage noted in the strain’s context. Meanwhile, Zamnesia Seeds’ Amnesia Haze Automatic earned 2nd place at the Highlife Cannabis Cup 2019, highlighting how well this auto platform can perform at a competitive level. These parallel lines show that multiple breeders can reach high quality with careful selection and stabilization. For growers, that means reliable access to elite sativa character on an autoflower timeline.
