Written by Ad OpsOrigins and Breeding History
King's Kush Automatic comes from the Dutch powerhouse Green House Seeds, a breeder known for trophy-winning genetics and accessible hybrids. The goal was to distill the heavy, grape-kush personality of the original King's Kush into a compact, auto-flowering format suited to fast, reliable harvests. Auto-flowering seeds surged in popularity during the early 2010s, and market estimates since then have placed autos at roughly one third of seed sales in several European markets. Into this climate, Green House Seeds introduced a ruderalis and indica heritage blend that retained the classic kush vibe while reducing the time and space required to grow it.
The breeder began with the photoperiod King's Kush, a cross that leans on OG Kush and a grape-forward cultivar, and integrated stable ruderalis stock to unlock photoperiod independence. The result is a strain that flowers based on age rather than day length, moving from seed to harvest in as little as 70 to 85 days under optimal conditions. This shift dramatically changed how growers could plan cycles, enabling two or three runs per outdoor season at temperate latitudes. Because time is a major cost driver, shortening the cycle by even two weeks can improve grams-per-square-meter per year by 15 to 25 percent in intensive setups.
Green House Seeds positioned King's Kush Automatic as an approachable path into the kush category for new and intermediate cultivators. The firm emphasized stability, predictable internodal spacing, and compact stature to suit tents and balconies. Over the past decade, grow logs have reported consistent outcomes when following auto-friendly practices such as light training and restrained feeding. As a result, the cultivar has earned a place in many mixed gardens where staggered auto harvests smooth the workflow.
The ruderalis component is not just about timing; it also contributes environmental resilience. Autoflowers derived from wild Cannabis ruderalis often tolerate cooler nights and minor photoperiod stress better than fully photoperiod indicas. King's Kush Automatic reflects this in its ability to flower reliably under 18 hours of light, or even 20 hours, without reversion or foxtailing when conditions are kept moderate. This expands the range of workable environments and simplifies planning for small-scale growers.
In commercial and hobby contexts, the auto version of King's Kush opened a niche for compact kush production with recognizable bag appeal. Reports from indoor growers note that a 10 to 12 week total timeline allows overlap between vegging the next run and finishing the current one. With efficient use of space and a stable phenotype, many cultivators cite the strain as a dependable performer in mixed schedules. This legacy aligns with Green House Seeds' broader mission to blend heritage flavor with modern production practicality.
Genetic Lineage and Taxonomy
King's Kush Automatic is a ruderalis and indica hybrid built from the classic King's Kush line. The photoperiod ancestor draws from OG Kush on one side and a grape-leaning cultivar on the other, yielding dense flowers and a resin-forward bouquet. Into this framework, Green House Seeds introduced auto-flowering ruderalis genetics to fix age-based flowering. The end profile is indica dominant with a small but functional ruderalis fraction.
In practical terms, most phenotypic expressions feel 70 to 80 percent indica in growth habit and effect, with the remaining 20 to 30 percent attributable to ruderalis influence. Expect compact internodal spacing, dark green leaves with broad leaflets, and a terminal cola structure that prioritizes density over lateral sprawl. The ruderalis element manifests as day-length independence, early onset of pistil formation, and slightly faster resin set compared to many photoperiod indicas. These traits reduce turnaround time without stripping the cultivar of kush depth.
The OG Kush ancestry contributes fuel, pine, and earth notes, along with a calming physical weight in the effects profile. The grape-leaning parent adds a candied, vinous sweetness that shows up in both aroma and finish. When combined with myrcene-heavy terpene stacks that are common in kush lines, the result is a layered bouquet and a soothing experiential arc. The ruderalis layer tempers stretch and compresses the timeline, creating a tight, squat plant profile.
Taxonomically, King's Kush Automatic would be categorized informally as indica dominant with auto-flowering characteristics. While all modern drug cannabis is inter-fertile and the species boundaries are debated, the shorthand of ruderalis and indica captures the agronomic behavior. Growers can expect the plant to express indica leaf morphology and bud structure, while flowering reliably under extended light schedules. This makes it a good candidate for continuous-light indoor strategies typical of autos.
From a breeding perspective, the balancing act is maintaining potency while integrating auto timing. Older autos often registered 10 to 20 percent less THC than their photoperiod counterparts. Modern autos, including King's Kush Automatic, have narrowed that gap, with many lab tests showing THC levels in the middle teens and occasional runs higher under ideal care. The lineage here demonstrates that careful selection can preserve character while updating the clock.
Visual Appearance and Structure
King's Kush Automatic typically grows to 60 to 110 centimeters indoors when given 18 to 20 hours of light, with the final height depending on pot size and light intensity. Plants in 11 to 15 liter containers often finish near the upper range, while smaller pots curb height but can reduce yield. Internodal spacing is tight, usually 3 to 6 centimeters, which stacks buds into a single dominant cola. Lateral branches carry secondary colas that can be improved with simple low-stress training.
The foliage presents as broad, dark emerald leaves with a waxy sheen, reflecting the indica leaning. Late in flower, especially under cooler night temperatures below 18 degrees Celsius, some phenotypes show anthocyanin expression. Roughly 20 to 30 percent of reports note purple hues in bracts or sugar leaves under these conditions. The color shift is aesthetic but contributes to bag appeal when contrasted with thick trichome coverage.
Bud structure is compact and resinous, with calyxes clustering into chunky, spear-shaped colas. The calyx-to-leaf ratio is moderate, which aids manicuring without sacrificing density. Mature buds flash orange to rust pistils that curl tightly against the bracts as the plant approaches harvest. Trichome heads range from clear to cloudy to amber over the final two weeks, offering visible cues for timing.
A well-grown plant puts on a noticeable frost by day 45 to 55 from seed, with coverage intensifying as the cycle approaches completion. Under high-intensity LED or HPS lighting, resin glands are abundant across sugar leaves and main bracts. This glandular density is part of the kush appeal, yielding a glittery look even before dry down. The final dried flowers often present a slight fox-tail at the tips if environmental heat was high, though careful climate control curbs this tendency.
In cured form, the buds are dense enough to resist compression yet springy when properly dried to around 11 to 12 percent moisture content. Good curing preserves a silvery trichome patina while keeping the grape-kush aromatics intact. When broken, flowers reveal a finer structure with stacked calyx layers and a dusting of resin. This visual consistency is one reason the strain performs well in both personal stash jars and small-scale commercial menus.
Aroma and Bouquet
Aroma expresses the lineage clearly: sweet grape, earthy kush, and a fuel-pine undertone from the OG side. On first inspection, many note a candied grape or blackcurrant top note, followed by moist forest floor, incense, and a hint of diesel. As the flower warms in the fingers, secondary layers emerge, including orange peel, black pepper, and a faint floral tone. The bouquet has weight, often filling small rooms within minutes of opening a jar.
During late flower, live plants give off a greener version of the profile with more terpinolene-like brightness in some phenos. Once dried and cured, the sweetness deepens and a hashish note develops, consistent with myrcene and caryophyllene forward stacks. Total terpene content in well-grown autos often lands between 1.0 and 2.5 percent by dry weight, and King's Kush Automatic typically settles in the 1.5 to 2.0 percent band. Differences in drying temperature and cure length can swing perceived intensity by 20 to 30 percent.
Grinding releases a wave of grape candy and incense that tends to overshadow the fuel in the jar. In roll-ups, the pre-light aroma leans sweet and resinous, while bong and dry herb vape preheats reveal more citrus peel and pine. Across consumption methods, the kush base remains constant but the top notes drift with temperature. Cooler inhalations bring fruit and floral, while hotter burns emphasize earth, spice, and gas.
Terpene stability relies heavily on post-harvest handling. Drying at 18 to 21 degrees Celsius with 58 to 62 percent relative humidity preserves monoterpenes that drive the grape and citrus impressions. Over-drying below 50 percent relative humidity during the first week tends to strip brightness, leaving a heavier, hashy profile. A 4 to 8 week cure in stable jars usually rounds out any grassy edges and harmonizes the bouquet.
For consumers sensitive to strong aromatic presence, be aware that even small amounts can be conspicuous. In odor tests with hobby setups, a single gram in an unsealed bag was detectable in an adjacent room within 15 to 20 minutes. Carbon filtration and sealed containers mitigate this trait effectively. The intensity is part of the appeal for many kush fans seeking a bold, room-filling nose.
Flavor and Consumption Characteristics
On the palate, King's Kush Automatic begins with a concentrated grape sweetness that quickly folds into earthy kush and sandalwood. The mid-palate carries pepper and citrus zest, with a resinous mouthfeel that lingers. Exhale often brings a clear OG twist of pine and fuel with a faint floral echo. The finish is long, with a slight bitterness akin to cocoa nibs if combusted at high temperatures.
Flavor expression correlates strongly with consumption temperature. In vaporizers set between 170 and 185 degrees Celsius, the fruit and citrus dominate and the inhale feels lighter. At 190 to 205 degrees Celsius or with direct combustion, spice, fuel, and hash notes become more prominent. This temperature dependency lets users tailor the experience to either brightness or depth.
Proper curing greatly impacts flavor clarity. A slow dry across 10 to 14 days and a 4 week minimum cure leads to a cleaner, more layered taste with less chlorophyll harshness. When dried too quickly, grassy flavors mask the grape and reduce sweetness by a noticeable margin. Users often report a 20 to 30 percent perceived improvement in sweetness after two additional weeks of jar time.
Combustion quality is generally clean when grown and flushed appropriately. White to light gray ash and steady oil rings indicate a well-finished flower. Overfeeding nitrogen late in flower can leave a sharp bite and darker ash, so producers aim to reduce nitrogen in the final three weeks. The strain seldom bites the throat when handled properly, aligning with its indica-leaning smoothness.
Edible and extract preparations carry over the grape-kush core, though decarboxylation can mute brighter top notes. Rosin from carefully cured material often emphasizes grape and incense more than fuel, while hydrocarbon extracts may capture a stronger gas component. In edibles, the flavor presence is medium; infusions at 3 to 5 milligrams THC per serving retain faint grape and spice while remaining palatable. This versatility suits both flower-forward and stealth consumption styles.
Cannabinoid Profile and Potency
Potency for King's Kush Automatic commonly falls in the mid-teens for THC, with many lab-tested batches clustering around 14 to 18 percent THC by dry weight. Exceptional indoor runs under optimized lighting and nutrition sometimes report 18 to 20 percent, though this is not the baseline. CBD is typically low, often between 0.1 and 0.6 percent, keeping the chemotype THC dominant. Total cannabinoids usually land between 16 and 22 percent when including minor constituents.
CBG appears in trace to moderate trace amounts, commonly 0.2 to 0.5 percent in cured flower. THCV is typically minimal in kush lineage autos, often below 0.1 percent. Minor cannabinoids such as CBC occur at low levels but contribute to the entourage profile. The overall chemical fingerprint supports a relaxing, body-forward effect with moderate psychoactivity.
Autos have historically tested slightly lower than their photoperiod parents, often by 10 to 20 percent in early generations. Modern refinements have narrowed this gap, and King's Kush Automatic illustrates that trend by holding steady in the mid-tier potency band. Environmental factors such as light intensity, root zone oxygenation, and harvest timing can swing THC outcomes by 3 to 5 percentage points. Early harvests lean toward clearer head effects but reduced potency, while later windows add body and perceived strength.
For new consumers, mid-teens THC combined with an indica-skewed terpene profile feels tranquil without being overwhelming at modest doses. Experienced users often find that the strain performs like a functional evening companion rather than a couch-lock hammer at small to moderate intake. As always, dosage and set and setting shape outcomes as much as the cannabinoid numbers. Respect for tolerance differences is key in shared sessions.
In extract form, potency scales up as expected. Rosin yields from well-grown flower frequently land between 18 and 25 percent return by weight, reflecting the resinous nature of the buds. Concentrates amplify the sedative aspect, so small dabs or lower temperature vaping is advisable for those seeking a balanced effect. This chemotype is well suited to night-time formulations where THC carries the majority of the load.
Terpene Spectrum
The dominant terpene in King's Kush Automatic is commonly beta-myrcene, a compound associated with earthy, musky sweetness and relaxing synergy. Typical myrcene values range from 0.4 to 1.0 percent of dry flower mass in well-cultivated examples. This sets the stage for a soothing, heavy-lidded experience that pairs well with evening routines. Myrcene also helps carry the grape scent by accentuating sweet base notes.
Beta-caryophyllene is the likely secondary driver, often measuring around 0.2 to 0.5 percent. Caryophyllene binds to CB2 receptors, which many consumers associate with a sense of body comfort and reduced edge. In King's Kush Automatic, it underpins the pepper and spice components that emerge on exhale. Its presence also harmonizes with humulene, which often appears in the 0.1 to 0.3 percent range.
Limonene provides a bright counterpoint in the 0.2 to 0.6 percent band, lending citrus peel and a bit of uplift to the early phase of the experience. This touch of brightness prevents the profile from feeling one-note and may contribute to the perception of mental clarity at modest doses. Limonene tends to volatilize during aggressive drying, so careful post-harvest work preserves its signature. Consumers who prefer the fruit side will appreciate this terpene's contribution.
Supporting terpenes like linalool, ocimene, and terpinolene may register at trace to 0.2 percent each, depending on phenotype and environment. Linalool adds floral softness and may contribute to the calming nature attributed to the strain. Ocimene and terpinolene, while not dominant, can lift the top end of the aroma with green, sweet-herbal notes. Together, these minor players create depth even as the base remains kush heavy.
Total terpene content in autos varies widely, but growers who optimize environmental stability often report 1.5 to 2.0 percent totals with this cultivar. Light intensity, substrate choice, and cure regimen can swing total terpenes by 30 percent or more. Consistency comes from stress avoidance, steady nutrition, and sensible harvest timing. With these variables controlled, King’s Kush Automatic delivers a terpene profile that clearly narrates its lineage.
Experiential Effects and Use Patterns
The experiential arc opens with a gentle head lift followed by a steady body melt that anchors the user without abrupt sedation. Onset is typically felt within 5 to 10 minutes when inhaled, peaking around 30 to 45 minutes, and tapering over 2 to 3 hours. At lower doses, the grape-citrus top notes of limonene can lend a friendly, sociable mood. At higher doses, the myrcene and caryophyllene base pulls the experience toward calm and rest.
Anecdotal reports commonly describe relaxation and physical ease as the dominant effects. Users often cite stress reduction and muscle looseness within the first half hour. Some report mild euphoria, especially in the early phase, but the tone remains grounded rather than racy. This profile aligns with the indica-forward lineage and mid-range THC content.
Couch lock is possible in sensitive users or at high intake, especially later in the evening. Dry mouth and dry eyes are the most common side effects, with dry mouth affecting a large share of users during peak. Occasional reports of dizziness occur when dosing rapidly or in hot environments. As with many indicas, those prone to anxiety sometimes fare better with incremental dosing to find a comfortable level.
Functionally, the strain pairs well with low-demand tasks, relaxation rituals, and sleep preparation. Many users describe a sweet spot where aches recede and the mind slows, enabling restful activities such as reading or long-form shows. Others use it for post-exercise wind-down, noting improved bodily comfort without heavy mental fog at modest doses. The profile lends itself to evening and weekend contexts.
Edible experiences carry a slower onset of 45 to 90 minutes and a longer tail, often 4 to 6 hours at typical serving sizes. The sedative aspect is more pronounced in edibles due to conversion of THC to 11-hydroxy metabolites. Users should start low, commonly 2.5 to 5 milligrams THC, and wait adequately before redosing. This pacing reduces the likelihood of overshooting into heavy sedation.
Potential Medical Applications
Given its ruderalis and indica heritage and chemical makeup, King's Kush Automatic is frequently discussed for sleep support and physical relaxation. Users seeking help with winding down may benefit from the myrcene and caryophyllene tandem coupled with moderate THC. Many anecdotal accounts describe improved ease of falling asleep when dosing 60 to 90 minutes before bed. Individual responses vary, so calibration is essential.
Body-focused effects suggest potential utility for transient aches, muscle tension, and general discomfort. The caryophyllene and humulene presence may contribute to perceived body ease, while THC supplies the primary analgesic effect. Consumers often report a 20 to 40 percent reduction in subjective discomfort scores after modest inhaled doses, though these are self-reports rather than controlled clinical outcomes. Non-pharmacologic supports such as hydration and stretching can synergize with the strain.
Mood stabilization is another common theme in user feedback, particularly for situational stress. The early uplift from limonene and the grounding base from myrcene create a curve that many find balancing. Sensitive users should be aware that higher doses can become sedating or, rarely, slightly heavy mentally. Splitting small doses over time often yields a calmer, steadier experience.
Appetite stimulation can occur, aligning with THC-forward chemotypes. This may assist users who struggle with appetite around stress or in recovery windows. Because CBD content is low, those seeking daytime anxiolytic effects without intoxication may prefer to blend with a CBD-dominant cultivar. Layering small amounts of CBD can moderate peaks and extend comfort for some individuals.
As always, medical use should be guided by local laws and personal health considerations. Start with low doses, such as one or two small inhalations or 2.5 milligrams THC in edible form, and titrate gradually. People new to cannabis or with a history of sensitivity should avoid stacking doses rapidly. Consulting a clinician familiar with cannabinoid therapies can help tailor use to individual needs.
Comprehensive Cultivation Guide
King's Kush Automatic was designed by Green House Seeds to be accessible to a wide range of growers. As an auto-flowering ruderalis and indica hybrid, it does not require changes to day length to flower. From seed to harvest, the cycle commonly completes in 70 to 85 days, depending on environment and phenotype. Planning for an 80-day average ensures time for a proper flush and careful drying.
Germinate seeds in a lightly fertilized medium with stable warmth of 22 to 25 degrees Celsius and 60 to 70 percent relative humidity. Direct sowing into the final container, typically 11 to 15 liters for indoor runs, avoids transplant shock and maximizes root development during the short veg window. If starting in plugs, transplant carefully by day 7 to 10 after emergence to minimize stall. Autos dislike rough handling, and early setbacks can reduce final yields by 10 to 30 percent.
Lighting at 18 hours on and 6 hours off is a common standard, though many growers run 20 hours on and 4 hours off to extract slightly faster development. Photosynthetic Photon Flux Density of 500 to 700 micromoles per square meter per second during early growth and 700 to 900 during bloom is a solid target. Excessive intensity early can cause stress and short plants, while insufficient light cuts yield and resin density. Maintain canopy temps of 24 to 27 degrees Celsius day and 20 to 22 at night for steady metabolism.
Nutrition should be modest and consistent. Aim for an electrical conductivity of 1.2 to 1.4 mS per centimeter in early growth, rising to 1.6 to 1.8 during mid bloom if the plant signals hunger. Keep pH in the 6.2 to 6.8 range for soil and 5.8 to 6.2 for hydro or coco to ensure micronutrient availability. Reduce nitrogen emphasis after day 35 to 40 and increase potassium to support resin and density.
Watering frequency depends on container size, medium, and climate. Allow the top 2 to 3 centimeters of medium to dry between waterings and avoid heavy saturation that lingers for more than 48 hours. Autos are sensitive to overwatering in weeks 1 to 3, and chronic wet feet stunt roots. Good aeration from added perlite or coco coir improves resilience and reduces risk of damping-off.
Canopy management should prioritize low-stress training. Begin gently bending the main stem and laterals by day 14 to 18 to spread the canopy and increase light penetration. Avoid topping after the second week, as recovery steals precious time in the auto schedule and may cost 10 to 20 percent yield. Selective defoliation of large, shading fan leaves is acceptable but keep removals gradual over several days.
Plant density indoors can range from 9 to 16 plants per square meter depending on pot size and training. A sea-of-green approach with smaller pots yields many smaller colas, while larger containers and more space grow single large spears. Both strategies can reach 350 to 500 grams per square meter under efficient LED lighting with competent environment control. Outdoors, expect 50 to 120 grams per plant in warm, bright climates with at least 5 to 6 hours of direct sun.
CO2 enrichment to 800 to 1200 parts per million during bloom can boost yield by 10 to 20 percent if light, nutrients, and irrigation are dialed in. Keep in mind that CO2 only pays dividends when all other variables are optimized. Without adequate light and consistent feeding, added CO2 offers limited benefit. For small tents, focus first on airflow and temperature control.
Pest and disease management should be proactive. Dense indica buds can be susceptible to botrytis in high humidity, especially late in flower. Maintain relative humidity at 55 to 60 percent in early growth, tapering to 45 to 50 percent in late bloom, and 40 to 45 percent in the final week if possible. Strong, laminar airflow above and below the canopy reduces microclimates where mildew can take hold.
Integrated pest management can include sticky traps, periodic leaf inspections, and preventive releases of beneficial insects where appropriate. Neem derivatives or biologicals like Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens can support foliar health in veg, but cease foliar applications once flowers set. Keep the grow area clean and remove plant litter promptly to reduce harborages. Sanitation alone can cut pest pressures significantly over multiple cycles.
By day 45 to 55 from sprout, pre-harvest planning should begin. Watch trichomes shift from clear to cloudy, with many growers targeting a harvest window at 10 to 20 percent amber for a heavier body effect. Pistils typically retract and bronze in the same period. Flushing for 7 to 10 days with properly pH-balanced water helps clear residual salts in soilless systems and gentler feeding in soil achieves similar outcomes.
Harvest when environmental conditions allow a controlled dry. Aim for 18 to 21 degrees Celsius and 58 to 62 percent relative humidity for 10 to 14 days to protect volatile monoterpenes. Gentle airflow that does not directly hit the buds reduces case-hardening. Proper drying alone can preserve 10 to 20 percent more terpene intensity versus a rapid dry.
After drying, trim and jar with humidity control packs set to 58 to 62 percent. Burp jars daily for the first week, then every few days for the next three weeks as the moisture equalizes. A 4 to 8 week cure improves smoothness and accentuates grape and incense tones. Target a water activity of 0.55 to 0.65 for stability and mold avoidance.
Common issues include overfeeding nitrogen, heavy-handed training, and overwatering in the early weeks. If leaves darken excessively and claw by day 30, reduce nitrogen and confirm pH in range. Should stretching exceed expectations, lower light-to-canopy distance while staying within safe PPFD. With these adjustments, King's Kush Automatic usually finishes strong and uniform.
Expected yields scale with care, light, and container size. Indoors under quality LEDs, a single plant in a 12 liter container can average 60 to 100 grams, with dialed-in grows exceeding that. Outdoors in temperate zones, running two or three successive cycles between late spring and early fall can outperform a single photoperiod run in cumulative grams per square meter per season. This throughput advantage is a core reason autos like King’s Kush Automatic remain popular.
Genetic Lineage
King's Kush Automatic descends from King's Kush, widely recognized as an OG Kush and grape-leaning hybrid, infused with stable ruderalis for auto-flowering behavior. The lineage preserves a kush-forward core while integrating the timing mechanism of Cannabis ruderalis. The resulting profile is indica dominant, with the ruderalis component primarily influencing flowering autonomy and plant size. Green House Seeds curated this cross to uphold flavor while compressing the growth calendar.
OG Kush is responsible for the fuel, pine, and earthy backbone that many associate with West Coast lineage. The grape influence introduces a rounded sweetness, dark fruit notes, and a smoother finish on the palate. When grafted onto an auto framework, these parent traits translate into a compact, resinous plant with stacked colas. The interplay is evident in both scent and structure from mid-flower onward.
Ruderalis contributes little to psychoactivity but plays an outsized role in agronomy. Its genetics cue flowering based on age rather than photoperiod, typically around day 21 to 28 from sprout. This creates a predictable schedule where pistil development is not tied to dark periods. For growers in variable latitudes or indoors with long-day programs, this trait is transformative.
Across reported phenotypes, consistency is a highlight. Most plants exhibit similar height, node spacing, and resin set when given a stable environment and gentle training. Variations show up more in minor aroma balance, with some skewing slightly gassier and others leaning fruit-forward. These differences add character without undermining the overall identity of the strain.
This genetic package explains why King's Kush Automatic often serves as an entry point into kush cultivation. The familiar OG depth remains, the grape layer softens the edges, and the ruderalis timing tames the schedule. Together, the parts produce a cultivar that can be both forgiving for beginners and interesting for veterans seeking fast, flavorful harvests.
