Cannabis Seeds: The Cannabis Seed Glossary: 100 Terms Explained.
Whether you're new to cannabis seeds or a long-time cannabis genetics enthusiast, you've probably come across terms that can be confusing. From auto flower and feminised seeds to landrace genetics and triploid breeding, the cannabis seed industry has developed its own language.
This comprehensive cannabis seed glossary explains 100 of the most important cannabis seed terms in simple, easy-to-understand language.
A
1. Auto Flower
Cannabis seeds that flower automatically based on age rather than light cycles.
2. Autoflower Genetics
Genetics derived from Cannabis Ruderalis that enable automatic flowering.
3. Aroma
The scent produced by cannabis terpenes.
4. Award-Winning Strain
A cannabis strain that has won recognised industry competitions.
B
5. Backcross (BX)
A breeding technique where offspring are crossed back to a parent line.
6. Breeder
A person or company that develops cannabis genetics.
7. Breeding Programme
The process used to create new cannabis strains.
8. Bulk Cannabis Seeds
Cannabis seeds sold in larger quantities.
C
9. Cannabinoid
Naturally occurring compounds found in cannabis.
10. Cannabis Genetics
The hereditary characteristics passed from parent plants.
11. Clone
A genetic copy of a cannabis plant.
12. Collector's Seeds
Cannabis seeds purchased for collection purposes.
13. Cross
A new strain created by combining two genetics.
14. Cultivar
A cultivated cannabis variety.
D
15. Diploid
A cannabis plant containing two sets of chromosomes.
16. Dominant Trait
A genetic characteristic more likely to appear in offspring.
17. Durban Poison
One of the most famous landrace cannabis genetics.
18. DNA
The genetic material that determines plant characteristics.
E
19. Elite Genetics
Highly regarded cannabis genetics used in breeding.
20. Environment
Growing conditions affecting plant development.
F
21. F1 Hybrid
First-generation offspring from two stable parent lines.
22. F2 Generation
Offspring produced by crossing two F1 plants.
23. Family Tree
A diagram showing genetic lineage.
24. Feminised Seeds
Seeds bred to produce female plants.
25. Filial Generation
A generation resulting from a breeding cross.
26. Flowering
The reproductive stage of the cannabis life cycle.
G
27. Gelato
One of the most influential modern cannabis genetics.
28. Gene
A unit of hereditary information.
29. Genetic Stability
Consistency of characteristics across generations.
30. Genotype
The genetic makeup of a cannabis plant.
31. Gorilla Glue
A highly influential modern cannabis genetic family.
H
32. Haze
A legendary cannabis genetic family.
33. Heritage Genetics
Older cannabis genetic lines preserved over time.
34. Hybrid
A cannabis strain created from multiple genetic lines.
35. Hybrid Vigour
Enhanced performance often seen in F1 hybrids.
I
36. Inbreeding
Breeding closely related plants to stabilise traits.
37. Indica
One of the traditional cannabis classifications.
J
38. Jack Herer
A famous cannabis strain named after the cannabis activist.
K
39. Kush
A major cannabis genetic family originating from the Hindu Kush region.
L
40. Landrace
A naturally occurring cannabis population from a specific region.
41. Lineage
The ancestry of a cannabis strain.
42. Limited Edition
Cannabis seeds released in restricted quantities.
M
43. MAC1
A highly respected modern cannabis genetic family.
44. Male Plant
A cannabis plant that produces pollen.
45. Mutation
A change in genetic information.
46. Mother Plant
A plant maintained for cloning purposes.
N
47. Northern Lights
One of the most famous cannabis strains ever created.
48. Node
The point where branches emerge from a stem.
O
49. OG Kush
One of the most influential cannabis genetics in history.
50. Open Pollination
Natural pollination without controlled breeding.
P
51. Parent Plant
A plant used to create offspring.
52. Phenotype
Observable characteristics expressed by genetics.
53. Photoperiod
A plant that flowers according to light cycles.
54. Pistil
Part of the female flower structure.
55. Polyploid
A plant with more than two chromosome sets.
56. Preservation Genetics
Cannabis genetics maintained for future generations.
Q
57. Qualitative Trait
A characteristic controlled by specific genes.
R
58. Recessive Trait
A characteristic requiring two copies of a gene to appear.
59. Regular Seeds
Seeds capable of producing male or female plants.
60. Ruderalis
A cannabis subspecies used in auto flower breeding.
61. Runtz
A modern cannabis genetic family derived from Zkittlez and Gelato.
S
62. Sativa
One of the traditional cannabis classifications.
63. Seed Bank
A retailer or breeder that sells cannabis seeds.
64. Seed Coat
The protective outer layer of a cannabis seed.
65. Seed Collection
A curated group of cannabis seeds.
66. Seed Viability
The ability of a seed to germinate.
67. Selection
Choosing plants with desired traits for breeding.
68. Skunk #1
One of the most influential hybrid cannabis strains.
69. Stabilisation
The process of creating genetic consistency.
70. Strain
A specific cannabis variety.
71. Stress Testing
Evaluating plant stability under environmental conditions.
T
72. Terpene
Aromatic compounds found in cannabis.
73. THC
The primary psychoactive cannabinoid.
74. Triploid
A plant containing three sets of chromosomes.
75. Trait
A specific inherited characteristic.
U
76. Uniformity
Consistency among plants from the same genetics.
V
77. Variety
Another term for a cannabis strain.
78. Viability
The ability of a seed to remain alive and functional.
W
79. White Widow
A legendary award-winning cannabis strain.
80. Wild Genetics
Cannabis genetics that developed naturally.
X
81. X-Cross
A shorthand term for a genetic cross.
Y
82. Yield
The amount produced by a cannabis plant.
Z
83. Zkittlez
One of the most influential modern cannabis genetic families.
Additional Essential Cannabis Terms
84. Breeding Line
A stable genetic line used for breeding.
85. Cali Genetics
Cannabis genetics originating from California.
86. Clone-Only Strain
A strain originally available only as clones.
87. Cup Winner
A strain that has won a cannabis competition.
88. Genetic Drift
Gradual genetic changes over time.
89. Heirloom Genetics
Historic genetics preserved for future generations.
90. Hybridisation
The process of creating hybrids.
91. Landrace Preservation
Maintaining original regional genetics.
92. Modern Genetics
Recently developed cannabis strains.
93. Phenohunt
The process of selecting desirable phenotypes.
94. Premium Genetics
High-quality cannabis breeding stock.
95. Seed Stock
The total inventory of available seeds.
96. Strain Development
The creation of new cannabis genetics.
97. Terpene Profile
The unique combination of terpenes in a strain.
98. Trait Selection
Choosing plants based on specific characteristics.
99. True Breeding
A line that consistently reproduces specific traits.
100. Vigour
The strength and health of a cannabis plant.
Why Understanding Cannabis Seed Terminology Matters
Learning cannabis seeds terminology helps you:
✅ Understand cannabis genetics
✅ Compare cannabis seeds more effectively
✅ Research breeders and strains
✅ Build a stronger seed collection
✅ Stay informed about modern breeding innovations
As cannabis genetics continue evolving, understanding these terms will help you navigate the cannabis seed world with confidence.
Meet Molly – Cannabis Seed Specialist
Molly has over 10 years of experience helping customers understand cannabis genetics, breeding terminology and cannabis seed selection.
"Understanding cannabis seed terminology is one of the best ways to become a more informed cannabis enthusiast. Once you understand the language of genetics, breeders and seed banks, choosing the right cannabis seeds becomes much easier."