Is Using Regular Cannabis Seeds Worth It?

While feminised seeds dominate today's market because of their convenience, regular cannabis seeds continue to have a loyal following among experienced growers, breeders, and phenotype hunters. They offer unique advantages that feminised seeds simply can't replicate.

In this guide, we'll explain what regular cannabis seeds are, compare them with feminised seeds, and explore the situations where regular seeds are the best choice. By the end of this article, you will be fully aware of the pros and cons of growing cannabis using regular seeds and if they are better suited for you over fems.

What Are Regular Cannabis Seeds?

Regular cannabis seeds are naturally produced seeds that can develop into either male or female plants. These are what old school growers used before the feminised seeds revolutionised the market in the early 2000s and contain both XX and XY chromosomes. Unlike feminised seeds, which are bred to produce almost exclusively female plants, regular seeds generally produce both male and female plants.

Because only female plants produce the resinous flowers most growers want to harvest, male plants are usually removed unless they are being used for breeding. This means that once you are ready to flower your plants, you may end up with half of the original number of plants you started with.

• Approximately 50% male plants
• Approximately 50% female plants
• Used to breed new genetics
• Preserve heirloom strains
• Hunt for unique phenotypes
• Maintain strong genetic diversity
• Want to breed your own strains
• Enjoy phenotype hunting
• Need male plants for pollen collection
• Want access to rare or classic genetics
• Prefer greater genetic diversity
• Don't mind removing male plants

6 Reasons Why Old School Growers Still Use Regular Seeds

Before feminized cannabis seeds became widely available in the early 2000s, regular seeds were the industry standard. Every grow began with regular genetics, and removing male plants was simply part of the growing process. 

Today, despite the popularity of feminised seeds, many experienced growers continue to choose regular seeds because of the benefits they offer. Below are 7 reasons why regular seeds are still the number one choice for the old school growers out there.

#1 - Classic Cannabis Genetics

Many legendary cannabis cultivars were never converted into feminised versions. If you're interested in preserving cannabis history, regular seeds often provide access to original breeding stock, old school heirloom cultivars, landrace hybrids, classic Dutch genetics and rare breeder collections. This makes regular seeds especially valuable for collectors and preservation breeders.

#2 - Greater Genetic Diversity

Regular seeds provide a wider gene pool than most feminised lines. This diversity increases your chances of discovering plants with exceptional traits, including higher yields, superior potency, outstanding terpene production, stronger disease resistance, robust branch structure, and faster vegetative growth. For growers searching for long-term mother plants, this wider variation can be a significant advantage.

#3 - Finding Phenotypes 

If your goal is to find exceptional "keeper" plants, regular seeds are often the preferred option. When growing from regular seeds you can expect more variation in plant structure, different terpene profiles, unique aromas, different flowering times, greater resin production and overall diversity and desirable traits. Keeper phenotypes can be kept alive as cannabis mother plants.

#4 - Lower Purchase Cost

One of the biggest advantages of regular seeds is affordability.Compared to feminised seeds, regular seeds are less expensive per seed, available in larger pack sizes and offer better value for large pheno hunts.If you're working with a limited budget and don't mind removing male plants, regular seeds can save you money over time.

#5 - Stronger Plant Vigour

Many growers report that plants grown from regular seeds display excellent vigour throughout their life cycle. Whilst female seeds produce solid-performing plants, regular seeds will always display a more enhanced plant vigour. 

This means that regular seeds will produce thick stems, strong root systems, vigorous vegetative growth, robust branching and a high resilience to environmental stress. While modern feminised genetics can also produce exceptional plants, regular seeds are often praised for their natural robustness.

#6 - Essential for Cannabis Breeding

Breeding simply isn't possible without male plants. Since regular seeds naturally produce both sexes, they're the foundation of every breeding program. If you plan to make your own seed lines and crosses, then regular seeds will allow you to use male and female plants. You can expect to select elite male plants, cross desirable genetics, produce your own seed lines, preserve rare cultivars and stabilise future generations

Regular Seeds vs Feminised Seeds…So Which Are Better?

Although both types of seeds can produce excellent cannabis plants, they are designed for different purposes. There are still many growers who choose to work with regular seeds, just like there are many growers who prefer hassle-free female seeds or clones. Let’s take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of using regular sexed seeds.

Advantages

• Produce naturally occurring male and female plants
• Excellent for breeding projects
• Strong plant vigour
• Greater genetic variation
• Often less expensive
• Many classic strains are only available in regular form

Disadvantages

• Male plants must be identified and removed
• Final female plant numbers are unpredictable
• Require more growing space
• Larger seed populations are needed

Feminised cannabis seed production is specifically suited for growers who want to fill their room with only female plants and do not need to worry about throwing away pots once they switch their timers to 12/12. Below are the advantages and disadvantages of using female seeds.

Advantages

• Nearly every plant is female
• More efficient use of grow space
• Predictable harvest numbers
• Ideal for beginner growers
• Easier crop planning

Disadvantages

• Less suitable for breeding
• Reduced genetic variation
• Some growers believe they are more susceptible to stress-induced hermaphroditism
• Usually more expensive than regular seeds

Do Regular Seeds Reduce the Risk of Hermaphroditism?

Although reputable feminised seeds are highly reliable, some growers believe regular genetics are less likely to develop hermaphroditic flowers when exposed to environmental stressors such as light leaks, heat stress, nutrient imbalances, physical damage, high-stress training, and irregular watering. Many growers choose regular seeds for added peace of mind, especially in larger gardens where accidental pollination could affect an entire crop.

My Final Thoughts on Using Regular Seeds

Regular cannabis seeds remain the preferred choice for many experienced growers despite the popularity of feminized genetics. They are ideal for breeding projects, phenotype hunting, and preserving classic cannabis lines while offering excellent plant vigor and broad genetic diversity.

If your primary goal is producing flowers as efficiently as possible, or you need to fill your hydro systems with only female plants, then feminised seeds are likely the better option. But if you're interested in exploring the full genetic potential of cannabis, building your own breeding program, or finding truly exceptional plants, regular cannabis seeds continue to be one of the most rewarding ways to grow.

Sometimes, the extra effort involved in growing regular seeds is exactly what leads to discovering your next keeper cultivar. The bonus of using regular seeds is that they are far cheaper than female seeds, making them more practical for growers on a strict budget who demand top-quality genetic lineage without breaking the bank!