How to Grow Durban Poison Strain (2025 Grow Diary)

Durban Poison Strain Snapshot

• Genetics: African Landrace Sativa
• Type: 100% Sativa
• THC: Up to 25%
• CBD: Up to 2%
• Flowering Time: 8–9 weeks
• Height: 70–90 in outdoors; ~50–60 in indoors with training
• Indoor Yield: 1.3–1.7 oz/ft²
• Outdoor Yield: 15–20 oz/plant
• Harvest: End of September
• Flavors: Earthy, lemon tree, piney, sweet 🌲🍋
• Effects: Creative, energetic, focused

Durban Poison is a legendary pure Sativa, famous for its sweet citrus-pine terps, up to 25% THC, and energizing, creative high. Unlike hybrids, this African landrace grows tall and vigorous, making it a rewarding strain for growers who want classic Sativa structure and resin-packed colas.

This diary will walk you step by step through how to grow Durban Poison strain, indoors or outdoors, from germination all the way to curing.

Durban Poison

• 100% Sativa
• Energizing Daytime Experience
• Fresh Citrus Symphony
• Ideal for Tropical Climate
• Indoor & Outdoor Success
• Resistant to Humidity Challenges
• Up to 25% THC

1+1 Free$24$19view product

Why Grow Durban Poison?

Durban Poison is a legendary landrace Sativa renowned for its clean, uplifting high and emerald-hued, sparkling buds. She’s early-flowering for a Sativa, rewards training well, and thrives in both indoor tents and these post-summer garden setups. Perfect for creatives, energy-seekers, or daytime lovers who want clean, flavorful, and powerful results.

Setup for Growing Durban Poison Strain

Being a 100% Sativa, Durban Poison grows tall, stretches fast, and thrives in full sun or under strong indoor lights. She’s relatively easy to grow but needs training and airflow to manage her height and maximize yields.

Indoor Setup 🏠

• Tent Size: 3×3 ft minimum, 4×4 ft preferred (she stretches tall).
• Lighting: Full-spectrum LED, strong PPFD (600–1000 in flower).
• Training: LST, topping, or SCROG recommended to keep height under control.
• Containers: 3–5 gal fabric pots for airflow and root health.
• Nutrients: Standard N-rich veg feed → bloom nutrients with extra phosphorus & potassium.
• Ventilation: Inline fan + carbon filter for airflow; oscillating fans to avoid mold.

Outdoor Setup 🌿

• Climate: Best in sunny, dry regions (Mediterranean/U.S. West Coast style).
• Soil: Rich, well-drained with compost for root strength.
• Support: Stakes or trellis help keep long Sativa branches steady in wind.
• Spacing: Allow room — these plants can reach 70–90 inches.
• Harvest: End of September, before autumn rains.

Durban Poison Strain Growing Conditions

Week 1–2: Germination & Seedling

Durban Poison seeds usually pop fast with the paper towel method. Place seeds between two damp paper towels, sandwich them between plates, and keep them in a warm, dark place (72–78°F / 22–25°C). Within 24–72 hours, you should see taproots emerge.

Once sprouted, place seedlings into light, airy soil or starter cubes. Position them under gentle LED light (200–300 PPFD) on an 18/6 cycle.

• Temperature: 72–77°F (22–25°C)
• Humidity: 65–70%
• Watering: Small, frequent amounts — keep soil moist, not soaked
• Nutrients: None yet; seedlings feed from their cotyledons

By the end of week 2, your seedlings should have 2–3 sets of serrated leaves and stand around 2–3 inches tall. Because Durban Poison is a Sativa, you’ll notice slender leaves compared to hybrids or Indicas.

👉 Pro Tip: Keep airflow gentle with a small fan, it helps strengthen stems early and prevents damping-off.

Week 3–4: Early Vegetative Growth

By week 3, your Durban Poison plants shift from fragile seedlings to vigorous Sativas. Expect rapid leaf development and taller internodes compared to indica-dominant strains.

• Light Schedule: 18/6 | Increase intensity to 400–600 PPFD
• Temperature: 72–80°F (22–27°C)
• Humidity: 60–65%
• Watering: 250–400 ml every 2–3 days; allow topsoil to dry slightly
• Nutrients: Start light vegetative feeding, high in nitrogen; add Cal-Mag if using LED lighting

Training

Durban Poison stretches quickly, so start Low Stress Training (LST) early. Gently bend the main stem sideways and secure it to spread light to lower branches. This keeps height manageable and promotes more colas later.

What to Expect

• Height: ~6–12 inches by the end of week 4
• Appearance: Tall, narrow leaves; airy Sativa structure forming
• Goal: Control vertical growth and establish a strong, even canopy

👉 Pro Tip: Unlike indica strains, Sativas like Durban Poison need early training, otherwise they’ll shoot up and become hard to manage indoors.

Week 5–6: Veg Expansion & Pre-Flower Prep

By this point, Durban Poison really shows her landrace vigor. Growth accelerates, with long side branches and tall internodes. Indoors, this is the critical stage for keeping her under control before the flowering stretch.

• Light Schedule: 18/6 | Raise intensity to 600–750 PPFD
• Temperature: 70–78°F (21–25°C)
• Humidity: 55–60%
• Watering: 400–600 ml every 2–3 days; roots drink more as the plant builds mass
• Nutrients: Full-strength veg feed; keep nitrogen high, but balance with calcium and magnesium

Training & Prep

• Topping: Cut above the 4th–5th node to encourage multiple colas.
• LST/SCROG: Use netting or ties to spread branches horizontally — this is the best way to maximize indoor yields.
• Defoliation: Lightly remove big fan leaves blocking airflow or bud sites.

What to Expect

• Height: 12–20 inches indoors (up to 30+ outdoors)
• Appearance: Slim, airy leaves; strong branching
• Goal: Build a wide, even canopy and prepare for the explosive flowering stretch

👉 Pro Tip: If growing outdoors, make sure plants have plenty of root space and are staked for support — Durban Poison can easily double or triple in size during flower.

Week 7–9: Flowering Stretch & Bud Formation

Now the fun begins, Durban Poison flips into flowering under a 12/12 schedule, and you’ll notice rapid vertical stretch paired with the first clusters of pistils.

• Light Schedule: 12/12 | Keep intensity high, 750–950 PPFD
• Temperature: 68–77°F (20–25°C)
• Humidity: 45–50% to protect developing flowers
• Watering: 600–800 ml every 2–3 days | monitor runoff EC to prevent salt buildup
• Nutrients: Switch to bloom feed, lower nitrogen, boost phosphorus & potassium

What to Expect

• Week 7: Major stretch, plants may double in size
• Week 8: Pistils cluster at nodes, small budlets form
• Week 9: Buds expand, calyxes stack, trichomes begin sparkling

Training & Care

• Stop topping now, only continue light LST if needed.
• Defoliation: Remove large leaves shading bud sites for better airflow.
• Support: Use stakes or a SCROG net indoors; Sativa branches can get lanky.

Aroma & Vibe

By week 9, your grow space will carry the sweet pine-lemon perfume Durban Poison is famous for. It’s a clear indicator that resin production has begun.

👉 Pro Tip: Keep airflow strong under the canopy, Sativa buds may be airier than indicas, but mold can still creep in during this rapid growth.

Week 10–11: Mid to Late Flower

By now, Durban Poison is fully in bloom. The explosive stretch has slowed, and the plant channels energy into bud swelling and resin production. Expect to see frosty trichomes coating the sugar leaves and a stronger citrus-pine aroma filling the grow room.

• Light Schedule: 12/12 | Maintain full intensity (850–1000 PPFD)
• Temperature: 67–75°F (19–24°C) | cooler nights enhance resin and aroma
• Humidity: Drop to 40–45% to protect dense colas
• Watering: 700–900 ml every 2–3 days | consistent but don’t oversaturate
• Nutrients: Continue bloom formula + PK boosters | reduce nitrogen further

What to Expect

• Week 10: Buds harden and stack, resin glands visibly swell ❄️
• Week 11: Pistils start turning orange, trichomes transition from clear to cloudy 🔍
• Appearance: Long, elegant Sativa colas with sparkling trichomes

Grower Tips

• Airflow: Add an extra oscillating fan if RH is hard to keep low.
• Defoliation: Minimal now, just enough to prevent shaded, damp areas.
• Trichome Check: Begin monitoring daily with a jeweler’s loupe. Harvest is approaching!

👉 Pro Tip: Durban Poison buds tend to be airier than Indica hybrids, but don’t panic, this is classic Sativa structure, and the trade-off is higher resin content and a clean, uplifting effect.

Week 12: Harvest & Curing

It’s time to bring your Durban Poison grow to a close! By week 12, your plants should be fully matured with cloudy trichomes and 10–20% amber for peak potency and that signature Sativa lift.

Harvest Steps 🌿

• When to Cut: Harvest at the end of the dark cycle for best terpene preservation.
• Fan Leaves: Remove large leaves immediately.
• Trim Choice: Wet trim for faster drying, or dry trim if you want to preserve more terps.

Drying 🌬️

• Conditions: 60–65°F (15–18°C) | 50–55% RH
• Duration: 7–10 days, until stems snap cleanly instead of bending.
• Setup: Hang branches upside down or use drying racks.

Curing 🫙

• Storage: Place buds in glass jars, filling 70–75% capacity.
• Conditions: 65–70°F (18–21°C) | 58–62% RH
• Burping: Open jars daily for 10–15 min during the first 2 weeks, then reduce to every few days.
• Duration: Minimum 3–4 weeks for full flavor and smoothness.

Yields 🌱

• Indoors: 1.3–1.7 oz/ft²
• Outdoors: 15–20 oz/plant

👉 Pro Tip: Sativa buds like Durban Poison are naturally lighter and fluffier, but curing enhances their terpene profile, leaving you with sweet, piney citrus buds that burn smooth and fuel creativity.

Durban Poison

• 100% Sativa
• Energizing Daytime Experience
• Fresh Citrus Symphony
• Ideal for Tropical Climate
• Indoor & Outdoor Success
• Resistant to Humidity Challenges
• Up to 25% THC

1+1 Free$24$19view product

Final Thoughts on How to Grow Durban Poison Strain

Mastering how to grow Durban Poison strain is all about managing her Sativa vigor, early training, steady nutrients, and keeping humidity under control during flower. With her 8–9 week bloom cycle, 25% THC, and citrus-pine terps, Durban Poison delivers exactly what a landrace Sativa should: uplifting energy, sharp focus, and a creative high that lasts.

👉 Ready to start your own grow? Shop Durban Poison seeds here 
🌞 Looking for more daytime genetics? Explore our full Sativa Seeds collection.
🔗 Want more strain insights? See Durban Poison on Leafly.

Follow this diary, and you’ll bring home buds that capture the pure essence of African landrace power.

FAQ: How to Grow Durban Poison Strain

Q: How long does Durban Poison strain take to flower?
A: Durban Poison flowers in about 8–9 weeks, which is fast for a pure Sativa. Outdoors, expect harvest by the end of September.

Q: What are the best conditions for growing Durban Poison?
A: Durban Poison thrives in warm, sunny climates with low autumn humidity. Indoors, keep temps between 70–78°F in veg and slightly cooler in flower, with RH around 40–50%.

Q: How tall does Durban Poison grow?
A: Durban Poison can reach 70–90 inches outdoors, but indoors it’s best kept around 50–60 inches using training methods like LST or SCROG.

Q: What yields can I expect from Durban Poison?
A: Indoors, yields average 1.3–1.7 oz/ft². Outdoors, plants can produce up to 15–20 oz per plant in the right climate.

Q: Is Durban Poison strain easy to grow?
A: Yes, it’s beginner-friendly but requires training and space. The main challenge is managing stretch and airflow due to its tall, Sativa structure.

Q: What effects does Durban Poison have?
A: Durban Poison delivers an energetic, creative, and focused high, making it ideal for daytime use. It’s often chosen for productivity and artistic sessions.

Q: Where can I buy Durban Poison seeds?
A: You can buy premium Durban Poison seeds at Hypno Seeds or explore more uplifting genetics in our Sativa Seeds collection.