AK-47 Feminized Seeds

AK-47 is a sativa-dominant feminized hybrid, 65% sativa and 35% indica, with a sour, earthy, skunky nose and a mild, sweet taste. Simon of Serious Seeds created it in 1992 from Colombian, Mexican, Thai and Afghan landrace stock, and it has High Times Cup placings going back to 1994. It is rated an easy grow by its breeder and flowers in about 8 to 9 weeks.

The THC is high: Serious Seeds puts it at about 20%, its seed listing gives 19–22%, and Leafly’s strain data says about 19%.

History & lineage

For Simon, owner and breeder of Serious Seeds, AK-47 was the result of testing thousands of experimental plants from different lineages; by 1992 he had the hybrid he was after. Serious lists it as a cross of the best-known landraces from around the world, Colombian, Mexican, Thai and Afghan, though Simon keeps the exact pedigree secret. Despite the name, Serious Seeds says it was never meant to suggest violence: it refers to the strain’s “one hit wonder” effect. Leafly also knows it simply as AK.

AK-47 has a long Cup record under its own name. At the 1994 High Times Cannabis Cup, an AK-47 from Cerebral Seeds placed 3rd (Grey Area’s entry) and Cerebral’s AK-47 placed 2nd in the Hydro Cup, and Bluebird’s AK-47 placed 3rd in the 1996 Hydro Cup. Serious Seeds’ own AK-47 placed 2nd in the Indica Cup at the 2003 High Times Cannabis Cup and 3rd in the 2011 Hybrid Cup.

It has gone on to parent other strains. Serious crossed it with a White Widow to make White Russian.

Aroma & flavour

The nose is sour and earthy, with pungent skunk, pine and a hint of sandalwood, and Simon warns that the odour is extremely strong. Serious Seeds describes a base tone of spice and sweet citrus, and a grower’s report on its site found the taste mild and slightly sweet, with a slight sandalwood undertone. For AK-47 as a strain, Leafly users most often report earthy, pungent and woody flavours, then sweet, skunk and pine, and Leafly’s lab data lists myrcene as its most abundant terpene, ahead of pinene and caryophyllene. Our terpene guide explains what each of those brings.

Effects, as users report them

These are Leafly users’ reports for AK-47 as a strain, most common first. Simon of Serious Seeds describes a long-lasting, indica-dominant high, while Leafly’s write-up calls it relaxing and mellow, with a steady, long-lasting cerebral buzz. Dry mouth and dry eyes are the downsides users report most; smaller numbers report dizziness, paranoia, a headache or anxiety. Effects vary with the person and the dose, so if you are new to cannabis, start with a small amount.

Growing AK-47

AK-47 is a feminized photoperiod plant: it stays in vegetative growth until the light drops to 12 hours a day indoors, or until the nights lengthen outdoors. It flowers in 8 to 9 weeks (53 to 63 days), which Simon calls short for a sativa, and outdoors in the Northern Hemisphere it is ready in mid to late October. Serious Seeds calls it an easy plant that doesn’t need much attention and suits beginners, while Leafly rates it moderate.

The plant is medium-sized, growing vigorously in a Christmas-tree shape; in a grow report on Serious Seeds’ site, feminized plants finished at 65–85 cm (2.1–2.8 ft) indoors. Serious suggests leaving the main tip untopped so it forms a large central bud, while Leafly’s grow notes say early topping makes it bushier and clearing the bottom branches helps the top buds stack; our guide to topping and fimming weighs the options. The buds are compact, not too leafy and coated in resin, with a high calyx-to-leaf ratio that makes trimming quick. Serious puts indoor yields at 350–600 g/m² (1.1–2.0 oz/ft²), and outdoors expect up to about 500 g (18 oz) per plant. It has been grown outdoors in Spain with success, and Serious notes strong results in hydro.

Simon’s warning about the odour is worth taking seriously indoors; our guide to controlling grow smell covers carbon filters and other options.

Is AK-47 right for you?

Questions buyers ask