How to Grow Dark Star Auto
Dark Star Auto is a relaxing, deeply indica autoflower that packs rich Afghan and Kush genetics into a quick, hands-off grow. It pairs a comfortable 18–22% THC with an earthy, piney, skunky flavour and a happy, relaxed effect, on a short, fast plant that practically grows itself.
Built from Purple Kush crossed with Mazar and ruderalis, this is an 85% indica, 15% sativa strain with a dark, resinous look and a classic hashy, earthy character. The ruderalis side makes it autoflowering, so it races from seed to harvest without any change in the light schedule.
Recommended Strains
Dark Star Auto
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THC | 18% - 22% (Medium) |
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Type | Autoflowering |
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Yield | Medium |
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Phenotype | 85% Indica / 15% Sativa |
Mazar
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THC | 20% (Medium) |
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Type | Feminized |
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Yield | Medium |
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Phenotype | 90% Indica / 10% Sativa |
Because it is compact, forgiving and fast, Dark Star Auto is a great choice for beginners and for growers who want a steady, low-effort crop. You can see the full genetics and buy Dark Star Auto seeds on the strain page, and browse more of our autoflowering range alongside it.
Strain Profile at a Glance
| THC | 18–22% (medium) |
|---|---|
| Lineage | Purple Kush x Mazar x Ruderalis |
| Type | Autoflowering |
| Genetics | 85% Indica / 15% Sativa |
| Climate | Temperate |
| Life cycle | 8–10 weeks from seed |
| Harvest | All season |
| Height | 4.92 ft / 1.5 m |
| Yield | Medium |
| Yield indoor | 1.15–1.47 oz/ft² (350–450 g/m²) |
| Yield outdoor | 3.53–7.05 oz/plant (100–200 g/plant) |
| Grow difficulty | Beginner-friendly |
| Flavors | Earthy, Pine, Skunk, Sweet |
| Effects | Euphoric, Happy, Relaxed |
Promos & Deals
Climate and Where to Grow It
Dark Star Auto does well in a temperate climate with mild, steady conditions and plenty of light. It is a tough, adaptable plant that performs both outdoors and in a controlled indoor tent, reaching a moderate 1.5 m that still stays easy to manage.
Because it is autoflowering, it does not wait for the seasons. You can plant it almost any time in a warm stretch and it will run its full cycle, which makes several harvests in a single year possible outdoors. A single plant brings in a modest 100–200 g outdoors, while indoors it produces a steady 350–450 g/m².
Indoors, aim for daytime temperatures around 68–80°F (20–27°C) and keep steady airflow through the canopy. Its Purple Kush heritage means cool nights late in the cycle can bring out darker, purple-tinged hues in the buds, which is where the “Dark Star” name comes from.
Growing Autoflowering Seeds
The big advantage of an autoflower is that it flowers on its own schedule rather than on a light change. Dark Star Auto starts to bloom at about three weeks from seed, regardless of the day length, and finishes the whole run in roughly 8–10 weeks. There is no need to switch the lights to a shorter day.
For the best results, give it plenty of light, 18–20 hours a day works well from start to finish, and start it in its final pot. Autoflowers have a short, fixed life, so transplanting sets them back and costs you growth you cannot get back. Being a female-only autoflower, it also needs no sexing, so there are no males to spot or remove.
Feeding Schedule (EC Guide)
Autoflowers are small, fast plants, so they prefer a lighter touch than a big photoperiod strain. Start gently, build up slowly as the plant grows, and taper off for the final flush so the earthy, skunky flavour stays clean.
| Stage | EC (mS/cm) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Seedling | 0.4–0.6 | Very light feed, focus on healthy root growth |
| Vegetative growth | 0.8–1.2 | Build the frame, raise nitrogen gradually |
| Early flower | 1.2–1.4 | Shift toward bloom nutrients (P and K) |
| Full flower | 1.4–1.6 | Peak bloom feed while the buds swell |
| Flush | 0.0–0.4 | Plain water for the final 1–2 weeks |
Flowering and Harvest
With flowering starting at around three weeks, the whole plant is usually ready to cut 8–10 weeks from seed. The indica dominance shows in the structure: compact spacing, dense, resin-coated buds and a short, stout frame rather than long, stretchy branches.
Keep the canopy open so light and air reach the lower buds, and support any heavier colas if they start to lean. Harvest when most trichomes have turned cloudy with a few amber heads for the fullest expression, and run a short plain-water flush in the last week or two before you cut.
Drying and Curing
Dry whole plants or branches in a dark room at around 60°F (15–18°C) and 55–60% humidity for 7–14 days, until the thin stems snap rather than bend. A slow, even dry stops the dense buds staying damp in the middle while the outside dries out, which protects the earthy, hashy aroma.
Then cure the trimmed buds in sealed jars, burping them daily for the first week and letting them settle for three to four weeks. A proper cure brings the sweet, piney depth forward over the skunky, earthy base and smooths the smoke, which is exactly what this Afghan-Kush cross deserves.
What to Do With Your Trim
Don’t bin the sugar leaves you remove while manicuring. Dark Star Auto is a frosty, resinous plant, so the trim is excellent for dry sift, bubble hash or rosin, giving you a bonus run of potent concentrate from material most growers throw away.
Flavor and Terpenes
Dark Star Auto has a deep, savoury flavour of damp earth and fresh pine with a skunky edge and a sweet undertone, the hashy, old-school character you expect from its Afghan and Kush roots. It is a grounding, full-bodied profile rather than a fruity or citrus-forward one.
It carries a classic indica terpene stack, and all four of its named terpenes line up with the flavour. Myrcene anchors the earthy, musky base and carries the sweet undertone; alpha-pinene brings the crisp pine note; caryophyllene adds a peppery, spicy warmth; and humulene rounds it off with a woody, earthy depth. The skunky side comes from the strain’s own Mazar heritage layered over that base.
Effects and Best Use
With its 85% indica base, Dark Star Auto is reported as euphoric, happy and relaxed, a warm, body-forward character that settles in comfortably toward the end of the day. It is a mellow, contented profile that pairs an easy lift in mood with gentle physical ease.
At a moderate 18–22% THC it is approachable rather than overwhelming, which suits its beginner-friendly nature. That balance, the compact size, the fast cycle and the earthy, piney, skunky flavour make it a genuinely rewarding grow for anyone after an easy, dependable crop.
Common Problems and Pro Tips
Dark Star Auto is a compact, forgiving grow, but it is a dense, skunky indica auto that can turn purple, so plan around that.
- Train gently, not hard: as an autoflower it will not recover from heavy topping, so use low-stress bending while young and start it in its final pot.
- Use cool nights for colour: its Purple Kush heritage means cooler late-flower nights can bring out the dark, purple-tinged colour that gives it its name.
- Keep air moving: the dense indica buds hold moisture and the aroma is skunky, so keep humidity down, run a fan and use a carbon filter for discretion.
Expert tip: the earthy, piney, skunky profile holds up best with a slow, careful finish. Dry in a cool, dark space and cure in jars to protect that classic Afghan-Kush character.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dark Star Auto indica or sativa?
It is strongly indica-dominant, at 85% indica and 15% sativa, which shows in its relaxed, body-forward effect and its short, dense structure. That heavy indica build also means the buds are compact and hold moisture, so keep humidity down and run a fan through the canopy as it flowers.
How long does it take from seed to harvest?
About 8 to 10 weeks from seed. As an autoflower it starts to bloom at around three weeks on its own, with no need to change the light cycle. Plan your feed and training around that short, fixed window, because anything that stalls an auto costs you final yield you cannot recover.
Do I need to change the light schedule?
No. Dark Star Auto flowers automatically, so you can run 18 to 20 hours of light from start to finish. It will not wait for a shorter day to begin flowering. A steady, generous light schedule gives this compact plant the energy to build its dense, resinous buds across its short life.
Is Dark Star Auto good for beginners?
Yes. It is compact, fast and forgiving, which makes it beginner-friendly. Start it in its final pot to avoid transplant shock, give it plenty of light and keep any training gentle, and it is very straightforward. Watching humidity around the dense buds late in flower is the main job to remember.
Why does Dark Star Auto turn dark or purple?
Its Purple Kush heritage means cool night temperatures late in the cycle can bring out darker, purple-tinged colours in the buds, which gives the strain its name. The colour is cosmetic rather than a sign of potency, so chase it only if you want the look, not as a ripeness cue.
How much does it yield?
It is a medium producer: 1.15 to 1.47 oz/ft² (350 to 450 g/m²) indoors, and 3.53 to 7.05 oz (100 to 200 g) per plant outdoors in a good season. Good light and an open canopy help this compact auto make the most of its short, hands-off cycle.
