5 Great Strains to Grow in 2022

Maximum Yield Cover Article 2022

Proven genetics, market pull, and real world grow performance

Aside from alcohol, cannabis is one of the most widely used recreational substances in the world. A UNODC report estimates 244 million people used cannabis in 2023, showing just how massive the demand is globally.

With thousands of cultivars on the market and consumer preferences shifting constantly, choosing your first production strains can feel overwhelming. Some growers revert to old school classics, others chase hype, and a lot of people end up reinventing the wheel.

The truth is, strain selection is half market strategy and half facility strategy. You need genetics that customers actually want, and that your grow can consistently deliver.

The market

Like any industry, cannabis follows the consumer. Potency, bag appeal, aroma, and flavor influence what sells and what sits. Trends change in waves, but one thing stays constant: people want loud, clean, potent flower that looks and smokes like it should.

To stand out in a busy recreational market, a micro cultivation site or licensed producer needs at least one strain that feels current, recognizable, and differentiated.

Growth factors to consider

Before choosing a strain, think beyond hype and ask a few practical questions:

• Is it resistant to mold and common pests

• How long is flowering and can your schedule handle it

• Does it stretch heavily and do your ceiling heights support it

• Does it perform under your lighting intensity and environment

• Is trim time reasonable and does it finish clean in dry and cure

• Can you keep it consistent through cloning and mothering

In general:

Sativa dominant varieties
Taller plants, more stretch, longer flowering times, often 9 to 12 weeks or more depending on cultivar.

Indica dominant varieties
Shorter, bushier, typically faster finishing, often 7 to 9 weeks.

Autoflowers (ruderalis hybrids)
Flower based on age rather than photoperiod, unique potential, but less compatible with traditional commercial mother and clone workflows.

Top 5 strains of 2022

Compiled from market pull, long term reputation, and grow characteristics, here are five strains that made sense to run in 2022.

5) Jungle Cake

A strong option from Seed Junky Genetics, Jungle Cake is known for dessert leaning aroma and a balanced, enjoyable effect profile. It is a crowd pleaser that can perform well in indoor rooms when dialed.

4) Exodus Cheese

Also known as UK Cheese, this is a legendary skunk leaning cultivar with a distinct profile that still holds appeal for the right buyer. It is not a modern dessert trend strain, it is a loud classic with a loyal following.

3) The Soap

A standout modern hybrid with a unique floral, creamy profile. The Soap gained attention for its distinct nose and strong potency potential. It can produce dense flowers and high bag appeal when your environment is tight.

2) 91 Krypt

A potent hybrid from DNA Genetics with a more complex, exotic profile. It is often described as having diesel and citrus notes with deeper fruit and wood undertones. It tends to stay compact with heavy buds, making it suitable for tighter indoor spacing.

1) Jealousy

A modern powerhouse. Jealousy became a staple because it reliably checks key consumer boxes: strong potency, appealing aroma, and high end bag appeal. When grown properly, it is the kind of flower that helps a facility look premium.

Genetics

Start clean. That matters more than almost anything.

If you are bringing in genetics, avoid introducing pests and pathogens through rushed clone sourcing. Many growers prefer starting from seed for initial selection and pheno hunting, then cloning forward only from verified clean mothers.

Also remember that even within the same seed pack, phenotypes vary. Plan to pop more seeds than you need, select the winners, and cull anything that does not perform.

2026 Update

Cannabis trends have continued to shift since 2022, and it is worth adding a quick modern note for anyone reading this today. In recent years, terp forward modern hybrids have become major market drivers. Leafly named Permanent Marker their 2023 Strain of the Year and Super Boof their 2024 Strain of the Year, which is a good snapshot of where mainstream attention has been flowing.

At the same time, proven classics still dominate volume in many regions. Blue Dream was reported as the number one best selling flower strain in California in 2024 and continued showing up as a top seller into 2025, proving that familiar favorites can still anchor a menu and move reliably.

A balanced strain strategy in 2026 typically looks like this:

• Run one or two consistent sellers to stabilize revenue and forecasting

• Run one or two modern terp driven strains to capture premium demand

• Keep one rotating slot for pheno hunts and new genetics so the menu stays fresh