Cheese vs Northern Lights: Which Cannabis Strain Is Better?
A detailed side-by-side comparison of Cheese (Indica) and Northern Lights (Indica) covering potency, effects, flavors, medical uses, and growing characteristics.
THC: 15-20% | CBD: 0.1-0.3%
Relaxed, Happy, Euphoric
Easy to grow
THC: 16-21% | CBD: 0.1-0.3%
Relaxed, Sleepy, Happy
Easy to grow
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Cheese | Northern Lights |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Indica | Indica |
| THC Range | 15-20% | 16-21% |
| CBD Range | 0.1-0.3% | 0.1-0.3% |
| Effects | Relaxed, Happy, Euphoric, Hungry, Sleepy | Relaxed, Sleepy, Happy, Euphoric, Hungry |
| Flavors | Cheese, Earthy, Pungent, Skunky, Creamy | Earthy, Pine, Sweet, Spicy |
| Terpenes | Myrcene, Caryophyllene, Pinene | Myrcene, Caryophyllene, Pinene |
| Medical Uses | Stress, Pain, Insomnia, Anxiety, Appetite Loss | Insomnia, Pain, Stress, Anxiety, Appetite Loss |
| Grow Difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Flowering Time | 8-9 weeks | 7-9 weeks |
| Indoor Yield | 400-500g/m² | 450-550g/m² |
| Outdoor Yield | 500-600g/plant | 550-650g/plant |
| Height | Medium (3-5 ft) | Short (< 3 ft) |
| Genetics | Skunk #1 phenotype | Afghani x Thai |
| Breeder | Unknown (UK origin, late 1980s) | Sensi Seeds (originally developed on the US West Coast) |
Effects Comparison
Shared Effects
Unique to Cheese
Unique to Northern Lights
Growing Comparison
Cheese
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Flowering
- 8-9 weeks
- Indoor Yield
- 400-500g/m²
- Outdoor Yield
- 500-600g/plant
- Height
- Medium (3-5 ft)
Northern Lights
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Flowering
- 7-9 weeks
- Indoor Yield
- 450-550g/m²
- Outdoor Yield
- 550-650g/plant
- Height
- Short (< 3 ft)
Ready to Grow?
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Ready to Grow?
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Which Should You Choose?
If you are looking for higher potency, Northern Lights edges ahead with THC levels up to 21% compared to Cheese's 20%. Both strains can help with stress, pain, insomnia, so either is a solid choice if those are your primary concerns. Ultimately, the best strain depends on your personal preferences, tolerance, and intended use.
Related Strain Comparisons
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cheese or Northern Lights stronger?▾
Cheese has a THC range of 15-20%, while Northern Lights ranges from 16-21% THC. Northern Lights is generally the more potent strain.
Which is easier to grow, Cheese or Northern Lights?▾
Cheese is rated easy to grow, while Northern Lights is rated easy. Both strains have similar grow difficulty. Cheese flowers in 8-9 weeks and Northern Lights in 7-9 weeks.
What are the main differences between Cheese and Northern Lights?▾
Cheese is a indica strain while Northern Lights is a indica. Cheese is known for relaxed, happy, euphoric effects with cheese and earthy flavors. Northern Lights offers relaxed, sleepy, happy effects with earthy and pine flavors.
Can Cheese and Northern Lights be used for the same medical conditions?▾
Both strains share some medical applications. Cheese is used for stress, pain, insomnia, anxiety, appetite loss, while Northern Lights is used for insomnia, pain, stress, anxiety, appetite loss. Always consult a healthcare professional before using cannabis for medical purposes.
Which yields more, Cheese or Northern Lights?▾
Indoors, Cheese yields approximately 400-500g/m² while Northern Lights yields 450-550g/m². Outdoors, Cheese produces around 500-600g/plant and Northern Lights around 550-650g/plant. Actual yields depend on growing conditions, training techniques, and grower experience.