Northern Lights #5
Also known as: NL#5, NL5, Northern Lights No. 5, CI #5 F1
Breeder: The Seed Bank (Nevil Schoenmakers); now maintained by Sensi Seeds
Northern Lights #5 is the crown jewel selection from the original Northern Lights breeding project in Seattle. A clone-only cut obtained by Greg McAllister in 1982 and sent to Nevil Schoenmakers in the Netherlands, NL#5 became the most influential indica mother in modern cannabis breeding. It brought hybrid vigor, resin density, and fast flowering to an otherwise pure-indica lineage, serving as the direct parent of Jack Herer, Super Silver Haze, and Shiva Skunk. The original US mother was lost during the 1989 DEA Operation Green Merchant raids but survived through Dutch propagation. Northern Lights #5 is the single most selected phenotype from the original Northern Lights breeding line, chosen by Nevil Schoenmakers for its superior resin production and uniform growth. The #5 cut became the foundation mother for some of the most important hybrids in cannabis history, including Northern Lights #5 x Haze (which swept multiple Cannabis Cups), Shiva Skunk, and Super Silver Haze. The original NL seeds were sent from Pacific Northwest breeder "Seattle Greg" (Greg McAllister) to Nevil at The Seed Bank in Amsterdam circa 1985-1986. The American NL mother plants were reportedly lost during the DEA's Operation Green Merchant raids in October 1989, but the genetics survived through Dutch preservation. NL5 expresses a terpene profile dominated by myrcene with supporting pinene and caryophyllene, producing its signature earthy-pine aroma with sweet, slightly spicy undertones. THC typically tests 18-22%, with less than 1% CBD.
Lineage & Genetics
Cross: Afghani x Hawaiian
The 'Purest Indica' mother was an Afghani landrace maintained by Steve Murphy in Seattle — a squat, heavy-resin plant that formed the backbone of the entire NL line. The sativa father (Hawaiian or possibly Northern Mexican) contributed the tropical nose, slightly taller structure, and hybrid vigor that distinguished #5 from the heavier, slower #1 and #2 selections. The cross produced what growers describe as 'lightning in a bottle' — Afghan resin production with sativa-like growth speed.
Lineage Dispute
The sativa parent is contested. Greg McAllister (original Seattle crew) told Todd McCormick it was 'a supposedly Hawaiian variety that Greg thinks was really from Northern Mexico.' SeedFinder and CannaGenie list it as Hawaiian. Some secondary sources (The 420 Crew, Sacred Seeds AU) list Thai instead. The indica mother is consistently identified as Steve Murphy's 'Purest Indica' Afghani line. The cross was made by 'Herbie' who worked at Murphy's Indoor Sun Shoppe in Seattle, circa 1980–82.
Terpene Profile
Myrcene —
Pinene —
Caryophyllene —
Aroma: Classic earthy-sweet musk with pine undertones and faint spice. The myrcene expression is remarkably consistent across plants — a trait attributed to decades of stabilization. Todd McCormick describes NL#5 as having 'a more tropical scent' than the heavier #2 phenotype. Cool late-flower temps bring out a subtle sweetness beneath the dominant earth-pine base.
Flavor: Earthy and piney on inhale with a sweet, slightly spicy finish. The smoke is smooth and clean for an indica of its era. Woody undertones emerge on exhale. After a proper 6–8 week cure, the sweet-earth terpene profile develops fully.
Effects & Experience
Onset: Gradual onset over 15–20 minutes, beginning as a warm physical heaviness behind the eyes and in the limbs before building into full-body relaxation.
Deep body stone with quiet mental euphoria. Not the heaviest cerebral hitter — the mind goes calm and content rather than racing or anxious. Muscle tension dissolves. Described as 'not as heavy as the #2' by those who've grown original genetics. The myrcene-dominant profile makes it hit harder than THC numbers suggest.
Duration: Long-lasting — 2 to 3 hours of primary effects with a slow taper into drowsiness. The sedative tail makes it a reliable sleep aid.
Commonly Reported Uses
Grower's Notes
Northern Lights #5 is one of the most forgiving indicas ever developed and remains a benchmark for beginner-friendly, high-performance cultivation. Originating from Pacific Northwest breeding circles in the early 1980s and popularized by Nevil Schoenmakers at The Seed Bank in Amsterdam, the #5 phenotype was selected for its exceptional resin production, compact structure, and rapid finishing time. Its genetic backbone—an Afghani indica crossed with a reputed Hawaiian sativa—expresses almost entirely as a stocky, bushy indica with minimal sativa stretch.
Growth Structure and Training
Indoor plants typically stay between 80 and 120 cm when vegged for three to five weeks, making NL5 an ideal candidate for tents as small as 60x60 cm. The strain's natural branching pattern is dense and symmetrical, responding exceptionally well to LST from week two or three of veg, SCROG netting, and topping at the third or fourth node. In a properly trained SCROG canopy under 600W HPS or equivalent LED delivering 700-900 PPFD at flower, expect yields of 450-550 g/m2. Untrained plants in the same footprint will still deliver 250-350 g/m2 thanks to the strain's inherent bud density.
Flowering Time and Harvest
Flowering initiates rapidly after the 12/12 flip, with visible pistils typically appearing within the first five days. Weeks one and two bring a moderate 30-50% stretch that is easily managed with continued LST. By weeks three and four, bud sites begin stacking aggressively, and you can push EC to 1.8-2.0 with a PK booster. Weeks five and six produce dense cola formation and rapidly intensifying terpene output—carbon filtration becomes mandatory as the earthy-sweet pine aroma builds. The strain flowers in 7-9 weeks total, with most phenotypes finishing at day 49-56. Check trichomes from week seven; harvest at 20-25% amber for maximum sedative indica effect.
Environmental parameters are straightforward
daytime temps of 22-26C during veg and early flower, cooling to 20-24C from week five onward to encourage color expression and resin density. Humidity should follow 65-70% at seedling, 55-65% in veg, 45-50% in early flower, and 40-45% in late flower. The dense bud structure makes NL5 susceptible to bud rot if humidity creeps above 50% during the final two weeks, so aggressive airflow and dehumidification are critical at the finish line.
Pest and Disease Resistance
NL5 is remarkably pest- and mold-resistant compared to most modern hybrids, tolerating temperature swings between day and night without complaint. It performs well in soil (pH 6.0-7.0), coco, and hydro (pH 5.8-6.2), and is a moderate feeder that responds to organic or synthetic nutrient programs without fuss. Outdoors, the strain thrives in Mediterranean-style climates, finishing by late September to early October in the Northern Hemisphere. Outdoor plants can stretch to 180-220 cm and yield 500-625 g per plant under full sun. The fast flower time allows 4-5 indoor cycles per year, making NL5 one of the most productive strains for perpetual harvest rotations.
Drying and Curing
Dry for 10-14 days at 60F/60% RH, then cure in sealed jars for a minimum of four weeks. A proper cure unlocks the full spectrum of earthy pine, sweet spice, and subtle woody undertones driven by the myrcene-dominant terpene profile with supporting pinene and caryophyllene.
History & Origin
The Northern Lights project began in the late 1970s in Seattle when a group including Steve Murphy and 'The Indian' grew and selected 11 Afghan-based plants numbered #1–#11. Around 1980–82, 'Herbie' (who worked at Murphy's Indoor Sun Shoppe) crossed the Purest Indica mother with a Hawaiian (or possibly Northern Mexican) sativa to produce the #5 selection. Greg McAllister obtained the NL#5 clone in 1982 via trade with Herbie and recognized it as a standout. Greg sent the #5 cutting to Nevil Schoenmakers in the Netherlands, who commercialized it through The Seed Bank of Holland starting around 1985. Nevil used NL#5 as a mother for numerous crosses, most famously NL#5 x Haze (1988). In October 1989, the DEA's Operation Green Merchant raided Murphy's shop and dismantled the Seattle crew's operations — the original US NL#5 mother was believed lost. The genetics survived through Nevil's Dutch propagation. When Nevil sold The Seed Bank to Ben Dronkers in 1990, the NL#5 genetics transferred to Sensi Seeds, where they remain today. Seeds found in a deceased relative's belongings later provided Greg McAllister with original pre-Holland NL#5 seed stock, now preserved by AG Seed Co.
Awards & Recognition
- ●1990 High Times Cannabis Cup — Pure Indica (The Seed Bank)
- ●1989 High Times Cannabis Cup (NL#5 / NL#5 x Haze — The Seed Bank)
- ●1992 High Times Cannabis Cup (NL#5 x Haze — The Seed Bank)
- ●1st Place, High Times Cannabis Cup 1991 — Best Overall (Northern Lights #5)
- ●3rd Place, Highlife Cup 2002 — Bio Seedbanks Category (Sensi Seeds)
Notable Crosses
Strains bred using Northern Lights #5 as a parent:
Frequently Asked Questions
7 common questions about Northern Lights #5
What is Northern Lights #5 and what are its genetics?
Northern Lights #5 is a indica cannabis strain (90% Indica / 10% Sativa) bred by The Seed Bank (Nevil Schoenmakers); now maintained by Sensi Seeds. It is a cross of Afghani x Hawaiian, testing at 16–22% THC. Northern Lights #5 is the crown jewel selection from the original Northern Lights breeding project in Seattle. A clone-only cut obtained by Greg McAllister in 1982 and sent to Nevil Schoenmakers in the Netherlands, NL#5 became the most influential indica mother in modern cannabis breeding.
What does Northern Lights #5 smell and taste like?
Northern Lights #5's dominant terpenes are Myrcene. The aroma is described as classic earthy-sweet musk with pine undertones and faint spice. the myrcene expression is remarkably consistent across plants — a trait attributed to decades of stabilization. todd mccormick describes nl#5 as having 'a more tropical scent' than the heavier #2 phenotype. cool late-flower temps bring out a subtle sweetness beneath the dominant earth-pine base.. The flavor profile features earthy and piney on inhale with a sweet, slightly spicy finish. the smoke is smooth and clean for an indica of its era. woody undertones emerge on exhale. after a proper 6–8 week cure, the sweet-earth terpene profile develops fully..
What are the effects of Northern Lights #5?
Gradual onset over 15–20 minutes, beginning as a warm physical heaviness behind the eyes and in the limbs before building into full-body relaxation. Deep body stone with quiet mental euphoria. Not the heaviest cerebral hitter — the mind goes calm and content rather than racing or anxious. Duration is typically long-lasting — 2 to 3 hours of primary effects with a slow taper into drowsiness. the sedative tail makes it a reliable sleep aid.. Commonly reported uses include Insomnia, Chronic pain, Muscle spasms, Stress relief.
How hard is Northern Lights #5 to grow?
Northern Lights #5 is rated easy difficulty. It flowers in 7-9 weeks, reaches medium (80-160 cm indoor) in height, and yields 450-550 g/m² indoors. Best suited for indoor, outdoor, greenhouse environments.
What are the parent strains of Northern Lights #5?
Northern Lights #5 is a cross of Afghani and Hawaiian. The 'Purest Indica' mother was an Afghani landrace maintained by Steve Murphy in Seattle — a squat, heavy-resin plant that formed the backbone of the entire NL line. The sativa father (Hawaiian or possibly Northern Mexican) contributed the tropical nose, slightly taller structure, and hybrid vigor that distinguished #5 from the heavier, slower #1 and #2 selections.
What strains were bred from Northern Lights #5?
Northern Lights #5 has been used as a parent in several notable crosses, including Jack Herer, Super Silver Haze, Shiva Skunk, Northern Lights #5 x Haze, NL5 Haze Mist. Its genetics contribute to a wide range of modern cultivars.
Has Northern Lights #5 won any cannabis awards?
Yes. Northern Lights #5 has received recognition including 1990 High Times Cannabis Cup — Pure Indica (The Seed Bank); 1989 High Times Cannabis Cup (NL#5 / NL#5 x Haze — The Seed Bank); 1992 High Times Cannabis Cup (NL#5 x Haze — The Seed Bank).
Sources & References (28)
- SeedFinder.eu — Northern Lights #5 (The Seed Bank) strain info
- AG Seed Co / Todd McCormick — 'What is Northern Lights?' (history from Greg McAllister)
- CannaGenie — Northern Lights Genetics (full lineage documentation)
- Cannabis Cup Winners — 1990 High Times Cannabis Cup results
- Sensi Seeds — Northern Lights #5 x Haze product pages
- Cannapedia.ai — Northern Lights #5 strain profile
- The 420 Crew — Northern Lights 5 Strain Complete Guide
- Sacred Seeds Australia — Northern Lights Strain Review & Grow Guide
- Seedbanks.com — Northern Lights Seeds Guide (grower notes)
- Royal Queen Seeds — Northern Lights blog
- THC Farmer forums — NL phenotype discussion
- ICMag forums — 1989 NL5 thread
- Grower's Notes cultivation sources:
- https://the420crew.com/northern-lights-5-strain/
- https://cannapedia.ai/strain/northern-lights-5/
- https://www.alignedwellnessdc.com/post/northern-lights-strain
- https://growguide.app/blog/northern-lights-cannabis-yields-grow-times-techniques/
- https://sacredseedsaustralia.co/blog/strain-guides/northern-lights-strain-review-grow-guide/
- https://seedfinder.eu/en/strain-info/northern-lights-nr5/the-seed-bank
- https://agseedco.com/blogs/news/the-history-of-northern-lights
- https://www.hscrew.ch/en/blogs/who-are-the-legends/nevil-part-3-breeding-of-the-culture
- https://www.cannagenie.org/cultivar-history/landrace-families/asia-genetics/afghani-genetics/northern-lights-genetics
- https://www.hscrew.ch/en/blogs/history-of-genetics/northern-lite-vs-northern-light
- https://www.leafly.com/strains/northern-lights
- https://dutch-passion.com/en/cannabis-seeds/master-kush
- https://sensiseeds.com/en/cannabis-seeds/sensi-seeds/northern-lights
- https://www.royalqueenseeds.com/blog-northern-lights-strain-review-n1424
- https://weedmaps.com/strains/northern-lights
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