Ask most people what they think of as their favorite strain of cannabis and they can rattle off several names.
If they are not as experienced, they will likely be able to tell which type, sativa, indica, or a hybrid of the two, that they prefer.
In this article, we’ll delve into the difference between cannabis sativa, cannabis indica, and hybrid varieties. In the process, we’ll dispel a few myths and maybe even reveal a few facts that even the most seasoned smokers would be surprised to hear.
Keep reading to learn all about the difference between cannabis sativa, indica, and hybrid varieties.
Before we get into the meat of the article, we need to touch on the topic of phenotypes.
What are phenotypes? Phenotypes can be defined as the traits, characteristics, and qualities we observe in the variations of plants and animals. These traits are the result of genetics received from the plant or animal’s two parents.
Some examples of phenotypes include hair color, eye color, height, skin color, and other physical traits. Looking inward, the combination of genes results in chemical and physiological phenotypes that can be either desirable or undesirable, favorable or unfavorable.
Over the millennia, the cannabis phenotypes that have survived all others to dominate the landscape are cannabis sativa and cannabis indica. However, there are plenty of hybrid phenotypes out there which exhibit characteristics typical of the two.
In the growing community, phenotypes can be referred to as stable or unstable. Stability refers to the reliability of reproducing those traits from seed. A clone will be an exact copy of the source (mother) plant. A seed will display a lot of possible genetic variation in the produced plant. So, if a seed can reliably reproduce a near-identical plant, a plant with all the desired traits of that which produced the seed, it is considered a stable phenotype. If it cannot, it is considered unstable.
The chemotype of a cannabis plant refers to its chemical composition. Flavonoids, terpenes, and, of course. THC levels fall into the chemotype profile of a cannabis plant.
If we can consider the phenotype the macro-level observable details of a cannabis plant, the chemotype is the micro-level observable.
To put it another way, a clone taken from the same mother plant will have an exact phenotype shared between the two plants. However, if you change the environment, fertilizer, solid medium, and watering schedule, you will produce two different chemotypes from the same phenotype.
Now that we’ve got these precursory details out of the way, we can get to what you came for, the difference between sativa, indica, and hybrid cannabis varieties.
Cannabis sativa is the long, lanky member of the cannabis family.
Hailing from the warm and humid regions surrounding the equator, cannabis sativa enjoys a reliable climate with long hot summers and mild winters.
Because of these favorable conditions, cannabis sativa is able to enjoy a long and lazy growing season. Vegetative growth happens quickly.
The result of that quick growing period is a longer, thinner plant. The foliage is less dense and the many-fingered leaves are long with a vibrant shade of green. These plants can reach heights of 10 feet or more in ideal conditions.
Their unique profile also lends piney and sharper smells to be consistent among sativa strains.
The flowering period for cannabis sativa is long and generally produces more modest yields when compared to cannabis indica.
Due to the room and warm climate required for these plants to thrive, they are not generally preferred by home growers.
The effects that cannabis sativa flower reliably produces include:
Because these effects are associated with movement and energy, they are generally reserved for the daytime hours.
Popular cannabis sativa strains include Silver Haze, Sour Diesel, Green Crack, Strawberry Cough, and Maui Wowie.
Cannabis indica is the stubby, cantankerous member of the cannabis family.
This type of cannabis is well-known in mountainous regions, where temperate weather keeps its size modest and yields considerable when compared to cannabis sativa.
These plants are much better adapted to harsh environments and their physical stature makes them the preferred varieties for home growers.
In terms of appearance, cannabis indica plants are shorter and stubbier. Their leaves are also broader and more contained. Their fingers are closer together and the plants are generally of a darker hue.
In contrast to cannabis sativa, the vegetative season of cannabis indica is long, while flowering is short. This produces substantial yields on plants with a strong foundational structure.
The effects that cannabis indica reliably produces include:
Due to the heavier effects cannabis indica has on the body, it is generally used at night.
Popular cannabis indica strains include Purple Kush, Jack Herer, Blue Dream, Durban Poison, and Granddaddy Purple.
While many people may have a preference of sativa or indica, hybrids are an interesting alternative that combines characteristics from both phenotypes and chemotypes.
This way, one can have an energizing, anxiety-reducing experience that also increases appetite but won’t keep them up at night.
There are many hybrid cannabis strains to choose from and new crosses are being developed constantly.
This ensures a healthy variety for both medicinal and recreational cannabis users.
Some of the most popular cannabis hybrids include White Widow, AK 47, and Gorilla Glue.
Incorporating the different cannabis varieties into your wellness routine will produce a lot of benefits.
However, it’s important to understand that it may take time for you to find the exact cannabis phenotypes and chemotypes that work with your own physiology and chemistry.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions from your chosen source for cannabis. Details like THC and CBD content, growing source, and any lab results from unbiased testing labs will go a long way to inform your decision making.
Now that you have an in-depth understanding of the fundamental differences in cannabis varieties, we know you’ll use this valuable knowledge to improve your quality of life.
