What do Northern Lights, AK-47, and Skunk #1 all have in common? They’re all heavy in myrcene! This terpene is beloved by many for its earthy peppery taste that might remind one of lemongrass or hops. By far the most common terpene, any smoker can certainly recognize this flavour. Check out our list of the best myrcene strains for any grower.
What is myrcene?
Myrcene is the most common terpene in cannabis and gives plants a spicy citrusy flavor. On average, myrcene makes up more than 20% of the terpenes found in most commercial cannabis strains.
What does myrcene smell like?
Myrcene has a sweet and spicy scent and taste that some claim reminds them of a mango. This terpene is also commonly found in is also found in cardamom, basil, lemongrass, and hops, which can account for the earthy, peppery taste in some beers.
What are the effects of myrcene?
Myrcene has some of the most consistent effects of many terpenes. Strains high in it tend to produce a heavy “couch-lock” effect, making them ideal for relaxing or getting some much-needed sleep.
What are the best myrcene strains?
Like anything else, this is a matter of taste. But, since myrcene is so common in weed, it’s pretty easy to find a strain that suits your needs. Here are a few of our favourite myrcene strains.
1. OG Kush
There’s no better place to start than with the OG itself. As the name suggests, OG Kush is a truly classic strain that crosses Lemon Thai, Pakistani Kush, and Chemdawg to create a 60% indica hybrid. This strain has become the backbone of West Coast genetics and is responsible for other amazing strains like Girl Scout Cookies and Headband.
The effects of OG Kush start with a nice smooth lift-off thanks to its sativa origins but this quickly turns into a very deep and relaxing physical stoned sensation. Thanks to the high levels of myrcene, the flavour of this strain is best described as fruity and citrus with an underlying pine and even hints of diesel.
For growers, OG Kush makes an ideal choice both inside and outside. Since it’s mostly indica, it tends to grow quite short and bushy. Even outdoors these things typically top out at only around 115 cm tall and indoor growers can keep under half a metre in height if needed. This makes them a great choice for guerilla growing.
Despite its short stature, this strain can produce up to 650 grams per plant outdoors and contains up to 20% THC. This is thanks to the incredibly heavy and dense buds that are well-supported by the plant’s thick sturdy branches. With a flowering time of as little as 55 days, this is also a very speedy plant that indoor growers can quickly turn around.
2. Purple Bud
The 75% indica hybrid Purple Bud is named for, well, its giant purple buds. This strain is a mix of both Hindu Kush and Purple Kush as well as an Afghan-Jamaican cross which results in a very deep and heavy stoned feeling. The high levels of myrcene mean that the flavours of Purple Bud are berry, earthy, and piney and users should get comfortable and clear their afternoon before going too heavy on this strain.
Like many other indica-dominant hybrids, Purple Bud tends to stay fairly short and compact. Outdoors, don’t expect to see these get much taller than maybe 120 cm and inside these are unlikely to get above 80 cm. If you’re growing these inside, you can still expect to harvest as much as 500 grams per square metre in about 60-65 days.
These bushy plants are compact, sturdy, and stocky with wide-fingered leaves while the dense buds tend to grow in clusters on the canopy. If you want to really bring out the purple, turn the temperature down a few degrees.
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3. Blue Cheese
As a cross between Blueberry and UK Cheese, Blue Cheese is an 80% indica hybrid that is known for its distinctive creamy, fruity, and cheesy taste as well as its powerful physical stoned sensations thanks to the myrcene. This strain is a long-running favourite for relaxing at the end of a long day.
Unlike many other indica-heavy strains, Blue Cheese plants can grow fairly tall. Growers planting these seeds outdoors can expect plants in the 180 cm range while those opting for indoor growing can easily see these plants reach over a metre tall. However, size isn’t everything and these plants aren’t known to produce significantly more than shorter strains. Outside, these can produce up to 550 grams per plant over the 55-60 day flowering period.
Because of its indica bushiness and sativa lankiness, Blue Cheese is an ideal choice for SOG and ScrOG growing, allowing growers to get even more out of their plants.
4. Northern Lights
One of the most famous strains the world has ever seen, Northern Lights is an almost pure indica (90%) and is prized for its fast flowering, resinous buds, and resilient nature. Created in 1985, this strain combines Afghani and Thai into a single potent package.
These plants are some of the best out there for novice growers, but even experts sing the praises of this strain. With a height that averages around 1 metre, these plants are ideal for both indoor and outdoor growers. Their stocky stems and dense branches allow them to produce up to 650 grams per plant at a moderate 16% THC with high levels of myrcene.
The incredibly dense buds of this strain tend to have a pleasant earthy and spicy aroma with a slightly sweeter taste. Expect a dreamy, euphoric, and happy high that is a perfect companion for a relaxing afternoon in the park.
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5. AK-47/AK-48
A strain as legendary as its namesake, AK-47 is a long-time classic among growers and consumers alike. As a cross between Colombian, Mexican, Thai, and Afghani, this hybrid is 65% sativa-dominant resulting in a significantly more energetic high than many other strains we’ve talked about so far.
Users can expect a woody and earthy flavour that gives a long-lasting and talkative high ideal for socializing or going out on a walk. But it’s also got enough of an indica punch to knock you off your feet if you’re not careful. While the exact origin of the name AK-47 is widely debated, the comparison to the rifle is no coincidence. This stuff kills.
If you want to grow some for yourself, expect it to cap out around 120 cm indoors and up to 180cm under natural light. Over the course of its 55-65 day flowering cycle, these plants can produce up to 650 grams per plant with some of the highest levels of THC of any strain out there.
If you’re a fan of autoflowering plants, there’s also AK-48. This has all the features of the classic strain but with the added bonus of flowering automatically after as little as 50 days. These plants stay even shorter than the photoperiod variety and produce a lower yield, but they can be grown all year long.
6. Skunk #1
The very first stabilized hybrid developed for indoor cultivation (a result of crossing Afghani, Acapulco Gold, and Colombian Gold), Skunk #1 is one of the very best choices for growers both inside and outside. Originally bred in California in the late 1970s, it made its way to Europe in the early 1980s where it has remained a favourite among growers and consumers.
Ideal for nearly any situation, Skunk #1 performs well indoors, in a greenhouse, or outside in a reasonably warm and sunny climate. If you’re putting these outside, expect them to reach nearly 2 metres tall and close to half that indoors. Either way, these plants flower incredibly quickly and can be ready in as little as 50 days.
These plants can produce up to 450 grams per square metre when grown indoors and the THC content can reach a respectable 16%. The strong stems and branches are great for supporting the strain’s dense chunky buds. Smokers will find themselves feeling the effects of the 65% indica strain as a relaxed body sensation while the sativa lineage brings out a clear and creative focus.
6.2 Critical Skunk
One of our newest strains, Critical Skunk combines Skunk #1 with Afghani #1 to really lean into the strain’s indica nature. This cross results in a strain that is 80% indica but still retains the energetic and euphoric high of a sativa.
This strain is shorter; reaching only about 120 cm even outdoors. Further, yields are a bit lower at only 425 grams per square metre; that’s a negligible amount considering the size difference. Lastly, Critical Skunk flowers even faster; in as little as 45 days.
7. G-13
This strain might just be the source for one of weed’s longest-running urban myths. The story goes like this.
Back in the 1960s, the FBI, CIA, and/or the Pentagon began to collect the very best weed strains from illegal growers all around the country. They took these plants to a secret facility at the University of Mississippi where government farmers spent years creating the most powerful marijuana ever seen. One random researcher smuggles out a clone and the rest, as they say, is history.
While this story is almost certainly made up, the fact remains that G-13 is some of the most potent strains out there. Many users report a sleepy euphoria which makes it great for anyone who’s feeling a bit nervous or just wants to get some sleep after a busy day.
G-13 plants can grow up to 160 cm outdoors and can produce up to 700 grams per plant. These tend to grow more than other strains but they also take longer. This strain can need as long as 80 days to reach full maturity.
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8. Lemon Haze
Next up on today’s list, Lemon Haze is a cross of Lemon Skunk and Amnesia Haze resulting in a 60% sativa hybrid. This gives the plant a relatively fast flowering time of only 55-65 days while still allowing it to reach more than 2 metres tall if planted outdoors. Even inside, these plants can easily approach 150 cm in height, so be careful if trying to do these indoors.
Even though it’s a taller strain, the fact that it’s a lanky sativa means that yields are slightly lower than some others on this list. Outdoors, growers can expect to harvest up to 500 grams per plant at up to 21% THC. Lemon Haze’s stretched branches retain a fair bit of bushiness and this combination makes this plant ideal for ScrOG growing.
The flavours of this strain are naturally very citrusy with hints of skunk and the effect on users is creative, euphoric, and social. This is a true party plant.
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9. Trainwreck
This strain might not have as much myrcene as many of the others discussed here, but the earthy, spicy taste is there just the same. As an 80% sativa hybrid, Trainwreck is one of the tallest strains around easily reaching 2.5 metres tall under natural light. Even indoors, these things can tower over 150 cm.
With that height comes a very lanky, stretched-out plant that fills out nicely from top to bottom. The buds are fairly dense and can contain up to 17% THC but the plants only produce up to around 550 grams per plant outdoors. Certainly not bad, but growers who are used to stockier indicas might be surprised.
But people don’t choose Trainwreck for the yield, they choose it for its amazing euphoric and cerebral high. Unlike more indica-dominant strains, this one will get you up off the couch and itching to go on an adventure.
Do you like the flavours myrcene adds to strains? Which of these strains have you ever grown? If you’ve got any tips or questions, sound off in the comments!
