Welcome to the KGB Online Marijuana Strain Library, where you will find detailed information on marijuana strains, including strain origins and genetics, strain-specific grow tips, smoke reports and descriptions of the effects, marijuana photos, and more.
Marijuana strains are either pure breeds or hybrid varieties of Cannabis, typically of the species Cannabis Indica or Cannabis Sativa. Strains are developed to highlight a specific combination of properties of the plant or to establish marketing differentiation. Strain names are typically chosen by their growers, and often reflect properties of the plant, such as taste, color, smell, or the origin of the strain.
Top Marijuana Strains
Marijuana Genetics – Cannabis Indica / Sativa
The Cannabis genus is typically considered to have two species, Cannabis indica and Cannabis sativa. A third species known as Cannabis ruderalis differs from the other two species in a few key ways. Pure sativas are relatively tall (reaching as high as 4.5 meters), with long internodes and branches, and large, narrow-bladed leaves. Pure indica strains are shorter and bushier, have wider leaflets, and are often favored by indoor growers. Sativas bloom later than indicas, often taking a month or two longer to mature. The subjective effects of sativas and indicas are said to differ, but the ratio of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) to cannabidiol (CBD) in most named drug strains of both types is similar (averaging about 200:1). Unlike most commercial drug strains, indica landraces often consist of a mixture of plants with varying THC/CBD ratios. The relatively high CBD to THC ratio typical of hashish produced in regions where these landraces are grown (e.g., Afghanistan and Pakistan) is useful for treating insomnia. Cannabis ruderalis is very short, produces only trace amounts of THC and flowers independently of the photoperiod and according to age.
Top Cannabis Indica Strains
Marijuana Genetics – Hybrid Strains
In addition to “pure” indica, sativa, and ruderalis strains, hybrids strains with varying ratios of these three types are common. For example, the White Widow hybrid is purported to have about 60% “indica,” and 40% “sativa” genetics. These hybrid strains have combinations of traits derived from both parental types. There are also commercial cross-bred hybrids which contain a mix of both ruderalis, indica and/or sativa genes (these hybrids are usually called autoflowering strains). The “low rider” is the most famous auto-flowering hybrid and retains the auto-flowering characteristic of ruderalis plants, while also producing usable amounts of THC/CBD. Auto-flowering marijuana strains are considered advantageous by some growers due to their discreet size, short growing periods, and the fact that they don’t rely on a change in light schedule to determine when to flower.
