Cannabis aficionados’ are well aware that their favorite plant comes in two distinct varieties: Cannabis Indica and Cannabis Sativa.
Take a look at our picks for the best indica strains!
Although these are the same species of plant, they have quite a few differences. Physically, Indica plants tend to be short and bushy, while Sativa’s grow long and thin.
The differences aren’t limited to their physical appearance. The two can vary quite a bit in their effects when consumed. Generally speaking, marijuana from Indica plants produces a stronger “body-high” with more somatic effects, while Sativa plants have a “heady” or “cerebral” high with more pronounced mental effects.
These are fairly general definitions. There actually can be a strong overlap between the effects of Indica and Sativa plants. But as a rule of thumb, Indica plants are more relaxing and produce more pronounced effects on the body, whereas Sativa plants can be stimulating and get the gears turning in your mind.
Because Indica and Sativa are varieties of the Cannabis plant and not distinct species on their own, they can freely interbreed. As a result, some of the most sought after marijuana strains are a blend of Indica and Sativa genetics. The ten strains we’ve selected in this article are what are known as Indica dominant strains, meaning that they contain a majority of Indica genetics, but also have some Sativa genetics and properties as well.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at ten strains we’ve selected as the finest examples Indica has to offer.
1. Super Skunk (80% Indica, 20% Sativa)
Super Skunk is a strain known for its powerful body high, its unforgettable (and irresistable) “skunk” aroma, and high yield when grown both indoors and out. Regularly producing flowers with a THC content of 20% or higher, this is a strain to be reckoned with.
Being a heavily Indica dominant strain, Super Skunk’s effects are characteristically Indica. It produces a whole-body relaxation which is ideal for relieving aches and pains, fighting nausea, and reducing stress — or just creating an enjoyable body high.
However, the touch of Sativa also shines through, producing an uplifting mental high which can keep you focused and alert even as the powerful Indica dominance creates an undeniable relaxation.
Super Skunk is a favorite among both veteran growers and first time hobbyists. It can be grown in most climates, offers a high resistance to disease, and successful crops are very rewarding with high yields. Indoors, Super Skunk can yield up to 18 ounces per square meter, while outdoor plants can produce a whopping 21 ounces per plant.
Up to 21 ounces per plant outdoors.
18 ounces per square meter indoors .
2. Girl Scout Cookies (Extreme) (80% Indica, 20% Sativa)
Another 80/20 favorite, Girl Scout Cookies has carved out a niche for itself as one of the most famous Indica strains in recent years. Well known for its sweet taste which bears a striking resemblance to its namesake, Girl Scout Cookies is a true delight for the senses.
But this wonderful strain isn’t just a sweet taste and a pleasant aroma. Packed with up to 21% THC, it can produce a distinct and powerful high. The high is characterized by a deep relaxation, an uplifting euphoria, and an all encompassing body high which relaxes every muscle and calms every nerve, ideal for fighting pain.
Despite this distinctive body high, Girl Scout Cookies doesn’t produce much drowsiness or mental fog. Instead, it offers a delightful combination of Indica relaxation and Sativa stimulation, making it an ideal strain for flexing your creative muscles or stimulating engaging conversations.
Growing Girl Scout Cookies plants isn’t too difficult, although they definitely prefer warmer Mediterranean-esque climates. They have a high resistance to parasites and disease, and can have very substantial yields: up to 21 ounces per plant outdoors, or 21 ounces per square meter indoors.
Up to 21 ounces per plant outdoors.
21 ounces per square meter indoors .
3. Grandaddy Purple (100% Indica)
These beautiful plants are true 100% Indica genetics. Known for its distinctive appearance characterized by gorgeous rich purple flowers, Grandaddy Purple is almost as exciting to look at as it is to smoke.
Almost. The whopping THC content — up to 23% — makes this a powerful strain to puff on! As a pure Indica, this strain gives everything you’d expect from good ole Indica genetics. It produces a deep body high with a strong buzz, and a complete mental and physical reaction. However, it stops short of the “couch-lock” effect, giving you something which is quite powerful but also enables you to enjoy the high without taking yourself out of commission.
The taste and aroma of Grandaddy Purple complements its appearance perfectly. You’ll find an aroma and flavor rich with the sweetness of grapes and subtly decorated with hints of an earthy pine forest.
Grandaddy Purple is suitable for beginners, although it can be somewhat sensitive to environmental conditions like humidity and temperature. Although best suited for growing outdoors, it can also respond well to the right indoor setup. Outdoor plants can yield up to 14-17 ounces of bud per plant.
Up to 14-17 ounces per plant outdoors.
4. Northern Lights (90% Indica, 10% Sativa)
Northern Lights has become a favorite strain among growers and users alike. It has a uniquely sweet aroma rounded off with a hint of spiciness which translates perfectly when smoked. With gorgeous multi-colored buds dusted with an irresistible snow of trichomes, there is a lot to like from Northern Lights at first glance.
Coming in at up to 18% THC, the high from these flowers can be quite the ride. With its strong Indica characteristics, Northern Lights produces a powerful body high. It is extremely relaxing — a lazy strain which could put you to sleep or make you delightfully couch locked if you smoke enough.
Regarded as dead-simple to grow, this strain prefers warm, sunny climates. The plants thrive on as much light as they can get, and respond well both indoors and out. Outdoor plants can yield up to 22 ounces per plant, while indoor grows can reach yields of up to 18 ounces per square meter.
Up to 22 ounces per plant outdoors.
Up to 18 ounces per square meter indoors .
5. Skywalker OG (80% Indica, 20% Sativa)
Skywalker OG is a distinctly beautiful, powerful, and unique strain. It features gorgeous buds with hints of blue and purple mixed with a deep green. The smell and taste recall the rich earthy tones found in the depths of an old-growth forest, rich with loam and pine.
This is not a strain to take lightly! It can contain up to 26% THC, a truly massive dose for any user! It produces a powerful full-body high with hints of a Sativa-esque mental stimulation, giving you just enough of a head high to keep you going as the powerful waves of relaxing euphoria wash over every cell in your body.
Growing Skywalker OG requires a bit of care and know-how, so it may not be best for complete beginners. These plants are hungry for space and sunlight, making them ill suited for indoor growing. Outdoors is best, but these plants prefer a dry climate with minimal humidity, as they can be prone to mildew.
Up to 14-17 ounces per square meter.
6. Afghan (100% Indica)
Afghan is one of the most distinctive and original pure Indica strains in the world. It is renowned for being densely packed with sticky resins and is the strain responsible for producing the famous Afghani hash.
Producing a powerful full body relaxation, this plant is truly an Indica in genetics and effects. With up to 20% THC, it can pack quite a punch, but isn’t quite as sedating as some Indicas, instead producing a pleasant relaxation which doesn’t make you too drowsy.
Afghan is extremely easy to grow. With genes derived from hardy wild plants, it can thrive in just about any environment and adapts well to changing conditions. It does extremely well outdoors, requiring minimal tending. Yields are moderate, up to 14 ounces per square meter for indoor grows.
Up to 14 ounces per square meter indoors.
7. Blackberry Kush (80% Indica, 20% Sativa)
For most people who encounter Blackberry Kush, it’s love at first sight. Blackberry Kush plants are almost entirely a deep purple color, from the leaves to the buds themselves. What’s more, they offer a rich, sweet aroma of berries and fresh earth, which can be detected both in the flower’s fragrance and in the smoke.
Offering up to 20% THC, Blackberry Kush produces a distinctly relaxing Indica high slightly offset with a bit of Sativa cerebral stimulation and euphoria.
Growing Blackberry Kush can be demanding and is not well suited for beginners. It is best grown indoors, as it can be prone to parasites and doesn’t respond well to poor weather. The plants require some pruning and need to be fed lots of nutrients to reach their full potential. Yields are moderate, up to 14 ounces per square meter for indoor grows.
Up to 14 ounces per square meter indoors.
8. Blueberry (80% Indica, 20% Sativa)
Blueberry is a true classic. Known for its enticingly sweet and fruity aroma, this is a great everyday smoker with a moderate THC content reaching up to 16% and a high CBD content. The flowers tend to be speckled with an elegant purple coloration complementing the rich green body.
A typical Blueberry high includes an uplifting euphoria and exciting mental stimulation with an underlying Indica body high that calms nerves and muscles, soothes aches and pains, and puts you in a great mood.
Growing Blueberry can be a bit tricky and is best reserved for intermediate and expert growers. It needs a spacious outdoor setup in a warm, sunny climate. However, those who manage to pull off a good crop of Blueberry will be rewarded by its high yield, which can be as high as 25 ounces per plant.
Up to 25 ounces per plant.
9. Cherry Pie (80% Indica, 20% Sativa)
Cherry Pie introduces itself with a delicious fragrance reminiscent of a freshly baked pie. This sweetness carries into its delicious flavor when smoked. With a high THC content of up to 23%, Cherry Pie displays many typical Indica characteristics but also offers a uniquely cerebral high which produces a pleasant mental stimulation to somewhat offset its relaxing body high.
Growing Cherry Pie can be somewhat challenging. It responds well to both indoor and outdoor environments, but requires regular pruning and is highly susceptible to hermaphroditism and self-pollination, requiring a lot of attention and care to avoid getting seeded plants.
It offers a moderate to low yield, with outdoor plants producing up to 14 ounces per plant and indoor grows producing up to 16 ounces per square meter.
Up to 14 ounces per plant outdoors.
Up to 16 ounces per square meter indoors.
10. Blue Cheese (80% Indica, 20% Sativa)
These gorgeous plants produce striking blue flowers with up to 19% THC and a relatively high 2% CBD content. Just as intriguing as the beautiful blue flowers is the unique, creamy aroma which combines a sweet fruity fragrance with a deep savory smell to create an unusual and unforgettable smell and taste which will keep you coming back.
Blue Cheese offers a well-balanced high which complements the Indica body buzz with an uplifting mental euphoria which brings waves of mental stimulation. It’s a long lasting high which can be appreciated by fans of Indica and Sativa alike.
Cultivating Blue Cheese is pretty easy. It offers strong natural resistance to parasites and disease, making it well suited for both indoor and outdoor environments. It prefers cooler climates, but can also thrive in warm weather.
Yields are fairly low, with indoor grows typically yielding about 5 ounces per plant and outdoor grows reaching up to 8 ounces per plant.
Up to 8 ounces per plant outdoors.
About 5 ounces per plant indoors.
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What’s Your Favorite Indica?
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Read Best Indica Strains – Our Top Ten Picks on I Love Growing Marijuana.
