From flavour and effects to yields and cultivation history, many attributes factor into whether a cannabis strain is considered a classic.
We have these classic cannabis strains to thank for serving as the foundation for the many thousands of cultivars we know and love today. More often than not, you can trace the genetics of newer strains to a classic parent or two. The pantheon of legends includes Skunk and Cheese, two pungent strains that arguably introduced a whole new generation to the world of cannabis.
However, it's not just old-school genetics that can be categorised as classic cannabis strains. The modern cultivar Gorilla Glue upped the ante as one of the first pioneering strains to reach the 30% THC milestone. And it's not just THC-laden strains that are of interest. As the second most abundant cannabinoid in cannabis, there are also some classic CBD strains, such as CBD Therapy, to be discovered. These are just a few examples of the classic cannabis strains you're likely to find here.
Whether you're new to cannabis or consider yourself a veteran grower, you're in for a treat when it comes to these strains. They're called “classics” for good reason.
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Think "classic cannabis strains", and White Widow would surely be among the first plants that comes to mind. An absolute all-time bestseller in Dutch coffeeshops, and winner of numerous cannabis awards throughout the years, White Widow offers stable genetics, vigorous, low-maintenance growth, and an outstanding high—just what marijuana should be like.
Sour Diesel by Royal Queen Seeds is probably one of the most famous cannabis strains on the planet. This fine cannabis strain comes straight from California and is many growers and blowers favorite. It is a reliable source for high quantities of high quality marijuana with a very pungent, aromatic taste. Expect 450-600g/m² of buds with chemical, herbal and sour flavors.
Bubblegum XL boasts with a high THC level, yummy aroma and taste and long-lasting inebriation that will make you feel as if you have blown your own extra large chewing gum bubble filled with serenity and relaxation. Furthermore you can expect high yields of very dense nuggets in the range of 450-500g/m² after only 8-9 weeks of flowering.
Ever wondered what Jimi was riffing about in 1967? With Purple Haze Automatic, it's never been easier to experience the magic of Purple Haze yourself. In just 65 days, this compact auto will reward you with top-shelf sativa buds that'll take you on a long-lasting, trippy, and creative journey.
The hype is real, guys! Our breeders managed to bring you something Californians long for—the exquisitely delicious and ultra-potent Runtz. This cross of Gelato and Zkittlez is everything you could ever want from a cannabis strain: tasty, powerful, balanced, productive, and fast-flowering. Get the seeds and experience this phenomenon first-hand!
Purple Punch by Zamnesia Seeds is a dreamy indica that shines with an exquisite taste and an incredibly relaxing effect. Despite her compact size, this almost pure indica is very easy to grow and can deliver great yields.
Award-winning genetics: Power Plant is a celebrated cup winner from the 1990s. Creative effects: Work or play, Power Plant will elevate your experience with her cerebral buzz. Great flavor: Enjoy sharp sativa notes that are sweet, spicy, and earthy all at once. Easygoing plants: A little TLC is all it takes to bring this sativa queen to harvest.
70% sativa genetics: Perfect for lovers of energetic strains. Fast flowering time: Just 7–8 weeks! Moderate strength: 18% THC. Huge yields: Up to 900g/plant outdoors.
Great potency: Gear up for 22% THC and strong cerebral effects. Pungent flavour: Notes of coffee and earth intertwine. Large yields: Rake in up to 600g/plant outdoors. Powerful genetics: Bubba Kush derives from OG Kush x Bubba Kush.
We hate to toot our own horn, but we've really done it this time; Purple Haze is an A-grade sativa with a big cerebral high and delicious aromas that'll fill you with euphoria and creative energy after just a few tokes. Order your seeds below and add a real classic to your indoor or outdoor garden.
Dutch coffeeshops served as the go-to place for great weed long before the age of dispensaries and weed pharmacies. In honour of these establishments, we've created a seed pack of Coffeeshop Classics. Containing seeds from some of the most beloved coffeeshop strains, this pack will take you back to a time before Gelato and Cookies, when names like Amnesia, White Widow, and Cheese ruled the menu.
Bubblegum by Zamnesia Seeds is a sativa-dominant hybrid developed in the more recent years of cannabis breeding by crossing Power Plant and Santa Maria. Although it has a strong sativa background, it falls into the quick-flowering category, delivering dense buds in a period of just 8-9 weeks. Bubblegum’s aroma and taste are sweet and earthy, packing very balanced effects of being high and stoned.
The result of mixing the iconic strain Jack Herer with that of a Ruderalis, Zamnesia Seeds have created an autoflowering phenom worthy of the same adulation and respect as the original strain. This feminized version (though compact) boast substantial yields of both quantity and quality - ready in just 10 weeks!
Straight from the sunny sands of California, Sour Diesel is a potent sativa mistress ready to blow your mind sky high. With a flowering time of 10 weeks, this mix of Diesel x Northern Lights is an absolute legend.
A worldly icon hailing from California, OG Kush serves up a captivating mind-body experience. The popular strain combines Chemdawg x Lemon Thai x Pakistani Kush in a sublime matrimony of intense aromas. OG Kush by Zamnesia boasts a robust flowering time of only 8 weeks, yielding an abundance of quality buds.
Very much a plucky pot provider, Critical from Zamnesia Seeds is a (mostly) indica strain that is high on potency and even higher on yields. A meticulous combination of Afghani and Skunk, she is a short but remarkably sweet strain that flourishes under minimal supervision. In Just 7 weeks of flowering she is ready to share her bountiful bud with you.
Exceptionally flavoursome and potent, Blue Dream from Zamnesia Seeds is a hybrid strain of distinct character and sophistication. A choice mix of Blueberry and Haze strains, Blue Dream manages to draw out the very best from both sides. Her shortened flowering time of just 9 weeks leaves other Haze strains in the dust!
Multiple Cannabis Cup winner and all round best seller Amnesia Haze, is a strain of high prestige. This predominantly sativa super strain is blessed with psychedelic powers that will captivate all of your senses (and body too). Her capacity for producing exceptionally high yields make her a prize catch for growers, regardless of her 12-13 weeks flowering period.
Unbeatable yields: Expect extra-heavy harvests indoors and out! Old-school genetics: Critical Mass is a descendant of mighty landrace and Skunk strains. Easy growing: True to her Skunk heritage, Critical Mass is compact and resilient. Great taste and potency: Get ready to enjoy a sweet, fruity smoke and a balanced high.
Meditative effects: Experience the indica embrace. Dazzling looks: Enjoy purple flowers come harvest. Suited to cooler climates: Accessible to most growers. Classic, tasty flavours: Deep, sweet, and fruity.
Easy to grow: This low-maintenance strain is resilient and fast to finish. Unique flavours: Experience notes of earth, fuel, and coffee. Powerful effects: Backed by a high THC content. Strong heritage: Bubba Kush and ruderalis form the perfect genetic foundation.
Speedy sativa genetics: Harvest in just 11 weeks after germination. Uplifting effects: Power Plant is energising and positive, perfect for daytime use! Delicious aromas: Enjoy a mix of earthy, spicy, and sweet aromas and flavours. Simple growth traits: Power Plant makes growing sativa weed a breeze.
Basing on the cannabis plants from both Americas and using some advanced cross breeding techniques, the Barney's Farm breeders managed to develop a nostalgic yet modern strain with exceptionally high THC content, smooth Sativa high and distinctive analgesic properties: Acapulco Gold!
Sensi Seeds’ Hindu Kush is a purebred Indica and only available as a regular, non-feminized seed. This highly stable Afghan genotype was created by selecting and crossbreeding the best-performing Hindu Kush landraces over countless generations of plants – consistent results, uniformity, and a short flowering time of 45-50 days are key properties. Exquisite Afghan hash flavours included!
Classic cannabis strains are those from which the whole variety of modern strains stem. These are your landraces—pure indica and sativa varieties—and the very first Western cultivated strains, which even today are some of the most popular available.
From around the 60s onward, these strains began to be classified and bred. Today, they form the genetic bedrock of pretty much every strain available. Over time, more and more hybrids have popped up, combining the best bits of one with the best bits of another.
Even so, the old classics are still hard to beat.
There are quite a few classic cannabis strains in the world today, and it’s likely that more than one will ring a bell. Here are some of the most famous:
OG Kush: Like most classic strains, the exact origin of OG Kush is unknown. It seems likely that it derives from a Hindu Kush landrace crossed with something else. What we do know is that OG Kush was refined on the West Coast of the US, and is classically dank and very potent.
Chemdawg: This strain likely originates from Thai and Nepalese sativa landraces. Highly potent, energetic, and famous for its diesel smell, many of the classic strains are thought to have a bit of Chemdawg in them.
Sour Diesel: Thought to be bred from Chemdawg and an unidentified sativa, Sour Diesel has around 90% sativa genetics, up to 26% THC, and up to 2% CBD. This makes for an extremely potent yet balanced high, finished off with a rich “chemical” taste.
White Widow: Among the most well-known of the classic cannabis strains, White Widow is still a firm favourite among smokers today. Famed for its high trichome count, it won the High Times Cannabis Cup in 1995 and has never really gone out of style.
Acapulco Gold: A pure sativa from Mexico, this strain is famous and rare. Said to have notes of burnt coffee, its flavours and aromas are unique. Combined with an energising sativa high, this explains how it fits into the annals of cannabis history.
Skunk #1: As the name suggests, this was the first “commercial” Skunk strain, and it is from this that all the others come. Bred from Afghan, Acapulco Gold, and Colombian Gold, it’s an early hybrid that has had a big impact.
Jack Herer: Named after the famous cannabis activist, this strain was developed by Sensi Seeds in the 1980s. Known for its delicious fruity flavour and well-balanced effects, it’s one to look out for!
Northern Lights: Originally bred from pure indica Afghan landraces, this strain has gone on to offer its genetic code to many hybrids. Nevertheless, the original still remains a firm favourite for its powerful stone.
Unless you’ve tried these strains, it might be hard to understand exactly why they’ve retained so much fame. Even with new varieties constantly being released, the classics have something that is hard to match. What’s more, not only do they produce great buds and great effects, but their role in producing today’s modern cannabis strains is essential.
Here at Zamnesia, as well as delving into the exciting future of new cannabis strains, we won’t let the past go either. You’ll find a whole range of classic seeds available for you to grow at home to keep the past alive and understand how it all started.