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Top 3 cannabis strains by terpenes
Love the musky aroma and heavy hit of myrcene, or do you prefer the refreshing, uplifting energy blast of limonene? Whatever your favorite terps, find the strains with the most myrcene, limonene, pinene, and linalool below, as well as more info about these "big 4" weed terpenes.
Terpenes are essential to your cannabis experience, and not just because they dictate the smell and taste of your herb—they also deliver unique effects that can augment or alter those of cannabinoids.
So, choosing a strain based on its terpenes is a no-brainer if you’re picky about how your weed makes you feel. But with so many strains and an abundance of different terpenes, how do you know which ones to choose? That’s where we come in.
Below, we’ll show you the best cannabis strains rich in the most common cannabis terpenes—myrcene, linalool, limonene, and pinene.
Top 3 cannabis strains by terpenes
Cannabis can contain over 200 different terpenes, but some are much more prevalent than others. Below, we’ve assembled a list of the four most common cannabis terpenes, alongside three high-performing strains rich in each of those terps—which one will you be smoking next?
Myrcene
Myrcene (β-myrcene) is one of the most prevalent terpenes in cannabis, though it can also be found in hops, mangoes, lemongrass, and thyme. Earthy and slightly musky, its aroma is often described as similar to that of cloves, damp soil, and ripe fruit—common denominators of indica-dominant strains.
Beyond its aroma, myrcene is also known for having vast holistic potential. Studies have explored, for example, myrcene’s potential effects on our response to pain and inflammation, as well as its ability to soothe the muscles. Research by do Vale et al. (2002) also shows that high amounts of myrcene might be what give some cannabis strains their signature "couch-lock effects."
Interested in this fruity-herbal terp? Here are some great strains rich in myrcene.
Grape Ape F1 (Zamnesia Seeds)
Love dank purple weed? Then you’ll love Grape Ape F1 by Zamnesia. A cross of Mendocino Purps, Skunk, and Afghani, this indica-dominant autoflower pumps out delicious purple buds loaded with a sweet grape aroma as well as hints of fresh herbs and citrus. Plus, with 21% potency, she packs a relaxing effect that’s perfect for kicking up your feet at the end of the day.
Girl Scout Cookies Auto (FastBuds)
GSC is a modern Cali classic, and FastBuds has done an excellent job at recreating its signature aroma, flavor, and buzz. Ready in just 10 weeks, Girl Scout Cookies Auto delivers thick, frosty flowers packing notes of sweet, chocolatey mint cookies—delicious! Best of all, thanks to its high potency (20%) and myrcene concentration, Girl Scout Cookies Auto delivers a soothing effect that you can enjoy at any time.
Mimosa (Royal Queen Seeds)
Royal Queen Seeds is an award-winning seed bank, and Mimosa continues to be one of its flagship strains. A cross of Clementine x Purple Punch, this speedy sativa can be harvest-ready after just 9–10 weeks. Loaded with myrcene and 22% potency, Mimosa packs a body-focused buzz and a musky aroma with fresh citrus highlights—particularly grapefruit and orange zest. If that’s not enough to reel you in, her confetti colors definitely will be!
Limonene
Limonene, you guessed it, packs a bright citrus punch. While it exists in two forms, D-limonene is the dominant isomer found in nature, including cannabis. Bold, fresh, and, of course, extra citric, limonene is commonly found in fresh citrus peels, caraway and dill seeds, coniferous trees, and some herbs. Though it can be found in both indica and sativa strains, limonene is usually associated with sativa varieties.
Besides its bright aroma, limonene also has plenty of holistic potential. Studies have explored, for example, how it affects our mood, inflammatory response, and even the growth of tumors. Research by Komiya et al. (2006), for example, showed that inhaling limonene vapor reduced nervousness in mice. Meanwhile, Yu et al. (2018) showed that limonene suppressed the activity of inflammatory cytokines in rodents. Finally, Al-Howiriny et al. (2021) noted limonene’s ability to accumulate in breast tissue and potentially affect the growth of tumors.
Looking for strains packed with limonene? Check out the following.
Super Lemon Haze (Greenhouse Seeds)
Created by the late Franco Loja, Super Lemon Haze is the queen of bold citrus aromas—which comes as little surprise, seeing that she descends from the almighty Lemon Skunk. Enjoy musky, slightly earthy notes of myrcene on the exhale, followed by an electrifying yet grounded Haze buzz—perfect for when you want to boost your mood yet stay focused, motivated, social, and creative.
Sour Diesel (Royal Queen Seeds)
Sour Diesel is the quintessential East Coast strain and another must-have if you’re chasing energy and fresh citrus terps. This recreation by Royal Queen Seeds stems from a cross of Original Diesel and a Northern Light, Shiva Skunk, and Hawaiian mix. The result? A 75% sativa hybrid that delivers serious energy and flavor with every hit. Light her up in the mornings or during the day and enjoy mental clarity, motivation, and inspiration—ideal for when you need a creative spark or want to kick fatigue and brain fog to the curb.
Gelonade Automatic (Zamnesia Seeds)
Gelonade is one of those strains that says it all with its name—so buckle up for a sugary, sweet, citrus flavor explosion! Bred from the original Cali-born Gelonade (Gelato x Lemon Tree) and a select cut of high-yielding, fast-flowering ruderalis, Gelonade Automatic is speedy, easy to grow, and delicious. Packed with limonene and up to 25% potency, a few tokes of this queen is all it takes to lift your spirit and invigorate the mind.
Pinene
Pinene is one of the most abundant terpenes in nature and a major constituent of cannabis. A bicyclic monoterpene, two isomers of pinene exist: α-pinene and β-pinene. As its name suggests, pinene is prized for its sharp, fresh forest aroma that you’ll find in pine needles, rosemary, basil, and eucalyptus.
Besides its invigorating scent, pinene also promises many unique effects. Research from The American Journal of Chinese Medicine, for example, shows that pinene can have a positive influence on inflammation (Park et al., 2015). Meanwhile, Shaughnessy et al. (2004) showed that pinene has bronchodilatory properties, while Russo (2011) suggests it may have cognitive benefits. Other research has also explored pinene’s effects on bacteria and tumors.
Ready to refresh your smoke with hints of fresh forest air? Check out these strains, all packed with pinene.
Durban Poison (Dutch Passion)
Dutch Passion is a legendary Dutch seed bank with an impressive catalog of strains. Few of its creations, however, hold up to Durban Poison—the mythical South African landrace with roots in the ancient port city of Durban. Packing a complex aroma with notes of earthy licorice and fresh pine, Durban Poison is a delight for a mature palate and delivers a cheerful effect that you can savor at any time of the day.
Original Auto Jack Herer (FastBuds)
Jack Herer is a modern Haze descendant treasured for its potent sativa buzz and bold mix of terpenes. And Original Auto Jack Herer by FastBuds packs all her best traits into a compact auto seed that’s ready for harvest just 10 weeks after germination. Enjoy long, bulky buds lathered in trichomes and packed with spicy notes of pepper, hints of fresh mango and pine, and bright citrus highlights. Oh, and with 21% potency, she delivers the perfect tension-melting buzz!
Silver Haze (Sensi Seeds)
Sensi Seeds needs little introduction, and neither does its Silver Haze. A mighty Haze elder, this strain is the go-to for smokers chasing top-shelf sativa bud with old-school flair. Taking just 65–80 days to bloom (trust us, that’s FAST for a Haze), Silver Haze is a growers’ delight. Plus, her long, fluffy buds come packed with notes of fresh pine and fragrant wood layered atop an earthy base. Meanwhile, her effects elevate the mind from the minute you first inhale—no wonder this strain won so many awards!
Linalool
Whereas myrcene, limonene, and pinene are strong and upfront, linalool has a comparably soft aroma. Its delicate smell is deeply reminiscent of lavender, with subtle notes of dark spices and citrus. You’ll find it naturally in lavender, basil, coriander, mint, cinnamon, and rosewood, as well as cannabis—especially Kush varieties.
Beyond its pleasant scent, linalool has also attracted a lot of research, which suggests it may have clinically significant properties. For example, Linck et al. (2010) found that inhaled linalool significantly modulated neurotransmitters like GABA in the brains of mice, reducing nervous behavior. Human trials have found similar results testing linalool-rich lavender capsules—whose soothing effects were comparable to that of prescription medications, all without causing sedative side effects (Kasper et al., 2012). Researchers have also explored linalool’s effect on inflammatory responses, pain, and brain cell health.
Chasing a smoke with soft floral aromas? Check out the following linalool-rich strains.
Purple Kush (Kannabia)
Kannabia’s Purple Kush delivers stunning, frost-covered purple flowers. And it’s not hard to see why—descending from original Kush and Black Domina, this slightly indica-dominant queen comes from a top pedigree. Break into a stash and you’ll enjoy sweet aromas, earthy undertones, as well as subtle hints of herbs and fruit. Plus, with 22% potency, Purple Kush delivers a powerful but not overwhelming indica effect.
Bubba Kush (Greenhouse Seeds)
Bubba Kush is a Florida gem, and the legendary team at Greenhouse Seeds secured it so growers everywhere could treasure her top-shelf flower. A descendant of an elite Kush line and Bubblegum, this indica queen makes for the perfect end-of-day smoke. Enjoy thick clouds rife with notes of Bazooka gum and handmade hash, as well as a deeply relaxing body buzz that’ll set you up for a long night of restorative sleep.
Purple Urkle Automatic (Zamnesia Seeds)
Growing real Purple Urkle weed couldn’t be easier than with Purple Urkle Automatic. Ready for harvest just 11 weeks after germinating your seeds, this compact plant produces bountiful harvests of resin-dripping purple buds that smell of fresh grapes, plums, and berries—delightful! Plus, with 20% potency, her soothing body effects come on strong without becoming overwhelming. Light her up and relaaaaaaaax.
How to choose strains with the best cannabis terpenes
Choosing weed with the right terpenes is all about preference. Rather than let others dictate what you should be looking for in your weed, ask yourself:
- What aromas and flavors do you enjoy the most? If you like earthy, musky, or floral notes, look for strains with higher concentrations of myrcene or linalool, respectively. Alternatively, if you prefer more refreshing aromas and flavors, look for terpene profiles that are dominant in limonene or pinene.
- How do you like to feel when you smoke cannabis? The terpenes in your weed can provide a much better look into the effects of a strain than outdated terms like indica and sativa. If you want to feel energized, motivated, or creative, look for strains with pinene and limonene. If, on the other hand, you prefer a more soothing effect, look for strains with linalool. Finally, if it’s restorative sleep you’re after, look for strains rich in myrcene.
Unfortunately, if you live in an area where cannabis is still illegal, you might have a hard time finding real info about your weed’s terpenes. In this case, you can use your nose as a rough guide:
- Strains with bold citrus aromas may be rich in limonene.
- The smell of pine and eucalyptus may indicate that a strain contains high amounts of pinene.
- Earthy, musky aromas of ripe fruit are generally a good indication of high myrcene concentration.
- Strains with delicate floral notes likely contain notable amounts of linalool.
Luckily, cannabis laws are changing, meaning more regulated markets are popping up around the world. If you live in one, do yourself a favor and get informed about what you're smoking by looking into strain lab reports or asking your budtender.
Let your nose—and your needs—lead the way
Terpenes are clearly more than just aromatic extras—they’re the key to shaping your entire cannabis experience. Whether you're seeking energy, creativity, relaxation, or deep rest, there's a terpene profile out there to match your preferences. Next time you shop for weed, ask your budtender for lab reports into the strains you’re eyeing—or let your nose lead the way to a more personalized cannabis experience.
- Chebet, Joy J., Ehiri, John E., McClelland, Deborah Jean, Taren, Douglas, Hakim, & Iman A. (2021, December). Effect of d-limonene and its derivatives on breast cancer in human trials: a scoping review and narrative synthesis - https://bmccancer.biomedcentral.com
- do Vale TG, Furtado EC, Santos JG, & Viana GS. (2002 Dec). Central effects of citral, myrcene and limonene, constituents of essential oil chemotypes from Lippia alba (Mill.) n.e. Brown - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Kasper, S., Gastpar, M., Müller, W. E., Volz, H. P., Möller, H. J., Dienel, A., & Schlafke, S. (2014). Lavender oil preparation Silexan is effective in generalized anxiety disorder—a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial - https://academic.oup.com
- Komiya, M., Takeuchi, T., & Harada, E. (2006). Redirecting - https://linkinghub.elsevier.com
- Linck VM, da Silva AL, Figueiró M, Piato AL, Herrmann AP, Dupont Birck F, Caramão EB, Nunes DS, Moreno PR, & Elisabetsky E. (2009 Apr). Inhaled linalool-induced sedation in mice - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Yu L, Yan J, & Sun Z. (2017 Apr). D-limonene exhibits anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties in an ulcerative colitis rat model via regulation of iNOS, COX-2, PGE2 and ERK signaling pathways - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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