A guide to the difference between the Indica and Sativa strains – how their grown, how to identify them, and how they get you high.

One of the most common mistakes made by weed newbies is to think that all strains of weed are the same. In fact, this couldn’t be more wrong. Cannabis strains are some of the most varied types of plants on the planet. Today, we’re going to look at two of its most popular strains – Cannabis Indica and Cannabis Sativa.

Both these strains have very different effects on the body. By understanding this you will be able to pick the type of high that suits you best.

Cannabis Indica

Indica, as a strain, offers a relaxing high. It is perfect for those looking to relax at the end of a long week.

How it’s grown

Cannabis Indica is originally from South Asia and other areas of the Indian subcontinent. Mountainous areas like Tibet, Nepal, Pakistan, and Northern India offer the perfect growing conditions.

Indica is a fairly quick flowering breed, only taking between 45-60 days to bloom. Which is a lot quicker best sativa dominant hybrid strains.

During the flowering season, Indica plants grow from anywhere between 50-100% taller and they grow out as well as up.

How to identify it

Indica plants are a lot shorter than the average Cannabis plant. They grow a lot of branches and their foliage is notoriously dense.

Compared to Sativa plants their leaves are a very dark and intense green. When they bloom they are often heavy with flowers. They are one of the highest yielding Cannabis strains out there.

How does it get you high?

As we mentioned above, Indica dominant strains have an intense mellowing effect on the body. The easiest way to describe it is to ask people to picture someone who is ‘stoned’.

The strain is known for making people relaxed and sometimes sleepy. Your body will feel heavy and your mind will clear.

People often associate the side effects of forgetting what you are doing and feeling exhausted with smoking or ingesting Indica dominant strains.

If you are looking to relax then Indica will do the job for you. Just make sure you have nowhere you need to be or nothing important you need to do for the next day or so.

If you are looking for an even more intense high then you should explore Indica-dominant hybrid strains like the Duct tape strain.

Cannabis Sativa

In many ways, Cannabis Sativa is the opposite of the Indica strain. If you are looking for that ‘buzzed’ feeling then this is the strain for you. Where Indica will help you relax, Sativa will have you up all night laughing and full of energy.

How it’s grown

The Sativa strain hails from tropical places like Mexico, Japan, Thailand, and South India. It prefers hot days and lots of water.

One of the major drawbacks of Sativa is it is incredibly slow growing, taking 60-90 days to flower (compared to the 45-60 days of Indica strains).

This strain grows between 200-300% during its flowering period. It grows straight up and looks very thin by the time it flowers. It is a medium yield strain.

How to identify it

Sativa plants are very lanky – they are tall with long thin branches. Some Sativa plants can grow up to 10 feet tall in the right conditions.

Compared to Indica plants their leaves are very pale and thin. Sativa branches are sparse and hold very few leaves, the leaves themselves are very small.

They like to be kept in warm places with high humidity and are not great to grow inside. They take a long time to flower, however, once they have bloomed they have an impressively long flowering time.

How does it get you high?

As we mentioned before, the Sativa high is very different from the high you can get from the Indica strain.

The high from a Sativa dominant strain is often associated with high energy highs. Many artists have promoted it as an aid to creativity, as you are often seized by an urge to do something. This urge is different for everyone – you may want to cook, run, repaint your house, write an epic poem. It depends on the type of person you are.

If you’re looking for a good time then Sativa dominant strains might interest you. It is the strain that provides Cannabis’s giggly stereotype. Without making you feel lethargic or slowing you down.