If you smoke or grow cannabis, then you will have heard of the terms indica and sativa. Not only do they express two sides of the cannabis genetic spectrum and are the sole breeding blocks for today’s modern genetics, but they are also still found growing naturally in the wild on Earth as landraces and have done so for hundreds of years.
In this article, I explain what they are and their origins, the effects of each when consumed, and how terpenes play a significant role in the experience of cannabis.
What Are Sativa and Indica Strains?
You have probably looked online or through a seed catalogue and noticed the strains represented as indica, sativa or hybrids. But what exactly do they mean, and how can a first-time grower know what to expect? Below is a breakdown of the origins of each, the physical difference when cultivated and the cannabinoid profile of each.
Origins of Sativa and Indica strains
When it comes to the origins of indica and sativa cannabis, you can go back hundreds of years and explore the landraces found in specific countries and climates. Below is a list of the parts of the world from which the original genetics can be seen as landraces.
Indica Cannabis
- Afghanistan
- India
- Pakistan
- Himalayan Regions
Sativa Cannabis
- Africa
- Mexico
- Jamaica
- Columbia
- Thailand
- Hawaii
Physical differences between sativa and indica plants
Below is a table that compares the differences between indica and sativa cannabis plants, to give you an awareness of what to expect if you ever plan to cultivate them indoors or outdoors.
| Physical Characteristics | Indica Cannabis | Sativa Cannabis |
| Leaf Shape | The leaf shape of an indica cannabis plant will be short and fat, with thick fingers that are closely spaced together. Typically fan leaves will grow 20-30 cm in length and a similar size in width. There will be 7 blades per leaf. | The finger blades can be described as long, narrow and serrated and will have 9 blades per leaf. The leaves have an elongated appease and range in size from 30 - 50 cm in length. |
| Internodal Spacing | The internodal spacing will be short ranging in size from 2-3 inches in height. This is what gives indica cannabis plants a dense and compact growth structure. | Sativa cannabis plants have a tendency to grow quickly with a large sides internodal spacing, giving them a tall and lanky appearance. When flowering the internodes tend to stretch a great amount. |
| Plant Height | Indica plants tend to stay relatively low in height during the vegetative stage. When they are mature and ready for harvest, indica cannabis plants will generally reach a maximum height of 100 - 120 cm. | The plant height of a mature sativa indoors can grow as tall as 150 -180 cm, and when outdoors, has the capability to exceed 300 cm when growing in a hot climate. Sativas have difficulty growing indoors and require plant training and lots of space. |
| Structure | The structure of an indica will be short, squat and compact. Side branches will also be medium sized and between 60 - 75 cm in height, with one main central cola. | The structure of a sativa will be tall, lanky and with an open spaced growth structure. The side branches can grow very tall as well. |
| Stretching Phase | When flowering is induced, an indica cannabis plant will often stretch between 50-100% its original size. For example, plants that are flowered at 50 cm tall, may only stretch around 80- 100 cm in height by harvest time. | Sativa cannabis plants are well known for stretching a massive amount, resulting in a plant that has been flowering increasing in size by 200 - 400% its original size. Flowering a sativa at 90 cm tall can cause some strains to easily exceed 180 cm in height. |
| Flowering Time | On average, the flowering time of an indica will range between 7-8 weeks. They are fast flowering varieties and ideal for growers who require a fast turnaround time indoors and for outdoor growers who experience short summers. | Landrace sativas have a very long flowering time in comparison to indica cannabis plants. Expect a flowering period before harvests ranging between 11 - 13 weeks, with some varieties such as Neville’s Haze to require 14 - 15 weeks. |
| Bud Structure | The bud structure of an indica can be described as compact, chunky and the size of a golf ball, with short calyx and bracts. The main cola of a plant will be thick, with a hard to squeeze characteristic. | A sativa will produce elongated and airy cannabis buds. The buds will grow the entire length of branch and do not ever become compact and hard to squeeze, due to the hot and tropical climates where they are naturally found |
| Trichomes | Indica cannabis plants tend to produce large sized trichomes. When the plant material and buds are used to make bubble hash or dry sift, indicas can produce an abundance of sugar crystal sized resin heads ranging between 90 - 160 microns. | The trichomes produced by a sativa cannabis plant tend to grow on the small size. When washing sativa buds, there will be a large quantity of 45 - 72 micron sized resin heads. |
| Yield Capability | The yields of an indica will range between 350 - 400 g/m². It is best to plant indica cannabis plants in a Sea of Green formation to produce the biggest yields per square meter possible. | Due to the massive size that sativa cannabis can achieve, combined with the excessively long flowering period of 10 - 12 weeks, yields will can be as high as 500 - 750 g/m². |
Typical cannabinoid profiles (THC vs CBD) of each type
Indica cannabis plants are often associated with a higher amount of THC and CBD than sativa cannabis. Usually, indica cannabis will range in THC between 14-25% with a CBD profile between 0.2 - 1.2%, depending on the genetics. This is what is responsible for the relaxing, sedative effects associated with indica cannabis.
Sativa cannabis also contains high levels of THC, testing between 12 - 24%; however, it falls short on the CBD. This is the reason why sativa cannabis is known for providing an energetic and alert effect.
Sativa vs Indica Effects on the Body and Mind
The polarity and differences between an indica and a sativa are like night and day. Both have their unique medicinal properties and below is an explanation of their effects on the body and mind when consumed.
Sativa effects
- Uplifting
- Euphoric
- Cerebral
- Alert
- Creative
- Talkative
- Energized
- Increased appetite
Indica effects
- Heavy body
- Relaxing
- Lethargic
- Couch lock
- Sleepy
- Narcotic
- Low energy
- Tiresome
- Increased appetite
When to Choose Sativa, Indica, or Hybrid Strains
If you are new to growing or smoking cannabis, having an awareness of what to expect with indica or sativa cannabis plants will pay off massively in the grow room and social scenarios. Below is a breakdown of what to know.
Best time of day and setting for sativa vs indica use
Indica cannabis has the power to put you into a sleepy slumber and make your legs feel like they don't want to work, encouraging you to sprawl out on the nearest couch or armchair. Indica cannabis buds are often enjoyed in the evening after a long day at work or a busy day.
Smoking an indica will immediately take the edge off and relieve you of any stress and tension. Consuming indica cannabis in the morning can quickly set you up for a low-energy mindset and an unproductive day.
Sativa cannabis can keep you in an energetic, soaring, cerebral, alert and some cases, anxious mindset. Sativa cannabis smoked in the morning or early afternoon will promote extreme levels of creativity and allow you to breeze through an extensive to-do list, making you as productive as possible.
It is advised not to smoke a potent sativa in the evening or late at night, as an indica will put you to sleep; sativas can keep you awake until early hours of the morning, whilst feeling restless and full of thoughts and creative ideas.
Choosing strains for medical use (pain, insomnia, stress, appetite)
Indica cannabis, when consumed, is optimal for treating physical pains such as muscle spasms, joint pain, inflammation, insomnia, stress, tension, anxiety and a low appetite. Stains such as Bubba Kush, Purple Kush, Hash Plant, Bubba Kush and Afghani are some of the best indica cannabis genetics to work with in this instance.
Sativa is ideally suited for a medical patient who suffers from symptoms of depression, lack of clarity, tiredness, and low motivation. Strains such as Neville's Haze, Acapulco Gold, Jack Herer, Durban Poison, Ghost Train Haze and Super Silver Haze will be an ideal choice of sativa cannabis.
What to know about hybrid strains and their balanced effects
Thanks to breeders who took indica and sativa genetics and worked extensively to create hybrid offspring, as consumers and growers, we can enjoy hybrid cannabis. A well-balanced cannabis hybrid will be a 50/50 cross, meaning it will possess half the traits of an indica and half the traits of a sativa.
Hybrid cannabis plants allow a grower to enjoy the best of both worlds, and not all hybrids will be a 50/50 mix. Some may contain 25% of one spectrum and be classified as indica or sativa dominant.
The flowering time of a hybrid cannabis plant will typically range between 8 and 10 weeks. Plant height will be between 125 and 150 cm tall. Yields will be significant and produce a bud structure that is dense, compact, and often hard to squeeze.
Below is a list of hybrid cannabis genetics
- White Widow
- White Rhino
- White Russian
- OG Kush
- Gelato
- Lemon Cherry Gelato
- Purple Punch
- Girl Scout Cookies
- Chemdog
- Skunk
The Role of Terpenes and Cannabinoids in Sativa and Indica Strains
There are more than 100 active cannabinoids present in a cannabis plant. However, the most well-known are THC and CBD. There are also over 150 different terpenes that make up the cannabis plant's genetic makeup.
The entourage effect is when cannabinoids and terpenes work together harmoniously and dictate the impact that a smoker will experience, as well as what gives cannabis plants their unique genetic signature.
For example, Lemon Haze, Orange Bud, OG Kush, Runtz, Gelato, RS11, and hundreds more are all separated by their own terpene profiles, just as perfumes are created with a special and unique purpose.
How terpenes influence effects beyond the indica/sativa label
Terpenes are present in all fruits and vegetables, giving them distinct smells and tastes. Aromatherapy is simply the use of terpenes and how a person interacts with them from a medicinal perspective.
The terpenes present in cannabis, combined with active cannabinoids, create a synergy which elevates an indica or sativa beyond expectation and into the potentially unknown, as far as predicting the psychoactive and physical effects when consumed.
THC vs CBD: what matters more for the effect?
This depends on the personal preference of a smoker, and whether the cannabinoids in question are for social and recreational use or medicinal use. THC and CBD should be combined as Mother Nature intended and harmonized with the plant's terpenes. Medical patients may choose to use isolated cannabinoids such as CBD oil for treating pain and inflammation.
Why "indica vs sativa" may be an oversimplification
Perhaps 30-40 years ago, the only way to honestly label cannabis was to classify it as indica or sativa. With so much research, analysis, extensive breeding and hybrid cannabis genetics, it is now safe to say that not only is the term "indica vs sativa” an oversimplification, but it can also be considered as outdated and misinformed.
Choosing the Right Cannabis Strain for Your Needs
Working with indica genetics has many benefits as a grower, such as a short growth structure with minimal stretching, fast flowering times, and an easy-to-train and maintain cultivar. Sativa cannabis plants require much more space to grow and a long time frame to mature before harvesting. They can be overwhelming for a beginner-level grower.
Deciding which plants are most practical, either indoors or outdoors, should be based on your skill level, experience, and grow space. When it comes to consumption or medicinal use, everyone is different and will have a specific preference for the effect they desire.
Many smokers prefer a hard-hitting, couch-locking indica, whilst many enjoy an uplifting, energetic and clear-minded sativa. Choose the right strain for you at the right moment and determine which suits you best!
