Indica strains are beloved worldwide for their relaxing and sedative effects. Perfect for those with health issues, depression or insomnia, they're the ideal end to an evening.
Short and stocky compared to Sativa plants, they often produce thick, resin products loaded with potent THC. Yet there are mellower CBD-balanced plants too.
There are plenty of Indica strains to choose from, including pure Indica options like Northern Lights and hybrid strains with dominant Indica profiles. Here we look at the top 10 best Indica strains in the UK and what to expect.
Why Indica strains are so popular in the UK
Indica strains are a long-term favorite in the UK. They tend to be the most popular because they induce relaxing and physical effects, rather than the more cerebral Sativa. The result: calming bliss.
That does, however, mean that you can’t expect to get much done on Indica. It’s a mood relaxer; not an energizer. Given how hectic modern British life can be, it’s no wonder these strains are favored.
Indica weed is an excellent treatment for anxiety, stress and depression. It's also a fine treatment for headaches, inflammation or pain. In fact, UK growers have been behind some of the world's most famous Indica strains.
Although the country at large has differing preferences, the following are the top 10 cultivars in the UK right now.
Top 10 Indica strains UK
- Northern Lights (100% indica)
- Purple Kush (100% indica)
- Master Kush (95% indica)
- Bubba Kush (80% indica)
- Big Bud (80% indica)
- Granddaddy Purple (80% indica)
- Girl Scout Cookies (80% indica)
- Grape Ape (80% indica)
- Pennywise (80% indica)
- OG Kush (75% indica)
1. Northern Lights (100% indica)
Northern Lights is an all-around classic and among the most popular in Western Europe, if not the world. The basis of many great hybrid strains, Northern Lights alone is noted for its immensely calming effects.
Growing
Northern Lights is an easy-grow strain with great resilience. First grown in Seattle and perfected in the Netherlands, it can cope with the temperate climate of the UK. They grow small and fast, making them ideal indoor options. Outdoor growing is also easy thanks to the plant's high fungal resistance. In perfect conditions, you can expect heights of up to 80 cm indoors and 200 cm outdoors. As such, this is a fine option for beginners.
Smell, taste and effect
Northern Lights has a pungent and punchy aroma of pine, earth and musk. It holds a similar flavor profile, with notes of sweet heather honey and juniper. The effects are blissful, offering euphoric effects that relax muscles and clear the mind. This is all thanks to a generous THC level balanced by a hit of soothing CBD.
2. Purple Kush (100% indica)
Purple Kush is another mythical strain, first grown in California by crossing Purple Afghani with Hindu Kush. It's a perennial favorite thanks to its colorful, luscious purple leaves and long-lasting effects.
Growing
Purple Kush is a versatile and easy to grow plant that's perfectly fine for beginners. While hydroponics are well recommended indoors, you'll have success with other civilization techniques too. It's particularly suited for indoor growing in the UK, but outdoor growing is possible, even with the UK's cool weather. The key is sunlight. You can expect compact heights of up to 80 cm indoor and 110 cm outdoors.
Smell, taste and effect
Purple Kush has a renowned and pungent earthy flavor that's balanced with sweet, candy notes. To taste, you'll get layers of spice and fruit, not dissimilar from spicy grapes. The effect is equally delightful. It offers a long-lasting and powerful euphoric high thanks to its 21% THC profile. This is one to help you sleep.
3. Master Kush (95% indica)
Master Kush is a powerful Indica-dominant strain that comes from crossing Hindu Kush and Skunk #1, two big Himalayan strains. It's a long-time favorite due to its relaxing bodily high free of mind-numbing effects.
Growing
Master Kush is suited for those with growing experience, as the plant needs both care and control. With moderate fungal resistance, you need to control humidity to ensure its health. Experienced growers will have no end of fun with this stable variety. A controlled and warm climate is essential, so indoor and greenhouse environments are recommended for the UK (but not necessary). Under optimum conditions, you'll get a bushy Indica plant reaching heights of 120 cm indoors and 160 cm outdoors.
Smell, taste and effect
Master Kush has an aroma of old-school weed, with citrus, earth and a bit of spicy incense too. The flavor offers similar fruit and spicy flavors. Master Kush' prominent THC levels and hints of CBD provide full-bodily relaxation that's long-lasting and slightly energizing.
4. Bubba Kush (80% indica)
Bubba Kush, or BK, is a favorite of California with a big reputation in the UK. Born in the 1990s, it was popularized by many famed hip-hop stars of the day and is a true mainstay among British growers.
Growing
Bubba Kush is fast-growing and easy to cultivate. It's hardy and forgiving, making it perfect for even the most inexperienced. While it can grow outdoors, indoor growers favor it in the UK, where they can control heat, light and size. While little care is needed, pruning is recommended so that the light can reach the central buds. Expect heights of up to 120 cm and 180 cm with this one.
Smell, taste and effect
Bubba Kush boasts thick hashish aromas with pungent Kush notes and an earthy sweetness. You'll get flavors of diesel, thanks to the high THC, and notes of cinnamon-spiced coffee, citrus and fruit. The effect is full relaxation. Across the body and through the muscles, you'll feel a soothing, calming euphoria that's blissful and happy.
5. Big Bud (80% indica)
Big Bud is an exceptional plant, beloved worldwide for its size and yields. Created by crossing Afghani, Northern Lights and Skunk #1, it thrived in the 1980s Netherlands where it first became a favorite in the UK too.
Growing
Big Bud is a beginner's dream. Fast and easy to grow, it produces big, high-quality buds with few leaves. Although suited for indoor, outdoor and greenhouse growth, indoors is often preferred. That gives you ample opportunity to maintain height and offer copious light. Still, the strain has a high resistance to disease and pests, making it a good all-rounder. In prime conditions, expect heights of up to 150 cm indoors and 300 cm outdoors.
Smell, taste and effect
Big Bud is noted for its sweet and syrupy aroma, which develops as it ages. To taste, you'll get hints of spice and earthy notes balanced by a deep fruity sweetness. This one boasts a big THC blast, with long-lasting calm highs that are perfect for those seeking relaxation.
6. Granddaddy Purple (80% indica)
Granddaddy Purple is an alluring multicolored Indica-dominant strain that's among the most sought after in the UK. Developed in California in the 2000s, it offers a big slice of Bay Area cool.
Growing
Granddaddy Purple is a very forgiving strain that's suited to all kinds of conditions. Perfect for beginners, it does okay with British seasonal weather. Indoors, control the ventilation to maintain a humidity of around 50%. Indoors, you can regulate these climate elements properly and prune the plant for optimal growth. It gets bushy and can be harvested after a flowering period of 60 days. It can grow to heights of 100 cm indoors and 180 cm outdoors.
Smell, taste and effect
Granddaddy Purple has a distinctly fruity flavor profile with layers of berries and grapes. These sweet and succulent flavors are matched by a sour earthiness with floral pine notes and hints of citrus. Its effects are potent, offering a full mind and bodily experience of euphoria and relaxation. It's noted for its treatment of insomnia, stress and muscle pain.
7. Girl Scout Cookies (80% indica)
Girl Scout Cookies is a certified classic, offering among the most enticing flavor combinations out there. It's grown extremely popular in the UK with its Indica-dominant profile and high THC level.
Growing
Girl Scout Cookies is perfect for beginners and beloved by experienced growers. Novices can have even greater early success by choosing an autoflowering variety. It's suited to indoor, outdoor and greenhouse growth, and can even grow in milder temperate night conditions. For ultimate control, head indoors, where you can apply a variety of pruning and growing techniques. Expect heights of up to 100 cm indoors and 190 cm outdoors.
Smell, taste and effect
Girl Scout Cookies boasts a flavorful cookie-like aroma of sweet sugar, chocolate and mint. These dessert-like flavors continue through the taste, with fruit cake notes and hints of lemon. This strain is renowned for its euphoric and relaxing effects, which are long-lasting and sudden. The high THC content means that some tolerance is recommended.
8. Grape Ape (80% indica)
Grape Ape is a sweet Indica-dominant strain that's grown in reputation in the UK. This is all thanks to its unique grape flavor and captivating high.
Growing
Grape Ape is an easy-grow strain that's adaptable to many climates and environments. Beginners will have no issue with this hardy strain. Indoors, you can grow Grape Ape in complex systems or simple grow boxes. The flowering time is short at just 7 to 8 weeks. It does grow bushy, however, so pruning is recommended to keep it compact. It reaches heights of 125 cm indoors and 150 cm outdoors.
Smell, taste and effect
Grape Ape boasts a flavorful fruit profile, with aromas of grape and grapefruit. To taste, you'll get similar layers of tropical fruit and sweet citrus. The effects are equally pleasing, offering a care-free high that's perfect for calming evenings.
9. Pennywise (80% indica)
Don't let the name fool you, there's nothing spooky about Pennywise. It's among the most soothing strains out their thanks to its near-equal CBD and THC balance. Instead, it gets its name from crossing Harlequin with Jack the Ripper.
Growing
Pennywise is a fine plant for beginners to grow thanks to its high resistance to fungus and mildew. It's suited for growth indoors, outdoors and in greenhouses. It tolerates nutrition and can cope with temperate climates – just be sure to provide adequate light. It does require space, though, so be sure to spread them apart. In terms of height, it can reach upwards of 130 cm indoors and 180 cm outdoors.
Smell, taste and effect
Pennywise has a distinct sweet and citrus profile with a deep earthy profile that's not dissimilar from roasted coffee beans. The THC and CBD balance makes it particularly popular with medicinal users. Expect a mild and soothing high that's perfect for those seeking pure relaxation.
10. OG Kush (75% indica)
OG Kush is a legendary strain that has widespread recognition in the UK for its impressive qualities. While born in the 1990s in California, it remains remarkably popular worldwide and is the genetic backbone of many famed strains.
Growing
OG Kush is a fairly easy to grow strain that's best grown indoors with the UK's unpredictable climate. Low temperatures and sunlight, in particular, are not great for this plant. It's also susceptible to mildew and pests, so some experience is recommended. This is all worth it when it comes to this strain’s impressive yields. It’s quite a big grower too, with heights of up to 160 cm indoors and 200 cm outdoors.
Smell, taste and effect
OG Kush has an impressive flavor profile that's both woody, spicy and skunky. The high THC gives it a petrol-like character that's balanced by sweet citrus. In terms of effects, this one is the ideal stress reliever. It offers a calming and balanced high that's perfect as an evening smoke.
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