Indica
Heavy · sedative · evening
Indica-dominant strains tend toward the body — heavier, sedating, often nudging you toward couch or sleep. Most carry higher myrcene (an herbal terpene also found in mangoes and lemongrass) and caryophyllene. Best paired with quiet evenings, slow dinners, and not driving anywhere.
- ·Granddaddy Purple — classic grape-leaning indica, late-night staple
- ·Northern Lights — clean, sleepy, low-stimulation
- ·Bubba Kush — heavy body, coffee-and-cocoa nose
- ·Wedding Cake — vanilla-sweet indica-hybrid, very approachable
Sativa
Bright · creative · daytime
Sativa-dominant strains skew toward the head — brighter, more cerebral, often pairing well with conversation, work, or movement. Often heavier in limonene (citrus) and pinene (pine). Use them when you've got things to do, not when you're winding down.
- ·Sour Diesel — sharp gasoline-citrus, NY legend
- ·Jack Herer — pine-forward, focused, classically motivating
- ·Acapulco Gold — archival landrace, warm and uplifting
- ·Super Lemon Haze — bright, talky, social-leaning
Hybrid
Balanced · most modern strains
Almost every strain on a modern menu is technically a hybrid — pure indicas and pure sativas are rare these days. Hybrids range from indica-leaning to sativa-leaning to true 50/50 balance. Look at terpene profile + lineage, not just the label, to know what you’re actually in for.
- ·Blue Dream — sativa-leaning hybrid, NY-and-CA workhorse
- ·Gelato — dessert-sweet, balanced, very photogenic
- ·GG #4 — heavier hybrid, piney, full-body
- ·Pink Runtz — fruity, balanced, modern-shelf staple
Terpene cheat sheet
Terpenes are the aromatic compounds in cannabis (and pretty much every other plant) that drive how a strain actually feels. If you’ve found a strain you love, look at its terpene profile — you’ll likely love anything with a similar dominant terpene.
Myrcene
Earthy, herbal — sedative, indica-typical
Limonene
Citrus — bright, mood-lifting, sativa-typical
Caryophyllene
Black-pepper, woody — calming, anti-inflammatory
Pinene
Pine, rosemary — focus, alertness
Linalool
Lavender, floral — calming, sleep-supporting
Terpinolene
Apple, floral — uplifting, creative
Humulene
Hops, woody — appetite-suppressing, anti-inflammatory