7 Best Indica Strains to Grow In Canada

Whether you’re a new or seasoned cannabis user, you must have encountered the word ‘strain’ in several marijuana products and publications. To understand what marijuana strains are, you’ll need to familiarize yourself with the plant’s species. 

As you might already know, cannabis produces several species. The most common ones are Cannabis Sativa, Cannabis Indica, and Cannabis Ruderalis. 

Marijuana strains are the specific varieties developed from any of the plant’s species. 

Most cannabis strains are based on an individual species. For instance, cannabis Indica flower strains are predominantly made of the cannabis Indica species. However, some strains blend features of more than one marijuana species. Such strains are known as hybrids. 

Anyone planning to get involved in the cannabis industry should acquaint themselves with everything there is to know about marijuana strains. And that’s especially true for aspiring cannabis growers. As you shall find, certain strains produce better yields than others, and yield volume is the whole idea behind cultivating marijuana in the first place. 

This post highlights the 7 best Indica strains to grow in Canada.

 

 

Photo Credit: DailyMarijuana.com

Why Consider Indica Strains?

Before we delve deeper into the top cannabis Indica strains to grow in Canada, it’s essential to give a brief overview of Indica strains in general. That way, you can determine whether to cultivate pure Indica strains or experiment with Indica-dominant hybrids like the rockstar strain. 

As an aspiring marijuana farmer in Canada, there are three significant factors to consider while honing in on cultivating the best strain. They include resilience, maturation period, and nature of cannabinoids (pharmacologically valuable compounds in marijuana). 

• Resilience

Indica strains are geographically native to the cold mountainous regions of Central Asia. That fact makes Indica fairly more resilient than other common marijuana strains. But, most importantly, it makes these strains suitable for cultivating in Canada, where temperature conditions often plummet to sub-zero degrees. 

The only caveat is to ensure that the plants are properly pruned. That’s because Indica produces bushy clusters, which might lock in humidity and encourage mould and mildew growth. In addition, inadequate pruning may cause your plants to have low-quality buds, which might reduce their overall yield volume. 

• Maturation Period

Indica strains generally mature within 12 weeks. The duration can be a bit more or less, depending on the growing environment. 

But the most exciting part is that Indica plants are remarkable at maximizing sunlight. As a result, the plants require minimal sunlight to transition from the vegetative to the flowering phase. 

In other words, they mature faster compared to other species like Sativa. A short maturation period means more annual harvests, leading to higher yield volume and cheap buds for consumers. 

• Cannabinoids

Indica strains are noted for their significant cannabidiol (CBD) concentration, the primary therapeutic cannabinoid in marijuana. 

CBD is the most popular pharmacologically beneficial cannabidiol, so there’s always a ready market for Indica-derived products.

Expected health benefits of CBD include;

• Pain mediation
• Stress and anxiety relief
• Alleviation of inflammation
• Combating insomnia
• Treating nausea
• Easing muscle spasms 

Given Indica’s numerous benefits, it’s understandable why many Canadian weed farmers are now turning to these cannabis strains. The best part is that farmers can even consider the best hybrid strains formulated with Indica for even better results. 

 

Photo Credit: DailyMarijuana.com

7 Best Indica Strains to Grow In Canada

• Northern Lights

Northern Lights is one of the most distinctive Indica strains to consider cultivating in Canada. The strain is a cross between Thai Sativa and Afghani Indica. It contains a 16 – 22% concentration of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary psychotropic chemical in marijuana. 

Northern Light is also noted for its sweet and spicy aroma. Thanks to its delectable tastes, it’s easy to consume homemade teas or smokable herbal blends made from Northern Light.

• OG Kush

OG Kush is considered the foundation for numerous marijuana strains and is present in various other species. The strain packs a 75: 25 Indica: Sativa ratio and has a THC content of about 20%. It has a robust earthy scent and hashish flavour. 

OG Kush is also famous for its dense, cannabidiol-rich buds. The buds are primarily light green, with traces of orange and purple pistils. 

• Bubba Kush

Bubba Kush is a mix between Northern Light and OG Kush. So, it contains the best features from its parent strains, including a sweet and earthy aroma. In addition, the strain is highly tranquillizing, making it a potential treatment for anxiety and insomnia. 

Bubba Kush boasts a THC potency of 17%. So, be sure not to overdose on it as you could become intoxicated. 

Photo Credit: DailyMarijuana.com

• Khalifa Kush

Inspired by famous American rapper Wiz Khalifa, Khalifa OG is an Indica-dominant strain with an 80: 20 Indica: Sativa ratio. With a staggering 24 – 27% THC content, Khalifa Kush is perfect for growers looking for Indica strains that yield relatively high THC levels. 

Khalifa Kush is rich in the terpenes limonene and pinene, which explains its citrus and piney flavours. The strain also stands out in its densely packed buds and copper-coloured pistil.

• Hindu Kush

Many Indica strains are technically a hybrid between Indica and other species. However, Hindu Kush is 100% pure Indica. Native to the cold mountainous regions of Pakistan and Afghanistan, Hindu Kush is characterized by its dense buds covered in crystal trichomes. 

Since it’s a pure strain, Hindu Kush boasts incredibly high CBD levels with negligible THC potency. As a result, it’s the perfect strain for growers looking to ramp up their production of CBD-rich plants.

• Cherry Pie

Cherry Pie is a hybrid strain that’s a cross between Granddaddy Purple and Durban Poison. It boasts up to 80% indica, which speaks for its calming effects. However, the strain is also noted for its dense buds that produce orange trichomes, which feature a touch of purple.

Another thing to love about Cherry Pie is its sweet and sour cherry aroma. Plus, the strain delivers instant and long-lasting effects.

• Chocolate Kush

Chocolate Kush is another indica-dominant strain on this list that’s marketed for its excellent relaxing properties. The strain is perfect for people living with sleep and anxiety disorders. Chocolate Kush produces a sweet, dessert-like aroma that almost resembles the taste of chocolate, hence its name.

THC levels typically range between 19% and 28%, depending on how the strain is developed. Unlike Cherry Pie, Chocolate Kush has a relatively slow onset time. However, it guarantees long-lasting benefits, making it suitable for managing chronic conditions like pain and anxiety.

Photo Credit: DailyMarijuana.com

The Bottom Line

There are plenty of Indica strains to cultivate in Canada. Just remember to familiarize yourself with every strain before growing it, paying close attention to factors like maturation, resilience, and overall cannabinoid profile.

Interesting Reads

How to Smoke a Joint, How to Make Shroom Tea, How to Make a Filter a Joint

References

• New York Times. (2021. September 29). What Are the Benefits of CBD? The New York Times. Available At: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/16/style/self-care/cbd-oil-benefits.html/
• Weed Delivery Vancouver. (2021, September 25). Same-Day Weed Delivery in Vancouver. Available at: https://weeddeliveryvancouver.net/
• Cannabis Ontario. (2021, September 25). Northern Lights. Available at: https://cannabisontario.net/strain/northern-lights/
• Cannabis Ontario. (2021, September 25). OG Kush. Available at: https://cannabisontario.net/strain/og-kush/
• Cannabis Ontario. (2021, September 25). Bubba Kush. Available at: https://cannabisontario.net/strain/bubba-kush/
• Cannabis Ontario. (2021, September 25). Hindu Kush. Available at: https://cannabisontario.net/strain/hindu-kush/
• Cannabis Ontario. (2021, September 25). Cherry Pie. Available at: https://cannabisontario.net/strain/cherry-pie/