Sativa vs. indica vs. hybrid cannabis: Similarities and differences

Every cannabis strain is either a sativa, an indica, or a hybrid. Sativa strains are considered energizing, indica strains calming, and hybrid strains somewhere in the middle.

But these descriptions are not always accurate. A number of factors determine the effects of a specific cannabis strain, including its genetics and how it was grown.

Today, most cannabis plants are hybrids, meaning they are part sativa and part indica. Learn how to tell the difference between all three to choose the best strain for your needs.

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What is a cannabis strain?

A strain (aka cultivar) is a variety of cannabis that has unique characteristics, including:

• Flavor
• Smell
• Color
• Amounts of cannabinoids like tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD)
• Dominant effects (for example, energizing effects or relaxing effects)

Each strain has its own composition of chemical compounds, including cannabinoids and terpenes which affect how we feel when we consume cannabis.

What’s the difference between indica, sativa, and hybrid?

Sativa, indica, and hybrid strains each have unique characteristics, including their appearance, their genetics, and the part of the world they’re originally from.

In the late 18th century, French biologist Jean-Baptiste Lamarck discovered cannabis in India and named it “Cannabis indica.” Around the same time, Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus discovered hemp and called it “Cannabis sativa.” Hybrid strains result from breeding an indica with a sativa.

Despite popular belief, sativa strains are not always energizing, and indica strains are not always sedating. A strain’s effects come from its arrangement of cannabinoids, and terpenes, which is determined by:

• The region where the plant was grown
• When the plant’s buds were harvested
• The amount of light the plant received during its growing stage
• The genetics of its parents

This is why it’s best to look at a strain’s cannabinoid and terpene profiles to determine how it may affect you.

What is sativa cannabis?

Cannabis sativa originally comes from Eastern Europe, Russia, and Central Asia. Hemp, a non-intoxicating form of cannabis, is also classified as Cannabis sativa.

Sativa cannabis plants are taller than indica plants, and have a flowering time (the time it takes to produce flowers) of 10 to 14 weeks. Their branches are spaced out, and their buds are less dense than sativa buds.

Cannabinoids and terpenes

Sativas usually contain more THC than CBD, and have high levels of the terpenesterpinene, beta-caryophyllene, and limonene.

Sativa plants that grow close to the equator, like Durban Poison, tend to also contain high levels of tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV), a mildly intoxicating cannabinoid.

Sativa effects

Most sativa strains are described as:

• Mood-boosting
• Energizing
• Creativity-enhancing
• Helpful for improving focus, motivation, and alertness

These are general descriptions, as the effects of sativa strains can differ drastically from one another. If you’re seeking out more energizing, uplifting effects, look for strains high in beta-caryophyllene and limonene.

When to use sativa strains

Most people use sativas during the day, especially in the morning. The energizing effects of most sativa strains may exacerbate insomnia, so consider avoiding them at nighttime.

Popular sativa strains

Popular sativa strains include:

• Durban Poison
• Strawberry Cough
• Sour Diesel
• Super Silver Haze
• Trainwreck

What is indica cannabis?

Cannabis indica comes from India and Afghanistan. Because of the region’s mountainous environment, indica plants are often shorter and stouter than sativas, and grow well in temperate climates. Indica plants also have a shorter flowering time of 6 to 9 weeks.

Cannabinoids and terpenes

Like sativa strains, indica strains usually contain high levels of THC. However, some contain above-average levels of CBD. Common dominant terpenes include linalool, beta-caryophyllene, and myrcene.

Indica effects

Many indica strains are known to cause “couch lock,” a term describing sedation. You might prefer indica strains if you want more calming, sleep-enhancing, and physically relaxing effects from cannabis.

Again, these are general descriptions, as some indica strains can make you feel energized.

When to use indica strains

You might prefer indica strains at night because of their calming effects. Because they can be sedating, consider avoiding them when you need to be active, like during work hours.

Popular indica strains

Popular indica strains include:

• Blueberry
• Hindu Kush
• Northern Lights
• Purple OG Kush
• Sensi Star

What is hybrid cannabis?

Hybrid strains are made by cannabis breeders, and contain genes from both indica and sativa strains. They don’t exist in nature, and are far more common than pure indica or sativa strains. Most cannabis strains today are hybrids.

Hybrid strains can be sativa-dominant, indica-dominant, or evenly balanced (50% sativa and 50% indica). Whether a plant is considered indica-dominant, sativa-dominant, or balanced depends on its genetics, its shape and size, and its terpene profile.

Cannabinoids and terpenes

Because hybrid strains are so genetically different from each other, their cannabinoid and terpene profiles vary.

Hybrid effects

Depending on their cannabinoid and terpene profiles, hybrids’ effects range from more energizing to more sedating.

When to use hybrid strains

You might prefer a balanced hybrid  if you want a cannabis experience that’s neither too energizing nor too relaxing.

Popular hybrid strains

Examples of popular hybrid strains include:

• Blue Dream
• Bruce Banner #3
• Cherry Pie
• Dosido
• Gelato
• Girl Scout Cookies
• Gorilla Glue #4
• Jack Herer
• OG Kush
• Super Lemon Haze
• Wedding Cake
• White Widow

There are hundreds of hybrid strains, and breeders are always developing new ones.

How are hybrid cannabis strains made?

Hybrid strains are made by breeding a male cannabis plant of one strain with a female cannabis plant of a different strain — like a male indica with a female sativa.

During the breeding process, the male plant pollinates the female plant, producing seeds that contain a combination of both strain’s genetics.

Ideally, the phenotype (offspring) should have a balance of both parents’ traits. But sometimes, it has one parent’s traits far more than the other’s. If this isn’t what the breeder wanted, they will continue to produce new phenotypes until they’re satisfied.

Other types of cannabis

There are other types of cannabis plants besides Cannabis indica and Cannabis sativa.

Ruderalis

Cannabis ruderalis is a high-CBD, low-THC plant that’s native to Central and Eastern Europe.

Most types of cannabis plants need a specific amount of sunlight each day to grow and flower. But Cannabis ruderalis’ growth and flowering are triggered by age because of the region’s short growing season. This is known as “autoflowering.”

Some breeders cross Cannabis ruderalis with Cannabis indica or Cannabis sativa to create lower-THC strains. Ruderalis is also more disease-resistant, so crossing it with another type of cannabis can benefit growers.

The most common use for ruderalis cannabis is producing autoflowering seeds. By crossing it with an indica, sativa, or hybrid strain, breeders have seeds that can grow into healthy plants without relying on a specific light schedule.

Hemp

Hemp is a variety of Cannabis sativa that was traditionally grown for its stalk and fiber content. Now, hemp is also grown to produce CBD products.

Hemp and marijuana are not the same plant, even though they can have identical terpene profiles. Unlike marijuana, hemp is non-intoxicating because it has a high amount of CBD and a low amount of THC.

Landrace

Landrace strains grow in specific regions of the world, and have not been crossed with any other strains, making them pure. They’re the original cannabis strains that existed before people began breeding new ones. Examples include Thai, Afghan and Kush.

Landrace strains are difficult to grow outside of their original environment because they’re used to specific regional conditions.

There are no hybrid landrace strains, as hybrid strains are manmade.

The bottom line: Sativa, indica, and hybrid strains are all worth exploring

When choosing a strain of cannabis, look beyond whether it’s a sativa, indica, or hybrid. A strain’s terpene and cannabinoid profiles will give you a much better idea of what to expect from its effects.

With a medical marijuana card, you can explore a wide variety of indica, sativa, and hybrid strains, each with unique benefits. Contact Leafwell for a medical cannabis consultation, and ask for guidance in choosing the best strain for you.

Resources

• Cannabis confusions. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1336775/
• Therapeutic and medicinal uses of terpenes. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7120914/
• Understanding medicinal cannabis: Are all cannabis plants hybrids? https://vireohealth.com/cannabis-plants/

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