Blue Dream, Wedding Cake and Sour Diesel were some of the most common weed strains in 2022 and still dominate the market, which is impressive considering the cannabis community introduces new strains every season.
Which begs the question, what makes common weed strains popular enough to remain a well-loved staple?
This article will answer that very question and provide some examples of the best common weed strains.
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What makes a weed strain popular?
A cannabis strain’s effects are its main selling points, but people’s preferences and how effects impact them vary.
In many cases, other factors such as whether the buds were from a sativa, indica, or hybrid don’t really make a strain popular.
Some argue that labeling and marketing are what drive popularity most.
Some say sativa strains cause a cerebral high that boosts creativity and energy.
Indica strains, on the other hand, are loved for their soothing body high that blends intoxication with the feeling of relaxation.
Lastly, hybrids are known for giving both a mind and body high. However, these effects aren’t always the whole story.
The strain’s effect’s main attribute is the plant’s chemotype – its chemical makeup within the flowers.
The amount and type of cannabinoid in the strain’s flowers and the terpenes and CBD levels found in the strain can change or alter the body and cerebral highs.
All of this chemistry jargon essentially means that different chemicals interact with each other to change the effects of a cannabis strain.
As a result, ILGM has sativa strains like Strawberry Cough, that are known for their mellow high and relaxing effects.
Terpenes are the other determining factor that makes certain ILGM strains different from others. Terpenes are responsible for giving the buds their distinct smell and flavor.
For instance, Sour Diesel’s main terpenes are myrcene and limonene, which provides the strain with an iconic, strong diesel flavor and smell and memorable calming effects.
Do cannabis genetics matter?
Genetics or “genes” matter when growing to produce cannabis buds with distinct flavors and effects.
When cannabis plants reproduce, some of the offspring aren’t entirely identical to the parent due to genetic variation.
Cannabis plants’ genetic variation is due to their dioecious makeup, which means cannabis has distinct male and female plants.
By nature, dioecious plants have more biodiversity than monoecious plants (plants that have both male and female reproductive organs).
Growers took advantage of this trait in weed plants to produce certain qualities through selective breeding – or crossbreeding.
The process produced a particular breed of weed with certain traits. Interestingly enough, a 2015 study showed that many common weed strains (particularly hybrid strains) had similarities.
However, it’s still true that different weed strains have unique effects.
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Why? The reason isn’t clear, but some point to the entourage effect.
The idea that the different chemical compounds in cannabis flowers (terpenes, CBD, and THC) work hand-in-hand to produce certain therapeutic effects and give a more potent high.
Outside of creating a blend of effects and giving the strain a particular flavor profile, cannabis genetics also play a big role during cultivation.
For indicas and sativas, this is where the strain meets the soil. Cultivation is where these species’ differences distinguish themselves.
Indica strains are a staple for growers because they produce relatively short plants that are easy to grow and perfect for indoor gardens without plenty of vertical space.
On the other hand, sativa strains produce tall plants that are more difficult to grow due to their long flowering period and low resistance.
However, growers still choose to cultivate sativa strains because of their mood-boosting and energizing effects.
The most common weed strains to grow at home
Blue Dream
After growers discovered how easy it was to cultivate Blue Dream for themselves, the strain became one of the most common strains of weed in the market.
Even today, Blue Dream remains one of the most popular picks if you’re looking for an easy, high-yielding strain.
Blue Dream produces robust plants that can endure a couple of mistakes in the growing process. It’s a great strain for new growers.
More enticing is that a single plant can yield you 20 ounces of smokable buds.
| Plant type | 20% Indica 80% Sativa |
| THC | Up to 21% |
| CBD | Up to 2% |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Climate | Indoors | Temperate | Mediterranean |
| Plant size | Tall |
| Flowers | 9 weeks |
| Yields | 21 oz per 3x3ft |
| Taste & Smell | Berry | Earthy | Herbal | Sweet | Vanilla |
Buy Blue Dream feminized seeds
- 20% Indica 80% Sativa
- Up to 21% THC
- Consistent heavy yields
- Easy going high for everyday use
Sour Diesel
Nothing comes close to taking Sour Diesel, aka “Sour D”. This popular strain earned its stripes because of the strong diesel flavor and mind-blowing cerebral high that boosts your mood and energy.
However, the one drawback to Sour Diesel is how difficult it is to cultivate. The strain prefers the outdoors but needs the right humidity to thrive.
It also eats up a lot of nutrients but offers moderate yields in return. People consider Sour D a considerably difficult weed strain to grow.
| Plant type | 40% Indica 60% Sativa |
| THC | Up to 20% THC |
| CBD | Insignificant amounts |
| Difficulty | Hard |
| Climate | Indoors | Continental | Steppe | Mediterranean |
| Plant size | Tall |
| Flowers | 10 weeks |
| Yields | 16 oz per 3x3ft |
| Taste & Smell | Diesel | Earthy | Herbal | Lemon | Pungent | Sour |
| Effects | Energetic | Euphoric | Happy | Relaxed | Uplifted |
Buy Sour Diesel feminized seeds
- 40% Indica 60% Sativa
- Up to 20% THC
- Energy-driven psychedelic high
- Sun-loving, high yielding plant
Girl Scout Cookies
Girl Scout Cookies became an immediate favorite in the cannabis community for the incredibly high THC content and the taste and smell of fresh, oven-baked sweets.
However, the one problem with this weed strain is a smaller yield. Girl Scout Cookies yield, on average, 10 ounces per square meter, half of what you get from other strains like Blue Dream.
Despite the low yield, Girl Scout Cookies remain one of the most common weed strains to grow because of the strain’s high demand.
| Plant type | 80% Indica 20% Sativa |
| THC | Up to 21% |
| CBD | Insignificant amount |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Climate | Indoors | Mediterranean | Steppe |
| Plant size | Average |
| Flowers | 10 weeks |
| Yields | 21 oz per 3x3ft |
| Taste & Smell | Diesel | Earthy | Herbal | Lemon | Pungent | Skunky | Spicy | Sweet |
| Effects | Create | Euphoric | Happy | Relaxed | Uplifted |
Buy Girl Scout Cookies feminized seeds
- 80% Indica 20% Sativa
- High THC levels up to 21%
- You feel both relaxed and euphoric
- Big yields for both indoor and outdoor
Northern Lights
Northern Lights is a popular strain for the strain’s strong sedative qualities that offers a deeply relaxing experience for both your body and mind.
While Northern Lights does knock you out cold, it does so by filling your mind with feelings of euphoria that will lull you to sleep.
When it comes to cultivating Northern Lights, you’ll find that it is a reasonably easy strain to grow because of its short flowering period.
Still, the pleasantly deceptive short plants that it produces can yield up to 16 ounces per square meter.
| Plant type | 90% Indica 10% Sativa |
| THC | Up to 18% |
| CBD | Insignificant amount |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Climate | Indoors | Steppe | Mediterranean | Mold Resistant |
| Plant size | Average |
| Flowers | 9 weeks |
| Yields | 12 to 16 oz per 3x3ft |
| Taste & Smell | Citrus | Earthy | Lemon | Pine | Skunky | Spicy | Sweet |
| Effects | Euphoric | Happy | Relaxed | Sleepy | Uplifted |
| Awards | Cannabis Cup |
Buy Northern Lights feminized seeds
- 90% Indica 10% Sativa
- THC levels up to 18%
- Best indoors and in sunny climates
- Comfortable and easygoing high
Green Crack
When introduced to the public, Green Crack became one of the common weed strains at the time, joining the likes of Chemdog and OG Kush as a staple in the cannabis community.
Despite the dip in popularity over the years, many growers are still fond of Green Crack and continue to grow the strain.
Even though Green Crack is a sativa strain, Green Crack breaks all of the norms by being a fast-growing and high-yielding strain.
The strain cultivates reasonably quickly as long as you expect the rapid growth in foliage during its vegetative stage and the rapid bud growth during its flowering stage.
| Plant type | 40% Indica 60% Sativa |
| THC | Up to 22% |
| CBD | Insignificant amount |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Climate | Indoors | Mediterranean |
| Plant size | Tall |
| Flowers | 10 weeks |
| Yields | 18 to 20 oz per 3x3ft |
| Taste & Smell | Citrus | Earthy | Fruity | Pine | Sweet |
| Effects | Energetic | Euphoric | Happy | Uplifted |
Buy Green Crack feminized seeds
- 40% Indica 60% Sativa
- THC levels up to 22%
- Easy to grow for a big yield
- Great taste and powerful euphoria
Gelato
Gelato is renowned for its potent high. People describe Gelato as giving you an immediate and extreme feeling of uplifted happiness and body melt.
Gelato leaves you stuck to your couch if it’s the first potent strain you’ve ever smoked.
However, for those already used to smoking strong strains, you’ll find that your mind will remain fresh and your thoughts clear.
Gelato plants are not the easiest strain to grow because of how finicky the seeds are. You want to stick with strong genetics.
The best way to grow them is with an indoor setup, but if you’re adamant about growing them outdoors, ensure that the humidity is right for the plants.
| Plant type | 55% Indica 45% Sativa |
| THC | Up to 20% |
| CBD | Insignificant amount |
| Climate | Indoors | Mediterranean | Temperate |
| Plant size | Compact |
| Flowers | 10 – 14 weeks |
| Yields | 16 to 18 oz per 3x3ft |
| Taste & Smell | Citrus | Earthy | Fruity | Sweet |
| Effects | Euphoric | Happy | Relaxed | Uplifted |
Buy Gelato feminized seeds
- 55% Indica 45% Sativa
- THC levels up to 20%
- Fun grow with above-average yields
- Deep relaxation paired with crystal clarity
OG Kush
The popularity of OG Kush is due to its mix of potent effects and reviews from singers and celebrities that have tried the strain.
OG Kush provides a hard-hitting, full-body high that will leave anyone relaxed on their couch.
When it comes to cultivating OG Kush plants, you’ll need to set up the right conditions. OG Kush is sensitive to both light and nutrient levels in the soil.
The plants also don’t handle stress well, so you need to be careful when applying HST or LST to prevent your plants from becoming hermaphrodites.
| Plant type | 75% Indica 25% Sativa |
| THC | Up to 19% |
| CBD | Insignificant amounts |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Climate | Indoors | Mediterranean | Continental | Steppe |
| Plant size | Compact |
| Flowers | 8 weeks |
| Yields | 16 to 17 oz per 3x3ft |
| Taste & Smell | Earthy | Herbal | Lemon | Pine | Sour | Spicy |
| Effects | Euphoric | Happy | Hungry | Relaxed | Uplifted |
Buy OG Kush seeds
- 75% Indica 25% Sativa
- THC levels up to 19%
- Produces a high yield, especially indoors
- Experience euphoric joy and happiness
Summary
Although many factors make a cannabis strain common, the main ones are the strain’s effects and flavor profile.
Those two factors are affected by the plant’s chemotype, while the type (species) affects how the plant grows.
I carry many of these common weed strains at ILGM.com. While I don’t have Girl Scout Cookies, I do offer a better, indica-leaning version called Girl Scout Cookies Extreme.
It has a larger yield with the same flavor and effects.
Happy Growing,
Robert
FAQs about most common strains of cannabis
White Widow was a staple in Dutch Coffeeshops in the Netherlands. There’s also Lemon Diesel, an easier-to-find alternative to Sour D. Lastly, Pineapple Express was already popular way before the movie.
It all comes down to preference, both in effects and flavor. If you’re going to cultivate your own stash, you’ll need to consider how experienced you are and how much effort you’re willing to put into growing weed.
