Insomniacs, Unite: These Are the Best Indica Strains for Sleep

When it comes to inducing sleep, indicas are more known to cause sleepiness than sativas. The main reason is that indica strains have higher cannabidiol (CBD) content than sativa strains. Higher CBD content gives indicas sedating and relaxing effects, while sativas are more known for their energizing effects due to their higher THC content.

So, if you’re looking to grow cannabis to aid with sleep, indica strains are the way to go. There are plenty of strains to choose from, but to make things a little easier for you, we’ve compiled a list of the best indica strains for sleep to give you an idea of what to look for.

Pure Indica

As the name implies, Pure Indica is 100% indica. It’s known for its relaxing and happy-inducing highs, making it the most relaxing pure indica strain on this list. Its potent, almost therapeutic effects make you forget that it only has medium levels of THC.

Pure Indica feminized seeds

As far as marijuana strains go, Pure Indica seeds are quite rare, yet this strain remains a favorite for many. As its name implies, this strain is 100% indica. It's a small plant that packs a powerful punch.

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This strain only has a THC content of up to 14%, but don’t let that or the small plants it produces fool you. If you let it, this strain will put you to sleep, but it can also help you relax after a long day.

If you want to grow Pure Indica for yourself, you can buy seeds from ILGM. They’re feminized seeds, meaning they’ll only produce female plants.

Pure Indica cultivar profile

Hindu Kush

If you want to grow buds that will put you into a deep sleep, look no further than Hindu Kush. Not only will its strong sedative effect encourage a good night’s sleep, but it will also help relieve stress by making you feel calm and relaxed. Hindu Kush can put the busiest minds to rest, which is why it’s one of the best indica cannabis strains for sleep and stress relief.

Hindu Kush feminized seeds

Any Cannabis that can take on the harsh conditions of this homeland's climate must be strong. This strain is conditioned to create crystal trichomes coats that protect it from its surroundings.

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Growing your own Hindu Kush plants is also a stress-free endeavor. You only need to monitor humidity levels and airflow. Keep them in check by pruning plants when they get too bushy.

Start growing this indica strain by buying feminized seeds from ILGM. They’re guaranteed only to produce female cannabis plants. While there, download our Plant Grow Guide to learn how to best treat your cannabis plant.

Hindu Kush cultivar profile

Purple Kush

The best indica for sleep and the ideal end-of-day strain naturally goes to Purple Kush. This potent marijuana strain is designed to put you to sleep. Its high THC content of up to 22% helps relieve stress after a long day. Consuming Purple Kush provides an uplifting and euphoric high to help you unwind while lulling you to sleep.

Purple Kush feminized seeds

Purple Kush seeds grow a potent Cannabis strain that originated on the Cannabis-loving West Coast. It is a pleasantly relaxing indica strain that also delivers pure bliss.

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Purple Kush is one of the more moderately difficult marijuana strains to grow, mostly because of the short and bushy plants it produces. They can be challenging for new growers to tend to. For an easier experience, grow Purple Kush Auto instead of the photoperiod version.

Purple Kush Auto is still 100 indica and retains its high THC content of up to 22%. The only difference is a faster-growing experience with less fuss.

Purple Kush cultivar profile

OG Kush

OG Kush is the Indica-dominant hybrid you would grow if you’re looking for more than a strain to aid with sleep. OG Kush will do more than put you to rest; it also takes you on a trip that leaves you feeling euphoric and extremely happy. And if it doesn’t put you to sleep, it’ll give you a strong appetite.

OG Kush feminized seeds

OG Kush produces a mood-elevating, heavy euphoria making it great for people looking to wash away stress. Its blend of 75% indica and 25% sativa brings a balance between physical and mental experience.

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As great of a hybrid as OG Kush is, it can be a moderately difficult strain for outdoor growers. If you don’t have the right environment, OG Kush plants become more susceptible to diseases, bugs, and mildew. One saving grace, though, is that OG Kush plants thrive and tend to yield more indoors than outdoors.

If you don’t have an indoor setup, we recommend growing OG Kush Auto. Its ruderalis genetics makes it far more resilient to diseases and pests. It also has an autoflowering trait which, if you time your planting right, could result in multiple harvests in a single growing season.

OG Kush cultivar profile

Afghan

When it comes to delivering strong body highs, Afghan comes to mind. This heritage strain remains in the market thanks to its fragrant buds that, when consumed, leave you feeling deeply relaxed and euphoric. It’s the ideal end-of-day strain that will help you unwind after a long day while filling you with happiness.

Afghan feminized seeds

Afghan is a very popular indica heritage strain that delivers a heavy-bodied high. Afghan seeds grow large, fragrant buds known for their happy, relaxed effect.

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Growing Afghan plants is easy since it thrives well in indoor and outdoor gardens. However, it produces bushy plants that should be pruned to maintain humidity and stable airflow. Of course, if you want to get the most out of your Afghan plants, you must do more than the bare minimum. Consider giving them the right fertilizer for each growth stage.

If you want a faster return, try growing Afghan Auto. Its ruderalis genetics give it a shorter growing cycle and flowers automatically, making this already undemanding strain easier to grow.

Afghan cultivar profile

OG Kush CBD

The high-CBD variant of OG Kush prioritizes CBD content over THC levels for greater relief. We recommend OG Kush CBD for those wanting the therapeutic effects of cannabis, such as relieving stress, anxiety, and chronic pain. Because OG Kush CBD has less than 1% THC, it won’t get you high. Instead, it helps with insomnia and anxiety.

OG Kush CBD feminized seeds

OG Kush does an excellent job at making its users feel good, and it's no surprise that it's incredibly popular for both recreational and therapeutic uses.

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Growing OG Kush CBD is no different from its THC-focused counterpart. It also thrives in tropical climates with sunny weather. Anything outside of those conditions causes your plants to become more susceptible to mold and pests. To get around this issue, buy plant protectors to keep your cannabis mold and pest-free.

Northern Lights

Northern Lights is one of the best hybrid strains for relaxing the mind and body. It’s not strong enough to couchlock, but you’ll sleep if you want to fall asleep. Other than sleep, Northern Lights leaves you feeling euphoric and happy while the body buzz helps with relaxation.

Northern Lights feminized seeds

This strain is what we call 'word of mouth' famous. If you've heard of any one strain, it's usually Northern Lights - and for good reason. Northern Lights seeds grow buds that drip with resin, it has a short flowering phase, and growers at every level love it!

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Just like its effects, Northern Lights is an easy strain to grow. And despite the short plants that it produces, it yields nicely. You can expect up to 12 to 16 oz per plant with a THC content of up to 18%.

Northern Lights also has an autoflowering variant with the same THC levels. Northern Lights Auto plants produce smaller plants with less return, but their lower yields can easily be resolved with planning. Double your potential by timing when you sow your autoflower seeds and get multiple harvests.

Northern Lights cultivar profile

Granddaddy Purple

Granddaddy Purple (sometimes also shortened to GDP) is a 100% indica and one of the best strains around if you’re looking for a deeply relaxing high that won’t glue you to your couch. What’s more surprising about this indica is its high THC levels reaching up to 23%. You’ll be relaxed, but you’ll also experience a soothing joy paired with euphoric giggles. Outside of the high, GDP can soothe the worst cases of insomnia and help calm anxiety.

Granddaddy Purple feminized seeds

This is a product of crossbreeding Purple Urkle and Big Bud, two popular indica strains! If you love indica strains, you are going to fall head over heels in love as this bad grandpa is a 100% PURE indica!

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When it comes to growing GDP, you’ll find that it’s an easy strain that’s great for outdoor growing because of its high resistance to diseases. But, if you don’t have enough space outside, GDP also thrives in indoor setups.

You can also grow Granddaddy Purple Auto if you want a faster harvest.

Granddaddy Purple cultivar profile

White Widow

When listing the best indicas for sleep, White Widow probably isn’t a strain that would come to mind. It’s known more for its energy-boosting head high that inspires creativity. These effects made it a staple in Dutch coffee shops. However, White Widow is a great strain for sleep because of its balanced high that relaxes your body and mind with a touch of euphoria.

White Widow feminized seeds

You looking for a relaxing smoke to unlock your conversational and creative side? You are going to love our White Widow seeds!

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White Widow seeds produce average-sized plants that grow only 2-4 feet tall. They are also highly resistant to diseases and react well against temperature drops, making them easy to grow.

White Widow Auto is all the more convenient for growers since it not only flowers automatically but also stays small in size.

White Widow cultivar profile

Godfather OG

Godfather OG is a highly potent strain that delivers a strong head and body high. With THC levels of up to 30%, it doles out a heavy-handed high that washes away the stress and worries in your mind. It then replaces them with a strong feeling of euphoria that travels through your body, leaving you with a body-numbing high.

Godfather OG feminized seeds

The Godfather OG strain is an indica-dominant hybrid (60:40). It's gained a following for its impressive THC level, which averages 25%.

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Godfather OG Cannabis seeds produce hardy and resilient plants. They are especially mold-resistant, which is helpful since the plant has large, dense nugs. That said, you still need to monitor the humidity to ensure molds like powdery mildew don’t appear.

Godfather OG cultivar profile

Conclusion

When it comes to inducing sleep, indicas are the way to go because they have a greater concentration of cannabidiol (CBD) than sativas. The higher CBD levels in indicas are also how they help alleviate both stress and pain. The high from the THC is a bonus that compliments its therapeutic effects. We understand you might have more questions about which strain to pick for your specific use case. We've gone ahead and listed some of the most commonly asked questions below, each with an appropriate strain recommendation.

What is the best indica strain for sleep and anxiety?

The best indica strain to encourage sleep and reduce stress should have high CBD, like OG Kush CBD. A 2019 study showed that CBD can help with sleep disorders and feelings of anxiety.

What is the strongest strain of indica?

Granddaddy Purple is our strongest Indica strain. It is 100% indica with a high THC content of up to 23%, second only to Hindu Kush. Godfather OG would’ve been a choice if it weren’t a hybrid strain.

Is sativa or indica better for night-time?

Indica is a better end-of-day/night strain because it will help with sleep and relaxation. On the other hand, Sativa strains will leave you with a boost of energy that may keep you up all night.

Why does indica make you so sleepy?

Part of it is because of the higher CBD concentration in indica strains, but there’s more to it than just that. A 2020 study noted that CBD alone didn’t significantly affect sleepiness; instead, it needed the combination of THC and CBD. It follows the same logic as the entourage effect, which says that the different compounds (CBD, THC, terpenes) in cannabis synergize to induce stronger effects.

Whether you’re growing cannabis for its therapeutic effects or recreational use, sourcing high-quality seeds is necessary to grow the best bud. Find high-quality cannabis seeds in our store, where you can also download Bergman’s Grow Bible to help you start growing like a pro.