The Best Indica Strains for Growing

Indica strains are known for acting as a sedative, with the best indica strains having a potent effect that will leave you feeling euphoric and deeply relaxed. It’s a great end-of-day strain since it helps you unwind by relieving stress after a hard day. Additionally, indica strains are known for physical relaxation and pain relief.

Let’s be clear, though, that different cannabis products take effect at different times. Smoking or vaporizing (vaping) buds will result in an almost immediate effect since they enter your bloodstream through your lungs. Meanwhile, consuming it through edibles will take longer for you to feel the effects since your body will have to metabolize it first.

Are indica strains hard to grow?

Generally, first-time growers will not have a difficult time growing cannabis indica. The strain is well-known for how easy it is to cultivate. Indicas flowers faster than its sativa counterpart, and it responds well to different growing techniques.

In other words, you can make the strain go into its flowering stage even faster. Additionally, the best indica strains out there can produce just as much (if not more) than sativas.

You can also control how indicas grow by applying techniques like Screen of Green (SCROG), which uses a screen to train your plants to grow outwards rather than upwards. However, height shouldn’t be a problem with cannabis indica since the plant can only grow up to 3-10 feet tall.

What is a problem, though, for indica strains is mold and rot. These nuisances are particularly concerning for pure indica strains that haven’t developed resistance toward them.

ILGM recommends indica-dominant hybrids when growing your first batch of cannabis indica since many hybrids developed resistance towards common marijuana diseases like powdery mildew, root rot, and bud rot.

When is the best time to harvest indica and indica-dominant strains?

The right time to harvest pure and indica-dominant strains is when the tiny hairs on the plant have taken on an amber color. These tiny hairs are the trichomes, which contain the psychoactive compounds that give marijuana its effect, and the amber color is a sign that the THC has reached peak ripeness.

What strain is 100% Indica?

There are a lot of strains that are pure indicas – some of which are landrace strains which are pure strains that have not crossed with other strains of weed. Some pure indicas include Afghan (landrace), Hindu Kush (landrace), Granddaddy Purple, Purple Kush, and Pure Indica.

With so many strains to choose from, it won’t be easy to find the right one. Fret not. Here are some of the top indica strains you’ll find in ILGM’s online store. Below, you can find a list of the five top indica strains to grow.

Northern Lights

Northern Lights is a relatively short plant that, when grown indoors, will only be 5ft tall, which isn’t even a quarter the height of an average sativa strain. Don’t be fooled, though. Despite how short it is, Northern Lights has a large yield of 12 to 16 ounces per square meter (about 3x3 ft), which is comparable to a sativa plant.

The effect of Northern Lights is also deceptive. Although an indica-dominant strain, it doesn’t have the same potent sedative effect that causes couch lock. Instead, you’ll feel a profoundly relaxing mind and body high complemented by euphoric feelings.

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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Northern Lights is also a good strain for people who are suffering from feelings of stress and anxiety. Part of what makes it a good strain is that it delivers these effects without being too overwhelming, which is why it’s an excellent strain for first-time users.

You won’t have to worry about mold when growing Northern lights since this indica-dominant strain is resistant to powdery mildew and other fungal diseases. Additionally, you can grow this strain either through its standard feminized seeds or as autoflowers.

Northern Lights cultivar profile

OG Kush

OG Kush is a small indica with an average height of 3ft, but it can grow up to a maximum height of 5ft. Regardless,  it’s one of the smaller indica-dominant strains you’ll find. Despite its size, OG Kush has a large yield of 16 to 17 ounces per 3x4ft.

The immediate and potent effect of OG Kush is unmatched and well-known. It will fill you with feelings of euphoria through its mind and body high. It’s not as profoundly relaxing as other indica strains; this is partly due to its blending of 75% indica and 25% sativa.

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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OG Kush still has a sedative effect, although it does quickly transition to feeling happy and joyful. It does make for an excellent mood-boosting strain, perfect for those who had a rough and stressful day and are looking to unwind and relieve stress.

Growing OG Kush can be a bit of a challenge for states in continental climates since this indica-dominant hybrid prefers warmer temperatures – so tropical to sunny climates are the ideal place for growing OG Kush. In a less-than-ideal environment, OG Kush can suffer from common marijuana diseases like powdery mildew and fusarium.

OG Kush cultivar profile

Granddaddy Purple

Granddaddy Purple is a pure indica strain that was made by crossing Purple Urkle and Big Bud. The result was an indica strain that produced large, purple-colored buds. In a 3x3ft area, you can expect a hefty harvest of around 14 to 17 ounces if you decide to grow Granddaddy Purple in your cannabis garden.

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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The buds from Granddaddy Purple have a surprisingly moderate effect on the body. While it does give you a completely relaxing high and a mildly sedating buzz, you won’t feel couch-locked. Instead, this pure indica will help with your insomnia and feelings of anxiety, making it one of the best indicas strains for sleep. Additionally, Granddaddy Purple also stimulates your appetite while also wiping away any feelings of nausea. This effect is only complemented further by the sweet and fruity flavor of Granddaddy Purple.

Growing your Granddaddy Purple can be tricky since it’s highly responsive to its environment, and because it’s a pure indica, it would be safe to assume that it doesn’t have the same resistances as hybrids. However, this strain is resistant to diseases, and it’s also one of the strains that ILGM highly recommends to beginner growers because of how easy it is to cultivate in your cannabis garden.

Granddaddy Purple cultivar profile

Girl Scout Cookies

Girl Scout Cookies is an indica-dominant hybrid strain made by crossing OG Kush and Durban Poison – a landrace strain. It produces a high yield of 21 ounces per 3x3ft and has a general height of 3ft but can grow up to 5ft. It’s perfect for indoor growing for its size and the fact that this strain enjoys stretching itself out – making Girl Scout Cookies ideal for scrogging.

Girl Scout Cookies feminized seeds

Like many great strains, this one got started in California. Because of its popularity, it quickly spread across the states and then the world. Its fame is well-earned.

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Never judge a book by its cover. The lighthearted name of this strain hides its surprisingly potent sedative effect. This strain will leave you with a deep and relaxing full-body high that can put you to sleep if that’s what you want to do.

That’s another great thing about Girl Scout Cookies: you can either take it as an end-of-day strain and help with your insomnia, or you can use it to bring out your creative side. The energizing effects of this strain will fill you with joy and a feeling of euphoria that it’ll make you more talkative and confident.

And lastly, unlike the rest of the strains on this list, Girl Scout Cookies won’t leave you couch-locked. Beginner growers will find cultivating Girl Scout Cookies one of the more straightforward strains to handle since it’s resilient to pests and mold.

Girl Scout Cookies cultivar profile

G13 Strain

By far one of the highest-yielding indica strains, G13 blows many strains on this list out of the water. Its yield of 21 ounces per plant indoors and 40 ounces per plant outdoors. The highest that this plant can grow is around 4ft, reasonably small for a plant that produces so much, making indicas like G13 great for indoor gardens. G13 is one of the strongest indica strains out there.

G13 feminized seeds

G13 is one of the most famous unknown marijuana strains in history. Its origins are unclear. Its effects are unusual, and until recently, it was only grown from clones.

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When toked or consumed, it will give you a serious sedating buzz and a relaxing head high. It is great for clearing any feelings of stress and perfect for those suffering chronic pain and muscle spasms. It also helps with anxiety by boosting your mood and filling you with joy and other euphoric feelings. Additionally, G13 is like any marijuana in that it helps stimulate your appetite, giving you the stereotypical munchies that weed is known to provide. Because G13 is an indica, it’s a great strain against insomnia, as the sedating buzz will either knock you out completely or leave you couch-locked.

Growing G13 can be a challenge for those unprepared. One of the requirements for this strain to grow those dense and packed buds is a lot of nutrients, and to do that effectively is to grow G13 hydroponically. And that’s what makes it a bit of a challenge, especially for beginners who don’t have any experience with hydroponics.

G13 cultivar profile

Conclusion

When deciding what the top indica strains are on the market, it’s essential to know how difficult it is to grow a particular strain and the best setup- indoors or outdoors?

By far, the most contributing factor to deciding what the best indica strains are, though, is whether or not the effects appeal to you. People have different preferences. Some are looking for strains that would relax them after a hard day, while others are looking for potent ones that will help with their chronic pain.

Regardless of which one you are, you can find and grow top strains – including the best indica strains such as Super Skunk and Hindu Kush on ILGM’s online store.