RQS Cannabis Blog
Included FREE items
Home
Blog
Top 5 Popular Weed Strains in the USA
America has added untold value to the worldwide cannabis community. They've produced stellar genetics and developed groundbreaking cultivation techniques. With countless dispensaries and breeders within their borders, growers have plenty of strains to choose from. So, which strains have become the most popular? Meet 5 of the most-loved cultivars.
America has established itself as the land of the free, home of the brave, and a hub of some of the dankest weed on the planet. The country spearheads many of the cannabis world's innovations, including cutting-edge genetics. Growers in the nation have also done a lot to develop and promote better ways to grow weed, including sustainable no-till approaches that focus on living soil.
We have a lot to thank USA growers for, but what types of cannabis fuel their passionate and pioneering mindset? Below, you'll discover five of the most popular weed strains in America.
Contents:
Special Queen 1
Following her introduction to the US market, Special Queen 1 quickly became one of the most popular weed strains in the States. What exactly drew Americans to this cultivar? Well, this award-winning hybrid dazzled them with her stunning purple-green flowers, thick coating of trichomes, and skunky terpene profile. The talented breeders at RQS created this beauty by crossing Power Bud and Skunk.
This strain doesn’t just impress American growers with her long-lasting stoning effect, but she also grows well across the diverse climates in the country. Outdoor plants grow to a towering 270cm and produce up to 550g/plant in early October. Indoors, plants peak at 140cm and produce 500–550g/m² after a flowering time of 8–9 weeks.
Special Queen 1
|
Power Bud x Skunk |
|
500 - 550 gr/m2 |
|
80 - 140 cm |
|
8 - 9 weeks |
|
THC: 18% |
|
Sativa 50% Indica 50% |
|
500 - 550 gr/plant |
|
200 - 270 cm |
|
Late September |
|
Long Lasting , Physically Relaxing, Powerful |
White Widow
We know you’re not surprised to see White Widow on this list. Almost every cannabis grower respects this strain. As well as dominating Europe, she also made a name for herself across the pond. Admittedly, her THC content pales in comparison to modern USA hybrids. However, as you’re likely aware, many other cannabis compounds play a role in producing a desirable high. White Widow’s high levels of myrcene, pinene, and trace amounts of CBG converge to create a warming physical effect.
Indoors, White Widow offers fantastic yields in little space. You can keep plants at just 60cm using topping and LST and still receive up to 500g/m² in return after 8–10 weeks of flowering. Outdoors, she performs best in areas with a long growing season, where she’ll surge to 190cm and churn out 550–600g/plant in mid-October. Apply generous amounts of organic matter to your soil before planting for the best results.
White Widow
|
|
White Widow S1 |
|
|
450 - 500 gr/m2 |
|
|
60 - 100 cm |
|
|
8 - 10 weeks |
|
|
THC: 19% |
|
|
Sativa 50% Indica 50% |
|
|
550 - 600 gr/plant |
|
|
150 - 190 cm |
|
|
Early October |
|
|
Powerful , Stoned |
Purple Queen
Purple Queen has become one of the leading strains from RQS, for numerous reasons. Her purple reign has only become more influential as more and more growers continue to pledge allegiance to her stunning inflorescences. But she’s more than just a pretty face. This regal variety packs a punch with a THC content of 22% and a terpene profile dominated by myrcene. She inherited these properties from her parent strains Hindu Kush and Purple Afghani.
Purple Queen develops an attractive aesthetic in any location, but she puts on a truly stellar display when grown outdoors. Lower temperatures at night cause her to ramp up anthocyanin production—the pigment responsible for her purple hues. In this setting, she’ll grow to 210cm and produce an impressive 700g/plant come early October. Indoors, apply LST to keep plants at 80cm, and prepare to harvest 450–500g/m² after a blooming period of 8–9 weeks.
Purple Queen
|
|
Hindu Kush x Purple Afghani |
|
|
450 - 500 gr/m2 |
|
|
80 - 120 cm |
|
|
8 - 9 weeks |
|
|
THC: 22% |
|
|
Sativa 25% Indica 75% |
|
|
650 - 700 gr/plant |
|
|
175 - 210 cm |
|
|
October |
|
|
Calming, Euphoric |
Royal Runtz
Runtz has become just as popular—if not more so—as old-school classics. In fact, Runtz outperforms many timeless varieties in most areas. Royal Runtz stands proudly among this genetic line and offers one of the most intriguing phytochemical profiles out there. Her THC content of 27% is enough to humble many experienced smokers. This USA Premium variety has become a rock star in America, where growers and smokers adore her intense uplifting effects and sugary sweet terpenes.
This popular progeny of Gelato and Zkittlez also hits it out of the park in grow tents and outdoor cultivation areas. Indoors, you can keep this strain in tip-top shape using oscillating fans to protect her dense canopy from mould. Keep her well-fed and well-lit, and she’ll offer you up to 500g/m² after a flowering time of 8–9 weeks. What about outdoors? Set her in a sunny position and keep her mulched in warm climates, and you’ll end up with 400–450g/plant. Not bad going, eh?
Royal Runtz
|
|
Gelato x Zkittlez |
|
|
450 - 500 gr/m2 |
|
|
90 - 130 cm |
|
|
8 - 9 weeks |
|
|
THC: 27% |
|
|
Sativa 50% Indica 50% |
|
|
400 - 450 gr/plant |
|
|
160 - 180 cm |
|
|
Middle of October |
|
|
Euphoric, Uplifting |
North Thunderfuck Automatic
How did North Thunderfuck Automatic become so popular in the USA? Her name certainly stokes curiosity, but her legendary lineage and complex terpene profile are what compel many growers to place her seeds in the soil. This descendent of North Thunderfuck and ruderalis possesses a THC content of 21% and a host of earthy, skunky, and citrusy terps. Together, these molecules unleash an uplifting yet soothing high that’s perfect for afternoon sessions.
Not every American grower wants to spend months nurturing photoperiod varieties, especially those individuals growing outdoors up in Alaska. North Thunderfuck Automatic’s rapid growing time ensures a quick harvest following a growing cycle of 10–12 weeks. Both indoor and outdoor plants reach around 150cm in height, but can be kept shorter using LST. Expect 500–550g/m² from indoor specimens and up to 140g/plant from those cultivated outdoors.
North Thunderfuck Auto
|
|
North Thunderfuck x Ruderalis |
|
|
500 - 550 gr/m2 |
|
|
90 – 140 cm |
|
|
8 - 9 weeks |
|
|
THC: 21% |
|
|
Sativa 45%, Indica 50%, Ruderalis 5% |
|
|
90 - 140 gr/plant |
|
|
120 - 150 cm |
|
|
10 - 12 weeks after sprouting |
|
|
Physically Relaxing, Uplifting |
America: Land of the Dank
Growers in the USA are truly spoiled for choice. The country has given rise to some of the best breeders on the planet, and access to dispensaries means many consumers have dozens of strains to choose from. Despite this, cultivators are often drawn to genetics bred over in Europe. These strains offer something unique, even if they sometimes descend from American lines. The five varieties mentioned above leave little to be desired. They’re packed with THC and tasty terpenes, and offer large rewards come harvest time. But don’t take our word for it! If you want to experience why they’ve risen to such prominence in America, you need to grow and smoke them yourself!
