Top 5 Popular Cannabis Strains in the UK

Cannabis lovers in the United Kingdom often look to their counterparts across the Atlantic with a mixture of inspiration and envy. While the herb remains illegal at the federal level in the US, growers in many regions are able to cultivate it at home under state law. Matters are a lot different in England, Northern Ireland, Wales, and Scotland. Despite almost 8% of the adult population aged 16–59 admitting to having used the plant in 2019, current laws prohibit cultivation and even possession. Regardless of the draconian situation, huge numbers of cannabis lovers in the country continue to use cannabis and grow it inside, in gardens, and at clandestine guerrilla growing locations.

But which types of weed are UK cannabis users drawn to the most? Based on our seed bank sales to the country, we can give you a pretty good idea of the cannabinoid concentrations, growth traits, and effects that UK growers and smokers adore the most. Check out the top 5 UK strains below.

1. Cookies Gelato

The UK has a big soft spot for this sugary hybrid. But why Cookies Gelato above all else? Hint: it has a lot to do with massive quantities of THC! Our breeders created this powerhouse hybrid by crossing legendary parent strains Girl Scout Cookies and Gelato 33. The progeny emerged with a perfectly balanced profile of 50% sativa and 50% indica, exhibiting outlandish THC levels of around 28%—enough to keep you elevated for hours at a time. But aside from her formidable potency, Cookies Gelato’s complex terpene profile, characterised by notes of citrus, earth, fruit, and mint, are also responsible for luring in connoisseurs.

You don’t need the status of “master grower” to successfully raise Cookies Gelato. This cultivar performs both indoors and outdoors, so long as you keep her well-fed and exposed to lots of light. Indoors, you can expect a weighty yield of 550–600g/m² after a relatively brief flowering time of 8–9 weeks. Outdoors, prepare to harvest 600–650g/plant during mid-October. This relatively early harvest time makes Cookies Gelato a suitable photoperiod variety for the British growing season.

Cookies Gelato

Cookies Gelato

	Girl Scout Cookie X Gelato 33
	550 - 600 gr/m2
	90 - 130 cm
	8 - 9 weeks
	THC: 28%

	Sativa 50% Indica 50%
	600 - 650 gr/plant
	140 - 180 cm
	Middle of October
	Balanced, Calming, Physically Relaxing

Buy Cookies Gelato

2. White Widow

Cannabis users all over the planet are familiar with this strain. White Widow's buds line the shelves of Dutch coffeeshops and Californian dispensaries alike. However, the British have a particular penchant for this descendant of White Widow S1. A well-balanced genetic profile, compact size, and a powerful stoning effect made her a hit within the country. While her THC content of 19% is moderate compared to some other strains, her earthy and peppery terpenes lend a heavy stoning element to the high that makes this strain undeniably powerful.

Naturally, growers living in areas of prohibition gravitate toward small and compact plants. Indoors, White Widow maintains a height of 60–100cm, making it possible to grow her in small cupboards and boxes. Despite her stature, she delivers up to 500g/m² after 8–10 weeks of bloom. Outdoors, she’ll require the warmer summers experienced in the south of the country to really thrive. Here, she churns out up to 550–600g/plant in mid–late-October.

White Widow

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

Buy White Widow

3. Royal Dwarf

It certainly doesn’t take a genius to figure out why we named this cultivar Royal Dwarf. With a height of 40–90cm, she serves as a key ally for UK growers looking to minimise the chance of getting busted for their horticultural interests. We created this clandestine cultivar by crossing sought-after Skunk genetics with a robust Cannabis ruderalis specimen. Royal Dwarf’s compact flowers produce a THC content of 13%, making them perfect for more casual smoking sessions.

Indoor plants grow to manageable heights of 40–70cm, and thus are suitable for tiny grow tents or even converted buckets. You can expect a reasonable return of 150–200g/m² only 9–10 weeks after germination. If growing in a concealed spot outdoors, plants will peak at a height of 90cm and provide up to 80g/plant.

Royal Dwarf

Royal Dwarf

	Skunk x Ruderalis
	150 - 200 gr/m2
	40 - 70 cm
	6 - 7 weeks
	THC: 13%

	Sativa 10% Indica 60% Ruderalis 30%
	30 - 80 gr/plant
	50 - 90 cm
	9 - 10 weeks after sprouting
	Creative, Motivating

Buy Royal Dwarf

4. Sweet ZZ

We think you get the picture by now. The most sought-after weed strains in the UK are either outrageously strong, super stealthy, or both. Sweet ZZ falls into the former category. This THC-packed titan reaches the end of the flowering phase with all guns blazing. Her stunning purple-pink buds, THC content of 22%, and sugary-sweet terpenes make her an instant favourite among cultivators all over the world. If you choose to grow this variety, buckle up for a hard-hitting high that will melt your body into the couch.

But Sweet ZZ doesn’t just boast good looks and supercharged effects. Take good care of her, and she’ll reward you with packed stash jars. Indoor plants churn out up to 600g/m² after a brief flowering time of 7–9 weeks. Those grown outdoors will serve up 500–550g/plant come late September.

Sweet ZZ

Sweet ZZ

	Grape Ape x Grapefruit
	550 - 600 gr/m2
	80 - 140 cm
	7 - 9 weeks
	THC: 22%

	Sativa 20% Indica 80%
	500 - 550 gr/plant
	160 - 200 cm
	Late September
	Calming, Stoned

Buy Sweet ZZ

5. Royal Runtz

This new-school cultivar has earned some serious prestige in recent years; so much so that she ranks up there with the classics in the eyes of many UK weed growers. In a quest to generate industry-leading potency, our skilled breeders crossed Gelato and Zkittlez. After stabilising the progeny, they achieved a beast exhibiting a THC content of 27%. As such, beginner smokers should approach this strain with caution. Nevertheless, both novices and veterans will enjoy an uplifting, happy high with Royal Runtz.

Potency aside, how does Royal Runtz perform in the grow room or garden? Inside, she returns up to 450–500g/m² after 8–9 weeks of bloom. Grow her outside, and you can expect to trim up to 450g/plant in mid-October.

Royal Runtz

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

Buy Royal Runtz

Weed Strains UK: Strength and Stealth Reign Supreme

There you have it. If you’re from the UK, you know the strains that your fellow citizens love to grow and smoke. And if you’re from overseas, you have a good idea of the smoking and cultivation habits of British weed lovers. As you can tell, these folks are largely drawn to sky-high THC levels and getting the best bang for their buck. And, of course, in an effort to avoid run-ins with law enforcement and inclement weather, many of them also opt for compact, stealthy cultivars that finish flowering before the autumn rain sets in.