To talk about sativas and indicas is to delve into one of the most fascinating debates in the world of cannabis. Not only do these two families have a completely different look, but they also promise unique experiences. What makes them special? Why are cannabis enthusiasts always arguing about them? Here we tell you everything: from its origin and morphology, to its effects and the most acclaimed varieties.
Introduction to the Indica concept
The concept indica refers to the phenotype of the plant, its morphology and physical appearance. Indica cannabis plants are those that are bushy in shape: short in height, with little internodal space between the branches (and therefore compact and leafy), with wide leaves (with fat fingers and usually dark green), and compact and rounded buds.
Did you know?
The term “indica” was coined in 1785 by the French naturalist Jean-Baptiste Lamarck. He observed the differences between plants collected in India and European varieties, highlighting their compact structure and higher resin production.
This morphology responds to environmental conditions typical of rather cold and dry climates (little sun, low temperatures and little rainfall), and its flowering period is shorter than that of sativas.
Due to their origin in mountainous areas such as the Hindu Kush, indicas developed robust and strong stems, capable of withstanding adverse weather conditions. This trait also makes them an excellent choice for indoor grows, where their compact size is an advantage.
Apart from their morphological characteristics, indica genetics are also attributed with more sedative and relaxing effects than sativas. While it is true, the sativa effect and the indica effect are extracted more from popular culture than from scientific conclusions.
Introduction to the Sativa concept
The concept of sativa refers to slender cannabis plants: tall, with plenty of internodal space between the branches (and therefore stylized), with elongated leaves (thin-fingered and usually light green), and slender buds.
Historical curiosity:
The term “sativa” was introduced in 1753 by Carl Linnaeus, the Swedish naturalist who classified this plant as a variety grown for fiber and seeds in Europe. Later, sativas began to gain recognition for their unique effects and relationship with tropical climates.
This morphology is typical of plants that grow in a warm and humid environment (with a lot of sun, high temperatures, and abundant rainfall), and their flowering period is longer than that of indicas.
When we talk about sativa effect, we are referring to an energizing and euphoric feeling. Hence, sativas are a more popular option to consume during the day than at night.
What is the difference between indica and sativa strains?
As we mentioned earlier, the differences between indica and sativa strains refer to their phenotype. That is, to the morphology and appearance of the plant. While indicas are leafy and short plants that would look more like a bush, sativas are tall and slender plants, whose shape would be more reminiscent of a palm tree.
| Indica | Sativa | Characteristic |
|---|---|---|
| Height | Low, compact and robust High | , slim and slim |
| Large, broad, dark green | leaves | Long, narrow, and light green |
| Flowering Time | Fast (6-8 weeks) | Long (10-14 weeks) |
It is important to emphasize at this point that, today, as a result of advances in cannabis breeding, many of the CBD genetics and flowers available on the market are the product of arduous hybridization work. In other words, they are not pure indicas or pure sativas, but the result of crossing the two.
Different origins and morphological characteristics
Indica strains originate in the south of the Asian continent, in mountainous areas. In fact, indicas are believed to come from the Hindu Kush mountain range (located between Afghanistan and Pakistan). Not surprisingly, the indica genetics par excellence are called Bubba Kush.
The morphological characteristics of indica strains respond to the adaptation of plants to these mountainous, arid and cold climates. They therefore have thick and strong stems (capable of resisting in an adverse environment), a short stature, and a shrubby and leafy shape.
Sativa strains do not have such a limited geographical origin, and their origin is scattered between the American, African and Asian continents. However, it is delimited in equatorial climates: hot, sunny and very humid. That is why sativas are plants with thin stems, high height (hence they grow well in humid climates and need more water than indicated), and slender shape.
Chemical composition: Cannabinoid and terpene content
The levels of cannabinoids and terpenes in a given strain are not, in any case, determined by the fact that it is a sativa or indica genetic. The chemical composition of the plant is not correlative to its physical appearance.
As the doctor of medicine and neuroscientist Ethan Russo, a great scholar of cannabis and its effects, has explained on several occasions, the levels of cannabinoids and terpenes are not determined by the morphology of the plant. So the theory of higher levels of THC or CBD in indica or sativa genetics would be lame in scientific terms. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5576603/
Differences in the blades
Indica and sativa leaves are very different from each other, and they can be one of the elements of the variety that help us identify if a plant is a sativa or indica more easily.
The indica leaves are broad and large, with wide, rounded fingers, and their color is usually a darker green than sativas. While the sativa leaves are elongated and pointed, with narrow and sharp fingers, and lighter.
Flower density
Indica flowers tend to be denser than sativas, depending, obviously, on the growing conditions. Indica buds tend to have a cylindrical shape and are very compact, hence their higher density. Sativa flowers, on the other hand, are more spiky and elongated, and are usually less dense than indicas.
Aroma
The taste and olfactory qualities of flowers are determined by their terpene profile, and not by the structure of the plant. This is why it is difficult to find common aroma characteristics among the wide variety of indica or sativa strains available.
Regardless of the morphological family to which they belong, the aromatic and taste notes of a certain flower will be determined by the chemical composition of the plant, specifically by its levels of terpenes, which are the natural elements of the plant that give it that characteristic smell and smell.
What effects does sativa produce?
The effects of sativa strains euphoric and energizing strains. But, regardless of whether the cannabis community has established characteristics about the effects of one or the other, it is important to remember that the effects of cannabis are determined according to the composition of the plant, and not so much according to its shape.
The levels of cannabinoids (CBD, THC, CBG or CBN, for example), and terpenes (myrcene, beta caryophyllene or humulene, for example) of a given strain, and the interaction between both compounds (entourage effect) in relation to our endocannabinoid system, will be the real determinants in the effect of a strain.
What effects does indica produce?
Indica strains have sedative and relaxing strains. Indicas are usually for this reason flowers most used in aromatherapy at night to rest after an intense day.
What are the most popular CBD sativas?
One of the most acclaimed CBD sativas is Amnesia 47. Amnesia is one of the most revered sativa genetics. Belonging to the Haze family, another renowned sativa dynasty, it offers a very intense aroma, with citrus notes and very spicy tints.
Lemon Haze, a state-of-the-art genetics, is another of the most awarded sativas among the cannabis community.
What are the most popular CBD indicas?
The throne of CBD indicas is undoubtedly held by the Kush dynasty. With an unmistakable aroma of gasoline and earth, Kush CBD strains enjoy rows of parishioners. Its compact buds, great producers of resin, leave no one indifferent.
In this vein, Gelato CBD is one of those CBD indica strains that enjoy the most success. Not only because of the sweet fragrance of its flowers, but also because of the relaxing effect they offer.
Frequently asked questions
What effect does Indica and Sativa have?
It is commonly said that indica flowers have relaxing and sedative strains, and sativas have more energizing and euphoric strains.
Do indicas and sativas produce different effects?
The cannabis community has established that yes: indicas, sedatives, and sativas, energizing. But the scientific community has not yet published conclusions that indicate this.
How do you tell an indica from a sativa?
The easiest thing to distinguish them is their shape. While indicas are short, leafy, compact plants with wide leaves, and very rounded flowers, sativas are tall varieties, with spiked flowers and thin, pointed leaf fingers.
Bibliography and digital sources
- Piomelli D, Russo EB. The Cannabis sativa Versus Cannabis indica Debate: An Interview with Ethan Russo, MD. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res. 2016 Jan 1; 1(1):44-46. doi: 10.1089/can.2015.29003.ebr. PMID: 28861479; PMCID: PMC5576603. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5576603/
- Watts, G., Science commentary: Cannabis confusions. BMJ: British Medical Journal, 2006. 332(7534): p. 175. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16424501/
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