Top 10 Kush Cannabis Strains

Kush is a strain of cannabis that originates from the Hindu Kush region of Afghanistan. This area is mountainous and remote. It is also one of the few places that cannabis grows natively. Re-discovered by travellers on the Hippie Trail during the 60’s, they returned to the West to begin growing Kush strains in earnest. However, this pathway was soon interrupted both by the American Drug War and regional hostilities.Nevertheless, the powerful pre-war Afghani strains are legendary in the older cannabis community. And such strains have completely revolutionised the cannabis industry.

Kush strains are widespread thanks to their unique effects and flavours. Kush genetics mean strains will look, smell, and taste a certain way. They will also produce powerful effects.

Kush strains are colourful. They exhibit deep green colas and leaves, often with hints of purple. The hairs (or pistils) of the plant are orange, bronze, or rust-coloured. The buds are satisfyingly chunky.

And the effects? Kush strains are usually heavy and sedative. That said, crossbreeding with sativas will leave couch-locked consumers with a smile on their faces. The strain is used frequently to cross and stabilise other hybrid genetics. Since Kush is a landrace strain, it comprises characteristics that make plants more resistant to extreme temperatures.

Top 10 Kush Cannabis Strains

Here is a list of our 10 favourite Kush strains. Try one, try them all. You won’t be disappointed.

COOKIES KUSH

This 2014 Cannabis Cup winner is an all-around phenom. Cookies Kush was created by expert cultivators. It is a cross between Girl Scout Cookies and the monstrous OG Kush. A THC-rich indica icon indeed! This stupendous strain can be grown in as little as 50-60 days. Compact in size due to its indica heritage, the bush only grows to a maximum of 100cm. The yield is abundant, reaching up to 650g/m². That’s good too, because you won’t be able to get enough of your new agricultural hobby. The taste is pungent with a strong flavour of milk chocolate. And once ingested, Cookies Kush serves up a dreamy, intense indica stone.

AUTO PURPLE COUSKUSH FEMINIZED

This tasty autoflowering strain is the offspring of Purple Kush and ruderalis. A diverse mix of indica, sativa, and ruderalis, Auto Purple CousKush produces up to 20% THC, which is great for an autoflower.

Typical of Kush, she is a squat little plant, only reaching 90cm indoors and a maximum of 150cm outdoors. With a total life cycle of just 65 days, Auto Purple CousKush produces top-quality results in a flash. During this time, plants exhibit dark purple leaves and buds that give it an outrageously flamboyant look. Indoors, growers can harvest up to 300g/m². Outdoors, she delivers between 30 and 50 grams per plant.

Auto Purple CousKush's sweet and fruity notes induce a delicious medley of tastes and smells that make for an exceptionally smooth and indulgent smoke. The high is uplifting, starting with a rush of euphoria and ending with a deep, soothing stone.

View

Auto Purple CousKush (Zamnesia Seeds) Feminized

(144)

Parents: Purple Kush x Ruderalis

Genetics: Auto Hybrid

Flowering Time: 9-10 weeks from seed to harvest

THC: 20%

CBD: 0-1%

Flowering Type: Autoflowering

MASTER KUSH

This high-yielding, potent strain is a killer variety that produces a lasting high. Master Kush will take a bit longer to grow than some of the others on this list, but it is worth the wait. Clocking in at between 15-18% THC, this pure indica will produce the strong effects Kush strains are known for. Even better? This is not a smelly plant to grow and therefore, is well-suited for guerrilla grows or indoor projects with poor odour filtration. The plant grows between 80-120cm and its buds are dense and heavy. With a spicy, earthy taste, and a hint of citrus, this strain will lock you to the couch for hours.

HINDU KUSH

Hindu Kush is the poster child for easy-to-grow indicas. It evolved in the harsh mountain climate of the Afghan mountains. Short springs and autumns, intense summers with high exposure to UV, plus harsh winters have tempered this strain to survive. And thrive. Cultivators in less extreme environments will be amply rewarded by this hardy little plant. It matures in just 45-50 days, with thick, heavy flower clusters covered in resin. It is also extremely photosensitive. The vegetative stage can be extended if growing with a ScrOG setup. Outdoors in a Mediterranean climate, you will have a canna-monster on your hands. What does Hindu Kush taste like? It is a fragrant smoke, with terpenes that provide hints of clove, rosemary, hops, pine, and black pepper.

PINEAPPLE KUSH

Pineapple Kush is a terrific strain for rec users who want a pleasant, cerebral high. It is also a top notch choice for medical patients suffering from tension, anxiety, stress, migraine, and PMS. This little “cannabis pineapple” has a whopping 18% THC level. The flavour is absolutely a sensation for connoisseurs. Whiffs of mint, vanilla, and caramel make this one tasty high. On the cultivation front? Like most Kush strains, the grow time is relatively fast - only 7-8 weeks. Yields are also high, hitting 500-550g/m².

SPECIAL KUSH #1 FEMINIZED

This lovely Kush is special indeed. As a 50/50 sativa/indica hybrid, the strain offers great harvests, a lightning-fast flowering stage, and a high reminiscent of smoking rich hash.

Indoors or out, Special Kush #1 is easy to grow and produces satisfying yields. In a grow tent or room, you can expect a harvest of up to 400g/m² in just 7–8 weeks of flowering! In this setting, plants max out at around 1m in height. Outdoors, yields of up to 550g/plant from 2m-tall plants are achievable in ideal conditions. Come harvest, the buds will be small and dense, clustered around a large central cola.

The smoke from Special Kush #1 is aromatic, complex, and gives way to a deep, predominantly physical high. A few tokes will get you quite stoned; a few more will relegate you to the sofa for the rest of the evening.

PURE KUSH FEMINIZED

This is, as the name suggests, a pure Kush strain. This beautiful plant has reddish and pinkish hues on the calyxes and stigmas. However, Pure Kush is not just a show pony in the looks department. This strain delivers where it counts. This plant has the potential to produce up to 900g/plant! Plus, all those wondrous buds will contain 19% THC. Hard to go wrong with that. The plant thrives in a ScrOG environment. That said, this strain does take longer than other indicas. It requires about 9 weeks to develop large, attractive buds. Pure Kush is also a treat for the palate. It has a sweet, nutty flavour.

GIRL SCOUT COOKIES FEMINIZED

This California hybrid is taking Europe by storm. A cross between Durban Poison and OG Kush, this is one primo American import. The feminized strain does well both indoors and out. Inside, these plants will reach heights of between 85-105cm. Yields are an impressive 425-500g/m². When grown outdoors in warm climates, plants can reach up to 150-190cm and will yield 425-475g/plant, especially when harvested in October, the optimal time. The delicious aroma and taste of Girl Scout Cookies is both sweet and earthy. But the real treat here is the 22% THC, not to mention the delicious taste. Go slow with this strain, especially if you are a newbie. It can easily overwhelm new smokers.

KUCHI FEMINIZED

This 60/40 indica/sativa cross between Cheese and OG Kush features fast-flowering, abundant yields, and a terrific high. The striking buds are literally crusted in resin. With a flowering time of just 60-70 days, buds mature to contain a whopping 20-22% THC. When given a full 8 weeks to ripen, the buds tend to have a sweeter taste. Let it grow even longer and the power of Kuchi will knock your socks off. This may not be the loftiest strain - it takes after its indica parent - but the results are pure Kush all the way. The stone is heavy and the flavour, fruity and tangy.

BUBBA KUSH FEMINIZED

The breeders at Barney’s Farm have launched their own version of the revered Bubba Kush. This indica-dominant strain has been stealing stoner hearts for decades. A cross between an Afghan Kush landrace and OG Kush, the best of both parents is clearly shown in the sweet, earthy odours and large buds she produces.

Growing Bubba Kush is also rewarding. She requires little maintenance throughout the grow, and is very forgiving in terms of the cultivation environment. She does well both indoors and out. Indoors, after just 9 weeks of flowering, she will reward you with up to 550–600g/m². Outdoors, in optimal conditions, she can deliver up to 1kg/plant in mid-October. This is a terrific performance for a plant that barely reaches 150cm.

The taste of Bubba Kush consists of rich, earthy, and sweet notes. The high starts as a euphoric buzz that transitions into a relaxing vibe that isn’t too sleepy—a perfect complement to a relaxing evening or day off.

INDULGE IN YOUR KUSH CRUSH

It is easy to fall in love with any one of these Kush hybrids. But why just stop at one? The range of Kush strains in our Seedshop is comprehensive. If you’re on the hunt for a powerful body stone, a compact plant with pretty colours, and resin-coated buds, rest assured, you will find what you are looking for with Zamnesia.

Marguerite Arnold

Marguerite Arnold is a German-American cannabis industry expert. She covers the industry as a journalist, including for top cannabis magazines such as High Times, and has written two books on the topic (so far). She is also a member of the industry as an entrepreneur and consultant.

Read full bio