The UK has a thriving weed-growing culture. Due to local restrictions and unpredictable weather, the most popular strains tend to be hardy, easy-grow varieties. Some of these strains have been classics throughout Europe for decades. Others, however, have taken the UK by storm as innovative new hybrids from the US.
Right now, UK enthusiasts tend to prefer THC-rich varieties that pack a punch and produce terpene-rich aromas. From classics like Cheese to recent favourites like Girl Scout Cookies, these 10 beloved varieties are renowned with UK connoisseurs.
From growing to smoking, the effects of these strains are a far cry from the UK of old, from potent trends to fruity and flavourful profiles. Let’s get started!
Top 10 Best weed strains UK
Cheese
Gorilla Glue
Gelato
Bruce Banner
Blue Dream
Critical
Girl Scout Cookies
Amnesia Haze
Northern Lights
AK-47
1. Cheese
Cheese is a perennial favourite in the UK. This all-around classic was born in the UK and has a strong reputation thanks to its memorable aroma and effects. It’s an Indica-dominant strain that’s been perfected throughout the years to produce better yields. It’s still well-known for its gentle, relaxing high thanks to its medium THC-level and the presence of CBD.
Growing
Cheese seeds will produce a versatile strain that’s easy to grow thanks to its high mould resistance. It can be grown indoors, outdoors or in a greenhouse, where it can grow fairly tall with an optimum height of 140 cm. It does best in warm climates – just remember that its pungent aromas mean outdoor growth must be discreet. UK growers love to prune this plant for greater light access, where it enjoys a flowering time of up to 2 months.
Smell, taste and effect
Cheese has a unique and recognisable aroma that’s not dissimilar from a good grated parmesan. Enjoy fruity notes and hints of skunk to taste. These strong flavours give way to relaxing and euphoric effects that ease users into bliss.
2. Gorilla Glue
Gorilla Glue is a big and bold award-winning strain that’s renowned for its big dollop of THC. It’s been growing increasingly popular in the UK of late thanks to its powerful high. Its unique name comes from its sticky resin which is powerful enough to stick scissor blades together.
Growing
Gorilla Glue seeds turn in a surprisingly easy to grow strain that’s suited to indoor and outdoor environments. As such, beginners will have no issue here and experts can take advantage of its adaptable nature. While warmth and sunshine are essential for optimal effects, the plant has a high fungal resistance that’s hardy in the UK’s temperate climate. When growing indoors, expect heights of under 100 cm and a quick harvest time of 8 to 10 weeks.
Smell, taste and effect
Gorilla Glue has a funky, forest floor fragrance with notes of pine and sandalwood. The taste is similar with additional notes of dark chocolate, coffee, berry and spice. You’ll also find petroleum flavours thanks to its huge THC profile. The effects are expectedly potent, with long-lasting euphoric highs that are energetic and uplifting.
3. Gelato
This hybrid strain comes straight from California but has earned some serious praise in the UK and elsewhere. Easy to grow and well-balanced throughout, it’s renowned for its crystal-like leaves and sustained high.
Growing
Gelato seeds develop in an easy-to-grow, high-yield strain that’s adaptable to many environments. Indoor growers should watch the nutrient intake as too much can damage the plant. Outdoor growers should try to avoid rainy seasons as sun and warmth go a long way. Indoors, you can expect heights of up to 120 cm and a harvest time in as little as 3 months.
Smell, taste and effect
Gelato boasts one of the most alluring flavour profiles imaginable, with creamy, sorbet notes and hints of sweet fruit. This is all balanced by an earthy, smoky undertone. Just like a good ice cream, the effects are satisfying. The high THC level leaves a long-lasting euphoric high that’s perfect for stress and anxiety.
4. Bruce Banner
Bruce Banner is a popular and high-THC strain that’s named after the eponymous superhero. Like the Hulk, it’s green and potent. It has its origins in two other classics, OG Kush and Strawberry Diesel.
Growing
Bruce Banner seeds result in a quick-growing strain that’s perfect for beginners. The high fungal resistance makes it adaptable to the UK’s environment. Indoors, you can expect heights of up to 100 cm, just avoid humid environments. From seed to growth, harvests can take as little as 10 to 13 weeks.
Smell, taste and effect
Bruce Banner is surprisingly sweet for such a potent strain. You’ll discover bold fruity flavours alongside the THC-rich notes of diesel. The result is a euphoric and cerebral high that’s well-suited for triggering creative inspiration.
5. Blue Dream
This beautiful purple plant is popular throughout the UK and USA. Many adore the simple look of it, as it produces stunning purple shades. It’s also adaptable to different environments – no wonder it travelled the Atlantic so well.
Growing
Blue Dream seeds are suited to indoor, outdoor and greenhouse growing. While noted as a fine beginner strain, it reacts well to advanced growing methods like SOG. The growth and flowering times are quick, with harvesting in as little as 2 to 3 months. Indoors, you can expect a compact plant of under 75 cm that can reach 125 cm if grown outdoors. The strain is resistant to mould, making it suitable for the UK’s unpredictable climate.
Smell, taste and effect
Blue Dream’s flavour profile is well-loved. It has intense blueberry and cherry aromas with sweet, jammy undertones. It also offers hints of pine needles and grass. The relatively high THC levels generate a relaxing and uplifting high that’s particularly great as stress relief. Medical users sing its praises in combatting depression and chronic pain too.
6. Critical
Critical is a big European favourite thanks to its high THC content. Its popularity in the UK largely stems from its hardiness, and its fragrant juicy aroma and well-balanced high.
Growing
Critical auto is an easy strain to grow and one well-suited for beginners. What’s more, this stocky and robust plant is perfect for the UK’s temperate climate thanks to its high mould resistance. It doesn’t require much care at all, and can be cultivated indoors or outdoors. It’s quick to grow with a short flowering time in just 70 days. It’s particularly popular with indoor British growers thanks to its compact height of under 65 cm.
Smell, taste and effect
Critical’s aroma is luscious and sweet with strong lemon scents and herbal notes. The flavour is just as sweet with juicy citrus and lingering spice. Despite its light taste, the effects are potent, with a notably big and relaxing high that’s a great mood enhancer.
7. Girl Scout Cookies
This characterful Californian variety has made huge waves in the UK. Popular with recreational users, it boasts a distinctive, fresh flavour and potent high-quality effects. It’s a THC-heavy Indica-dominant strain that’s fast becoming legendary.
Growing
Girl Scout Cookies seeds are easy to grow with high resistance to mould and a quick harvesting time. From seed to harvest, it’ll take roughly 14 weeks. While suited for beginners, experienced growers will adore this plant too, particularly if they’re adopting a hydroponic setup. Unlike other Californian strains, this plant does well in temperate outdoor climates, making it perfect for the UK. Just avoid rainy periods like autumn and winter. Indoor growth is easy too, with fairly compact heights of under 130 cm.
Smell, taste and effect
Girls Scout Cookies offers an incredible scent of rich brown sugar and dank, mossy earth. The taste evolves through chocolate mint notes that give the strain its name. The effects are equally deep, producing a long-lasting euphoric high that’s perfect for end-of-day sessions. It is particularly beloved by medicinal users with a high THC tolerance.
8. Amnesia Haze
Amnesia Haze is one of those well-known classics that UK growers still crave. It’s a Sativa-dominant strain that’s easy to grow and guaranteed to put a smile on your face.
Growing
While Amnesia Haze seeds are easy to cultivate and provides large yields, some experience is recommended. That’s because the plant has a low mould resistance profile which makes preventive measures necessary. While it thrives outdoors, the rain and humidity can affect growth. When growing indoors, some care will lead to a fantastic plant with a flowering time of between 11 to 13 weeks. It’s a big one, too, with heights of 140 cm if left unchecked.
Smell, taste and effect
Amnesia Haze has a lovely lemon aroma with earthy notes. The flavour profile is sweet and sharp like a lemon drizzle cake with layers of skunk. The effects are just as strong thanks to the high THC content. The high is euphoric, energetic and trippy, and has been associated with the reduction of depressive or anxious feelings.
9. Northern Lights
Northern Lights is an all-around classic and among the UK’s most popular strains. Why? Because it is quick and easy to grow. This Indica-dominant strain is among the USA’s oldest strains too, and has been perfected over the years in the Netherlands.
Growing
Northern Lights seeds are an easy-grow variety that’s suited to indoor and outdoor cultivation. It is, however, susceptible to mould, so take the appropriate care in the UK’s temperate outdoor climate. For indoor growers, you can expect a height of roughly 120 cm. The total life cycle of these seeds when sown is between 11 to 13 weeks.
Smell, taste and effect
Northern Lights has an instantly recognisable flavour profile of sweet spicy aromas and light citrus notes. The taste is deeper and danker, with big hits of skunk alongside lemon and pine. Its effects are classic and calming. It’s associated with relaxing and sleepy highs that make it a favourite for relieving symptoms of stress, depression and anxiety.
10. AK-47
Despite its name, the AK-47 is a thoroughly relaxing strain. An essential UK strain for years, it’s won numerous accolades worldwide for its effects and harvest quality since it first arrived in the 1990s.
Growing
The AK-47 seeds suits all environments but is particularly effective indoors in the UK. Greenhouse growth is also fine as it can mimic a warmer Mediterranean climate. Indoors, you can expect heights of 140 cm and a short flowering time of between 53 to 65 days. Some experience with growth is recommended to control nutrients and humidity levels.
Smell, taste and effect
AK 47 has a noticeably earthy aroma with sour and floral notes. To taste, similar flavours come to the fore alongside sweet fruity notes and an aniseed spiciness. In terms of effects, AK 47 is recognised for its long-lasting high which is both relaxing and energising. It’s a euphoric and uplifting experience that’s beloved by medicinal users.
When it comes to high-quality strains, the UK is a discerning market that favours well-balanced flavours and results. Old favourites like Cheese still dominate, of course, but world trends are as popular as ever. The above seeds are ideal for those hunting down the perfect high in the UK.
Enjoy classics developed over decades like Northern Lights or jump into the recent trend of big-hitting Californian strains. Big THC-producing seeds like Girl Scout Cookies and Bruce Banner are some of the most versatile and enjoyable seeds today.
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