Cannabis Strains
Sour Diesel Strain Info
Let’s talk about Sour Diesel — a gassy, high-THC strain that’s not for the faint of nose. Learn all about the history of Sour Diesel, its characteristics, how it’s grown and more.
Published on February 25, 2021 | Last updated July 10, 2024
STRAIN AT A GLANCE
Aroma and taste: Gassy, skunky, sour
Appearance: Yellow-green buds with dark orange to red pistils
Strain type: Sativa dominant
Common dominant terpenes: Linalool, pinene, myrcene, beta-caryophyllene, limonene
Average THC: High Average CBD: Low
What is Sour Diesel?
Sour diesel is a sativa-dominant strain whose unique terpene profile and potency have made it a pop culture sensation, referenced in music and TV and named one of High Times Magazine’s 25 greatest strains of all time. Sour Diesel’s unique citrusy, gassy aroma has earned many fans, but is it right for you? Learn more about this popular cannabis cultivar.
Sour Diesel lineage
Most of Sour Diesel’s origin story comes from urban legend. While it’s broadly agreed that the strain descends from Chemdawg 91, several theories exist about its other parent. Some guess it’s Super Skunk, while others say Northern Lights or OG Kush. Either way, it’s believed to have originated in the New York City area. By the 1990s, it had earned enough buzz there to make it into the lyrics of a handful of East Coast rappers.
Sour Diesel strain characteristics
This cannabis strain lives up to its name, with an unmistakably gassy aroma. Its common characteristics include:
- high THC and low CBD levels
- sativa dominant
- strong, gassy aromas complemented by sour, tangy notes
- yellow-green buds with dark orange pistils
Potential effects of Sour Diesel
Cannabis affects individuals differently, regardless of strain or product. If you’re thinking about trying Sour Diesel, keep in mind its high THC content, which is more likely to produce stronger psychoactive effects and may increase the risk of negative reactions. High levels of THC are also linked to a greater risk of adverse mental health outcomes.
In the short term, cannabis can produce a variety of effects, including:
- relaxation
- sleepiness or fatigue
- impaired memory
- difficulty concentrating, confusion
- panic, anxiety, fear
- lack of motivation
- reduced inhibitions
- reduced blood pressure
- elevated heart rate (especially in people with heart conditions or high blood pressure)
It’s essential to remember that individual responses can vary, and the specific effects you encounter may be influenced by factors such as dosage, your tolerance level and your unique physiology.
Growing Sour Diesel
Whether you're starting with cannabis seeds or clones, Sour Diesel is a big, hungry, tricky plant to grow at home. A successful Sour Diesel grow requires careful attention to temperature, humidity and nutrients. Tools for measuring your grow conditions, like a hygrometer and thermometer, are also recommended.
Climate: Sour Diesel thrives in warm, dry environments, ranging between 18ºC and 27ºC. Although growing outdoors gives these tall, lanky plants the room they need, sudden temperature drops at night will harm them. Unless the outdoor climate is warm and stable, you may have better results in an indoor, climate-controlled setting.
Height: Sour Diesel plants can grow quite tall, reaching up to three metres in the right environment. Managing their height is essential, especially if you want to grow indoors or keep your outdoor grow discreet. Indoors, you’ll need to prune and “top” your cannabis plants to build more density in their lower regions.
Yield: Growing conditions are a major factor in the yield of this higher-maintenance plant. In general, the strains can yield 450 to 600 grams per square metre.
What are some strains like Sour Diesel?
No two strains are exactly alike, and a variety of factors — personal preferences, body chemistry, THC tolerance, mood, setting and more — impact the experience. Still, if you like Sour Diesel, then the strains below can offer a starting point for exploration, as they all share chemical or genetic similarities.
Chemdawg 91: Like Sour Diesel, Chemdawg 91 is known for its pungent and diesel-like aroma. It is believed to be one of Sour Diesel’s parent strains.
OG Kush: OG Kush is related to Sour Diesel through their (likely) common ancestor, Chemdawg. Like its probable cousin, it carries a strong, earthy flavour profile with undertones of diesel.
Super Skunk: Super Skunk is believed to be a parent of Sour Diesel. While their family ties may be up for debate, the two share an undeniable skunkiness.
Ultra Sour: As the name implies, Ultra Sour shares the characteristic sourness found in Sour Diesel. The cultivar is believed to be a cross between East Coast Sour Diesel and MK Ultra.
Headband: Headband, a cross of OG Kush and Sour Diesel, maintains some of the gassy characteristics of Sour Diesel, with an earthy and fuel-like taste.
Gas Berry: A cross between OG Kush, Sour Diesel and Blueberry, this strain delivers strong, fuel-like flavours with a fruity twist.
Sour Cookies: True to its name, Sour Cookies features a sweet and tangy taste profile, thanks to its parents, GSC and Sour Diesel.
Will I like Sour Diesel?
If you like your strains strong in aroma and THC potency, you may like Sour Diesel. While its gassy, tangy scents and flavours may not be for everyone, it has a loyal following. Remember, it’s always a good idea to start low and go slow, especially with high-THC, low-CBD strains like this one.
