Cannabis Strains
White Widow Strain Info
Meet White Widow: a well-known sativa-dominant hybrid strain with frosty trichomes and a powerful bite. Explore the history and unique characteristics of this high-THC cannabis strain.
Published on October 29, 2020 | Last updated July 10, 2024
STRAIN AT A GLANCE
Aroma and taste: Cedary, peppery, earthy
Appearance: Green with white and silvery hues from a thick coating of trichomes
Strain type: Sativa-dominant hybrid
Common dominant terpenes: Alpha-pinene, limonene, myrcene, caryophyllene
Average THC: High Average CBD: Low
What is White Widow?
White Widow is a popular hybrid strain with lots of THC, a little CBD, a rich history and an even richer aroma. Read on to learn about its origins and unique characteristics, and get some tips for growing your White Widow cannabis plants.
History of White Widow
White Widow is a legendary cannabis strain of uncertain origin. Emerging in the 1990s, its uniquely resinous and crystal-coated buds won it the 1995 High Times Cannabis Cup. Dutch breeder Green House Seeds is credited with popularizing White Widow, but no one knows who grew the first lot or can verify its lineage with certainty. Common lore holds that White Widow is a cross between a Brazilian sativa-dominant strain and a South Indian indica.
What we do know is that White Widow is popular. Seed banks worldwide stock versions of it, and White Widow is a parent of many beloved offspring strains (more on those later). It’s also favoured in hash production, thanks to its robust trichome content and high THC potency.
White Widow strain characteristics
Some people say White Widow’s thick, frosty coating of trichomes inspired its name. Those famed white crystals also contribute to its sticky texture and high potency.
White Widow buds tend to be fluffy, conical and vibrant green under their dusting of trichomes. They smell sharp and earthy when fresh, and pungent when smoked.
While strains vary by grower and batch, these are some common characteristics of White Widow:
- high THC and low CBD
- dense buds
- white or silvery trichomes
- intense earthy aromas of cedar and pepper
Potential effects of White Widow
White Widow’s reputation for potency is well-earned. Like all strains with high THC content, it can be intoxicating, even to experienced consumers with higher THC tolerance. High-THC products in particular are associated with greater risk of adverse mental health effects.
Potent cannabis strains like White Widow can produce a range of effects, including:
- feelings of relaxation or euphoria
- enhanced senses, especially taste and smell
- increased appetite (a.k.a. “the munchies”)
- fatigue or drowsiness
- impaired concentration or memory
- reduced motivation or inhibition
- anxiety, fear, restlessness or panic
Growing White Widow
From its high THC levels to its fragrant terpene profile to its uniquely frosty appearance, there’s plenty to appreciate about White Widow. That said, these coveted characteristics don’t just happen — they’re the rewards of careful climate control and intentional plant training.
White Widow plants tend to be bushy, dense and short, with stacked, leafy branches that make it difficult for light to penetrate evenly. These factors can make it susceptible to mould and pests. Luckily, there are growing tactics that can mitigate these risks by dispersing air and light more evenly, resulting in more bud sites, more uniform plants and greater yields of superior quality.
Here’s a breakdown of these growing strategies.
GROWING METHOD |
HOW IT WORKS |
RESULTS |
|---|---|---|
| Sea of Green (SOG) | Multiple small plants are sown in a compact space. Plants grow outward as they compete for resources. | Encourages earlier flowering, and creates a flat canopy with greater yield and quicker turnaround time |
| Screen of Green (ScrOG) | A screen is placed overtop the plants. Branches are tucked back in as they grow through the screen. | Encourages horizontal growth, maximizes light exposure and increases yield |
| Defoliation | Excess foliage is removed. Employ this method with care, because overdoing it can stress plants and stunt their growth. | Reduces plant density and increases light exposure and ventilation |
| Low-Stress Training | Branches are gently bent and tied away from one another to create space. | Greater yield and larger buds |
Climate: White Widow plants appreciate a warm climate and humidity levels that taper off as they mature. Although resilient to warmth, the plants don’t like cold: Their ideal temperature range is 18ºC to 26ºC, with a slight dip overnight. These preferences make White Widow a solid contender for growing outdoors in summer in southern Ontario, with a harvest in September.
Height and growing time: White Widow plants grow fast and short, typically reaching one to 1.5 metres and flowering in around eight weeks. Because they are small, they can easily be grown indoors or out. Telltale amber hairs signal that the plant is ready to harvest.
Yield: One of the most exciting aspects of growing White Widow is its potential for high yields. At the high end, indoor growers can harvest 450 to 500 grams per square metre under a 600-watt light. Outdoors, the yield can be 550 to 600 grams per plant. However, reaching high yields is challenging without using one or more growing strategies, as the plants tend to grow a single, large central cola, or bud. This may look impressive, but it doesn’t represent good quality or quantity.
What are some strains like White Widow?
You might want to explore strains with similar features if you're a White Widow fan. Similarity is no guarantee for enjoyment, and even the same cultivars can feel different to the same person, depending on mood and setting. Still, exploring related strains can be a fun way to learn about cannabis families and discover new cannabis products.
Here are some strains that may be similar to White Widow.
White Russian: This hybrid is a genetic marriage of White Widow and AK-47. Resinous and earthy like White Widow, it also delivers sweet, fruity and spicy flavours.
White Rhino: White Rhino is believed to come from White Widow and an unknown indica. Its flavour profile is characterized by sweet, fruity and earthy notes with a hint of spice.
Blue Widow: Combining Blueberry and White Widow genetics results in the hybrid Blue Widow. This strain features sticky buds with fruit-forward flavours and earthy aromas.
Will I like White Widow?
If you prefer high THC and the smell of fresh cedar, and are curious about one of the world’s favourite strains, White Widow may be worth a try. When trying any new cannabis product (especially a high-THC cultivar like White Widow), be sure to start low and go slow.
