How many cannabis strains have you seen tagged with Kush or Haze? They are the two great genetic families of cannabis, and the underlying difference is simple: Kush is Indica (short, sturdy plant, relaxing effect) and Haze is Sativa (tall, slender plant, energising effect). The vast majority of strains around today descend from them. If you're after top-quality flowers, take a look at our guide to the best CBD buds selected by Cannactiva.
In this article you'll see how Kush and Haze differ in their origin, genetics, appearance, aroma and effects, so you know which one suits you best.
What are Kush and Haze strains?
Kush and Haze are the two 'mother' strains from which almost the entire modern cannabis catalogue stems. Most current strains are hybrids that combine, in varying proportions, the Indica heritage of the Kush and the Sativa heritage of the Haze. Here's the difference at a glance:
Characteristic | Kush | Haze |
|---|---|---|
Genetics | Indica | Sativa |
Origin | Hindu Kush (Afghanistan/Pakistan) | Tropical Sativas (California/Netherlands) |
Plant | Short and sturdy, bush-like | Tall and slender |
Leaf | Broad, dark green | Thin and elongated |
Bud | Dense and compact | Airy, less compact |
Aroma | Earthy, pine and spice | Citrusy, fresh and spicy |
Typical terpene | Pinene | Terpinolene |
Effect | Relaxing (night) | Energising (day) |
Flowering | Short | Long |
History and origin of Kush and Haze
The origin of each family explains what they are like today:
- Kush: comes from the Hindu Kush, the mountain range between Afghanistan and Pakistan. It is an Indica genetics adapted to the mountains: short, hardy plants with a short flowering time. In the 1970s it reached the United States and its popularity soared.
- Haze: was born in California from crossing tropical Sativa strains. After almost disappearing in the 1980s, it reached the Netherlands, where seed banks established it as the most influential Sativa.
You can dig deeper into this family in our guide on what Kush marijuana is and its effects and uses. The subsequent genetic selection has driven up the potency of cannabis, as we explain in the evolution of marijuana.
Genetics and appearance: Indica (Kush) vs Sativa (Haze)
Appearance is the first thing that gives away a flower's genetics. Here you can clearly see the difference between Indica and Sativa, the two great branches of cannabis:
- Kush (Indica): a short, sturdy plant with a bush-like appearance. Broad, dark green leaves and dense, compact buds heavily covered in trichomes. Short flowering, a legacy of its mountain origin.
- Haze (Sativa): a tall, slender plant with thin, elongated leaves. Airier, less compact buds and a longer flowering time, typical of warm climates. Some Sativa can reach several metres in height.
With CBD you can enjoy the Indica character of the Kush without any psychoactivity. Here are some of our CBD flowers with a Kush profile:
Aroma and terpenes of Kush and Haze
Aroma is a hallmark of each family, and behind it lies its terpene profile:
- Kush: deeply earthy, with pine and spice and a subtle sweetness. That forest aroma comes largely from pinene, very present in these strains.
- Haze: fresh and citrusy, with spicy and sweet touches. Its flagship terpene is terpinolene, responsible for that clean, energising character.
Effects and uses of Kush and Haze
- Kush (Indica): relaxing, body effects, traditionally associated with rest and night-time use.
- Haze (Sativa): stimulating, cerebral effects that encourage creativity and daytime use.
In the CBD versions the psychoactive effect disappears (THC below 0.2%), but the aroma profile and the characteristic feel of each family remain. If the Sativa side appeals to you, these Haze-profile flowers capture that fresh, citrusy aroma:
Kush or Haze? How to choose
Neither is better than the other: it depends on what you're looking for.
- Choose Kush if you prefer a relaxing profile, earthy aromas and a moment of calm, especially at night.
- Choose Haze if you want something fresh and stimulating, with citrus aromas, ideal for the day.
And remember that most current strains are hybrids that blend both heritages. If you'd like to see a ready-to-choose selection, here's our guide to the best CBD buds and the whole CBD flowers category with lab analysis.
Frequently asked questions about Kush and Haze
Is Kush Indica or Sativa?
Kush is an Indica genetics: a short, sturdy plant with a relaxing effect.
Is Haze Indica or Sativa?
Haze is Sativa: a tall, slender plant with an energising effect.
Where does Haze come from?
It was developed in California from tropical Sativas and established in the Netherlands.
What effects does Kush have?
Relaxing and body effects, associated with rest; in its CBD version, without psychoactivity.
What's the difference between Kush and Haze?
Kush is Indica (relaxing, earthy aroma) and Haze is Sativa (energising, citrus aroma).
Which is better, Kush or Haze?
It depends: Kush to relax, Haze to energise. Most current flowers blend both.
