Whether you’re new to cannabis or you’re a long-time enthusiast, you may not be aware of the different types of plants and the medicinal effects they offer. Here’s a general overview of the two main plants – Indica and Sativa – and what truly makes Rare Garden different from the rest.

Actually, Cannabis is a species of herb with not two, but three subspecies: Indica, Sativa and Ruderalis. Don’t give Ruderalis a second thought: the plants are small and yield almost no potency or medicinal quality, so growers and breeders turn their backs on this third strain. The two we care about are Sativa and Indica.

What’s the difference between Indica and Sativa?
Generally, speaking, Sativas are more invigorating and energizing, and can inspire creativity and focus. Indicas are more relaxing and calming, and are good for relieving insomnia or anxiety. But in nature nothing can be completely predictable, and individual plants can produce varying effects, even among the same types of cannabis. Your best bet is to look at the description provided – our growers know best.

More about Sativa
Cannabis sativa plants are tall and slim with long, thin leaves. Sativa is grown in hot, dry climates and usually originates from parts of Africa, Central America, and some portions of Asia. Again, Mother Nature can be tricky, but sativa usually has less cannabidiol (CBD) and more THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). Sativa is known for a “head high” with increased alertness and an uplifting, energizing effect. People tend to be productive with energy to “get sh*t done.” Because of the stimulating effect, many enthusiasts use Sativa during the daytime

More about Indica
Cannabis indica is native to Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, and Turkey. The plants are shorter and bushier with fatter, broader leaves. Indica plants grow faster than Sativa, and each plant produces more buds. Indica strains often have higher levels of CBD (contributing to the pain-relief nature of Indica). Indica offers a “body high” producing intense, deep relaxation. People who suffer from insomnia may even take Indica to help them fall sleep at night. It may also help reduce nausea and pain and increase appetite – Indica is often prescribed to chemo patients who suffer those unfortunate side-effects. Indica tends to be more relaxing and often even causing lethargy. Because of its deep relaxation effects, Indica is better consumed at night. An easy way to remember it: Indica makes you want to stay “in-da-couch!”

What’s a Hybrid?
Each year, cannabis growers produce new and unique strains from different combinations of parent plants. Hybrids are typically grown on farms or in greenhouses from a combination of Sativa and Indica strains. Best of all, cannabis hybrids can be grown to target specific effects – many growers increase the percentage of THC, but each hybrid has a unique formula or ratio of the two. Growers may select hybrids that are targeted to reduce anxiety and stress, or another plant with increased medicinal properties.

Hybrids are typically classified as indica-dominant (indica-dom), sativa-dominant (sativa-dom), or balanced. Our Orange Diesel, Pink Panama and Hubbabubbasmelloscope are all sativa-dom, our Jammy Dodgers is highly indica-dom and our 4-Assed Monkey is perfectly balanced at 50%/50%. And this is where Rare Garden truly stands apart from the rest: Our five strains of flower are carefully, painstakingly cultivated to offer exceptionally high percentages of THC, delivering a high-class high. Hubbabubbasmelloscope packs a whollop at 31.8% THC, with Jammy Dodgers coming in close behind at 31.4%.

For more in-depth descriptions about Rare Garden flowers, or to order your next delivery, click here.