“70% indica and 30% sativa”. That figure appears on almost every seed bank product page, but it is rarely explained what exactly it measures. This guide clarifies what the genotype means, where those categories come from and what they are useful for when comparing varieties.
Where the categories come from
Indica and sativa are names that became popular to describe two types of plant with a different appearance and geographic origin:
- Indica: associated with mountainous regions of Central Asia, such as the Hindu Kush between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Shorter, compact plants with broad leaves and a shorter cycle.
- Sativa: associated with equatorial regions. Tall, slender plants with narrow leaves and a longer cycle.
Today practically all commercial varieties are hybrids: the percentage indicates which way the cross leans, not a degree of purity.
What the percentage really tells you
The genotype is a good indicator of how the plant behaves, especially in two very specific respects: size and cycle length.
Compare two varieties from our catalog:
- Total Cheese, 90% indica: flowering in 49–56 days.
- Jack Herer, 90% sativa: flowering in 77–85 days.
Almost a month’s difference between them. That pattern repeats itself: the higher the sativa percentage, the longer the cycle and the taller the plant; the higher the indica percentage, the shorter the cycle and the more compact the structure.
What it doesn’t tell you
The genotype does not predict aroma. Two indica-dominant strains can be completely different on the nose: Blueberry (80% indica) leans towards blueberry and peach, while Total Cheese (90% indica) smells of aged cheese.
Nor is it a promise about what the plant will do in a particular place: it is a catalog figure, useful for comparing, not a guarantee.
How to use it to choose
A practical way to read our product pages:
- Look at the genotype to get an idea of size and cycle.
- Look at the parent genetics. Knowing that Boca Negra comes from Yumbolt × Amnesia Haze explains its character better than any percentage.
- Look at the aroma profile, which is what sets one variety apart from another the most in practice.
- Look at the flowering time, which determines the timing.
Our catalog by genotype
- Indica-dominant: Total Cheese, Blueberry, Patagonia, Malquerida, Critical Plus, OG Confidential.
- Sativa-dominant: Jack Herer, Boca Negra, Wendy, The Palmar, 69.G.
- Balanced: Gorilla, Gelato, White Widow.
You can see them all in the feminized seeds collection.
Legal notice
This article is catalog information about cannabis genetics. Trikoma Seeds’ seeds are sold exclusively for collecting and genetic conservation. Check and comply with your country’s regulations.
