There’s no word in the weed world bigger than Haze. Spicy, cerebral, and ultra-potent, Haze strains stand in a league of their own. But even among legends, some rise higher than others. Learn what makes Haze weed so iconic—and which Haze strains deserve a spot at the top of your smoker’s list.
‘Haze’ has become synonymous with top-shelf sativa weed. Stemming from classic landrace genetics, Haze strains offer complex flavours and aromas as well as electrifying effects treasured by creatives and smokers chasing an active buzz – even 50+ years after the first Haze strains hit the streets.
But what makes Haze weed so special, and what traits can you expect from these varieties? Finally, with so many Haze strains out there, how do you know to weed out the ones that reign supreme? Learn all of this (and more) below.
What are Haze strains?
The term ‘Haze’ refers to a variety of hybrid cannabis with very unique flavours, aromas, effects, and growth traits. Typically sativa-dominant, Haze strains tend to produce long, fluffy, and frosty buds with spicy, earthy, and sometimes citric aromas and flavours.
While the effects of Haze can vary from one variety to another, they are usually uplifting, energising, and creative – ideal for smokers looking to stay motivated, focused, and active rather than glued to the couch.
What do Haze strains smell/taste like?
Of course, every Haze strain is unique. However, some aromas and flavours common to Haze weed include:
- Spice – think freshly-ground white pepper or intense menthol
- Earth – reminiscent of rich root beer
- Dry herbs – bay leaves, oregano
- Citrus – especially lemon and lime
- Pine – think fresh pine needles or crisp forest air
1. The origins of Haze – the Original Haze strain
Like with most old-school strains, the origin story of Haze weed is, well, hazy at best.
Unfortunately, weed’s decade-long prohibition led growers and breeders to keep very low profiles until only very recently – that’s why we’re only now seeing legends like Matt Berger, Greg Krzanowski, and AJ Sour Diesel owe up to their part in creating/discovering classic strains like Bubba Kush, Chemdawg, and Sour Diesel.
When it comes to Haze, most sources mention “the Haze brothers” – two California-based breeders who apparently created the first Haze varieties from a mix of Asian and South/Central American landraces.
Some, however, doubt that the Haze brothers ever existed, and instead attribute the discovery of Haze to David Paul Watson – aka, Sam The Skunkman, who was also responsible for bringing the strain to the Netherlands in 1983.
Dwight Diotte, a long-time breeder, friend of Nevil Schoenmakers, and cannabis genetics consultant suspects that the original Haze’s came from Asia and were probably introduced to the US through Vietnam War vets (who brought weed or seeds back with them after their service).
“The real Haze comes from southeast Asia. Mexican and Colombian was added to it later I believe to try to preserve it. The closest lines I’ve found to Haze are the Vietnamese [strains],” says Dwight.
“The Haze seeds Nevil bought [from Watson] were years old. The only consistent answer Watson ever gave is that the seeds came from his neighbour. The Hazes Nevil got were labelled ’69 Haze and produced 6 or 7 plants that became the foundation for all the good hazes out there now,” Dwight says.
Is Haze indica or sativa?
Most Haze strains are hybrids, meaning they contain both indica and sativa genetics. In general, however, Hazes are very sativa dominant – both in their morphology and effects.
Related post
The cream of the crop – The best Haze strains of all time
The market for cannabis genetics is overrun with novel Haze varieties. So, how do you know which ones are worth your time chasing?
Below we’ll shine a light on what we consider to be some of the most emblematic Haze strains of all time and that best represent what Haze weed is (or should be). Check them out today!
2. Northern Lights #5 x Haze
The original Haze plants brought to The Netherlands in the early 1980s were far from a successful crop. Originating from tropical climates, they grew tall and took extremely long to finish flowering – a dud for growers working in basements and small rooms in Europe, the northern USA, or Canada.
However, that all changed when Nevil crossed Haze with Northern Lights #5. This cross birthed shorter plants that still produced quality yields in more manageable times.
At Sensi Seeds, we’re proud to have preserved the original Northern Lights #5 x Haze as both feminized and regular seeds – the latter making for excellent breeding stock for breeders looking to add traditional Haze genetics back into their strains.
70% sativa-dominant, Northern Lights #5 x Haze produces plants that pump out bountiful harvests. Enjoy long, fluffy flowers packing sweet and spicy aromas as well as effects that immediately lift the mind and mood before soothing the body.
3. G-13 Haze
This is another classic Haze variety that, again, can be attributed to Nevil Schoenmakers and David Watson. As its name suggests, it’s a cross of Haze and G-13 – a unique indica strain believed to be a government research crop.
According to a Seed Bank of Holland catalogue from 1989, “G-13 is an outstanding, pure indica cutting reputedly discovered by the government research program in Mississippi.” Nevil used G-13 extensively throughout his catalogues, crossing it to strains like Skunk, Northern Lights, and Hash Plant.
Some modern seedbanks continue to sell their own versions of G-13 Haze – commonly labelling it a cross of G-13 x Hawaiian. In general, G-13 Haze produces denser flowers than other Hazes (likely due to G-13’s heavy indica influence) and delicious aromas reminiscent of tropical fruit candies.
While we don’t stock G-13 Haze at Sensi Seeds, you can get a taste of the iconic G-13 with our Mr Nice G13 x Hash Plant. Just don’t expect an uplifting Haze buzz; 100% indica, Mr Nice G13 x Hash Plant features double Afghan genetics, a big body stone, and a spicy, earthy aroma tinged with sweet undertones.
Related post
4. Amnesia Haze
No list of the best Haze strains would ever be complete without mentioning this Dutch coffeeshop classic. Of course, as is the case with many iconic old-school cannabis varieties, its origin story is somewhat enigmatic.
Rumours have it that the original Amnesia strain was bred in the US from a mix of landraces, possibly from Thailand, Jamaica, and Hawaii. The strain was later brought to Europe by Sam The Skunkman and, eventually, crossed to Nevil’s NL #5 x Haze hybrid.
Today, Amnesia Haze continues to be a best-seller across Dutch coffeeshops, and most seedbanks carry a version (or two) of it in their catalogues. Producing large buds that often foxtail, Amnesia Haze has plenty of bag appeal, boasting a frosty layer of trichomes atop a mix of bright green, yellow, and orange coloured-flowers.
Her aroma is citrus-forward, with creamy and nutty Haze undertones, while her effects elevate the mind and gently sooth the body – an excellent choice for daytime smokers.
While we don’t stock Amnesia Haze, our breeders couldn’t pass up the chance to work classic Amnesia genetics into at least a few of our hybrids. Check out:
- Sensi Amnesia (Hawaiian Indica x Jamaican Pearl x Afghani #1), available in feminized or autoflowering seeds.
- Sensi Amnesia XXL (an original Amnesia backcross mixed with ruderalis), available in auto seeds.
- Amnesia White regular, stemming from Haze, Afghan, and Thai landraces.
- Amnesia Jelly Automatic, a super-fast and hardy cross of Mint Jelly Auto x Amnesia Auto XXL.
5. Super Lemon Haze
Super Lemon Haze is the queen of crisp citrus aromas and uplifting effects. Created by the late Franco Loja, this classic hybrid has won a place in the heart of growers and smokers from all over the world.
A cross of Super Silver Haze (see below) and Lemon Skunk, Super Lemon Haze boasts a big, bold citrus aroma and energising yet grounded effects. Anyone familiar with Super Silver Haze will instantly recognise the strain’s characteristic cerebral boost, which comes slightly tamed by Lemon Skunk’s more balanced physical profile.
The Skunk influence also helped tone down some of Super Silver Haze’s sativa growth traits. Growing Lemon Skunk, therefore, is a little easier, especially for growers working in smaller spaces or in cooler regions.
6. Super Silver Haze (SSL)
Super Silver Haze was born in the late 1990s by Arjan Roskam from a cross of Skunk, Northern Lights, and Haze. It became an almost instant hit across The Netherlands, thanks to its exhilarating effects that kicked the mind into overdrive – ideal for creative, social, or outdoor endeavours.
True to her Haze heritage, SSL produces massive plants that love to stretch. Thanks to the Skunk and Northern Lights influence, however, her flowers are thicker than the average Haze, making for heavier harvests. Her aromas and flavours are just as complex, blending piney, woody Haze notes with skunky sweetness and an almost metallic-like aftertaste.
Related post
7. Silver Haze
Despite her name, Sensi Seeds’ Silver Haze doesn’t share any close ties to SSL – except that they are both Hazes. Created out of a dream to make Haze weed accessible to indoor growers, our Silver Haze combines backcrossed Haze genetics with Northern Lights – and the result is epic.
Available as feminized and regular seeds, our Silver Haze produces compact, resilient, and fast-flowering plants that deliver excellent results indoors.
The trick with this strain is to flip her to bloom extremely early – thanks to their big stretch, Silver Haze plants can deliver excellent results even after just 2 weeks in veg. Advanced growers will also enjoy her excellent production in ScrOG setups.
Come harvest time, Sensi Seeds’ Silver Haze delivers long, bulky flowers with fat calyxes; a silvery sheen thanks to her many trichomes, and mouth-watering aromas/flavours that combine notes of earth, pine, and wood. Of course, Silver Haze packs an electrifying high perfect for daytime or even morning use, too!
8. Purple Haze
There’s no shortage of great purple weed strains out there – from GDP to Purple Punch, Purple Urkle, and many more. But none of them offer the energising effects and legacy of the mighty Purple Haze – a cross of Haze and a stunning cut of Purple Thai.
Available from White Label, our Purple Haze preserves everything that growers and smokers love about this classic Haze strain – all in an easy-to-grow feminized seed. Despite being 80% sativa-dominant, Purple Haze reaches manageable heights and flowers in just 55-60 days.
Also, besides her stunning purple hues (which you’ll hard-pressed to find in another Haze cultivar), Purple Haze boasts unique berry flavours mixed with classic, earthy Haze notes. And her high is perfectly balanced, producing an instant cerebral lift and very subtle physical relaxation.
9. Mexican Haze
Mexican Haze, you guessed it, stems from a mix of Haze and Mexican landrace genetics. Unfortunately, how the strain got created (and by whom) is shrouded in mystery. But one thing’s certain – Mexican Haze is treasured by smokers, which is why it’s still found on countless seed catalogues.
Different breeders have taken different approaches to recreate Mexican Haze’s classic cerebral high and unique sweet ‘n sour flavour. Haze x Acapulco Gold, for example, is a common lineage for this strain, but some breeders also throw Columbian Gold, Jack Herer, and Thai into the mix.
10. White Diesel Haze
Crossing iconic varieties is standard procedure at Sensi Seeds – so crossing Diesel and Haze was a no-brainer. Still, we were surprised by just how good this hybrid turned out.
Using a dash of ruderalis in the genetic mix, we created arguably one of the easiest and fastest high-sativa hybrids on the market today. Extra compact and hardy, she’s a great choice for space-poor indoor growers or outdoor cultivators living in regions with short summers. Plus, her short height makes her a great choice for growers chasing stealth.
Moreover, White Diesel Haze Auto delivers frosty sativa buds that pack an invigorating energy boost and a mouthwatering mix of classic Haze and diesel fumes. Grow her at home now with these automatic seeds from White Label.
11. Cannalope Haze
Technically a version of Mexican Haze, Cannalope Haze deserves its own entry on this list because of its excellent quality and, of course, undoubtable legacy.
Stemming from a cross of Original Haze and an undisclosed Mexican landrace, Cannalope Haze sets itself apart from the sea of Haze strains with its aromas and flavours – she boasts a delicious profile of tropical tree fruit you won’t find elsewhere!
12. Mango Haze
While Shantibaba (aka Scott Blakey) is perhaps best known for his involvement in creating White Widow, he also developed Mango Haze – a quintessential Haze cut with delicious sweet mango aromas and flavours. A close relative to Super Silver Haze, Mango Haze is 50% sativa-dominant and a little tamer for indoor cultivation. She yields long, bright green flowers with heavy coats of resin; wispy red pistils, and – sometimes – stunning foxtails.
Its effects, meanwhile, are uplifting and sensory, elevating the mood without causing over-the-top raciness. Ideal for social settings or creativity.
Related post
13. White Gorilla Haze
Last but definitely not least on our list of the best Haze strains is this iconic cross of GG4 and Silver Haze. With tightly spaced branches and nodes, White Gorilla Haze is another stellar crop for indoor growers, though she’s best flipped early to compensate for her massive stretch.
Thanks to her GG4 parent, White Gorilla Haze can produce extreme amounts of resin – expect to harvest dense, elongated buds that look almost white under lights! Her aroma also walks the perfect line between GG4 and Haze, combining earthy, woody aromas with dank pine undertones; notes of coffee, and a fresh citrus twist – delicious!
Packed with THC, we recommend enjoying White Gorilla Haze in moderation – even seasoned veterans describe her intense high as pseudo-psychedelic, inducing an intense cerebral rush that lasts for hours.
Now that you’re familiar with some of the world’s best Haze strains – which one will you be smoking or growing next? Let us know in the comments!
- Disclaimer:Laws and regulations regarding cannabis cultivation differ from country to country. Sensi Seeds therefore strongly advises you to check your local laws and regulations. Do not act in conflict with the law.
