Cannabis cultivars offer an assortment of smells, flavours and articulations. Through these factors, we settle on our own decisions and foster our own inclinations. The novel blend of terpenes gives every one of the strains their comparative, yet unique sweet-smelling profiles. Today we explore the soothing and calming, floral inspired terpenes.
Flowers are a gift of friendship, a sign of love, an object that can bring a smile to the face of anyone they encounter. Visually we admire the combination of colours and the unique structure that makes each flower an individual masterpiece.
Instinctually, we place our nose in the flower and with great pleasure, we absorb the vibrant and varying floral scents that flowers have to offer. The same can be said for cannabis. Would you believe that many of the terpenes in cannabis are the same terpenes found in flowers?
Premium cannabis can offer a variety of floral aromas, some are straight-forward and easy to relate to specific plant terpenes found in nature. Other scents are more complex, like a custom blend of colours splashed together on the artists canvas, creating an experience only offered by that particular strain.
The terpenes that combine to form the essence of flowers can be found in a wide variety of cannabis cultivars, luckily for you, we’ve narrowed down the many options to seven of our favourite floral strains.
1. White Widow
Starting this list off in style is an iconic Dutch genetic, White Widow (available in regular, feminized, and autoflowering variants). Pleasant and inviting aromas of flowers, pine, and a hint of earthy essences fill your lungs with each breath of the classic strain.
Don’t let that mild and soothing description fool you, White Widow will gleefully bite any novice not respective of its high THC amounts, so beware. The effects are often described as a hybrid, slightly leaning toward the sativa side, making this strain an ideal candidate for any time of the day.
Gardeners embrace White Widow as an excellent option for cultivators of all levels. Beginner growers appreciate the ease of growing this hardy strain, and the advanced growers enjoy the XXL yields of trichome-covered flowers that can be obtained with a little bit of time and effort. Next time instead of sending flowers, send White Widow.
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2. Black Harlequin
When you breed reliable Dutch genetics with one of the staple CBD strains out of America, you have Black Harlequin (available in feminized and autoflowering variants). This floral forward strain boasts a desired 1:1 ratio of CBD:THC.
Relaxing both the body and mind, familiar smells of aged woods and earthy undertones mingle with the floral bouquet in a complex but easy to appreciate manner.
Originally part of the Sensi Seeds Research Project, public demand has catapulted this strain into a full-time position on the Sensi Seeds roster. Black Harlequin would be an excellent addition to any garden, both indoors and out. It has the ability to grow successfully indoors year-round and in both temperate as well as continental climates outdoors. Cultivators can anticipate XXL yields with a little bit of attention paid to the plants.
3. Mexican Sativa
Don’t be tricked by the simple name, this potent strain is a brilliant combination of a little-known cultivar from Oaxaca outcrossed to Durban and then outcrossed to a Hash Plant originating in Pakistan. This 3-way cross was created in order to decrease the flowering times and increase the cold tolerance.
A truly exotic strain, Mexican Sativa (available in regular and feminized variants) puts forth a terpene profile represented by an aromatic blend of flowers, sandalwood and pine. The many flavours belonging to this strain include nuances of liquorice and citrus, creating a wonderful symphony of terpenes and taste.
In the garden, this strain will grow very tall like many of the Haze varieties. It is recommended to have a shortened vegetative period. Growers should allow 10 weeks for the flowering stage to finish when growing the Mexican Sativa. The harvest will be a bounty of sculpted, elongated flowers that will keep you motivated and moving thanks to its 70% sativa genetics.
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4. Shiva Shanti II
Terpene profiles can evolve throughout the growing stages, and Shiva Shanti II (available as regular seeds) is one of those ever-changing plants. The result of a properly dried and cured Shiva Shanti II is a terpene profile that wraps your body in a warm and relaxing embrace with the therapeutic scent of lavender.
Gardeners report that this strain starts with a skunky aroma, which proceeds into a musky and occasionally garlicky scent. Fortunately, the funk fades into a sweet and earthy gift for the senses to rejoice over.
The effects of this strain match the 75% indica lineage. Like gentle waves on a beach, a relaxing tingle runs over your body and back again, instilling a sense of calm and serenity. Commonly, this floral-scented strain expresses indica traits of a short flowering period (45-to-55 days), compact structure, and considerable-sized yields.
5. Amnesia White
Another favourite amongst the Dutch coffeeshop scene is Amnesia White (available as regular seeds), which embodies the cherished Haze profile. Like most Haze varieties, Amnesia White offers an electrifying and almost psychedelic effect that matches the soaring THC percentages.
A complex bouquet of floral aromas radiates from every angle of this strain to combine with terpenes reminiscent of warm spices. Minuscule amounts of earthiness compliment this scent to deliver sensational pleasure to the nose.
In the garden, Amnesia White by White Label differs from traditional Hazes, in that this strain finishes flowering in just 60-to-80 days. This advancement in breeding opens the doors to more harvests each year for indoor cultivators. Gardeners can expect tall, spear-like colas covered in shimmering white trichomes.
6. Jack Herer
In case you don’t know, this strain was dedicated directly to the cannabis activist himself, Jack Herer. A sativa leaning flower, it will leave your mind in a state of pleasant bliss, with an elevated level of concentration. The physical effects will leave your body grounded and at full-functioning capacity.
Unlike the person, the only wild thing about this strain is the density of the trichomes as they practically conceal the green flower below. The terpene profile often represents a sharp citrus, but this strain is also known for having relatively high levels of terpineol terpenes as well. Terpineol can give some phenotypes of this plant, a fresh, floral aroma.
Regardless of the terpene profile, Jack Herer (available in regular and feminized variants) contains elevated THC levels, often over 20%, so be prepared!
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7. White Ice
To be complete, this list needed a strain which imparts floral terpenes, that consistently produces staggering trichome density, and would impress even the most distinguished hash maker. White Ice (available in regular and feminized variants) was created by fusing Northern Lights, Dutch Skunk, and Afghani #1. Cannabis enthusiasts can anticipate solid indica expressions both in the plant morphology, as well as in the effects.
White Ice has been known to leave people with a sense of relaxation, but not so heavy that motivation is depleted. A concoction of terpenes creates a smooth, sweet, and woody aroma that neatly organizes into a subtle, but seductive floral scent.
Indoor gardeners will enjoy this plant for its compact nature, typical of indica varieties, but also for the blindingly fast 45-to-55 day flowering time. White Ice is renowned for the vast amounts of resin-glands covering the ripe flowers.
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Which terpenes are responsible for the aromas in floral strains?
Floral aromas can be both uplifting and calming, they impact your mood and can often course-correct your day for the better. The essence from many of these floral terpenes are often used in aromatherapy to invoke a soothing reaction from the mind and body. Cannabis can be similar to a well-constructed centerpiece on your table when it comes to the floral ambience in the air.
Because these terpenes are naturally produced in plants other than cannabis, science has had the opportunity to investigate potential benefits and harms. A few of the floral terpenes present in cannabis are linalool, geraniol, and terpineol.
1. Linalool
For most people, whether it is in nature or in your favourite cannabis cultivar, linalool might be the easiest of the floral based terpenes to recognize. Linalool terpenes feature predominantly in the aroma profile of lavender plants, but these terpenes can also be encountered in many other places. Jasmine, roses, thyme, cinnamon, and basil are a few of the over 200 sources in nature that you will find noticeable amounts of linalool terpenes.
The fragrance profile of linalool is frequently described as floral and sweet, however, there are instances of a slight, spicy wood or citrus perception to the terpene profile. Lavender is widely used in aromatherapy applications to assist sleep and reduce anxiety. Linalool terpenes identified in cannabis do not favor either sativa or indica cultivars and can be found in many of your finer cannabis flowers.
2. Geraniol
Similar to many of the common terpenes, geraniol is a multi-purpose terpene that is widely used in consumer goods and for aromatherapy purposes. Close your eyes and imagine the warm sun shining down upon your face. In front of you is the loveliest grouping of geraniums that you’ve ever seen. You lean in, embracing all of the pleasing scents around you.
This aroma is the primary odour profile of geraniol, a sweet scent with floral notes. Plants often use terpenes as a natural defense from insects and pests, which is one potential reason we see these terpenes present in cannabis cultivars. Geraniol terpenes have been used commercially in a wide range of oils for mosquito repellents.
Fun fact, honeybees produce and deposit geraniol as part of the Nasonov pheromone in order to mark their path on flowers so that they and other worker bees can collect pollen and find their way back to the colony.
3. Terpineol
Cannabis strains can create a variety of terpenes from within the trichome heads and often you will find two terpenes with an affinity for each other. Terpineol and a-pinene are two such monoterpenes, although the relationship isn’t exclusive.
Terpineol is present in a multitude of strains that boast a floral terpene profile. By itself, this terpene produces a smell reminiscent of lilac, however, its unique bouquet is frequently blended with the fresh pine scent of the accompanying a-pinene terpenes.
Along with the floral smells of lilac and pine, terpineol has also been described as imparting a woody or citrus note in the essential oils of plants containing this terpene. Obviously, lilacs would be one source for this aromatic terpene outside of cannabis, but we can also include eucalyptus sap, star anise, gingers, lapsang souchong tea, and the blossoms of lime trees as other natural sources for terpineol.
Floral terpenes offer a softer side of aroma profiles within the cannabis family. The complexity brought forth by these combinations, rise to deliver creations of sheer elegance tailored to please the nose. Nature is a wonderful and mysterious force and cannabis is an enjoyable part of nature.
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Whether linalool, geraniol, or terpineol is derived from the essential oils of common plants or whether they have been derived from cannabis, the aromatic impact can be profound. Few examples are greater than walking into a bustling floral market, filled with bright and beautiful fragrances that meld together into an even more intoxicating blend for the senses. Good cannabis should be no different and the seven strains above are a great place to start.
The floral based terpenes found in cannabis are many. Linalool, geraniol, and terpineol are just a few of the many terpenes detected in the listed strains above. The chaotic but perfectly choreographed dance of aromas brings a sense of relaxation and enjoyment to a wide range of people. Flowers are the sort of thing that can spark an inner smile on the roughest of days, cannabis flowers and the aromatic treasures they contain are no different.
While acknowledging the complexity of cannabis terpene combinations, it is still instinctual to have a desire to neatly classify them. To do so, there are four categories that the majority of cannabis strains can fit in. Those groups are “Fruity, Floral, Earthy, and Skunky“. Do the strains currently in your drawer fit into one of those four categories, we bet they do. Tell us, what strains do you think belong in the floral category and what are a few of your favourites?
- 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.
Great article. I will be returning to this every so often as a resource.
Good morning Tam,
Thanks for your comment and support! I’m glad you enjoyed our article.
Have you checked out the others in the terpene series including 7 Fruity Strains and 7 Earthy Strains?
Thanks again, and have a fantastic day!
Mark