11 Strongest Indica Strains You Should Try

In recent years the potency of cannabis has increased along with typical THC levels. The cannabinoids present in modern buds are much higher than those from a decade ago. 

The benchmark for a powerful cultivar seems to rise frequently.

So what makes one strain better than the next? Are high THC indica strains all potent? Join us as we discover the answers to these questions. We also provide you with a list of powerful indica options to try.  

Let’s get started by looking at how to select a heavy indica strain. 

What makes one indica strain better than others?

Before deciding on the strongest indica strain, we need to establish a criteria. Does higher THC content automatically mean a better bud? Not necessarily. 

While high THC content may be a common criterion, the quality of cultivars extend beyond these levels. There are hundreds of these cannabinoids, and their unique interactions affect the traits of the strain. 

Scientifically, you can divide cultivars into chemotypes. The termclassifies strong indica strains according to their chemical makeup. The specific ‘blend’ of these compounds results in a unique experience. The current classifications are:

Compound chemotypes 

We can classify strains according to their dominant compounds. These influence the effects and your energy levels after toking. 

Terpene chemotypes 

The dominant terpenes influence the scent, flavor, and even the effects of a strain. In 2018, researchers discovered three distinctions based on terpenes. 

Let’s take a closer look at these in the table below.

11 Strongest indica strains you must try

If you’re looking for the highest indica strain, check out our comprehensive list below. Each THC-packed cultivar has a potent blend of terpenes. 

1. Hindu Kush

Hindu Kush is an indica dominant landrace strain named after the famous mountain range it originates from. The exotic region between Pakistan and Afghanistan provided the ideal climatic conditions for this resinous strain to flourish.

The heavy indica cultivar contains 15–22% THC, and the terpene profile is Myrcene dominant.Hindu Kush exudes intriguing scents of pine, wood, and spice. You’ll taste these flavors in each toke, along with notes of earth and sweet herbs. 

Each toke indica leaves you feeling euphoric and calm, with a body buzz that relaxes every muscle. A property that stands out with this heavy indica strain is the cerebral effect it induces.

Instead of causing hazy thoughts,  indica strain clears the mind for deep contemplation and introspection. Hindu Kush is ideal for an evening toke to help soften your limbs and ease your mind after a long day. 

Be sure to keep some snacks handy as a case of the munchies follows shortly after the effects settle. Overindulging may lead to a weed hangover, so start slow and increase your dose as you gain more experience.

This indica strain is straightforward to grow, and seeds are available in regular (Hindu Kush Regular) and feminized varieties, depending on your preference. Cultivate this strain indoors or outdoors and reap handsome yields of resinous buds. Greenhouse gardeners can expect 15–19 oz./m², and those growing outside can produce 19–21 oz./plant.

2. Afghan feminized

Indica strain genetically modified variant of an Afghan landrace strain, this feminized cultivar offers an exceptional experience. Afghan feminized is a high THC indica strain with average levels of 13–17%, but some go as high as 20%. The CBD content is negligible, at around 0.2%. 

The dominant scents of this indica strain are herbal, pine, and mint. These are present in the flavor too, but you’ll also detect flowers, spice, and wood with each toke. 

Afghan feminized is one of the most potent strains with a cheerful mental buzz that relaxes your whole body. The heavy indica cultivar has sedative properties that leave you couch-locked for 2–3 hours. 

Growing Afghan feminized is suitable for cultivators with varying experience levels. They produce an all-female crop that flourishes in a sea of green setup. The buds are compact and resinous, with yields of approximately 15 oz./m² indoors and 15–17 oz./plant outdoors.

3. Pure Indica feminized 

Pure Indica feminized descends from a mysterious lineage, although many suspect that Afghani is a parent. The heavy indica strain contains 11–14% THC and takes you on a mental trip of elation. Colors appear brighter, and your senses are heightened. 

Once the initial feelings of bliss settle, you feel a tingling sensation trickling down your body softening your muscles. Pure Indica feminized is a couch-lock weed that melts you to your sofa before soothing you to sleep. 

One to three tokes is enough to enjoy an amazing buzz and avoid potential side effects associated with powerful indica strains. The buds are sweet and fruity.

Cultivating this indica strain is best in Mediterranean conditions, and indoor growers can maximize their harvest with a sea of green setup. The yields are bountiful, offering between 17 oz./m² indoors and 21 oz./plant outdoors. 

4. White Rhino feminized

Like the African beast it’s named after, White Rhino feminized is a force to be reckoned with. This award-winning cultivar nabbed second place at the High Times Cannabis Cup in 1996. This indica strain cultivar also claimed second place in the 2005 Champions Cup. 

It’s known as one of the heaviest indica strains. The powerful effects wrap you up in a hazy bubble of positivity and psychedelic bliss. All your tensions melt away after a few tokes, and a heavy body stone engulfs you. 

White Rhino feminized is a couch-lock strain that pairs perfectly with lazy activities like watching TV or listening to music. Overindulgence leads some tokers to refer to it as a cottonmouth weed, but you can easily offset this by staying hydrated.

This high THC indica strain tastes of wood, lemon, honey, and skunk. Every toke takes your taste buds on a delightful journey. It contains 20–26% THC, and even novice growers can cultivate it.

White Rhino feminized crops have lush foliage, and each eye-catching bud has a coat of crystal trichomes. This indica strain has incredible harvests, with average yields of 31 oz./m² indoors and a whopping 42 oz./plant outdoors.

5. Purple Kush

Purple Kush is one of the strongest indica strains, with high THC levels of up to 27%. It induces a relaxing, physical buzz while putting your mind in a hazy, happy state. The physical aspect is warm, tingly, and comforting, and couch-lock ensues a few hours later.

The cultivar is ideal for a social evening with close friends or some alone time binge-watching a series. Purple Kush is a fragrant strain, exuding unique scents of berry, earth, and pepper.

The initial toke is sweet and fruity with hints of earth. Cultivating this high indica strain is a rewarding challenge for intermediate-level growers who want to kick their skills up a notch. The typical yield indoors is 17 oz./m², and outdoor varieties produce as much as 28 oz./plant.

6. Blueberry feminized

Blueberry feminized is a high THC indica strain with exotic parents. Stemming from a cross of Afghani, Thai, and Purple Thai, this hybrid offers a fusion of terpenes with an intriguing taste profile. The average THC range is 15–24%.

As the name suggests, blueberry is the dominant flavor, but you’ll also detect notes of sandals, musk, and wild berries. On the exhale, hints of vanilla and wood linger on your lips.

As delicious as this heavy indica cultivar is, resist the urge to take more than a few tokes. Its powerful effects whisk you away on a cloud of jovial ecstasy, and your negative emotions disappear. Many regard it as a one-hit-and-quit smoke because of its intense effects.

The cerebral sensations last for several minutes before they start creeping down the back of your neck and spine. When smoking this indica strain you feel warm, comfortable, and relaxed as each muscle loosens and your body becomes numb. 

An hour or two later, you’ll drift off to sleep, feeling peaceful and content. Growing this indica strain is straightforward and suitable for beginners. Crops are attractive with green, lavender, and purple shades that stand out against the thick foliage. 

The buds are dense, coated in crystals and delicious sticky resin. Indoor crops yield around 17 oz./m², and outdoor varieties produce roughly 24 oz./plant. 

7. Yumbolt feminized 

If you’re looking for the most powerful indica strains, Yumbolt feminized should top the list. Its lineage is mysterious, and its use dates back to the ’70s. The cultivar has multiple accolades, including an award for the Best Indica at the 2001 High Times Cannabis Cup.

The aromatic strain smells of pine, earth, and citrus. These translate into the flavor along with undertones of skunk and nuts. 

Yumbolt feminized induces intense psychoactive effects, making it ideal for nighttime consumption. It starts with a cerebral rush of euphoric bliss that may cause giggle fits. A powerful body buzz and sedation follow these feelings.

This indica heavy strain contains 12–24% THC and is popular with recreational and medicinal users. Cultivating Yumbolt feminized requires plenty of sunlight and is suited to intermediate-level growers. Crops produce average yields of 12 oz./m² indoors and 7–10 oz./plant outdoors.

8. Maple Leaf feminized 

Maple Leaf feminized is an example of a heavy indica with average THC levels. The average content of this cannabinoid is 14–18%, yet it offers powerful sensations. The initial effects are cerebral and euphoric. 

The buzz takes several minutes to hit, but an intense mental experience ensues when it does. Shortly after the feelings of bliss settle, physical aspects occur. A warm, numbing sensation pulsates through your body, allowing you to unwind completely.

Some tokers report that this powerful indica strain induces arousal and helps spice up intimacy. After about an hour, your limbs become heavy, and you feel sleepy as your body gives in to tranquil sedation.

This indica strain cultivar is a sugary treat for the senses, exuding fragrances of incense, wood, and kush. On the inhale, you’ll taste a buttery, citrus delight with hints of earth. On the exhale, the dominant flavor is sweet orange.

Maple Leaf feminized is a beginner-friendly strain that sprouts all-female crops. They thrive both indoors and outdoors but need regular pruning. Typical harvests consist of 14–17 oz./m² indoors and 21 oz./plant outdoors.

9. Strawberry Banana feminized

Have you got a sweet tooth? Strawberry Banana feminized indica strain will satiate your sugar cravings while temporarily wiping away all your daily stresses. The high THC indica strain packs a punchwith levels of 22–26% of the psychoactive compound. 

The cultivar exudes sweet scents of tropical fruit and earthy notes. As a combination of Banana Kush and Bubblegum, this hard-hitting strain has impressive genetics. The effects begin with an uplifting energy that stimulates the creative part of the mind. 

Although the sugary flavor profile is reminiscent of a breakfast smoothie, it’s best to enjoy this strain in the evening. It pairs well with activities like art and music, but the short-lived energy burst soon turns into body melt and sedation.

The heavy indica is easy to grow in Mediterranean climates, and the crops are bright green with tinges of yellow. They produce emerald green nugs coated in trichomes and a thick resin layer. Growers often use Strawberry Banana for hash and other extracts. Expect to reap around 14–17 oz./m² indoors and 21 oz./plant indoors.

10. Critical Kush feminized 

Boasting 19–25% THC levels, Critical Kush feminized is a recreational toker’s delight. These fat, heavy indica nugs have blended aromas of lemon, sweet pine, and spice. 

On the inhale, citrus and spice are dominant but sugary pine and earth linger on your lips when you release the smoke. This famous 420 treat takes 15 minutes to hit, with a cerebral rush that uplifts you and causes arousal.

Positive thoughts fill your mind and some experience hazy, contemplative feelings with this indica strain. Critical Kush feminized is an evening toke that washes away negative emotions before soothing you to sleep. 

Novice growers can give Critical Kush a shot and look forward to impressive harvests of 17–19 oz./m² indoors and 17–19 oz./plant outdoors.

11. Kosher Kush 

Kosher Kush feminized is one of the strongest indica strains available. It has unknown genetics, but many suspect a relation to OG Kush. The cultivar is heavy-hitting and contains 18–22% THC. 

The buds are aromatic, and the dominant flavors are citrus, pine, and earth. You also detect subtle hints of wood and spice on the exhale. 

The heavy indica brings feelings of elation and optimism while calming both body and mind. Once the mental bubble of euphoria bursts, your body starts relaxing, and your eyelids get heavy. After a few minutes, you’ll drift off to dreamland with pleasant, vivid images dancing through your mind. 

Kosher Kush feminized is suitable for all growers, and the all-female crop requires regular pruning. Plants can get quite tall, so employing a sea of green setup is best. This powerful indica strain offers 19 oz./m² indoor and 15 oz./plant outdoors.

Embracing Indica 

So many fantastic cultivars are available on the 420 scene, making it difficult to narrow down the top options. Our list of the strongest indica strains consists of THC and terpene-rich varieties. 

Establishing the most potent indica strains is discretionary, and user preferences play a role. The options provided offer a sensational experiencewith flavors and scents of an exceptional standard.

Decide for yourself what the strongest indica strain is by growing these high-quality cultivars. Check out Homegrown Cannabis Co. for a wide selection of the heaviest indica strains, and start your cultivation journey today.

About the author: Parker Curtis

Parker Curtis has around a decade of cannabis-growing experience, specialising in soil-less and hydro grows. He’s mastering outdoor, greenhouse, and indoor grows.