White Widow, a sativa-dominant hybrid, is famous for its high resin production and powerful energizing effects. It was developed in the 1990s by the Dutch company Green House Seeds by crossing Brazilian indica and South Indian sativa landraces. Despite the competition from early hybrids such as Northern Lights and Haze, White Widow has become a legendary strain, winning its first High Times Cannabis Cup in 1995 and multiple awards since. The strain is specifically bred for a high trichome count, making it a valuable strain for hash production. Its average THC composition is 20%, with some phenotypes having a higher concentration.
The buds of White Widow are chunky and conical with a loose and fluffy texture, which makes them easy to break up despite their stickiness. The leaves are green with only a few visible pistils. The plants are covered in trichomes, giving them a white-gray appearance and earning the strain its name. White Widow has a pungent, stinging aroma with notes of ammonia and earthy pine. When the buds are broken, the scent becomes more hashy and incense-like. The smoke is smooth and earthy, but it does not have a strong flavor. It is a highly pungent strain, so smokers should consider discretion.
White Widow's cerebral high is quick-acting and allows users to remain functional and aware of their surroundings. This makes it an ideal strain for social use. Its strong genetic foundation makes it a valuable strain for crossbreeding, and it has produced popular hybrids such as White Russian and The White. The effects of White Widow are cerebral, inducing heightened perception and mood elevation, as well as increased energy and focus. The mild body buzz also provides a relaxing experience. The strain can aid in relieving migraines, depression, and fatigue, and can also help those with attention deficit disorders. However, due to its potency, it can sometimes cause paranoia and anxiety, so it is important to plan dosage accordingly.
White Widow can be grown from seed or by planting clippings from mature plants. It is mold-resistant, making outdoor cultivation possible in Mediterranean-like climates with constant temperatures between 70 and 80℉. The plants have a bushy and wide growth pattern, reaching a height of no more than 6 feet. Indoors, they flower in 9 weeks, and outdoors, they are ready for harvest in early October. Each square foot of plant can produce 37 to 55 grams (or about 1.3 to 2 ounces) of buds.