10 Strongest Indica Cannabis Strains of All Time

By M. Carroll on June 19, 2023Strains
10 Strongest Indica Cannabis Strains of All Time

Cannabis Indica strains grow fast and yield large harvests making them a favorite of home growers. The CBD percentage in Indica makes them a favorite of those seeking medical benefits. And, Indica’s sedating properties make them a favorite of the couch-lock users.

Chances are Indica strains have been favored for a long time before commercial pharmaceuticals pushed home and natural remedies to the back burner. The strongest Indica strains have powerful effects on anorexia, anxiety, chronic pain, insomnia and other sleep disorders, muscle spasms, and more.

10 strongest Indica strains (in no particular order):

1. God's Gift is a 90% Indica dominated strain with a solid 1% CBD to offset its reputed 27% THC. The THC more typically tests at over 18%, but Washington’s Buddy Farms claims its God’s Gift scores a record-breaking 41% grown organically indoors. It carries the grape flavor and aroma of Granddaddy Purple with a touch of citrus.

God’s Gift — also known as Barney or Grape God — won the 2015 Bio Cannabis Cup in Spain. If your dispensary carries God’s Gift, you had better check the labeled THC content. Only the most experienced users can handle a 41% experience. But if you can find it at 20% to 27%, the THC potency will hit fast and leave you giggling and silly. It won’t be long before that euphoria slips into a dreamy, hazy, painless sedation. You shouldn’t try this during the day unless you’re preparing for bed.

2. Strawberry Banana or Strawnana is a hybrid of Banana Kush and Bubble Gum with a 70: 30 Indica: sativa ratio. Much preferred because of its sweet fruity taste, it packs a potent 27% THC. Its effect creeps up on you to a happy euphoria before dropping into a warm tingling full-body buzz.

Some veteran users try it during the day, but Strawberry Banana is better for late evening because it’s likely to make you ready for bed. This richly flavored strain is a multiple award winner:

  • 2nd Place Best Indica Concentrate - NorCal Cannabis Cup 2018

  • 1st Place Best Indica - 2018 Alaska Cannabis Cup

  • 1st Place Best Medical Indica Concentrate - SoCal Medical Cannabis Cup 2016

  • 2nd Place Best Indica Flower - Michigan Cannabis Cup 2015

  • 1st Place Best Sativa Flower - Michigan Cannabis Cup 2015

Strawberry Banana’s potency helps users cope with anxiety, arthritis, chronic pain, Crohn's Disease, depression, fatigue, loss of appetite, PTSD, and sleeping disorders.

3. Purple Kush originated in landrace Hindu Kush and Purple Afghani, as pure an Indica as you might find. It’s a beautiful flower studded with purple, pink, and green. With as much as 27% THC, this is a strain for the experienced user as bedtime approaches. This fast-growing plant yields up to 9-ounces per plant, a High Times Top 10 Strain in 2006 and 8th Place in the 2016 Karma Cup competition.

Purple Kush is a common favorite among chronic users because of its mind-altering rush, its broad medical benefits, or both. This is not for the casual user, and should not be used during the day, or before operating machinery because of its numbing, relaxing, sedating, and near hallucinatory experience. Purple Kush users report help with appetite, chronic pain, nausea, and more. But given the strain’s potency, you might control your dosing by consuming Purple Kush in baked goods or gummies.

4. Royal Cookies brings you the taste and aroma of homemade cookies. The 80% Indica contains approximately 23% THC and negligible CBD. Use this strain and the happy and sociable euphoria will slide into a full body relaxation.

Bred from Royal Gorilla and Royal Cookies, it is a favorite because its effects are moderate and non-intrusive, one effect melting into another. And, if you like purple genetics, you might try Purple Afghan Kush, Purple Trainwreck, or Deep Purple.

5. Kosher Kush (Jewish Gold or JG) tests at 20% THC or higher and holds multiple awards: High Times Cannabis Cup’s Best Indica in 2010 and 2011, as well as Best Strain in 2011. Kosher Kush is a great party option that floors everyone with giggles. Novice users will be asleep well before the party ends, so don’t let them drive home.

Earthy and faintly spicy, this Kush also won the High Times Medical Cannabis Cup in 2012 for its reported long-lasting effects on anxiety, chronic pain, depression, nausea, PTSD, stress, and sleep disorders.

6. G-13 is a 70: 39 Indica-dominant strain with strong THC effects pressing near paranoia. The THC usually tests in around 20% but has also scored at 27%. A clear and focused euphoria leads to a deep and lazy lethargy. This is a cloned strain, and True G-13 is very hard to find.

Pungent and potent, G13 has been used as an analgesic treating chronic pain, joint pain, migraines, muscle spasms, and cramps. G-13 is a parent to G-13 Haze, a winner in 1st Place Cannabis Cup at the 2007 High Times Cannabis Cup.

7. Granddaddy Purple is 70% Indica with THC hovering around 20% or reaching a 27% high. A hybrid from Purple Urkle and Big Bud, it is even fruitier and sweeter than other Purples. Granddaddy Purple buds took the Denver High Times Cannabis Cup for Best U.S. Indica in 2015.

GP also has a 1% CBD content to mute the psychedelic effects with medical benefits. A dreamy haze will lead to a sleepy calm for treating insomnia, stress, and anxiety. Most use this before bed and not during the day. Novice users must titrate their way up to this strain, one they might make their regular choice or before they move on to Purple OG.

8. Bruce Banner #3 offers The Hulk experience with THC reaching 30%. This is sativa-dominant at 50: 40, but the effects are all Indica. Heir to OG Kush and Strawberry Diesel, Bruce Banner has long been a favorite

Earthy yet sweet, its creative euphoria slowly moves into a relaxing calm that might relieve anxiety, depression, fatigue, insomnia, and stress while boosting your appetite. The sativa content balances the THC, so this won’t leave you couch-locked or paranoiac. Bruce Banner #3 ranked first place in the 2013 Denver US Cannabis Cup for “Most Potent Strain.”

9. The White is 85% Indica and 20-28% THC, properties it owes to its unknown breeder-held genetics. It smells and tastes of Florida pine woods and soils. Customers use The White for its creeping cerebral euphoria before slipping into a deep sleep.

The White strain’s not for daytime use, but users claim relief from the pain and stress that prevent restful sleep. The major negative side-effect is a profound case of the munchies.

10. Barbara Bud in Indica-dominant with 10% to 19% THC. That makes it a moderate powerhouse on this list. However, its relatively high levels of CBD make it a pleasant and therapeutic choice.

It’s a Canadian breed from Shiskaberry and an Afghani Indica landrace. Hints of earth float under its tropical fruit flavor and aroma. Effects start quickly with a tingle at the eyes and temples that disappears into relaxation to the core. It’s a mellow but lasting effect you might try after dinner for an early and solid night’s sleep. This strain’s awards include:

  • 1st place 2014 Treating Yourself Expo

  • 2nd place - Karma Cup Toronto 2014,

  • 2nd place - DabaDoo Cup Amsterdam 2014

Today’s best Indica strains

This list does not include Northern Lights, Hindu Kush, Girl Scout Cookies, Afghani, and other popular choices. It is a collection of popular strains, some new and some old, on a market looking for stronger potency. Given the high potency of some, you’ll want to work your way up to the stronger strains. If you are looking for medical benefits, you’ll want to try the more moderate strains.