Quite a few popular strains have found their origin on African soil. Well, that’s not entirely true since cannabis seeds were first found in Central Asia and then distributed to the rest of the world. However, the African continent is home to a few rare landrace strains. Landrace strains refer to the beginning of cannabis as we know it, and we will tell you more about the well-known South African sativa strains.
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If you know your cannabis well, you’ll know that you can pick from cannabis indica and cannabis sativa subtypes. The Sativa variety of a cannabis plant prefers a warm climate and the outdoors to thrive. In South Africa, we have the best weather combined with the best conditions for cannabis cultivation. The warm-to-moderate temperatures make South Africa one of the best places in the world to grow weed outdoors.
Of course, landrace strains aren’t that common to find, but we have found a few sativa strains in South Africa that you can try out, and picked our favourites.
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What is a Cannabis Sativa strain?
Picking a new strain to grow or consume, can be a challenging task. You definitely want to grow a strain with qualities matching your preferences, either for its amazing medicinal properties or the creative and buzzing high it will give you.
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Sativa-dominant strains are taller plants with a longer growing pattern that produces longer, spear-like buds. It usually has a more uplifting effect. Effects of sativa strains are known to bless you with increased creativity, energy and social ability. They will uplift your mood and easily motivate you to get work done.
Sativa plants are known to grow taller than typical indoor plants. They can reach a height of 2.3m – 3.5m high. If the conditions are in your favour, some plants might even reach a height of 5m.
The colour of sativa strains is also affected by the climate of the grow environment. If you’re growing in a warmer climate, your plant will have a more reddish colour to it, whereas if you grow it in a colder environment, your plant might have purple hues.
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Sativa Weed in South Africa
Cannabis sativa is most commonly used during the day time. Why do smokers prefer this strain during the day? Well, because it is uplifting, of course. It adds to your creativity, and gives you a strong cerebral feeling that usually results in having a lot of energy.
The aroma and taste of sativa plants are usually sweet, spicy, and fruity, layered with earth tones. Growing sativa strains outdoors will provide better yields than indoor grow operations. But be aware that sativa plants take much longer to reach the flowering stage, compared to indica cannabis plants.
If you’re planning on growing outdoors (because you might have a lot of available space) the weather will contribute to huge sativa plants. These large outdoor plants will give you a high potency bud and a big harvest. If you were wondering about the different types of weed in South Africa, we have provided you with a list of 6 African Sativa strains.
Rooibaard Weed
Although we have heard a lot about Rooibaard weed, seeds for this popular strain from way back can’t be found anymore. Many people making mention of Rooibaard weed, refer to a strain that has been well-known and used in the early 1980’s and originate from the indigenous African landrace.
Seeds are not distributed anymore and it will be a rare find if you can get your hands on some Rooibaard seeds!
Durban Poison
Locally produced, this pure sativa strain from the port city of Durban, South Africa, are one of the most popular strains around the world. It has a sweet smell, it’s very uplifting and will definitely add to your productivity on a busy day.
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The strain is quite popular for concentrate extraction, due to its over-sized resin glands – high-quality bud for sure. You can expect buds to be round and chunky, with a thick coating of trichomes and covered in light orange hairs. We would definitely want to get our hands on all the Durban Poison seeds South Africa has on offer.
Users will experience an instant, powerful, cerebral high. This strain will spark your creativity, stimulate social interactions and boost your energy levels tremendously. If you’re considering this plant for its medicinal value, it’s been known to reduce symptoms of depression, stress and stimulates an appetite.
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Species: Landrace Sativa
Flowering time: 7-9 weeks
Height: Over 2m
Difficulty: Easy
Flavour and aroma: Earthy tones with hints of pine and a sweet lingering taste
Medicinal Properties: Helps reduce symptoms of stress and depression, and also acts as an appetite stimulator
Malawi Gold
This legendary landrace strain has been successfully grown in Malawi for centuries. Its adaptive nature makes it perfect for the climate of Malawi. This sativa strain produces tall plants and the nugs will be covered in resin, trichomes and amber hairs.
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This highly-potent strain has a THC level of 24%. With that high a level of THC, we won’t recommend Malawi Gold for beginners (we don’t want you getting too stoned) mostly because it can prompt hallucinations and paranoia. It has a fruity smell and a flower aroma and some have mentioned hints of pineapple and almond flavours.
Its stimulating properties makes this the perfect strain for recreational or medical use, with some of the benefits including reduced symptoms of stress and nausea. Your body and mind, however, will be energized, and you can get ready to tap into the rhythm of heightened creativity and socialization.
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Species: Sativa Landrace
Flowering time: 11-14 weeks
Height: Over 3m tall
Difficulty: Moderate
Flavour and aroma: Flavours are fruity, flowery with light, earthy notes of wood
Medicinal Properties: Commonly used for migraines, pain, nausea, and ADD/ADHD
Pure Power Plant
In the early 90’s, Dutch Passion, a seed company, started developing Pure Power Plant for release. The strain got released in 1997 and its roots can be traced back to South Africa. This specific strain likes to be grown indoors or in a greenhouse, although many growers have made mention of successful outdoor harvests.
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Leaning more to the sativa side, this hybrid won the second place in the HighLife Cup in 2006. It proves to be the ultimate energy booster and is a very powerful strain. So beginners, beware, this one might just knock you off your feet.
Expect dark green buds covered in hypnotic trichomes. This is one of the plants producing the prettiest buds out there, with many growers confirming that this is one of the reasons for growing this potent plant.
With hints of sandalwood and spice, this strain tastes quite earthy and has a bit of a citrus taste, but still offers a smooth smoke. You’ll have a happy, relaxed high, and users are known to be very talkative when using this sativa dominant hybrid.
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It will boost your energy and creativity levels while you’re reaching the peak of your high, but will be followed by a typical hybrid crash phase where you will feel the laziness and munchies starting to creep up on you.
Species: Sativa Landrace Hybrid
Flowering time: 7-9 weeks
Height: Up to 1.5m
Difficulty: Easy
Flavour and aroma: Flavours of sandalwood, spice, and citrus on the palette.
Medicinal Properties: Used in the treatment of anxiety, depression and eating disorders. Offers great migraine relieve.
South African Kwazulu
This South African sativa landstrain grows on the northern banks of the Drakensberg ridge. Legend has it that the tribe of Shaka Zulu, one of the warrior tribes of South Africa, made use of this cannabis strain while preparing for battle against the first British attack in 1879.
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Well, now that we can move on from the history lesson, you will be happy to know that this sativa landrace are very resistant to pests and mildew, making it a great strain for both indoor and outdoor grow operations. This plant also has a quick flowering time, making it a great choice for growers who want fast results.
Users of South African Kwazulu have mentioned high-energized and uplifting effects, and the stimulating cerebral high will only add to an positive outlook on life.
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Species: Sativa Landrace
Flowering time: 7-9 weeks
Height: Up to 4m
Difficulty: Moderate
Flavour and aroma: Sweet smell and lightly spicy taste
Medicinal Properties: Reduces symptoms of stress and acts as appetite stimulator
Swazi Gold
This sativa landrace strain from Africa can withstand a lot of nature’s harsh elements. The mountainous Swaziland region is home to Swazi Gold, where it grows with ease even under the harsh conditions of the region. This plant can take anywhere from 55 to 85 days to finish flowering – so if you’re a patient grower, this might be a good pick for you.
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Swazi Gold has been used in the development of many award-winning hybrid strains. With its sweet and earthy taste, and zesty citrus-smell, it is a regular favourite amongst many cannabis lovers.
The nugs from this plant are long and lumpy and covered in golden trichomes that look a bit like grains of sand. This strain is fast-acting and energizing, and both beginners and expert smokers will enjoy this. Get ready to be social, because this one will make you giggle and talk a lot.
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Species: Sativa Landrace
Flowering time: 7-12 weeks
Height: Up to 3m
Difficulty: Easy
Flavour and aroma: Sweet citrus flavours, earthy notes and a pungent smell
Medicinal Properties: Reduces symptoms of stress and anxiety, depression and acts as an appetite stimulator
Kilimanjaro
This pure sativa landrace is not from South Africa, but its African roots lies on the mountain slopes of Tanzania. It was originally cultivated to use in hunting and religious practice by the native people of Tanzania and surrounds.
It has energetic, hyper effects, making this the go-to strain if you’re planning on being active or focused. Its uplifting effects will make you feel happy and relaxed as you’re climbing to the peak of your high.
The flavours of Kilimanjaro are known to have earthy elements, with woody and floral aromas. Spicy and pungent, this sativa will hit you hard with a THC level of up to 18%. The high can be a psychedelic cerebral affair that might be too overwhelming to some.
Species: Sativa Landrace
Flowering time: 7-9 weeks
Height: Up to 2m
Difficulty: Easy
Flavour and aroma: Earthy, floral tones with a lightly wooded flavour profile
Medicinal Properties: Improves insomnia, depression, stress and fatigue
Final Thoughts:
Light-green sativa strains are very popular for daytime use. If you’re a grower, sativa strains will be a good option to add to the list. If you’re looking for a strain with the ability to leave you feeling energized or treat intense, chronic pain, one of these sativa picks will keep you from that lazy couchlock and leave you feeling focused, energized and keep chronic pain to a minimum.
