Pineapple Express

Pineapple Express is a sativa-dominant hybrid strain often described as having a 60/40 sativa/indica profile. Its parents are said to be the legendary landrace strain Hawaiian crossed with Trainwreck. Tracing Pineapple Express’ exact origins is easier said than done. In the mid-2000s G13 Labs claimed to be the original creators of the strain. A peek at their site today, however, describes Pineapple Express as a cross between ‘selected Skunks’ and Big Bud to create a feminized hybrid variety. Others say Pineapple Express was the lovechild of a Cinderella 99 hybrid crossed with Trainwreck. Many other breeders, seed banks and growers have since produced their own takes on the cult classic. Its original point of origin is unknown but is thought to be somewhere in sunny ol’ California.  

Vintage: circa 2008

Lineage: Hawaiian x Trainwreck

Breeder: uncertain; possibly G13 Labs

Pineapple Express Strain Effects: Indica or Sativa?

Pineapple Express is a sativa-dominant hybrid that produces an energetic, cerebral head high coupled with a mild, pleasant body buzz. The end result can feel euphoric for many. Its focused and energetic qualities makes it a great strain to smoke in the morning. Enjoy Pineapple Express best with stimulating activities like yoga, hiking or even while watching the classic namesake film. It’s also touted as a great strain to rely on whenever you need a hit of creativity, so don’t hesitate to bust it out if writer’s block should ever strike. 

This strain is generally considered mild; however users report some negative side effects. These can include dehydration, dry mouth and dry eyes, so be sure to stay well-hydrated when consuming. 

The distinct cerebral head high is likely why many who seek out Pineapple Express report using it for anxiety and depression. The physical body high this strain produces also makes it a good candidate for those seeking relief from mild aches and pains to chronic pain. Others report Pineapple Express may ease the symptoms of conditions including loss of appetite, nausea, nightmares, migraines, and fatigue. 

Pineapple Express Terpenes and Characteristics

Pineapple Express has short, dense buds that possess a subtle purple hint. The majority of the plant, however, is light green with dark green foliage accents and bright amber hairs all over. Its taste weaves pineapple, citrus, spicy, woodsy pepperiness and slight notes of pine together in one fantastic hit.

A few terpenes give this popular strain its unique qualities. These are most commonly myrcene, limonene, humulene and caryophyllene. Myrcene and humulene are terpenes found in hops that give cannabis flowers a characteristic spicy, earthy flavor. Myrcene is also a powerful analgesic. Clinical studies show that at high doses in mice, myrcene was found to be comparable to the sedative phenobarbital, suggesting the body high and relief users commonly report. As its namesake implies, limonene is found in citrus; it is also known for its anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties. Anecdotal reports note that limonene-heavy strains tend to be more energetic than other hybrids. And while caryophyllene is a terpene, it’s of special interest because it can act like a cannabinoid in our bodies. This can result in antidepressant-like effects, which perhaps explains why this strain is associated with laughter and good times.

Pineapple Express Strain Grow Info and Seeds

Described by G13 Labs as “one of the best yielding plants in the cannabis seeds world,” Pineapple Express is not considered an especially difficult strain to grow, and can flourish in just about anything from soil grown to hydroponic setups. The primary challenge associated with growing it is ensuring that it has a warm, temperate climate to grow in. Indoor growers will want to ensure there’s lots of room available as this strain can grow quite tall. As such, it’s advised to supercrop the strain. Supercropping is a high-stress growing technique in which the plant’s branches are bent while keeping outer lining intact. This extra stress encourages more growth of plants including additional terpene-rich trichomes. It’s also advisable to set up lights that are at least 600 watts in order to try and mimic the tropical climate best suited for this tasty strain.

This strain is also very resistant to any foreign attackers including bugs, pests, mold, mildew and disease. Typical flowering time is 7-8 weeks, with the ideal harvesting time for outdoor crops taking place in mid-October.

Given its elusive origins, the original Pineapple Express isn’t easy to track down. However, the high demand means several well-known breeders have taken a crack at producing their own, including G13 Labs which offers two feminized versions and an autoflowering version, and you can get the same seeds from Seedsman if you prefer. Keep in mind their Pineapple Express is described as a 70% indica, 30% sativa bred from selected Skunks x Trainwreck (rather than Hawaiian). You’ll also find Pineapple Express offerings from Dinafem, Barney’s, and more at Seedsman.

By Janelle Lassalle

Artist, Writer, and Content Creator

@jenkhari