Practically every stoner has seen the iconic 2008 movie Pineapple Express, but have you smoked the strain of the same name?
The Pineapple Express Strain is a bright and fruity strain with fluffy nugs that smell like, you guessed it, pineapples. It has moderate to high THC content with focusing and funny effects, offering one of the most enjoyable highs.
What Is the Pineapple Express Strain?
You’ve probably heard of Pineapple Express from the movie of the same name starring Seth Rogen and James Franco.
However, it’s generally believed that the strain did not exist until a few years after the movie, around 2010. G13 Labs likes to take credit for cultivating Pineapple Express, but there is still some mystery surrounding its origins.
But the oddness of its origins only begins there. The parent strains of Pineapple Express are also somewhat debated. Most people consider Trainwreck and Hawaiin to be the parents of Pineapple Express. But there may be a third strain that contributed to the cultivation of Pineapple Express: Pineapple Chunk.
More than one cultivator likely attempted to develop a Pineapple Express strain following the popular movie, resulting in some confusion over its true lineage.
Pineapple Express is an even hybrid that leans toward a Sativa. It can be a 50/50 split but is often 60% to 74% Sativa. However, it’s easy to treat this as a straight Sativa because of the energizing and silly effects paired with its composition.
This strain has a THC content that ranges from 20% to 30%, usually around 25%. But the CBD and CBG levels, which curate a mellow and sleepy high, are practically nonexistent. The CBD and CBG levels are around 0.1%, barely contributing to the effects.
The top terpene in Pineapple Express is myrcene, which has a fruity mango-like taste that creates the tropical pineapple flavor the strain is known for. Other terpenes in this strain include caryophyllene, pinene, linalool, and phellandrene.
What Does the Pineapple Express Strain Look, Smell, and Taste Like?
The Pineapple Express strain has a simple flavor profile. Since it was named before it was bred, the obvious goal was to create a bold pineapple scent.
So, Pineapple Express lives up to its name, with a pleasant tropical smell with top notes of mango and pineapple. It also has notes of citrus fruits like orange, lemon, and lime, adding a distinct brightness.
Sadly, the fruitiness is not present in the taste. While it smells supremely fruity and tropical, the flavor on your tongue is earthy with fresh and woody notes of pine. But the flavor is not spicy or punchy. Instead, it has an earthy sweetness that is delicate and yummy.
Along with the pineapple aroma, Pineapple Express is also known for its fluffy nugs. The leaves are wide and separated, so each nug is large and in charge with a soft and fuzzy texture. The color can change substantially depending on the growth conditions.
Batches grown in warmer temperatures will be light green with bright orange and yellow strands. But if the plant grows in cooler temperatures, it can develop darker green leaves with blue and purple hues.
What Are the Pineapple Express Strain’s Effects and Usage?
The funny movie isn’t the only reason to love this strain. People adore its pleasant and potent effects. The strain offers an energetic and happy high that can make you talkative and giggly.
People feel uplifted after smoking it and have a complete sense of calm. However, it doesn’t send you into a hazed state, as it allows you to focus if needed. It’s a popular daytime or work time strain.
Like most strains, it frequently causes dry mouth, thirst, and dry eyes. If you have a low THC tolerance and smoke a lot, it may also cause paranoia.
Pineapple Express is a stellar medicinal strain, as the high THC levels can help with various conditions. It can reduce stress, depression, anxiety, PTSD, and nightmares.
People also use it to manage symptoms of PMS, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, glaucoma, hypertension, chronic pain, muscular dystrophy, fatigue, and migraines. It can also soothe nausea and increase appetite, although not everyone experiences munchies on this strain.
How To Grow Pineapple Express
If you want to grow this famous strain, prepare yourself for a challenge. Even experienced growers can struggle to cultivate this strain and produce a decent yield.
It’s extremely picky when it comes to light, soil, fertilizer, water, and just about everything else. It requires an optimized environment and consistent TLC, like pruning and protection from bugs or diseases.
It’s safe to say, this may be one of the hardest strains to grow of all time. The difficulty level is one of the reasons it’s not the easiest strain to find. But if you’ve successfully grown other challenging strains, you can give Pineapple Express a try.
It’s best to grow Pineapple Express indoors because you have more control over the conditions. The flowering period occurs between 56 and 65 days and the buds are harvestable around day 70. A well-cared-for outdoor plant can yield as much as 20 ounces. But indoor yields are typically smaller, around 10 ounces if not less.
These big boys can grow to be almost seven feet tall when outside, but typically only grow five feet when cultivated indoors. The plants get quite large and fluffy, so they need consistent and careful pruning and trimming to remain manageable. And they love light, so your best bet at a successful yield entails high-quality grow lights.
Finding feminized Pineapple Express seeds can be hit or miss. Many seed cultivators sell them but don’t always have them readily available. One of the best places to buy feminized Pineapple Express seeds is from their supposed origins, G13 Labs. If you can’t find seeds, try looking again in a few weeks, as their availability seems cyclical.
Where To Buy Pineapple Express Strain
If growing is too much of a challenge, you can always buy Pineapple Express flower from a dispensary or order from a weed delivery service.
As mentioned, it’s not a super rare strain, but it’s also not the easiest strain to find. It’s common in Colorado and California but also exists along the east coast in NY, Boston, and DC.
If you’re struggling to find this strain, it’s best to check high-end dispensaries and services. Many consider Pineapple Express a designer, top-shelf strain, so it’s more common at fancy places. Unfortunately, that means it is also usually expensive.
Many dispensaries will charge over $200 for an ounce of Pineapple Express. But if you can find Pineapple Express at a less-fancy dispensary, expect to pay around $130 for an ounce.
While it’s a brilliant and delicious strain with enticing THC levels, many dispensaries jack up the price because of the movie. People will pay top dollar to smoke the weed James Franco and Seth Rogen supposedly did.
You can more easily find Pineapple Express in flower form, but also available in concentrates and edibles. It’s a frequent flavor for vapes and wax because the name and reputation are irresistible to many.
Also, if you want to get your hands on some high-quality Pineapple Express Strain seeds, here is a great place to try:
Wrap Up
It’s easy to assume all the love for Pineapple Express is just hype from the movie, but it is a delicious strain worth trying.
Many stoners want to say they’ve tried Pineapple Express, but often enjoy it thoroughly thanks to the heavenly high THC content and potent Sativa effects.
If you want to take a fruity ride on the Pineapple Express, it shouldn’t be too difficult to find!
Related Questions
Below are a couple of questions related to the Pineapple Express strain.
