Cannabis consumers often crave an energizing high that boosts creativity and focus. Sativa strains affect your mind and deliver head-focused effects ideal for daytime use. Many users search specifically for Sativa cannabis strain varieties that spark motivation without sedation.
However, choosing the right sativa strain can feel overwhelming. Varying THC levels and understanding terpene profiles further add complexity, and let’s not even start with the similar-sounding and confusing names of different strains.
For example, Green Crack is an energizing strain, whereas Durban Poison and Strawberry Cough excel at mood elevation. To simplify your search, we have curated a list of the top 10 sativa cannabis strains available in the market.
Each profile covers lineage, flavor, aroma, effects, and ideal use scenarios. Find these strains at our dispensary in Somerset, New Jersey, with online ordering as well as in-store pickup.
How We Have Chosen the Best Sativa Marijuana Strains
Here are the 3 key factors we used to pick the best sativa cannabis strains:
1. Lab-tested Potency
We checked THC and CBD levels from accredited lab reports to ensure each strain delivers the expected strength and clarity of effect. We also reviewed guidance on selecting strains based on tested cannabinoid profiles to match energy or focus needs.
2. Flavor and Aroma Profiles
We studied terpene breakdowns of the strains to highlight their taste and scent. For example, limonene gives off citrus notes, and pinene evokes pine aromas. Whether you want your weed to have minty and fruity flavors or you want it to smell like diesel, our list has something for you.
3. Popularity and Demand
Lastly, we assessed the sales rankings, awards, and user review volumes to identify strains with confirmed market appeal to cater to broad consumer preferences and demand. We also cross-checked the strains with the best-selling lists from our dispensary and popularity to capture the top-selling sativas in recent years.
Now, let’s get to what you came here for, which is the list of the 10 best Sativa strains:
Comparison of the 10 Strongest Sativa Strains
Here’s a quick look at the top sativa strains:
| Strain | THC Content | Flavor Profile | Primary Effects |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sour Diesel | 17–26% | Sour fuel and lemon | Elevated mood, stress relief, clear-headed buzz |
| Durban Poison | 15–24% | Sweet earth and pine | Focused energy and creativity |
| Strawberry Cough | 22–26% | Sweet strawberry with a spicy exhale | Uplifting head high, mood & creativity boost |
| Jack Herer | 15–24% | Spicy pine and lemon | Clear, creative high, sociability |
| Green Crack | 13–25% | Sweet mango and citrus | Energetic boost, focus & productivity |
| Super Silver Haze | 18–23% | Spicy herbs with sour lemon | Long-lasting energy & creativity |
| Super Lemon Haze | 16–25% | Tangy lemon candy | Energizing head buzz & euphoria |
| Ghost Train Haze | 19–28% | Sweet lemon-citrus with pine | Intense energy & euphoria |
| Maui Wowie | 13–20% | Juicy tropical pineapple | Cheerful buzz & happy creative energy |
| Sour Tangie | 21–27% | Tangy orange & citrus with diesel | Energetic head buzz, mild relaxation |
Ready to find your perfect match? Let’s dive into detailed profiles of the 10 best and strongest Sativa strains that made it to our list.
Detailed Overview of the Top 10 Sativa Strains
1. Sour Diesel
If you ask any seasoned cannabis enthusiast, they must have heard of this uber-popular strain. Sour Diesel (aka ‘Sour D’) is an iconic East Coast sativa bred by crossing Chemdawg with Super Skunk. It typically has about 17–26% THC, and features fluffy and pale green buds with orange hairs.
How the Sour Diesel strain tastes: Expect a sour fuel and lemon taste
How the Sour Diesel strain smells: Very strong diesel and skunk, with some pine and a refreshing citrus twist
Effects of consuming the Sour Diesel strain:
- The Sour Diesel strain is popular for its medical properties, like elevating mood, managing discomfort, and relieving stress.
- It’s also fast-acting in giving you a clear-headed buzz and enhancing creativity and focus.
Here’s when you should ideally consume Sour Diesel:
- Sour Diesel is ideal for mornings or daytime usage to increase productivity without overstimulation
- Great to consume before creative projects
- Suitable for social gatherings or outdoor activities, provided it’s safe to use at the venue
- Using it to uplift your mood during dull or low-energy days
Potential Side Effects: Dry mouth, dry eyes, potential anxiety, paranoia
Check out these products with the Sour Diesel strain
SOUR DIESEL | COLD PRESSED LIVE ROSIN | TERP DISPOSABLE | 1G
Sativa • THC 87.50%
Ready to Experience One of the Best Sativa Strains?
If you’re looking for a stress-busting time that enhances your mood and creativity, Sour Diesel is the perfect strain that you can’t go wrong with.
2. Durban Poison
Durban Poison is among the best-known and Sativa strains in the world. It hails from the port city of Durban in South Africa, and is a cross between Big Island Poison, Cherry Pie, and Durban Relief. It’s a pure Sativa strain with THC contents ranging from 15-25%.
How the Durban Poison strain tastes: Sweet earth and a bit of pine
How the Durban Poison strain smells: Similar to its taste. Earthy-sweet with some pine but has a spicy overtone
Effects of consuming the Durban Poison strain:
- A clear and motivating high is a common effect of Durban Poison
- Popular for its energizing effects like enhancing focus and creativity without sedation
Here’s when you should ideally consume Durban Poison:
- For when you want an early-morning energy boost
- To consume before creative or artistic tasks
- For outdoor activities such as sports or hiking
- For social activities during the day
Potential Side Effects: Dry mouth, dry eyes, dizziness, paranoia
Check out these products with the Durban Poison strain
3. Strawberry Cough
Strawberry Cough is a Sativa-dominant strain with 80% Sativa and 20% Indica, and its lineage leads to Haze and Strawberry Fields. Despite its name, Strawberry Cough buds are bright green in color with red-orange hairs and frosty trichomes. With 16-23% THC levels, it’s a potent strain with euphoric and uplifting effects.
How the Strawberry Cough strain tastes: This time, like the name suggests, it’s sweet like a strawberry, but with a spicy exhale
How the Strawberry Cough strain smells: Sweet berry, floral, and earthy
Effects of consuming the Strawberry Cough strain:
- Strawberry Cough’s effects strike the perfect blend of being effective without being harsh or overwhelming
- This strain helps reduce mental stress while promoting conversation and laughter
Here’s when you should ideally consume Strawberry Cough:
- When you want relief from stress during the day
- When you want a boost in your creativity and to improve your mood
- When you want an energetic boost for light exercises or chores
Potential Side Effects: Dry mouth, dry eyes, cough (from smoking), paranoia
Check out these products with the Strawberry Cough strain
4. Jack Herer
When you cross powerhouse strains like Northern Lights #5 with Shiva Skunk and then breed it with Haze, you get Jack Herer, also known as The Jack or JH. It’s a sativa-dominant hybrid named after the famous cannabis activist of the same name, and contains about 15-24% THC content.
How the Jack Herer strain tastes: Add lemon to a spicy, pine-like taste, and you’ll get its flavor profile
How the Jack Herer strain smells: Smells like Pine-sol and lemon, with some earthy herbal notes
Effects of consuming the Jack Herer strain:
- Jack Herer is popular for its energetic effects
- It also brings a clear and creative high
Here’s when you should ideally consume Jack Herer:
- Several people note its ability to help tackle depression
- For an increase in focus and creativity during daytime socializing
- For creative work, brainstorming, or studying
Potential Side Effects: Dry eyes, anxiety, paranoia
Check out these products with the Jack Herer strain
5. Green Crack
Don’t get fooled by its name, Green Crack is the perfect strain for intense focus required while working on something creative. It’s popular for providing invigorating bursts of energy even for veteran cannabis users, and contains 15-24% THC.
How the Green Crack strain tastes: A mix of sweet mango and some tangy citrus
How the Green Crack strain smells: Like a tropical fruit and citrus with a bit of skunk
Effects of consuming the Green Crack strain:
- Similar to Jack Herer, Green Crack provides some relief from depression
- Green Crack also works as a motivation booster and acts quickly after consumption
Here’s when you should ideally consume Green Crack:
- Works as a supplement before exercise or physical activities
- As a morning or afternoon pick-me-up
- For creative projects demanding full focus
Potential Side Effects: Dry mouth, dry eyes, paranoia, anxiety
Check out these products with the Green Crack strain
6. Super Silver Haze
Super Silver Haze, aka SSH, is a classic Sativa strain resulting from Skunk #1, Northern Lights #5, and Haze. This light green and orange-haired bud contains around 18-23% THC and is revered for its calm and creativity-enhancing cerebral effects. The Super Silver Haze even won first place in the High Times Cannabis Cup 3 years in a row in 1997, 1998, and 1999.
How the Super Silver Haze strain tastes: Like spicy herbs with sour lemon notes
How the Super Silver Haze strain smells: It’s got a skunky aroma with some sweetness and a little bit of citrus
Effects of consuming the Super Silver Haze strain:
- Super Silver Haze provides a long-lasting high with clear focus and an uptick in energy
- It also uplifts your mood and makes you feel happy
Here’s when you should ideally consume Super Silver Haze:
- For wake-and-bake (consuming marijuana first thing in the morning after waking up)
- When you want to feel energetic throughout the day or for outdoor activities
- For long work or study sessions where focus is important
- For relief against headache or migraine
Potential Side Effects: Dry mouth, dry eyes, dizziness
Check out these products with the Super Silver Haze strain
7. Super Lemon Haze
If you take the aforementioned Super Silver Haze and mix it with Lemon Skunk, you get the Super Lemon Haze, another fellow Cannabis Cup winner for 2008 and 2009. It combines both its parents’ physical and cerebral effects and delivers cheerful effects suitable for a sociable experience. The THC levels are around 18-25%.
How the Super Lemon Haze strain tastes: A zingy lemon-flavored candy
How the Super Lemon Haze strain smells: Lemon and lime with some sweet candy
Effects of consuming the Super Lemon Haze strain:
- Super Lemon Haze provides a buzzing head high upon consumption
- Additionally, it brings energy, euphoria, and creativity
Here’s when you should ideally consume Super Lemon Haze:
- When you want to enhance your creativity before engaging in creative brainstorming
- For increasing focus during gaming sessions
- For social gatherings
Potential Side Effects: Cotton mouth, dry eyes, paranoia
Check out these products with the Lemon Haze strain
8. Ghost Train Haze
Ghost Train Haze is one of the most potent Sativa strains on this list, with THC contents ranging from 22-28%. You can easily recognize these buds as they are sticky and covered in trichomes. With a name like Ghost Train Haze, this 80% sativa strain’s lineage is surprisingly a cross of Ghost OG and Neville’s Wreck.
How the Ghost Train Haze strain tastes: Sweet lemon-citrus with woody flavors like pine
How the Ghost Train Haze strain smells: Tangy sour citrus with pine and floral notes
Effects of consuming the Ghost Train Haze strain:
- With its very high THC content, Ghost Train Haze is not for beginners and delivers a heavy mental buzz
- It provides intense energy, creativity, and euphoria
Here’s when you should ideally consume Ghost Train Haze:
- For creative inspiration and out-of-the-box thinking
- When you want a euphoric mood boost
- To enjoy a buzzy evening or night indoors
Potential Side Effects: Can overwhelm beginners and may trigger anxiety or paranoia at high doses
Check out these products with the Ghost Train Haze strain
9. Maui Wowie
Maui Wowie (aka Maui Waui) is a classic Hawaiian landrace sativa with tropical-looking and frosty buds. With 15–20% THC, Maui Wowie is not the most potent, but it has remained a popular strain for decades thanks to its upbeat vibe and a pleasing flavor.
How the Maui Wowie strain tastes: Juicy tropical fruits like pineapple, with some citrus
How the Maui Wowie strain smells: Sweet ripe pineapple and tropical fruit
Effects of consuming the Maui Wowie strain:
- The Maui Wowie strain offers a cheerful high that goes well with “sunny day” vibes
- Maui Wowie also makes you feel happy, energized, and creative
Here’s when you should ideally consume Maui Wowie:
- Outdoor use during the day (at the beach or hiking)
- Used before engaging in sports activities or exercise
- When creating music or other artistic endeavors
- During social gatherings, provided it’s safe to use there
Potential Side Effects: Drowsiness, upset stomach, dry mouth, red eyes, and headache
Check out these products with the Maui Wowie strain
10. Sour Tangie
Sour Tangie is an 80% sativa hybrid strain from East Coast Sour Diesel and Tangie. It typically runs about 20% THC, and the buds are olive-green with purple hues. Sour Tangie is a favorite among those seeking bold flavors.
How the Sour Tangie strain tastes: Tangy orange and citrus with sour diesel
How the Sour Tangie strain smells: Intensely sour citrus aroma with skunky fuel undertones
Effects of consuming the Sour Tangie strain:
- Sour Tangie delivers a powerful sensory experience that lifts mood and focus with creativity, then eases into gentle relaxation
- It combines an energetic head buzz with a mild body high
Here’s when you should ideally consume Sour Tangie:
- As a morning or afternoon pick-me-up
- To increase productivity
- For relaxation after work
- To get relief from mild depression or fatigue
Potential Side Effects: Dry mouth, dry eyes, headache, anxiety, paranoia
Check out these products with the Sour Tangie strain
Why Should You Choose Sativa Strains?
Sativa strains deliver uplifting and energizing effects thanks to higher THC levels and stimulating terpenes like limonene, making them ideal for creativity and focus.
Here are the key benefits of choosing sativa strains:
1. Sativa Strains Are Popular for Providing Energizing Effects
Sativa strains deliver an uplifting, energizing high that fights fatigue. These strains often contain high THC levels and stimulating terpenes such as limonene and pinene. Users report increased focus and prolonged energy after consuming sativa varieties. Sativa highs may help combat apathy and boost alertness during busy days.
2. Sativa Strains Enhance Creativity and Mood
Sativa profiles include mood-elevating terpenes like limonene. Many consumers feel more creative and mentally clear when using sativa strains. Reports describe sativa use as inspiring ideas and improving artistic flow. Sativa highs often promote sociability and a positive mindset for group settings. The citrusy scent of limonene also reduces stress and uplifts mood.
3. Sativa Strains Boost Social Engagement
Sativa strains rarely cause heavy sedation or couch-lock effects. Instead, Sativa promotes a head-focused buzz that can help people spark conversation and increase sociability in the group. Hence, many consumers choose sativa strains to feel more talkative and connected during gatherings.
Check out our catalog of sativa weed products for medical as well as recreational use available in our New Jersey dispensary.
Visit Silverleaf for the Top Sativa Strains in New Jersey
Sativa strains offer energizing, uplifting effects that boost creativity, focus, and sociability for daytime use.
Check these 10 sativa strains out at Silverleaf Dispensary in Somerset, New Jersey, and order online for convenient in-store pickup in Somerset, North Brunswick, Franklin, Highland Park, and New Brunswick.
Visit Our Somerset Dispensary Now
Frequently Asked Questions About Sativa Weed Strains
What are sativa cannabis strains?
Sativa strains originate from tall, narrow-leafed cannabis plants. They produce head-focused, energizing effects rather than full-body sedation.
How do sativa strains differ from indica strains?
Indica strains tend to relax muscles and promote drowsiness. Sativas boost mental energy and creativity without heavy sedation.
Are sativa strains suitable for beginners?
Sativa strains can suit beginners seeking energy and creativity, but their higher THC levels may overwhelm new users. We recommend starting with low-THC sativa options in small doses and waiting at least an hour before consuming more.
What THC levels do Sativa strains usually have?
Most Sativa strains test between 15 percent and 26 percent THC, depending on the cultivar and batch.
Are there any pure Sativa strains?
Pure landrace Sativa strains are rare. Crossbreeding has created mostly hybrids with mixed genetics.
How should I store my Sativa cannabis?
Store Sativa flowers in an airtight glass container, away from light, at cool temperatures. Maintain 59-63% relative humidity with humidity packs to keep them fresh for longer.
How can I purchase these strains at Silverleaf?
You can head to our dispensary or order online and pick up your Sativa strain at our Somerset, New Jersey location.
Who can legally buy recreational cannabis in New Jersey?
Adults aged 21 and older may purchase and possess up to six ounces of cannabis products under New Jersey law.
