Las Vegas Lemon Skunk: The Citrus Matriarch
Las Vegas Lemon Skunk: The Citrus Matriarch
Strain Overview
Type: Sativa-Dominant Hybrid (60% Sativa / 40% Indica)
Breeder: Clone-Only Origin (Popularized in seed form by DNA Genetics)
Lineage: Skunk #1 (Selected Phenotype) x Skunk #1 (Crossed back for stability)
Market Status: The "Mother of Legends"; while famous in its own right as a top-tier Sativa hybrid, the Las Vegas Lemon Skunk is best known as the mother of Super Lemon Haze. It is the specific clone that gave the 2-time Cannabis Cup winner its electric lemon zest flavor. It represents the bridge between old-school Skunk funk and modern citrus terpenes.
THC Content: 18% – 22% (Energetic & Functional)
Dominant Terpenes: Limonene, Caryophyllene, Myrcene, Terpinolene
Key Effects: Electric Energy, Mood Elevation, "Zippy" Euphoria, Creative Focus
Before the world fell in love with Super Lemon Haze, there was the Las Vegas Lemon Skunk.
This strain is a piece of living history. Originating as a specific, tightly held clone in Las Vegas, Nevada, this cut became famous for smelling less like a skunk and more like a crate of lemons crushed under a tire. It caught the attention of the breeders at DNA Genetics, who obtained the cut and used it to revolutionize the market.
It is a strain that proves "Lemon" doesn't have to mean "furniture polish." It offers a complex, zesty, and funky profile that wakes up the brain and energizes the body. It is the matriarch of the modern citrus movement.
History and Lineage: The Vegas Connection
The story of this strain is one of migration and breeding mastery.
The Origin: The "Las Vegas Cut" was a unique phenotype of Skunk #1 kept alive by growers in Nevada for over 20 years. It was selected for its abnormal amount of Limonene and high yield.
The DNA Genetics Era: DNA Genetics obtained this female clone and crossed it with a male Skunk #1 (from Holland) to create the commercial Lemon Skunk seeds.
The Legacy: The Las Vegas Lemon Skunk clone was later gifted to Green House Seeds, who pollinated it with Super Silver Haze to create Super Lemon Haze. Every time you smoke SLH, you are tasting the genetics of this Vegas cut.
Terpene Profile: Zest and Funk
Unlike modern "Lemon Cherry Gelato" strains that smell like candy, Las Vegas Lemon Skunk smells like fruit and earth. It has a sharp, acidic bite.
Dominant Terpenes
Limonene (The Zest): The levels here are off the charts. It smells exactly like freshly zested lemon peel—bitter, oily, and bright.
Caryophyllene (The Skunk): This terpene provides the funky, spicy backbone. It ensures the strain smells like high-grade cannabis, not just fruit.
Terpinolene (The Haze): Adds a subtle floral, herbal note that contributes to the "zippy" sativa effect.
Flavor Notes:
The Aroma: It is piercing. It smells of sour lemons, skunk spray, and damp earth.
The Smoke: Thick and expanding. It tastes of lemonheads candy, citrus rind, and spicy pepper. The aftertaste is distinctly sour.
Strain Effects: The Electric Slide
Las Vegas Lemon Skunk is a "Daytime Only" strain for most people. It is vibrant and awake.
The Experience
The Spark: The high hits immediately with a jolt of energy. It feels like a double-shot of espresso for the brain.
The Mood: It is impossibly happy. It acts as an instant antidepressant, replacing fatigue with a buzzy, smiling euphoria.
The Body: While Sativa-dominant, the Skunk genetics provide a mild body buzz that keeps you grounded. You feel light on your feet but not jittery.
The Creativity: It is excellent for artistic endeavors, cleaning the house, or socializing. It makes you want to do things.
Best For: Wake-and-bake, depression, fatigue, social parties, and creative work.
Growing Las Vegas Lemon Skunk: The Stretchy Lady
This is an old-school Sativa hybrid, and it grows like one. It demands space and light.
Growth Structure
The Height: It stretches significantly. When flipped to flower, it can easily double or triple in height. Indoor growers must use topping or LST (Low Stress Training) to manage the canopy.
The Yield: High. It produces long, running colas with a high calyx-to-leaf ratio.
The Speed: It finishes in 8 to 9 weeks—surprisingly fast for a Sativa-dominant plant (thanks to the Skunk heritage).
The Needs: It is a hungry plant. It loves high levels of nutrients and intense light.
The Support: The branches can get long and lanky. Use a trellis net (SCROG) to support the buds and maximize yield.
Grower’s Tip: The "Lemon" aroma is volatile. To preserve that zesty top note, keep your harvest temperatures cool (below 75°F) and dry slowly. If you dry it too fast or too hot, the lemon will fade, and you'll be left with just a generic Skunk smell.
Final Verdict: The Citrus Queen
Las Vegas Lemon Skunk is a Hall of Fame strain. It is the reason we have the high-quality citrus hybrids we enjoy today. It offers a pure, sharp lemon flavor that cuts through the noise of modern dessert strains, backed by a high that is energetic, functional, and joyful. If you want to know where Super Lemon Haze got its magic, you have to go back to the source.
You should choose Las Vegas Lemon Skunk if:
You want Authentic Lemon/Skunk flavor.
You need an energetic, happy daytime high.
You are a fan of Super Lemon Haze.
You want a high-yielding Sativa hybrid.
Score: 9.4/10 (The Mother of Citrus)