Mango Haze: The Tropical Cerebral Classic
Mango Haze: The Tropical Cerebral Classic
Strain Overview
Type: Sativa-Dominant Hybrid (80% Sativa / 20% Indica)
Breeder: Mr. Nice Seedbank (Shantibaba)
Lineage: Northern Lights #5 x Skunk #1 x Haze
Market Status: A "Connoisseur's Choice"; the more flavorful, fruit-forward sibling of Super Silver Haze.
THC Content: 17% – 22% (Moderate to High)
Dominant Terpenes: Myrcene, Pinene, Caryophyllene
Key Effects: Euphoric Uplift, Creative Energy, Clear-Headedness, "Sunny" Mood
If Super Silver Haze is the rockstar of the Haze family, Mango Haze is the poet.
Bred by the legendary Shantibaba at Mr. Nice Seedbank, Mango Haze shares the same genetic pedigree as Super Silver Haze (SSH), but it was selected for a completely different purpose. While SSH was bred for commercial yield and raw power, Mango Haze was bred for flavor.
It is widely regarded as one of the best tasting Sativas ever created. It delivers the soaring, electric high of a classic Haze but smooths out the edges with a distinct, ripe-fruit sweetness that makes it a joy to smoke. It is a strain for those who appreciate the finer details of cannabis—the complex terpenes, the smooth smoke, and the clear, manageable high.
History and Lineage: The Holy Trinity
To understand Mango Haze, you have to understand the "Holy Trinity" of modern cannabis breeding: Northern Lights #5, Skunk #1, and Haze.
The Experiment: In the 1990s, Shantibaba and Neville Schoenmakers were working with these three legendary lines. This combination produced three of the most famous strains in history: Super Silver Haze, Neville’s Haze, and Mango Haze.
The Selection: While Super Silver Haze was selected for its massive production and "silver" resin appearance, Mango Haze was isolated because of a specific phenotype that smelled overwhelmingly of ripe tropical fruit.
The Result: A plant that retains the vigorous growth and psychedelic potential of the Haze father, but anchored by the resin and sweetness of the NL#5/Skunk mother. It is often cited as the genetic mother of modern favorites like Mango Smile.
Terpene Profile: Fermented Fruit and Spice
This strain is named "Mango" for a reason. The terpene profile is dominated by Myrcene, but in a Sativa context, it translates to fruit rather than sedation.
Dominant Terpenes
Myrcene (The Fruit): The star of the show. It provides a heavy, sweet aroma reminiscent of overripe, almost fermented mangoes.
Pinene (The Haze): A sharp, piney top note that cuts through the sweetness and signals the Haze lineage.
Caryophyllene (The Pepper): Adds a spicy, woody kick on the exhale that balances the sugary fruit notes.
Flavor Notes:
The Aroma: It is complex and evolving. Fresh, it smells of sweet mangoes and tropical punch. As it cures, deeper notes of spicy incense, earth, and black pepper emerge.
The Smoke: Silky smooth. It tastes of sweet fruit, sandalwood, and hazy spice. It is a "clean" smoke that leaves a pleasant, sugary aftertaste.
Strain Effects: The Clear-Headed Sunshine
Mango Haze is cherished because it provides a powerful Sativa high without the anxiety or "heart-racing" panic often associated with pure Haze strains.
The Experience
The Rise: The high creeps up gently rather than hitting like a hammer. You feel a lifting of the spirits and a sharpening of the senses.
The Clarity: This is a "functional" psychedelic. Colors look brighter and music sounds better, but you remain lucid and capable of conversation or work.
The Warmth: Unlike the cold, clinical focus of some Sativas, Mango Haze feels "warm." It induces a sense of well-being and contentment.
The Longevity: The effects are long-lasting, often staying with you for 3 to 4 hours, fading gently without a crash.
Best For: Creative endeavors (writing, painting), outdoor activities, socializing, and treating depression or fatigue.
Growing Mango Haze: The Test of Patience
This is not a beginner's strain. It is a true Sativa that demands time, space, and attention.
Growth Structure
The Height: It grows tall and lanky. Indoors, it can easily hit the roof if not trained. It requires topping and LST (Low Stress Training) to control its vertical stretch.
The Flowering Time: This is the deal-breaker for impatient growers. It takes 9 to 11 weeks (sometimes 12) to finish flowering. You cannot rush it; the mango terpenes only fully develop in the final weeks.
The Yield: Moderate to High. It produces long, fox-tailing colas. While not as heavy as Super Silver Haze, the quality is superior.
The Resistance: Thanks to its open structure, it is highly resistant to mold and moisture, making it a good choice for greenhouse growing in humid climates.
Grower’s Tip: Do not overfeed this plant. Like most Haze varieties, it is sensitive to high nutrient levels (EC). Treat it gently, and flush it well to ensure that delicate fruit flavor is not masked by chemical salts.
Final Verdict: The Connoisseur's Haze
Mango Haze is a strain for the patient gardener and the refined smoker. It asks a lot of the grower—11 weeks of flowering and significant height management—but it gives back tenfold in quality. It offers a rare combination of flavors: the sweetness of an Indica with the electric buzz of a Sativa. If you are tired of the "commercial" high of quick-finish hybrids and want to experience a true old-school legend, Mango Haze is essential.
You should choose Mango Haze if:
You are a flavor chaser (Elite terpene profile).
You want a clear, uplifting, and happy high.
You have patience (10+ weeks flowering).
You appreciate classic 90s genetics (Mr. Nice lineage).
Score: 9.5/10 (The Flavorful Legend)