Strawberry Lemonade: The Summer Sativa
Strawberry Lemonade: The Summer Sativa
Strain Overview
Type: Sativa-Dominant Hybrid (60% Sativa / 40% Indica)
Breeder: Barney’s Farm
Lineage: Strawberry x Lemon OG
Market Status: The "Daytime Delight"; Strawberry Lemonade is one of the most celebrated releases from Barney’s Farm in recent years. It burst onto the scene by winning 1st Place Best Sativa at the High Times Cannabis Cup (2018), cementing its status as a top-tier modern hybrid. It was bred to be the ultimate mood-enhancer, combining the sugary berry notes of the Strawberry lineage with the sharp, fizzy citrus punch of a Lemon OG. It is widely regarded as one of the best-tasting Sativas on the market.
THC Content: 20% – 24% (Energetic & Potent)
Dominant Terpenes: Limonene, Myrcene, Caryophyllene, Pinene
Key Effects: Energetic Uplift, Creative Focus, Mental Clarity, Pain Relief
Most fruity strains are heavy Indicas that put you to sleep. Strawberry Lemonade does the opposite: it wakes you up.
This strain is a sensory experience that lives up to its name. Barney’s Farm successfully captured the essence of a cold, fizzy summer drink in plant form. It offers a terpene profile that is unmistakably sweet and tart, paired with a high that is buzzing with mental energy. It is the perfect strain for getting things done while enjoying every breath.
History and Lineage: The Sweet and The Sour
This strain is a calculated collision of two distinct flavor profiles.
The Mother (Strawberry): A phenotype likely derived from Strawberry Cough or a similar berry-heavy Sativa. It provides the sugary, fruit-jam sweetness and the cerebral, happy high.
The Father (Lemon OG): A potent mix of Las Vegas Lemon Skunk x The OG #18. This parent adds the sharp citrus bite, the structural density, and the potency backbone that prevents the strain from being "lightweight."
The Synthesis: The result is a plant that hits the perfect sweet spot. The Lemon OG cuts the cloying sweetness of the Strawberry, creating a complex "Lemonade" terpene profile that tingles the nose.
Terpene Profile: Fizz and Berries
The aroma is so distinct that it can often be identified blind. It smells "carbonated."
Dominant Terpenes
Limonene (The Citrus): The dominant force. It provides the sharp lemon zest and tangerine aroma that gives the strain its "Lemonade" character.
Myrcene (The Berry): Adds a layer of ripe strawberry and cherry sweetness that sits underneath the citrus.
Pinene (The Freshness): Contributes a fresh pine and herbal note, likely making the fruit smell crisp rather than rotting.
Flavor Notes:
The Aroma: It is incredibly loud. It smells of sour lemon candies, fresh strawberries, and fizzy soda.
The Smoke: Crisp and refreshing. It tastes of sugary lemonade, berry jam, and a hint of earthy skunk. It leaves a sweet, fruity coating on the tongue.
Strain Effects: The Creative Spark
Strawberry Lemonade is a functional Sativa. It energizes the mind without inducing the paranoia or anxiety of a pure Haze.
The Experience
The Fizz: The high hits the head instantly with a tingling sensation. You feel awake, alert, and wide-eyed.
The Flow: A wave of creative energy washes over you. It is excellent for painting, writing, or brainstorming.
The Body: Unlike pure landrace Sativas, the OG genetics provide a mild physical relaxation that keeps you grounded. You are energetic, but not jittery.
The Relief: It is surprisingly effective for mild pain and headaches, likely due to the Limonene content.
Best For: Daytime productivity, outdoor activities (hiking/beach), artistic hobbies, and treating fatigue or depression.
Growing Strawberry Lemonade: The Vigorous Sativa
While it smokes like a treat, it grows like a beast. This is a vigorous plant that needs space.
Growth Structure
The Size: It grows Tall. It has strong Sativa genetics and loves to stretch. Indoors, you must top it or use LST (Low Stress Training) to control the height.
The Yield: Very High. This is a commercial winner. It produces long, spear-shaped colas that run the length of the branches.
The Resistance: It is highly resistant to mold and mildews, making it an excellent choice for outdoor growers in humid climates.
The Time: It finishes flowering in 9 to 10 weeks (60–70 days).
The Difficulty: It is considered Easy to Moderate. It is resilient, but its height and nutrient hunger require some management.
Grower’s Tip: This strain is a "branch-snapper." The colas get very heavy relative to the Sativa stems. Use a trellis net or bamboo stakes early, or the side branches will collapse under the weight of the "Lemonade" buds.
Final Verdict: The Refreshing Winner
Strawberry Lemonade is a modern classic for a reason. It delivers exactly what the name promises: a delicious, refreshing flavor profile backed by a high that makes you feel good to be alive. It won the Cannabis Cup because it managed to package a high-energy Sativa effect into a plant that yields heavily and resists mold. If you are looking for the perfect daytime smoke to keep you smiling through a busy schedule, pour yourself a glass.
You should choose Strawberry Lemonade if:
You love Fruity/Citrus flavors.
You want Daytime Energy/Creativity.
You have High Ceilings (Tall grower).
You need Mold Resistance.
Score: 9.6/10 (The Cup Winner)