Zkittlez Auto: The Candy Shop Sensation
Zkittlez Auto: The Candy Shop Sensation
Strain Overview
Type: Indica-Dominant Autoflower (70% Indica / 30% Sativa)
Breeder: FastBuds / Seedsman / Barney's Farm (FastBuds version is the market leader)
Market Status: The flavor king; arguably the most popular "dessert strain" autoflower on the market.
THC Content: 20% – 23% (High)
Dominant Terpenes: Caryophyllene, Humulene, Linalool, Limonene
Key Effects: Happy Calm, Social Relaxation, Body Buzz, Stress Relief
In 2015, a strain appeared that changed the cannabis industry forever. It didn't smell like skunk, fuel, or earth. It smelled like a bag of sugary, fruity candy. That strain was Zkittlez.
For years, Zkittlez was a "clone-only" elite cut, hoarded by growers in California. Zkittlez Auto democratized that flavor. By crossing the original genetics with a high-performance Ruderalis, breeders (most notably FastBuds) unlocked the ability for home growers to harvest this legendary terpene profile in just 9-10 weeks.
Zkittlez Auto is not just about getting high; it is about the experience of smoking. It is widely regarded as one of the best-tasting autoflowers ever created, offering a complex, multi-layered fruit profile that genuinely lives up to the slogan: "Taste the Rainbow."
History and Lineage: The Fruit Fusion
Zkittlez is the result of a clash between two very different flavor profiles.
The Indica (Grape Ape): A heavy, purple Indica known for its deep, artificial grape soda flavor and relaxing stone.
The Sativa (Grapefruit): An energetic strain with a sharp, acidic, citrus zest profile.
The Magic: When these two crossed, the deep grape and the sharp citrus combined to create a "tropical berry candy" profile that was unlike anything else.
The Auto: The autoflowering version was bred to retain this specific terpene ratio while adding vigor and mold resistance. The result is a stout, hardy plant that produces "football-sized" colas dripping with sugar.
Terpene Profile: Taste the Rainbow
This is the primary reason to grow Zkittlez Auto. The terpene profile is loud, sweet, and distinct.
Dominant Terpenes
Caryophyllene (The Spice): Surprisingly, the dominant terpene is often spicy, which provides a base that allows the sweeter notes to pop.
Linalool (The Floral): Adds a candy-like sweetness and floral complexity, often associated with lavender and sweets.
Limonene (The Citrus): Provides the bright, fruity top notes.
Humulene (The Hops): Adds an earthy undertone that prevents the sweetness from being cloying.
Flavor Notes:
The Aroma: It is incredibly sweet. It smells of ripe berries, grape candy, and tropical fruit punch. It has very little "weed" smell; it smells more like a confectionery.
The Smoke: Smooth and sugary. It tastes distinctly of sweet tarts, chocolate, and berries. The aftertaste is long-lasting and fruity.
Strain Effects: The Happy Indica
Zkittlez Auto is an Indica, but it isn't a "coma" strain. It offers a balanced, happy experience.
The Experience
The Smile: The high starts in the head. It is euphoric and mood-lifting. It is almost impossible to be angry after smoking this.
The Calm: After the initial rush, a wave of relaxation spreads through the body. It isn't a heavy, lead-blanket feeling; it is more of a "floating" sensation.
The Social: Because it isn't overly sedative (in moderation), it is a great social strain. It relaxes inhibitions and encourages conversation.
The Crash: It ends gently, usually leading to a peaceful sleep or a desire to raid the fridge.
Best For: Social gatherings, watching movies, treating anxiety, and stimulating appetite.
Growing Zkittlez Auto: The Fat Cola
This strain is famous for its structure. It is a producer.
Growth Structure
The Shape: It grows typically Indica—short, stout, and wide. It rarely exceeds 100cm (3 feet).
The Buds: It produces a massive, singular main cola that can get as big as a an American football / rugby ball if treated right. The side branches also stack heavily.
The Nutrients: Zkittlez Auto is a hungry plant. It craves Cal-Mag and extra Nitrogen during the vegetative stage. Do not starve it.
The Smell: It is loud during flower. You will need a carbon filter, or your house will smell like a fruit processing plant.
The Cycle: It is relatively fast, usually finishing in 9 weeks.
Grower’s Tip: Because the main cola gets so fat and dense, mold is a real risk in the final week. Ensure you have high airflow directly on the main bud, and keep humidity below 45% in late flower.
Final Verdict: The Flavor Chaser's Choice
Zkittlez Auto is a hall-of-fame autoflower. It successfully translated one of the most exclusive and hype-driven flavor profiles in history into an easy-to-grow, fast-finishing format. It doesn't have the knockout power of a Gorilla Glue or the racy energy of a Haze, but it doesn't try to. It tries to be the best-tasting weed in your jar, and it succeeds. If you prioritize flavor and terpenes over raw THC numbers, this is the strain to grow.
You should choose Zkittlez Auto if:
You are a "Flavor Chaser" (Terpenes > THC).
You love sweet, fruity, candy profiles.
You want a happy, social Indica high.
You want a plant with a massive main cola.
Score: 9.7/10 (The Flavor King)