Pineapple Express Strain Review (& Grow Guide)

Pineapple Express is one of the most popular strains on the market today.

In this article, we discuss topics like where the strain originates, its characteristics, and give some details on how to grow this excellent strain.

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What Is Pineapple Express?

Pineapple Express is a Sativa-dominant strain of cannabis that shares its name with a popular comedy movie from 2008.

The movie came before this strain in the United States. It is also the name of a weather system.

What Does Pineapple Express Mean?

Pineapple Express has three meanings.

First, it’s the name of a Sativa-dominant strain of cannabis.

Second, it’s a popular comedy movie from 2008 starring famous actors James Franco and Seth Rogan.

And third, Pineapple Express is a Hawaiian weather system that occasionally impacts the Pacific Northwest, which is where Franco and Rogan are from.

When Was Pineapple Express Strain Created?

Pineapple Express was created around the year 2003. This strain was popular in Europe about five years before the creators of the 2008 comedy movie used its same name.

Where Does Pineapple Express Come From?

Pineapple Express has a solid lineage of a landrace Hawaiin and trainwreck, which explains why it’s a solid strain. Pineapple Express is said to have originated from the United-Kingdom cannabis breeders G13 Labs.

What Strain Is Pineapple Express?

Pineapple Express is a Sativa-dominant hybrid that is a 60/ 40 cross. Its parents are a landrace Hawaiin variety and the classic Trainwreck strain.

How Much THC Is In Pineapple Express?

Pineapple Express is one of the most potent cannabis strains on the market today.

Depending on where it was grown, Pineapple Express can have anywhere from 20 – 28% THC.

How Much CBD Is In Pineapple Express?

Pineapple Express is a strain that is very low in CBD content, usually containing less than 1%.

However, most Pineapple Express flower sold in dispensaries does contain 1-3% CBN, which is another cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant.

What Are The Effects Of Pineapple Express?

Thanks to its Sativa dominance, most consumers report that the effects of Pineapple Express are upbeat, creative, and talkative.

While most of the effects of Pineapple Express are felt cerebrally, there can be a noticeable and enjoyable body high as well.

What Terpenes Are In Pineapple Express?

Thanks to its abundance of terpene limonene, Pineapple Express has a noticeable flavor and aroma of pineapple and tropical citrus.

This strain also has higher than average levels of the terpenes pinene and caryophyllene, which give consumers hints of apple and earthy pine on the tongue.

Is Pineapple Express Strong?

Yes, Pineapple Express is one of the stronger, more potent strains available today.

Pineapple Express flower can contain a THC content of sometimes 25% or more, depending on the grower as well as the dispensary you purchase it from.

Is Pineapple Express Top Shelf?

Yes, most consumers would tell you that Pineapple Express is indeed top shelf.

There are few, if any, Hollywood films that are named after a strain of cannabis – so Pineapple Express is a premium herb when it’s grown right.

Is Pineapple Express Indica Or Sativa?

Pineapple Express is a Sativa-dominant hybrid.

Most of the Pineapple Express buds you’ll see being sold on shelves of dispensaries contain a cross of 60/40% Sativa and Indica.

Is Pineapple Express Exotic?

Despite its exotic-sounding name, Pineapple Express is not a very rare or hard-to-find strain.

In fact, thanks to the 2008 Hollywood comedy movie the strain is named after, you will likely have little to no trouble finding Pineapple Express on most dispensary shelves.

Is Pineapple Express Hard To Grow?

Pineapple Express isn’t the hardest strain to grow successfully, but it can be a little tricky.

However, as long as you grow Pineapple Express indoors and utilize quality silicone supplements, you should be able to harvest this strain successfully.

It does require lower than average amounts of attention when it comes to pH levels and lighting.

Can You Grow Pineapple Express Outside?

Yes, you can grow Pineapple Express outdoors, but it is recommended that you grow indoors.

Most growers who have experience cultivating this strain confirm that it performs its best in climates that are in the range of 20-29°C.

Outdoors, Pineapple Express can be susceptible to moderate to high winds.

Is Pineapple Express An Autoflower?

Yes, plants from the Pineapple Express strain typically produce many seeds that are auto-flowering.

This is due in large part to how big the plants tend to get, being some of the largest in the legal cannabis world.

How Does Pineapple Express Compare To Other Strains?

Let’s take a look at how Pineapple Express compares to some other popular strains...

Pineapple Express vs. Blue Dream

Both Pineapple Express and Blue Dream are sativa strains.

Their tastes are also similar, owing to their fruity characteristics; Blue Dream smells like blueberries and has a sweet taste.

Pineapple Express has some notes of apple and tangerine mixed in as well, so it makes for an ultra fruity and juicy strain.

A 25% THC level on the high end means that even experienced users will probably enjoy the body buzz with the Pineapple Express; Blue dream has a lower THC of 18%.

Both of these have an extremely low CBD concentration. Blue dream is a relatively more straightforward strain to grow than Pineapple Express, challenging Sativa genetics.

However, both strains produce high yields of up to 20-22 ounces per plant if grown outdoors.

Check out my full Blue Dream Strain Review (& Grow Guide)

Pineapple Express vs. Sour Diesel

Pineapple Express strain, the basis of the famous 2008 movie, and Sour Diesel are similar in their makeup but very different in their taste.

Like Sour Diesel, Pineapple Express is a slightly sativa-leaning hybrid that crosses the Hawaiian and Trainwreck strains.

Sour Diesel is Sativa dominant with a 70:30 ratio.

They contain the same levels of THC, around 21%.

Both strains are known for their cerebral effects that make you feel more energetic, with a couch-lock on the afterburn.

Due to its infamous reputation, Sour Diesel also has a more pungent chemical smell than Pineapple Express.

Whereas Pineapple Express is sweet with some notes of apple and tangerine mixed in, it makes for an ultra fruity and juicy strain.

Sour Diesel has a solid chemical gasoline-like smell and an intense, citrusy aftertaste on the exhale.

Pineapple Express is a high-yielding strain, In terms of growing, both strains are relatively hard to grow, but Pineapple Express offers slightly lower yields (18 ounces per plant) than Sour Diesel’s 25 ounces.

Check out my full Sour Diesel Strain Review 2021 (+ Grow Guide)

Pineapple Express vs. OG Kush

The Pineapple Express strain and OG Kush are very well-loved and well-known strains, but they are very different in their properties.

Pineapple Express is a slightly sativa-leaning hybrid, While OG Kush is an Indica dominant hybrid.

Both strains have similar THC levels with an average of 17% and as high as 28% in some plants.

Pineapple Express is highly flavourful, with hints of apple and tangerine mixed in, making for an ultra fruity and juicy strain.

In terms of taste and aroma, OG Kush is more pungent and has an earthy flavor.

Pineapple Express is a high-yielding strain, with successful indoor grows typically promising around 18 ounces per square meter, and outdoor grows at around 19 ounces per plant.

Comparatively, OG Kush is less resistant to mold, challenging to grow, and produces moderate yields of up to 16 ounces.

Pineapple Express vs. Gelato

Pineapple Express and Gelato are highly beloved strains, pretty with exceptional reputations and flavors.

While Pineapple Express is a Sativa-dominant hybrid, with a ratio of 60:40, Gelato is a perfect hybrid strain with an even ratio of 50:50.

They both also contain almost the same THC levels (17-21%). Pineapple Express has some notes of apple and tangerine mixed in as well, so it makes for a fruity and juicy flavor.

Gelato has a much sweeter, berry aroma and creamy aftertaste. Both strains are known for their intense, uplifting effects that are perfect for relieving stress, anxiety, and depression.

Pineapple Express is a high-yielding strain, with successful indoor grows typically promising around 18 ounces per square meter, and outdoor grows at around 19 ounces per plant.

Gelato is slightly easier to grow than Chemdawg since it is resistant to mold and pests.

It can reach heights of up to 3 meters but produces lower yields (ounces per plant) than Pineapple ExpressChemdawg.

Check out my full Gelato Strain Review (& Grow Guide)

Pineapple Express vs. Super Lemon Haze

Super Lemon Haze (SLH) is a Sativa-dominant hybrid that crosses a Lemon Skunk with Super Silver Haze.

Pineapple Express strain is also a slightly sativa-leaning hybrid, resulting from crossing the Hawaiian and Trainwreck strains.

The main difference is smell and taste because Super Lemon Haze gets most of its attributes from its other parent, Lemon Skunk, as it has a potent citrus flavor, with hints of earthy, spice, and a sweet exhale.

Compared to some notes of apple and tangerine mixed in, it makes for an ultra fruity and juicy strain.

Pineapple Express vs. Mauie Wowie

Maui Wowie, also known as Maui Waui, is a sativa dominant strain similar to Pineapple express both in its reputation and taste.

As both originate from Hawaii, they both have the famous pineapple flavor, well known in the islands.

In addition, both of them have very similar THC levels, around 18-24%.

Both strains take 8-9 weeks to flower and thrive better indoors.

They also produce similar yields of up to 17-19 ounces per square meter.

Pineapple Express vs. Wedding Cake

Do-Si-Dos and Pineapple Express are slightly different in their makeup.

While both are hybrids, Do-Si-Dos is an indica dominant hybrid (70% indica/30% sativa).

Pineapple Express strain is a sativa-dominant hybrid resulting from the crossing of the Hawaiian and Trainwreck strains.

However, their flavors are better comparable.

Do-Si-Do has a sweeter cookie flavor with a minty aroma, while Pineapple Express also has a sweet taste and a fruity aroma, with hints of apple and tangerine.

The THC levels for Pineapple Express hit above 24%; in this case, Do-Si-wins; however, it’s easy to overdo it with its super powerful 28-30% THC level.

Both strains produce yields of up t0 20 ounces per plant on average.

Check out my full Wedding Cake Strain Review (& Grow Info)

Pineapple Express vs. Durban Poison

Durban poison is purely South African Sativa, While Pineapple Express strain is a slightly sativa-leaning hybrid, resulting from crossing the Hawaiian and Trainwreck strains.

Durban Poison comes in with a higher THC level (around 26%).

Durban Poison is known for its powerful, cerebral high. Both strains help anxiety, stress, and pain. Durban poison has a powerful licorice-type aroma, and it stays sweet as you exhale.

Pineapple Express has a similar taste with some notes of apple and tangerine mixed in, making for an ultra fruity and juicy strain.

Durban Poison is a highly resilient strain that can survive different temperatures and produces a slightly lower yield (about 16 ounces per plant)

Check out my full Durban Poison Strain Review (& Grow Guide)

Pineapple Express vs. Northern Lights

The Pineapple Express strain is a slightly sativa-leaning hybrid, and Northern Lights is an epic Indica strain that people typically use to combat stress, pain, and fatigue.

Pineapple Express was created from the crossing of the Hawaiian and Trainwreck strains.

Northern Lights has a much higher THC level at 30% than Pineapple Express’s 21%.

These strains both have very different and unique flavors.

Pineapple Express Is sweet and has some notes of apple and tangerine mixed in, making for an ultra fruity and juicy smoke.

Northern Lights has a classic Kush vibe, it being spicy, earthy aroma in terms of taste and smell.

Both strains take 8-9 weeks to flower and thrive better indoors.

They also produce similar yields of up to 17-19 ounces per square meter.

Check out my full Northern Lights Strain Review (& Grow Guide)