Strawberry Cough

Also known as: KKSC, Kyle Kushman's Strawberry Cough, The Cough

Breeder: Unknown (Bridgeport, Connecticut grower; clone-only original). Kyle Kushman popularized the strain but did not breed it.

Lineage & Genetics

Cross: Strawberry Fields x Haze

Strawberry Fields: A 100% indica from Vermont, bred for strawberry aroma and a fast finish before first snowfall (~7 weeks). Reportedly grown among strawberry plants for years, developing an intensely sweet berry nose. High yielder but with a body-heavy high that the original breeder wanted to improve with more cerebral genetics. Now believed extinct in its original form. Haze: The legendary sativa landrace-derived line (Colombian Gold x Mexican x Thai x South Indian origins), known for soaring cerebral effects, long flower times, and complex spicy-citrus aromas. The Haze male used in the original cross provided the uplifting, clear-headed euphoria and stretched the flower time compared to the Strawberry Fields mother.

Terpene Profile

Aroma: Immediately recognizable fresh strawberry — sweet, ripe, and authentic rather than candy-like. Underpinned by earthy Haze muskiness with sharp pine notes cutting through the sweetness. A subtle peppery spice rounds out the nose. Breaking buds open reveals deeper layers of berry jam and herbal complexity. Nose intensity is high; jars reek through the lid.

Flavor: Sweet strawberry dominates the inhale with a smooth, almost creamy berry quality. Mid-palate brings earthy, slightly skunky Haze undertones. The exhale finishes with a peppery-pine kick and lingering berry sweetness. The smoke is expansive — it fills the lungs quickly and triggers the characteristic cough that gives the strain its name, even among experienced smokers.

Effects & Experience

Onset: Fast-acting sativa headrush within minutes. An almost immediate wave of cerebral euphoria and mental clarity.

Uplifting, euphoric, and social. Promotes creativity, focus, and conversation without anxiety or paranoia. Physically light — no couch-lock. Many report feeling motivated and energized. The Strawberry Fields indica genetics keep the sativa energy from becoming racy or jittery, providing a grounded balance.

Duration: Moderate — typically 2–3 hours. The peak cerebral effects plateau for about an hour before gradually easing into a calm, contented baseline.

Growing Characteristics

Grow Tips: Expect significant stretch at flip — plan vertical space accordingly or employ topping/LST/SCROG to manage height and improve light penetration. Every branch needs support by mid-flower; the heavy, dense colas inherited from Strawberry Fields will snap unsupported limbs. Maintain 40–50% RH during flower to prevent mold in dense buds. Harvest at cloudy trichomes with 5–15% amber for the classic uplifting profile — going later dulls the signature sparkle. A 7–10 day flush improves smoothness and lets the strawberry terps shine in the cure.

History & Origin

Circa 1999–2000: An unnamed novice grower in Bridgeport, Connecticut crossed a Strawberry Fields female (Vermont indica grown among strawberry plants) with a pure Haze male. Kyle Kushman, then a cultivation columnist for High Times magazine, visited the grower and received a small clone as a thank-you gift. Back in Brooklyn, Kushman opened the box and was struck by the powerful strawberry aroma — he nearly discarded the scraggly clone but the smell convinced him it was special. He grew it out and it became his personal favorite. In 2004, Kushman relocated from New York to California, packing several hundred Strawberry Cough clones in the trunk of a rented Buick. He gifted clones to growers in cities across the country along the way, earning an informal 'Johnny Appleseed of cannabis' reputation. The strain exploded in popularity. High Times named it Strain of the Year in 2005. Kyle's veganic-grown version (using his Vegamatrix nutrient line) won multiple Cannabis Cup awards. Kushman has consistently stated on the record that he never claimed to breed Strawberry Cough — he only made it famous. The original clone has been preserved through tissue culture into the 2020s.

Notable Crosses

Strains bred using Strawberry Cough as a parent: