Super Lemon Haze

Also known as: SLH

Breeder: Green House Seed Co. (Franco Loja / Arjan Roskam)

Lineage & Genetics

Cross: Lemon Skunk x Super Silver Haze

Lemon Skunk (DNA Genetics): cross of two Skunk #1 phenotypes selected for citrus expression. A grower known as Lemon Man maintained a lemon-forward Skunk #1 female in Las Vegas for over 20 years; DNA Genetics crossed this with a Skunk #1 male donated by Eddie of the Flying Dutchman. 60% sativa / 40% indica. Provides intense lemon terpene profile, compact flower structure, and moderate indica influence that shortens flowering time versus pure Haze. Super Silver Haze (Green House Seed Co.): Skunk #1 x (Northern Lights #5 x Haze). Three consecutive High Times Cannabis Cup winner (1997, 1998, 1999). Provides vigorous growth, high yield genetics, classic Haze cerebral high, tall stretchy structure, and resin production.

Terpene Profile

Aroma: Intense fresh lemon zest on the break with underlying pungent skunk musk and sweet floral notes. As flower is ground, piney/woody Haze characteristics emerge. Some phenotypes express a cat piss ammonia note (a classic Haze family marker) beneath the citrus. Late-flower plants fill rooms with penetrating lemon-cleaner scent.

Flavor: Sharp tart lemon candy and lemon zest on the inhale. Sweet tropical fruit with hints of pineapple and coconut mid-palate. Earthy, woody, pine-forest freshness on exhale with lingering citrus and spicy pepper aftertaste. Often described as the lemon-est lemon strain.

Effects & Experience

Onset: Fast-acting (2-5 minutes smoked/vaped) with mental clarity arriving first. Strong cerebral euphoria and mood elevation.

Energetic, motivating, get-things-done stimulation with enhanced creativity and focus. Increased sociability and talkativeness. Mild physical relaxation without sedation or couch-lock. Best used as a morning/daytime strain for creative work, social activities, outdoor adventures, and combating fatigue.

Duration: Long-lasting; 2-3 hours typical.

Growing Characteristics

Grow Tips: Managing the stretch is the most critical challenge — the plant will DOUBLE TO TRIPLE in height during the first 2-3 weeks after flipping to 12/12. Stretch management protocol: do NOT flip until canopy is at most 40-50% of available vertical space. In a 2m tent with 30cm pot and 45cm light clearance, effective growing height is ~125cm — flip when canopy is at 50-60cm. Continue tucking SCROG net aggressively during weeks 1-3 of flower. Supercrop any branches outpacing canopy. Consider negative DIF (cooler day / warmer night by 2-4F) during stretch to inhibit stem elongation. Training is MANDATORY indoors: top early after 4th-5th node to break apical dominance. LST by bending and tying main stems for even canopy. SCROG is the single best technique — install trellis net at 40-50cm, tuck shoots under screen during first 2 weeks of 12/12. SOG also effective with shorter 2-3 week veg. Supercropping useful during early stretch. Optional topping schedule: top once at node 4-5, then optionally top each resulting branch once more for 4 main colas (each top adds ~5-7 days to veg). Flowering: 12/12 strict with no light leaks — Haze genetics are sensitive to hermaphroditism from stress/light interruption. PPFD 600-900 ramping from 600 early flower to 700-900 during weeks 5-8. Environment: veg 72-80F day/65-72F night/55-65% RH; early flower 72-78F/65-72F/50-55% RH; mid-late flower 68-75F/62-68F/40-50% RH; final week 65-70F/60-65F/35-40% RH. If supplementing CO2: 800-1200 ppm veg, 1000-1400 early flower, 1200-1500 peak flower. Late-flower temperature drop to 60-65F nights in final 2 weeks enhances terpene expression. Feeding: medium-high nutrient demand typical of large sativa plants. Standard balanced NPK in veg with moderate nitrogen and CalMag especially in coco. Transition weeks 1-2 flower: reduce N, introduce bloom nutrients with higher P-K. Peak flower: heavy P-K, watch for calcium deficiency in large colas. EC start low 1.0-1.2 veg, ramp to 1.6-2.0 peak flower, back off final 2 weeks. Flush 5-10 days plain water — lemon terps benefit significantly from clean flush. Common deficiency: magnesium (interveinal yellowing on lower fans mid-flower) — address with foliar Epsom salt or CalMag increase. Yields are among highest of any sativa-dominant strain — major commercial selling point. Branch support: elongated colas become heavy and WILL snap branches. Install bamboo stakes, trellis netting, or yo-yo hangers BEFORE week 5 of flower — by week 7 it is often too late to reposition without damage. Pest and disease: moderate mold resistance — elongated less-dense bud structure helps versus botrytis but long flowering time means extended humidity exposure outdoors. Moderate hermaphroditism risk under stress (typical of Haze genetics) — avoid light leaks, temperature spikes, root-zone stress. Drying and curing: 10-14 days at 60F/55-60% RH in darkness — high terpene content (especially terpinolene and limonene) is volatile so slow drying preserves it. Cure minimum 2-4 weeks in sealed jars; SLH improves dramatically with 4-6 weeks cure as harsh green notes mellow and lemon candy sweetness develops fully. The cat piss Haze ammonia note typically fades during weeks 2-3 of cure leaving clean lemon. Total indoor time seed to harvest: ~16-18 weeks.

History & Origin

In the late 1990s to early 2000s Franco Loja and Arjan Roskam at Green House Seed Co. in Amsterdam crossed Lemon Skunk (which had arrived from Las Vegas via the Lemon Man through DNA Genetics) with their in-house Super Silver Haze. In 2008 Super Lemon Haze won 1st Place at the High Times Cannabis Cup Amsterdam on its debut Cup entry. In 2009 it repeated as champion — the first strain to successfully defend the overall Cannabis Cup title since Super Silver Haze in 1999. It continued winning awards through 2021 including 1st Place at the High Times Cannabis Cup Sativa in Massachusetts. Franco Loja tragically died on January 2, 2017 at age 42 from cerebral malaria contracted while filming a Strain Hunters episode in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Green House Seeds later created a tribute strain with proceeds funding his children's education.

Notable Crosses

Strains bred using Super Lemon Haze as a parent: