White Widow
Also known as: Black Widow (Mr. Nice Seedbank)
Breeder: Green House Seeds / Shantibaba (disputed)
White Widow became one of the most recognized cannabis strains in the world after its 1994 debut. Named for the dense blanket of white trichomes coating its buds, it set a new standard for resin production and kicked off the 'White Family' of strains. Its unprecedented trichome density sparked an industry-wide race for frostier genetics. Its earthy, peppery 'old-school hash' character contrasts sharply with modern fruit-forward profiles.
Lineage & Genetics
Cross: Brazilian sativa landrace x South Indian indica (Kerala)
The Brazilian father was an IBL from the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta region. The Indian mother came from a farmer in Kerala who had selectively bred for resin production over many years. Shantibaba retains the original parent plants in the Mr. Nice clone library.
Lineage Dispute
Breeder credit is contested between Shantibaba (Scott Blakey), who says he stabilized and released it through Green House Seeds in 1994, and Ingemar De Sjamaan, who claims to have discovered the genetics as early as 1987. When Shantibaba left in 1998, he renamed his line Black Widow at Mr. Nice Seedbank. At least 79 distinct White Widow versions now exist.
Terpene Profile
Myrcene — Earthy, herbal, clove-like; ~0.7–1.2%
Caryophyllene — Peppery, spicy; ~0.5–0.9%
Pinene — Fresh pine, evergreen sharpness; ~0.3–0.6%
Aroma: Earthy and woody with distinct peppery spice, often described as 'old-school hash' character. Slightly soapy or floral on exhale.
Flavor: Woody, spicy-herbal, and earthy — a sharp contrast to modern dessert profiles.
Effects & Experience
Onset: Fast, powerful mental stimulation.
Euphoric, uplifted mood with energetic and talkative cerebral buzz. A relaxing physical undertone builds over time without heavy sedation.
Duration: 1.5–2.5 hours
Commonly Reported Uses
Growing Characteristics
Grow Tips: One of the safest photoperiod choices for northern climates. Excellent calyx-to-leaf ratio makes trimming fast. Moderate feeder — overfeeding risks muting the terpene profile. Responds well to organic soil grows.
History & Origin
Released in 1994 by Green House Seeds in Amsterdam. Won 1st Place in both the Cannabis Cup and Bio Cup at the 1995 High Times Cannabis Cup, catapulting it to global fame. When Shantibaba left Green House Seeds in 1998, he co-founded Mr. Nice Seedbank with Howard Marks and Neville Schoenmakers, renaming his line Black Widow.
Awards & Recognition
- ●1995: 1st Place — High Times Cannabis Cup and Bio Cup (8th HTCC)
- ●Additional wins at Highlife Cup, Copa Cannabica Del Plata
- ●Named Soft Secrets Strain of the Year
Notable Crosses
Strains bred using White Widow as a parent:
Want to Grow White Widow?
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