Northern Lights is one of the most famous cannabis strains ever grown. It has been around for decades, it shaped a huge part of modern breeding, and it is still the strain many people picture when they think of a classic, relaxing indica. This guide covers where Northern Lights comes from, what it tastes and feels like, the terpenes behind its flavour, how strong it usually is, how to spot a good batch, which strains are like it, and which Northern Lights products you can order across Canada from Leafville.
Northern Lights at a glance
| Type | Indica (often described as pure or nearly pure indica) |
|---|---|
| Commonly cited genetics | Afghani landrace indica, with some accounts adding Thai sativa |
| Where it comes from | Bred in the US Pacific Northwest, later developed and popularised in the Netherlands |
| Aroma and flavour | Sweet and earthy with pine, light spice and a hint of citrus |
| Commonly reported terpenes | Myrcene, caryophyllene, limonene (pinene in some batches) |
| Commonly reported THC | About 16% to 21% |
| Typical time of day | Evening |
Where Northern Lights comes from
The usual story is that Northern Lights was developed in the Pacific Northwest of the United States in the late 1970s or early 1980s, using Afghani indica plants. Some accounts say a Thai sativa was mixed in early on. The strain then made its way to the Netherlands, where Dutch breeders stabilised it and made it famous in seed form through the 1980s. It became one of the most widely grown strains in Europe and North America.
As with most older strains, the details are fuzzy and sources do not always agree. What everyone agrees on is that Northern Lights became a foundation strain. It is a parent of well-known varieties such as Super Silver Haze and Shiva Skunk, and its genetics show up in countless modern hybrids. If you have smoked a modern indica, there is a fair chance Northern Lights is somewhere in its family tree.
What Northern Lights tastes and smells like
Northern Lights has a sweet, earthy profile that is easy to like. Most people notice pine and a soft spice, and some batches carry a light citrus note. The smoke is usually smooth. It does not have the loud gas or candy smell of some newer strains; it is a cleaner, classic indica flavour that many long-time smokers describe as “old school” in the best way.
Northern Lights terpenes
Northern Lights is most commonly reported with this terpene profile, though the exact mix varies from batch to batch:
- Myrcene: earthy, musky and slightly sweet. It is the most common terpene in many classic indicas and drives the soft, earthy base of Northern Lights.
- Caryophyllene: peppery and spicy, giving the light spice on the exhale.
- Limonene: citrus, responsible for the hint of brightness some batches show.
Some lab results also list pinene, which adds the fresh pine note. If you open a jar and get a sweet, earthy, slightly piney smell, that is the classic Northern Lights profile at work.
What Northern Lights feels like
People usually describe Northern Lights as deeply relaxing. The effect tends to settle into the body first, loosening you up and slowing you down, along with a calm, content mood. It is a strain people tend to save for the evening, for winding down after work, watching a movie or getting ready for bed. At higher amounts it can be very sedating, so it is not usually a pick for when you need to be productive.
Is Northern Lights strong?
Northern Lights flower is commonly reported in the 16% to 21% THC range. That is moderate by modern standards, as plenty of newer strains test higher. Its reputation comes from how reliably relaxing it is rather than from extreme THC numbers. If you want the Northern Lights experience at a much higher strength, concentrates made from the strain are the way to get it.
Is Northern Lights indica or sativa?
Northern Lights is an indica. It is often called a pure indica because of its Afghani background, though accounts that include a Thai sativa in its history would make it mostly, rather than entirely, indica. Either way, it behaves like a classic indica: body-focused and calming.
How to spot good Northern Lights
- Look: compact, dense buds typical of an Afghani indica, with a thick layer of trichomes and amber or orange hairs.
- Smell: sweet, earthy and piney. A faint or hay-like smell usually means old or poorly cured flower.
- Feel: firm and a little sticky, breaking up cleanly without turning to dust.
- Grade: check the grade and batch notes on the product page.
Northern Lights and similar indicas at Leafville
At the time of writing we carry Northern Lights in three formats, plus some close matches. Here is how they compare, based on their product pages:
| Product | Format | Type (as listed) | Listed THC | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Live Resin: Northern Lights | Live resin, 1 g | Indica | Strain listed at 16% to 21% | Flavour-focused dabs |
| House Shatter: Northern Lights | Shatter | Indica | Not listed | Affordable, strong dabs |
| Iced Widow (AAAA) | Flower | Indica-dominant hybrid, 90/10 | 18% to 20% | A similar, heavy-leaning indica |
| Tom Ford Bubba Kush (AAA) | Flower | Indica-dominant hybrid, 80/20 | 20% to 29% | A kushier evening alternative |
Our House Shatter is made from AAA+ buds only and purged in a vacuum oven for at least 100 hours. The live resin is made from fresh-frozen flower, which helps keep more of the original sweet, earthy flavour; read more in our live resin guide. Looking for more evening strains? Our indica flower section has the full range.
Northern Lights numbered cuts and famous crosses
When Northern Lights was developed, breeders kept several distinct plants and gave them numbers. Seed catalogues sold numbered versions such as #1, #2 and #5, and Northern Lights #5 became the best known of them. Because of that, you may see “NL #5” or simply “NL” on a label, and the numbers can point to slightly different plants with the same Afghani backbone.
Northern Lights was also crossed with other classics to make some of the most famous strains of the 1990s. Northern Lights #5 crossed with a Haze created a family of more energetic, sativa-leaning plants, and Super Silver Haze combines Northern Lights with Skunk and Haze genetics. Shiva Skunk mixes Northern Lights with Skunk #1 for a heavier, skunkier smoke. If you have enjoyed any of these, you have already met a little bit of Northern Lights.
Which Northern Lights format should you buy?
- Flower is the classic way to enjoy Northern Lights and the easiest to dose. Start with this if you have not tried the strain before.
- Live resin is for concentrate users who want the most flavour. Because it is made from frozen fresh plants, it tends to taste closer to the living plant.
- Shatter is a strong, affordable concentrate for dabbing or a concentrate vape.
Strains similar to Northern Lights
If you like Northern Lights, try other classic indicas with Afghani roots, such as Afghan Kush, Hindu Kush or Master Kush. Heavy-leaning modern indicas such as Iced Widow and LA Kush give a similar end-of-day feel. For something with a little more lift, Northern Lights crosses like Super Silver Haze bring a more energetic, sativa-leaning high while keeping some of that smooth base.
How to store Northern Lights
Store flower in an airtight glass jar in a cool, dark cupboard. Avoid plastic bags, which can crush buds and let them dry out, and avoid the fridge, where temperature swings can add moisture. Keep concentrates in their sealed containers away from heat and sunlight. Properly stored, flower keeps its flavour for months.
Ordering Northern Lights by mail
Leafville ships across Canada by Canada Post with tracking. Every order is vacuum sealed and sent in plain packaging, and you pay by Interac e-Transfer. We sell only to adults of legal age in their province.
FAQ
Is Northern Lights a sativa or indica strain?
Northern Lights is an indica, often described as pure or nearly pure indica because of its Afghani genetics.
What is the Northern Lights strain?
A classic indica developed in the Pacific Northwest in the late 1970s or early 1980s from Afghani plants, then made famous by Dutch breeders. It is known for a sweet, earthy flavour and a relaxing body high.
How strong is Northern Lights?
Northern Lights flower is commonly reported at about 16% to 21% THC. Concentrates made from it are far stronger.
Is Northern Lights good for pain or sleep?
We cannot make medical claims. Many people describe Northern Lights as body-relaxing and choose it for the evening. If you are thinking of using cannabis for a health reason, talk to a doctor first.
What strains are related to Northern Lights?
Northern Lights is a parent of Super Silver Haze and Shiva Skunk, among many others. Its genetics appear in a large number of modern hybrids.
What does Northern Lights taste like?
Sweet and earthy, with pine, a soft spice and sometimes a light citrus note.