Indica is the name for compact, broad-leaved cannabis plants that originated in Afghanistan and neighbouring Central Asia. Most botanists today regard Cannabis indica as part of the single species Cannabis sativa rather than a separate species. Genetic studies show that the indica label says little about a plant's chemistry: its THC and CBD content has to be measured.
Key facts
- Classification
- Drug-type "Indica" is classified as Cannabis sativa subsp. indica var. afghanica (McPartland and Small, 2020)
- Origin
- Central Asia: Afghanistan, Pakistan and Turkestan, near the Hindu Kush
- Plant shape
- Short and bushy, with broad, dark green leaflets and dense flowers
- Chemistry
- The label does not reliably predict THC, CBD or terpene content (Sawler et al., 2015; Watts et al., 2021)
- UK status
- Like all cannabis, a Class B drug; the label makes no legal difference (as of October 2026)
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What is indica?
"Indica" is used in two ways. Botanists use it for a group within the cannabis plant; growers and sellers use it as a label for short, broad-leaved plants. The French naturalist Jean-Baptiste Lamarck described Cannabis indica, "cannabis of India", as a second species for drug-type plants in 1785 (McPartland and Small, 2020). Confusingly, the drug-type plants called "Indica" today come from Central Asia rather than India.
A 2020 study examined 1,100 herbarium specimens alongside chemical and genetic data. It classifies drug-type "Indica" from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Turkestan as Cannabis sativa subsp. indica var. afghanica, and drug-type "Sativa" from South Asia as Cannabis sativa subsp. indica var. indica (McPartland and Small, 2020). In other words, both everyday labels sit inside one species.
What does an indica plant look like?
Indica plants are short and bushy, with broad, dark green leaflets and dense flower clusters. This compact form is generally seen as an adaptation to the dry mountain climate and short growing seasons of their home region. The same traits made indica popular with breeders who wanted smaller plants.
The dense flowers have a downside. A three-year study of more than 2,000 cannabis samples found that genotypes with more leaves in the flowers carried more yeast and mould, and that air circulation reduced the levels (Punja et al., 2023).
What is the difference between indica and sativa?
| Indica | Sativa | |
|---|---|---|
| Drug-type origin | Central Asia (Afghanistan, Pakistan, Turkestan) | South Asia (India), spread to Southeast Asia, Africa and the Americas |
| Shape | Short, bushy, broad leaflets | Tall, slender, narrow leaflets |
| Traditional THC:CBD ratio | Lower (below 7) | Higher (7 or more) |
| Botanical name (McPartland and Small, 2020) | C. sativa subsp. indica var. afghanica | C. sativa subsp. indica var. indica |
| Predicts a modern plant's chemistry? | No | No |
The traditional ratios describe old landraces, not modern plants. Our guide to Cannabis sativa covers the other side of the comparison.
Does the indica label tell you anything about a strain?
Less than most people think. A study of 81 marijuana and 43 hemp samples found only a moderate link between a strain's reported indica or sativa ancestry and its genetics, and concluded that strain names often do not reflect a meaningful genetic identity. It also found that hemp is genetically closer to indica-type marijuana than to sativa strains (Sawler et al., 2015). A later study of more than 100 samples found that indica and sativa labels track a small number of terpenes rather than overall chemistry (Watts et al., 2021).
The popular idea that indica strains are relaxing and sativa strains energising is not supported by these findings. What a plant contains, and so what it does, depends on its measured cannabinoid and terpene profile.
How are indica hybrids made?
Most cannabis grown today is a hybrid. Breeders cross plants with indica and sativa backgrounds and select offspring for size, flowering time, aroma and cannabinoid content. Indica parents are often used to make plants more compact.
In the UK, growing any cannabis plant without a Home Office licence is an offence, whatever its label (Home Office, 2024). For the plant as a whole, see What is cannabis?
From our production
Our hemp is grown in Central Switzerland. Outdoor hemp is mainly used for our CBD oils; greenhouse hemp is mainly for flowers.
— Robin Roy Krigslund-Hansen, co-founder and CEO
Frequently asked questions
What is Cannabis indica?
Cannabis indica is a name for compact, broad-leaved cannabis from Central Asia. Most botanists regard it as part of Cannabis sativa: drug-type "Indica" is classified as Cannabis sativa subsp. indica var. afghanica.
Where does indica weed come from?
Drug-type indica originated in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Turkestan, near the Hindu Kush mountains. It adapted to a dry mountain climate with short growing seasons.
What is the difference between an indica and a sativa plant?
Indica plants are shorter and bushier, with broader leaflets. Sativa-type plants are taller with narrower leaflets. Genetic studies show the labels do not reliably predict what a plant contains.
How much THC and CBD is in an indica strain?
The label alone does not tell you. THC and CBD content varies widely between plants and must be measured by laboratory analysis of the specific batch.
Is hemp indica or sativa?
Hemp belongs to the species Cannabis sativa. Genetically, though, hemp turned out to be closer to indica-type marijuana than to sativa strains, which shows how little the everyday labels say.
Is indica legal in the UK?
No. All cannabis is a Class B drug in the UK, and the indica or sativa label makes no difference. Growing any cannabis plant needs a Home Office licence.
Related guides
This article is general information about the cannabis plant, not medical or legal advice. It makes no claims about Formula Swiss products, which are cosmetic products for use on the skin. See our full disclaimer.
Last reviewed:
Sources
- McPartland JM, Small E. A classification of endangered high-THC cannabis (Cannabis sativa subsp. indica) domesticates and their wild relatives. PhytoKeys 2020. doi:10.3897/phytokeys.144.46700
- Sawler J, Stout JM, Gardner KM, et al. The genetic structure of marijuana and hemp. PLoS One 2015. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0133292
- Watts S, McElroy M, Migicovsky Z, et al. Cannabis labelling is associated with genetic variation in terpene synthase genes. Nat Plants 2021. doi:10.1038/s41477-021-01003-y
- Punja ZK, Ni L, Lung S, Buirs L. Total yeast and mold levels in high THC-containing cannabis inflorescences are influenced by genotype, environment, and pre- and post-harvest handling practices. Front Microbiol 2023. doi:10.3389/fmicb.2023.1192035
- Home Office. Drug licensing factsheet: cannabis, CBD and other cannabinoids. Updated 3 October 2024.
