If the thought of a deep, slow-building euphoria and a profoundly relaxing body high sounds like your cup of tea, you’ll want to snuggle up and get cozy with Moonbow. Though an evenly balanced hybrid, there’s no doubt this potent strain trends towards the indica side of its lineage. Toss in a memorably sweet and floral flavor profile, and it may just become your new go-to for kicking back and relaxing after a long day.
Never tried the Moonbow strain? Don’t worry—you’re in the right place. Ready your grinders, dab rigs, and rolling papers as we deep dive into this out-of-this-world cannabis cultivar. We’ll share everything we know about Moondbow, including:
- What are Moonbow’s origin and genetics?
- How strong is Moonbow?
- What does the Moonbow strain look and smell like?
…and so much more—by the end, you’ll be loving this unique strain to the moon and back!
Moonbow Strain Origins and Genetics
The Moonbow strain comes to us from Fletcher—aka “The Docta”—of Portland, Oregon’s Archive Seed Bank. Known for cultivating some truly singular and unusual strains, Archive is a clone-only bank, meaning it bypasses the variations that arise from growing successive generations of plants. Clone-only growing is seen as the only way to preserve a given strain’s particular qualities.
As one of Archive’s signature offerings, Moonbow—and the closely related Moonbow 112 strain—descends from Zkittlez and Dos-Si-Dos. The former is a luscious and award-winning tropical fruit-scented powerhouse. And the much-celebrated Dos-Si-Dos, winner of Leafly’s “Strain of the Year 2021,” is an indica-leaning hybrid with a notably eye-catching appearance to match its stoney, “in-your-face” buzz.
Note that Moonbow 112 isn’t another name for the Moonbow strain but a more recent phenotype seen as a refinement of the original Moonbow.
Is the Moonbow Strain Sativa or Indica?
As with every strain, uncovering Moonbow’s indica and sativa makeup can be helpful. However, while the terms “indica” and “sativa” may no longer be botanically accurate, we still lean on them because they can help people predict the most common effects of a given strain. Broadly speaking, indica strains (or indica-leaning hybrids) are known for their relaxing, body-centered effects, while sativas and sativa-leaning hybrids are associated with energy, focus, and inspiration.
As for Moondbow, it’s an evenly balanced hybrid, but many people find that the indica side wins out with a slow-building body buzz and a high-flying euphoria that doesn’t seem to quit. Here’s a deeper look into the Moonbow strain’s powerhouse lineage.
Zkittlez
Sometimes known as “The Original Z” to avoid infringing on the copyrighted name of a certain popular candy, this calming indica-leaning hybrid first hit the scene in the 2010s, bred by mysterious-sounding grower “Gas Station Bob.” Give it a sniff, and you’ll immediately understand the reason for its name: With all those waves of creamy-sweet and tropical aroma, you’ll think you’ve stepped into the candy shop of your dreams.
Dos-Si-Dos
Another indica-dominant hybrid—sometimes known as “Dosi Doe,” “Do-Si-Dos,” or “Dosi”—trends more floral and funky than Zkittlez, but what’s most memorable about it is its deep euphoria. Sometimes described as “classically face-melting,” it washes over those who partake in a virtual waterfall of chill. Aside from this, it’s known for its unusually eye-catching presentation, combining glittery trichomes, characteristic orange hairs known as pistils, and leaves in lime green and lavender hues.
How Strong Is Moonbow?
Cannabis strains can and do contain any number of beneficial cannabinoids—the family of compounds that impart most of the psychoactive and medicinal effects of the plant. But when we’re talking potency, only one of them really counts: THC, the cannabinoid most responsible for that intoxicating and psychoactive high.
While the THC level varies from crop to crop, you can expect the Moonbow strain to clock in at around 18% – 20% THC. Though not ultra-potent by today’s standards, with some strains regularly breaking the 30% THC barrier, it’s strong enough that it should still be approached with some care. For exact THC amounts, check the packaging for its potency and terpene content, which can be different across harvests and brands.
Strain Impressions: Appearance, Flavor, Aroma
That deeply enveloping high isn’t the only captivating thing about the Moonbow strain. Take a look at this ripe, densely packed bud, and you’ll see neon-green leaves beneath a thick dusting of trichomes—the tiny mushroom-shaped glands that are the source of most of the cannabis plant’s potent cannabinoids and aromatic terpenes. What’s more, you can expect a healthy array of thin orange pistils—the female cannabis plant’s reproductive organs—poking through that silvery-blue dusting of trichomes.
So, what are all those trichomes for? The Moonbow weed strain is often described as “loud,” meaning it’s almost aggressively aromatic. This is courtesy of its terpenes, the fragrant compounds that give specific cannabis strains their unique characteristics. The most prominent terpenes found in the Moonbow weed strain include:
- Caryophyllene: Often cited as a source of the clove and peppery notes in some strains, it’s notably calming and relaxing. Caryophyllene is associated with some potential immune-boosting and pain-killing effects.
- Myrcene: A vital compound in the cannabis world, myrcene is sometimes referred to as “the mother of all terpenes.” It’s believed to play a vital role in the entourage effect, which helps to synergize the actions of other terpenes and cannabinoids. Studies also point to myrcene’s potential as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant.
- Limonene: Easily recognizable by its bright, lemony flavor and scent, studies suggest that this cheery terpene may impart a broad anti-depressant effect and even serve as a neuroprotective agent.
- Linalool: Fragrant and found abundantly in lavender, linalool may help reverse some forms of cognitive impairment and memory loss.
If you’ve been searching for a strain rich in terpenes with a powerful kick, just reach for Moonbow.
The Moonbow Strain Experience: What To Expect
When it comes to Moonbow strain effects, it’s important to note that it doesn’t quite behave like the balanced hybrid it is. While, for many, there’s a noticeable euphoric lift within its long-lasting high, you may also expect it to lean into its indica characteristics.
Think deep, full-body relaxation after a long day, an enfolding sense of calm, and even sedation if you have a wee bit too much—unless, of course, that’s what you were going for! The Moonbow strain may be the best option before bed or as an excellent pairing to an already relaxing weekend.
Growing Moonbow: What To Know
According to those in the know, growing Moonbow cannabis flower isn’t too hard, provided you already have a little growing experience. With a reasonably brief flower time of around 8 – 10 weeks, you won’t have to wait long to enjoy those fragrant, trichome-dusted flowers.
Moonbow buds prefer low-humidity environments, so you must keep a close eye on ambient moisture. Indoors, it should kick out 480 grams of usable flower per square meter, while outdoor growers can expect a fairly generous yield of 280 to 420 grams per plant.
Find Moonbow and More Quality Bud at Mission
Though an evenly balanced hybrid, the Moonbow weed strain typically delivers relaxing and euphoric effects, which many fans describe as slow-moving and gently enveloping. Its unique terpene profile makes for a memorably flavorful smoke—you’ll detect sweet, floral, and even cookie dough in this beguiling bud.
Ready to fly to the moon and back? Stock up on Moonbow at Mission with our very own Mission Cannabis brand. Load up on the freshest flower in Illinois and Massachusetts by heading to the Mission dispensary closest to you—say hello to our friendly team, or browse our online menus for a chance to try this incredible cultivar.
Want to explore even more fantastic strains? Head to our informative blog, where we take a deep dive into countless cultivars, including:
- Layer Cake
- Cuban Linx
- Apples and Bananas
- Puddintain
- And more!
If you have any other questions about this delicious strain or other cannabis-related topics, stop by any of our locations and ask our knowledgeable budtenders for more information. We’re always here to help!
