Durban Poison by Dutch Passion
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Durban Poison is a straight-up cornerstone of cannabis history, carrying the torch for pure, unadulterated Sativa energy. Originating as a landrace cultivar grown for centuries by indigenous farmers around the coastal and mountainous regions of South Africa, it was eventually smuggled into Amsterdam in the late 70s by legends like Ed Rosenthal. From there, Dutch Passion got their hands on it and spent decades stabilizing the line. To make it viable for indoor growers and shorter European summers, they subtly worked in some unknown Indica traits. Purists on the forums might argue it isn’t a 100% pure landrace anymore, but the Dutch Passion iteration is undeniable—it’s the version that put Durban on the map globally.
Growing this plant is like trying to tame a wild animal. She wants to reach for the sky, showing off that classic Sativa vigor with huge internodal spacing and massive, stretching branches. Outdoor growers absolutely love her because she's tough as nails, fighting off mold and pests with ease, though you better have a long season if you want her to finish properly. Indoors, you have to be aggressive with your training or she will completely take over your space. The buds don't always look like modern, rock-hard polyhybrids; instead, they stack into long, spear-like colas that are incredibly sticky and reek of something entirely unique.
The terpene profile is where Durban Poison really separates herself from the pack. It’s an intoxicating mix of sweet black licorice, anise, spicy pine, and a sharp, zesty citrus bite. Lighting up a joint of well-cured Durban is like drinking a double espresso. It delivers a soaring, clear-headed, electric high that gets your heart racing and your creative juices flowing. There's no couch-lock here, just pure daytime motivation, which is exactly why she remains a permanent fixture in the gardens of old-school heads and commercial cultivators alike.
🏆 Legendary Foundation Strain
This is one of the most influential cannabis varieties in history. Durban Poison has been used to breed 89 documented descendant strains in our database, making it a cornerstone of modern genetics.
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🧬 Explore the family: Durban Poison · Hemlock · Big Island Poison · Trademark Chad · South African Durban Poison x Skunk · West Coast Poison Diesel · Quebec Cookies · Blue Mountain Durban · The Bank - Reba
Ancestry Pedigree
Unknown or Legendary
Original Strains
Growing Durban Poison: what to expect
As a sativa-leaning plant, plan for a big stretch after the flip (often 100–200%) — flip earlier than feels natural and keep training options ready. Sativa-leaning plants also generally prefer a lighter feed than heavy indicas. Growers familiar with Durban Poison will recognize much of its behavior. Whatever the listing says, the cut in YOUR tent is the ground truth: log feedings, readings, and photos, and let the trends — not the label — drive decisions.
Durban Poison FAQ
How long does Durban Poison take to flower?
Durban Poison typically flowers in around 60 days after switching to a 12/12 light schedule. Individual phenotypes vary, so judge harvest readiness by trichome color, not the calendar.
Is Durban Poison an indica or a sativa?
Durban Poison is listed as sativa.
What are the parents of Durban Poison?
Durban Poison was bred from Durban Poison by Dutch Passion.
How strong is Durban Poison?
Reported THC for Durban Poison is 16%. Actual potency depends heavily on environment, harvest ripeness, and cure quality.
What environment does Durban Poison like?
Standard cannabis bands work well: VPD 0.8–1.1 kPa in veg and 1.0–1.4 kPa in flower, with humidity stepping down from 65–75% as a seedling to 40–50% in late flower. See the stage-by-stage table on this page.
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