White Widow is one of the most influential cannabis strains in history — created in the Netherlands in the mid-1990s, winner of the 1995 High Times Cannabis Cup, and the foundation for a whole generation of strains. 20–22% THC, exceptional resin production, a classic earthy-spicy aroma. This guide explains the effects, THC level and origin, and presents all 8 variants of the Pyramid Seeds White family — from the classic White Widow to Nefertiti (Black Widow × White Widow).
Legal note: the information in this article is for educational and informational purposes only. Always follow the laws of your country.
White Widow at a glance
| Origin | Netherlands, mid-1990s |
| Genetics | Brazilian sativa × South Asian indica |
| Genotype | 50% sativa / 50% indica |
| THC | 20–22% |
| Flowering (LED) | 53 days |
| Awards | High Times Cannabis Cup 1995 |
| Dominant terpenes | Myrcene, caryophyllene, pinene |
| Effect | Euphoric, creative, relaxing |
Cloud Dancer 2026: why White Widow fits the trend perfectly
In 2026, Pantone named PANTONE 11-4201 Cloud Dancer its Colour of the Year — a pure white symbolising a fresh start, clarity and minimalism. A historic moment: for the first time in the history of the Colour of the Year, white was chosen.
In the cannabis world, white has long had a legendary embodiment: White Widow. Buds so densely coated in trichomes that they appear almost white — the signature "white frost" effect that made the strain famous. Purity, strength, a fresh start — the same values Cloud Dancer carries.
White Widow origin and history
White Widow was created in the mid-1990s in the Netherlands by crossing two landrace lines:
- Brazilian sativa — for energy, resilience and a clear psychoactive effect
- South Asian indica (South India) — for dense trichome production and a thick resin layer
The result was revolutionary: buds so densely coated in trichomes that they looked almost white — hence the name. In 1995 White Widow won the High Times Cannabis Cup and set a new standard for resin production. Since then it has served as the basis for dozens of modern hybrids and shaped the "white frost" look that strains like Girl Scout Cookies and many others adopted later.
White Widow effects
The balanced 50/50 hybrid delivers an effect that unites both poles:
- Euphoria — elevated mood, positive energy at the onset
- Creativity — a clear, focused mind — ideal for creative activities
- Relaxation — physical relaxation without immediate sedation
- Strongly sedating at higher doses — long-lasting, deep body effect
The terpene profile of myrcene, caryophyllene and pinene gives White Widow its characteristic earthy-spicy aroma and reinforces the relaxing component of the effect through the entourage effect.
The White Widow family — all 8 variants at a glance
| Strain | Type | THC / CBD | Flowering LED | Character |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White Widow | Fem | 20–22% | 53 days | The classic, earthy-spicy, Cannabis Cup 1995 |
| Auto White Widow | Auto | 20–23% | 58 days | No light schedule, same genetics |
| White Widow CBD | Fem | 7–12% THC / 15–21% CBD | 53 days | Highest CBD in the family |
| Auto WW CBD | Auto | 7–12% THC / 10–15% CBD | 58 days | CBD + autoflower, the easiest variant |
| American Pie | Fem | 20% | 53–58 days | Power Plant × WW, sweet-creamy, energetic |
| Auto American Pie | Auto | 19% | 43–48 days | Fastest variant — 43 days LED |
| Nefertiti | Fem | 22% | 73 days | Black Widow × WW, 80% sativa, cerebral effect |
| Auto Nefertiti | Auto | 21% | 63 days | Sativa autoflower, haze-citrus profile |
The White Widow family — every strain in detail
White Widow — the classic
White Widow — feminized, 20–22% THC, 53 days LED. Brazilian sativa × South Asian indica, a 50/50 hybrid. Earthy-spicy aroma, a crystalline trichome layer, balanced euphoria + deep relaxation. Cannabis Cup 1995 — the reference strain of the White family.
- Yield: 500 g/m² | up to 850 g/1.5 m² (LED)
- Outdoor: up to 1.5 kg/plant, harvest September
Auto White Widow — no light schedule needed
Auto White Widow — autoflowering, 20–23% THC, 58 days LED. The same White Widow genetics with no light schedule — same white frost look, same effect, more compact format. Allows two harvests per season.
- Yield: 450 g/m² | up to 750 g/1.5 m² (LED)
- Outdoor: 70–200 g/plant
White Widow CBD — highest CBD in the family
White Widow CBD — feminized, 15–21% CBD, 7–12% THC, 53 days LED. The full White Widow terpene profile with a gentle, balanced effect — anti-stress, clarity without an intense high. The highest CBD content of the entire White family.
- Yield: 500 g/m² | up to 750 g/1.5 m² (LED)
- Outdoor: up to 1 kg/plant, harvest September
Auto White Widow CBD — CBD + autoflower
Auto White Widow CBD — autoflowering, 10–15% CBD, 7–12% THC, 58 days LED. The most accessible variant of the White family: no light schedule, a CBD-rich profile, the easiest difficulty level. Ideal for those starting out with CBD autoflowers.
- Yield: 400 g/m² | up to 700 g/1.5 m² (LED)
- Outdoor: 70–200 g/plant
American Pie — Power Plant × White Widow
American Pie — feminized, 20% THC, 53–58 days LED. Power Plant × White Widow: the resin production of WW combined with the energetic, sativa-leaning effect of Power Plant. A sweet-creamy wood-and-cream aroma — a dessert-style interpretation of the White line.
- Yield: 500 g/m² | up to 850 g/1.5 m² (LED)
- Outdoor: up to 1 kg/plant, harvest September
Auto American Pie — the fastest variant in the family
Auto American Pie — autoflowering, 19% THC, 43–48 days LED — the fastest variant of the entire White family. Power Plant × White Widow in autoflower format, the sweet cream aroma fully preserved.
- Yield: 400 g/m² | up to 750 g/1.5 m² (LED)
- Outdoor: 70–220 g/plant
Nefertiti — Black Widow × White Widow, 80% sativa
Nefertiti — feminized, 22% THC, 73 days LED. Black Widow × White Widow — the strongest sativa profile of the family: 80% sativa, a cerebral-psychedelic effect, an intense haze-citrus-pine aroma. For experienced growers and anyone seeking the maximum sativa energy from the White line.
- Yield: 500 g/m² | up to 850 g/1.5 m² (LED)
- Outdoor: up to 1.5 kg/plant, harvest November
Auto Nefertiti — sativa autoflower with haze character
Auto Nefertiti — autoflowering, 21% THC, 63 days LED. Black Widow × White Widow in autoflower format: a haze-citrus-pine profile, a cerebral effect, no light schedule. One of the few sativa-leaning autoflowers with true haze character.
- Yield: 400 g/m² | up to 750 g/1.5 m² (LED)
- Outdoor: 70–200 g/plant
Which White Widow variant is right for you?
- Classic WW character, maximum yield → White Widow Fem — 500 g/m², 53 days LED
- No light schedule, same genetics → Auto White Widow — 58 days, two harvests a year
- Daily use without a strong high → White Widow CBD — 15–21% CBD, anti-stress
- CBD + autoflower, the easiest variant → Auto White Widow CBD
- Sweet-creamy profile, sativa energy → American Pie — Power Plant × WW
- Fastest harvest in the family → Auto American Pie — 43–48 days LED
- Maximum sativa, cerebral, haze profile → Nefertiti — 80% sativa, 22% THC
- Sativa autoflower with haze character → Auto Nefertiti
White Widow is a legendary cannabis strain from the 1990s — created in the Netherlands from Brazilian sativa × South Asian indica. A 1995 Cannabis Cup winner, known for exceptional resin production, 20–22% THC and a characteristic earthy-spicy aroma.
20–22% THC in the classic feminized version. Auto White Widow reaches 20–23% THC. Nefertiti (Black Widow × White Widow) reaches 22% THC. The CBD variants contain 7–12% THC with 10–21% CBD.
White Widow is a 50/50 hybrid — a balanced effect of euphoria, creativity and relaxation. Stimulating and mood-lifting at first, then deep physical relaxation. Strongly sedating at higher doses. Ideal for the evening and creative activities.
Indoors after 53 days of flowering under LED. Outdoors in the northern hemisphere, typically the 2nd–4th week of September. Auto White Widow is ready 58 days from germination — allowing two harvests per season. Exception: Nefertiti outdoors finishes in early November due to its long sativa flowering.
White Widow is a balanced 50/50 hybrid — neither clearly indica nor sativa. The effect reflects that: an initial sativa-leaning euphoria and creativity, followed by indica-leaning body relaxation. Nefertiti (a variant) is 80% sativa with a distinctly cerebral character.
White Widow CBD with 15–21% CBD — the highest CBD content of the entire White family. Auto White Widow CBD reaches 10–15% CBD. Both contain 7–12% THC for a gentle, balanced effect without an intense high.
White Widow is a 50/50 hybrid with a balanced effect. Nefertiti (Black Widow × White Widow) is 80% sativa with a cerebral, psychedelic effect, a haze-citrus profile and a noticeably longer flowering time (73 days LED). Nefertiti is the maximum-sativa variant of the White family.
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