Written by Ad OpsOrigin and History of After Dark
After Dark is a mostly indica cultivar bred by Purple City Genetics, an Oakland, California collective renowned for releasing resilient, terpene-forward cuts tailored to West Coast production. The strain’s name signals its intended use-case: a deeply relaxing evening or nighttime flower designed to transition the mind and body toward rest. That positioning aligns with broader industry language where sedating cultivars are often recommended for after-dark consumption to maximize relaxation and sleep readiness.
Purple City Genetics rose to prominence in the late 2010s by curating lines that performed well in Northern California’s diverse microclimates and highly competitive legal market. Their program emphasizes resin density, color expression, and modern dessert-forward aroma stacks without sacrificing agronomic vigor. After Dark fits this portfolio by combining bag appeal with a heavy, tranquil effect profile prized by end-of-day consumers.
The strain found traction as the legal market matured and nighttime-use flower carved out a stable niche alongside daytime sativas and hybrid dessert lines. Many dispensaries segment their menus by functional effect, and After Dark consistently appears in the unwind, relax, and sleep categories. In markets that report sales by effect tag, nighttime-leaning indica offerings routinely command steady demand, with several analytics providers noting that relaxation and sleep-oriented flowers occupy a durable share of the top-selling SKUs in mature states.
The name also resonates culturally because it conveys a clear, intuitive message in just two words. As a result, After Dark has been a staple recommendation for consumers transitioning from stimulatory daytime strains to body-heavy evening selections. The clarity around use-case likely contributed to strong word-of-mouth, especially among new consumers who benefit from straightforward guidance.
Genetic Lineage and Breeding Rationale
Purple City Genetics has not publicly disclosed a definitive parental cross for After Dark, a common practice among modern breeders protecting proprietary lines. Nonetheless, its morphology and terpene fingerprint suggest indica-leaning heritage with contributions from contemporary dessert and Kush families. Phenotypes often present inky green-to-purple coloration, dense spear-shaped buds, and a myrcene-forward bouquet with caryophyllene spice, all hallmarks of indica-dominant Kush and modern dessert hybrids.
The breeder’s probable objectives are clear: deliver a cultivar that finishes in a commercially practical window, stacks dense resin for high-grade flower and extracts, and expresses a terpene profile that reads unmistakably evening. Indica-dominant lines that carry sweet berry, creamy, or earthy-spice notes tend to test well with consumers who equate darker aromatics to heavier body effects. Purple City Genetics regularly selects for this synergy of agronomics and sensory performance, which explains After Dark’s reliability for both production teams and budtenders.
From a genetic archetype perspective, After Dark behaves like a cross that draws from three dominant streams: Afghan or Hindu Kush backbone for stout structure and sedation, dessert-line modern hybrids for syrupy sweetness and color, and possibly a spice-laden backbone to anchor the nose. These elements often produce high trichome density and short internodes, which translate to heavy colas and a trimmed flower that gleams under light. Growers frequently remark on the strain’s stability under training and her preference for moderate nutrient feed, suggesting careful parental selection.
It is increasingly common for top-tier breeders to release effect-forward cultivars without fully disclosing pedigrees to maintain differentiation in crowded markets. In this context, After Dark’s lineage being closely held is unsurprising and does not impede its adoption. The cultivar’s consistent nighttime effect signature and robust bag appeal effectively communicate its value regardless of the precise parentage.
Morphology and Visual Appearance
After Dark presents as a compact-to-medium stature plant with thick lateral branching and shortened internodal spacing. The fan leaves are broad with dark green to nearly black-green pigmentation late in flower, especially when nighttime temperatures are allowed to drop a few degrees. As anthocyanins express near harvest, sugar leaves and calyx tips often pick up plum or eggplant tones that deepen its namesake aesthetic.
Buds are dense and resin-caked, generally forming chunky spears and golf-ball satellites that trim down into hard, photogenic nuggets. Pistils tend to ripen from tangerine to rust, snaking through a coat of milky-white trichomes that can read frosty-gray from a distance. Under magnification, resin heads appear large and plentiful, a positive indicator for solventless hash yields.
The cultivar’s overall structure makes it well-suited for sea-of-green or horizontal canopy approaches like SCROG and manifolded topping. While not the tallest plant in veg, it puts on appreciable bulk in weeks 5–8 of flower, concentrating mass into top sites. Because colas pack on tightly, diligent airflow and defoliation become important to avoid microclimate humidity pockets.
Trim teams often report that the flowers hold shape well during machine-assist rough trimming, though hand finishing delivers the best jar appeal. The final bag shows off a photogenic contrast of deep greens and purples against amber pistils and glittering trichomes. This visual signature aligns with consumer expectations of a night-oriented indica: darker hues, heavy frost, and dense structure.
Aroma and Nose
After Dark’s aroma reads unmistakably evening. The leading impression is often a myrcene-laden earthiness inflected by sweet berry or dark fruit, like blackcurrant or plum, layered over a base of damp forest and cocoa nib. Secondary spice notes, likely from beta-caryophyllene and humulene, add a peppery, woody lift that keeps the profile from cloying.
In jars with higher limonene expression, the nose takes on a candied edge reminiscent of dessert hybrids, translating to a slightly brighter top note without losing the strain’s moody undertone. Some phenotypes present a subtle floral twist suggestive of linalool, which can come across as lavender-like in the background. Collectively, the bouquet signals relaxation and warmth rather than sharp citrus or fuel-forward stimulation.
Breaking a nug releases richer, hashy layers and an almost mocha-like depth that many associate with late-evening strains. The grind accentuates earthy-sweet dynamics, with a pepper-chocolate flicker that lingers on the fingers. For budtenders, a good descriptor set is sweet earth, dark fruit, pepper, and soft cocoa, which captures both the dessert and Kush sides of the nose.
Aroma intensity trends medium-high, and total terpene content in comparable indica-dominant cultivars often sits around 1.5–2.5% by weight. Ambient temperature and humidity significantly affect perception at the counter, so jars opened around 64–68°F and 55–60% relative humidity typically showcase the bouquet best. Proper cure maintains the strain’s rounded sweetness and prevents the pepper from turning acrid.
Flavor and Palate
The palate largely mirrors the nose with a sweet, earthy base highlighted by dark fruit and gentle spice. Inhalation is typically smooth when well-cured, delivering a velvety berry-cocoa profile that settles into a kushy, peppered earth on the exhale. The aftertaste often lingers as a mellow chocolate-spice thread, consistent with caryophyllene’s warm, woody character.
Phenotypic variance can push flavor toward either dessert or classic hashish tones. Dessert-leaning cuts evoke blackberry syrup and cream, while earth-spice phenos land squarely in old-world Kush territory with sandalwood and black pepper accents. In both cases, the flavor balance reads rounded and evening-appropriate rather than bright or diesel-sharp.
Vaporization emphasizes sweetness and floral lilts at lower temperatures. At 350–380°F (177–193°C), myrcene and linalool nuances come forward, while higher-temperature draws above 400°F (204°C) unlock deeper spice and cocoa. Consumers seeking maximum flavor clarity may favor slow sips from a clean glass piece or a convection vaporizer set in the mid-370s.
Pairings that complement After Dark’s palate include dark chocolate with 70–85% cacao, toasted nuts, and black tea or decaf espresso. The strain also pairs nicely with savory snacks that mirror its wood-and-spice edge, such as rosemary almonds. Avoid intensely sour or pine-forward pairings that can overshadow its subtler dessert core.
Cannabinoid Chemistry and Potency
As a mostly indica cultivar bred for nighttime use, After Dark generally falls into the modern potency range prevalent in legal markets. Across state lab dashboards, the median THC content for indica-dominant flower commonly clusters around 18–22%, with top-shelf lots pushing into the mid-20s. It is reasonable to expect After Dark to test in the 17–24% THC band depending on phenotype, cultivation practices, and cure.
CBD content is likely minimal, often below 0.5% in THC-dominant indica cultivars, though occasional expressions between 0.5–1.0% are possible. Minor cannabinoids like CBG commonly appear in the 0.2–1.0% range, and trace THCV may be detectable but is typically functionally negligible for most users. The interplay of THC with the terpene ensemble, rather than a high CBD fraction, accounts for much of the strain’s perceived sedative signature.
Consumers should remember that labeled THC is not a proxy for total effect intensity; cohort studies have found weak correlations between labeled potency and subjective intoxication once above moderate thresholds. Terpenes modulate the experience substantially, and After Dark’s myrcene and caryophyllene dominance likely contributes to heavier body load and perceived sedation at equal THC levels. This explains why After Dark often feels more soporific than similarly potent but limonene-pinene-leaning sativa-hybrids.
For dosing guidance, individuals with low tolerance commonly report satisfactory results with 2.5–5 mg THC per edible serving or 1–2 inhalations in flower form. Intermediate consumers might prefer 5–10 mg or 2–4 inhalations, while experienced users sometimes titrate to 10–20 mg or sustained session smoking. Always consider set, setting, and time to onset: inhalation typically peaks within 30–45 minutes, whereas edibles can take 1–2 hours to crest.
Terpene Profile and Aroma Chemistry
While specific published COAs for After Dark are limited, its profile reliably aligns with indica-dominant stacks where myrcene and caryophyllene anchor the blend. In comparable cultivars, total terpene content commonly sits between 1.5% and 2.5% by weight, with standout batches exceeding 3.0% when grown under high-intensity lighting and dialed-in environmental control. Expect a distribution where beta-myrcene contributes earthy-sweet and musky fruit notes, beta-caryophyllene adds peppery spice and woody warmth, and humulene lends herbal dryness.
Tertiary terpenes that commonly appear include limonene and linalool. Limonene adds candied citrus brightness that can read as berry candy when interacting with myrcene, while linalool imparts lavender-like, floral calm. These compounds have been associated in preclinical literature with mood modulation and relaxation, which maps neatly to the cultivar’s perceived effects.
Approximate expectations based on analogous indica-dominant nighttime cultivars are as follows: myrcene 0.4–0.9% by weight, caryophyllene 0.2–0.6%, humulene 0.05–0.3%, limonene 0.1–0.4%, and linalool 0.05–0.2%. Trace terpenes like nerolidol, bisabolol, or ocimene may contribute secondary floral or tea-like accents. The specific ratios vary by phenotype, plant maturity at harvest, and post-harvest handling.
From a functional chemistry standpoint, beta-caryophyllene’s activity as a CB2 receptor agonist is notable because it suggests an anti-inflammatory pathway distinct from THC’s psychoactivity. Myrcene has been discussed in the context of sedation and muscle relaxation in observational cannabis literature, though controlled human studies remain limited. Together, these terpenes plausibly support After Dark’s body-heavy, unwind-forward signature independent of raw THC percentage.
Experiential Effects and Use Cases
After Dark is engineered for winding down. Most users describe a steadily intensifying body heaviness that begins 10–15 minutes after inhalation, peaking around the 45–60 minute mark. The mental state often shifts from scattered to quietly content, with background chatter fading and sensory warmth setting in.
The experience generally leans toward couch-friendly relaxation rather than active euphoria. Appetite stimulation is common, and a gentle wave of eyelid heaviness can appear as the session progresses. Many consumers find music, low-light ambiance, and light snacks synergistic, while cognitively demanding tasks and fast-paced social settings may feel incongruent.
Industry guides often recommend reserving sedating strains for after dark to minimize daytime impairment and to align with circadian patterns. The naming of After Dark makes this guidance explicit, mirroring broader consumer advice that heavily sedating cultivars are best utilized in the evening or before sleep. Observationally, users sensitive to THC-induced anxiety sometimes fare better with calming, myrcene-rich nighttime strains, though dose control remains key.
Common side effects include dry mouth, red eyes, and, in higher doses, a brief period of orthostatic lightheadedness upon standing. Rarely, individuals sensitive to THC may experience transient anxiety; counters include dose reduction, hydration, and calm breathing. As always, avoid combining with alcohol or sedative medications, and do not drive or operate machinery under the influence.
Potential Medical Applications and Evidence
After Dark’s heavy-body profile aligns with several symptom domains commonly targeted by indica-dominant cannabis. Chief among these are sleep onset difficulties, chronic pain, muscle spasm, and stress-related somatic tension. The strain’s warm, slow-down signature can make it attractive for evening symptom management without the alertness sometimes associated with limonene- or pinene-forward cultivars.
In 2017, the National Academies reported substantial evidence that cannabis is effective for treating chronic pain in adults, a finding repeated in subsequent reviews that note modest-to-moderate effect sizes. THC, acting on CB1 receptors, modulates nociceptive processing, while beta-caryophyllene’s CB2 agonism is hypothesized to contribute anti-inflammatory action. For patients whose pain peaks after daily activity, a sedating nighttime cultivar can provide both analgesia and sleep facilitation.
Insomnia affects an estimated 10–30% of adults chronically, and observational studies consistently show that many patients self-select indica-leaning strains for sleep. While rigorous randomized trials remain limited, patient-reported outcomes frequently describe reductions in sleep onset latency and fewer nocturnal awakenings with evening THC-dominant products. For sensitive users, combining lower THC flower with low-dose CBN or linalool-rich adjuncts can increase the likelihood of sustained sleep without next-day grogginess.
Anxiety outcomes are highly individualized with THC; some patients experience relief from somatic tension, while others see paradoxical increases in worry. In practice, clinicians often advise starting at 2.5–5 mg THC equivalents and titrating slowly, particularly for anxiety-predominant conditions. Patients should consult healthcare professionals, especially when taking medications metabolized by CYP450 enzymes, given potential drug-drug interactions.
For appetite stimulation, evening-use strains like After Dark can help recover calories in patients experiencing treatment-related anorexia, with the added benefit of promoting sleep afterward. As always, medical use should incorporate careful tracking of dose, timing, and outcomes over at least 2–4 weeks to evaluate benefit-risk balance. Noncombustion routes such as vaporization or measured tinctures can aid in precise titration and lung health considerations.
Cultivation Guide: Environment, Timeline, and Yield
After Dark behaves like a classic indica-dominant hybrid in the garden, favoring stable environments and moderate feeding. Indoors, plan for 8–9 weeks of flowering under a 12/12 photoperiod, with many phenotypes finishing in the 56–63 day window and some pushing to 65 days for maximal color and resin. Outdoors in temperate climates, target a mid to late October harvest, watching closely for early-season rains due to dense cola structure.
Optimal daytime temperatures range from 76–82°F (24–28°C) with nighttime drops to 68–72°F (20–22°C). A mild night drop near the end of flower can enhance anthocyanin expression, deepening purple hues without stressing the plant. Maintain relative humidity around 60–65% in late veg, 50–55% in early flower, and 40–45% in late flower, aiming for VPD between 1.0–1.3 kPa to balance transpiration and disease pressure.
Lighting intensity at canopy should sit near 600–900 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹ PPFD in veg and 900–1,200 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹ in flower for non-CO2 rooms. If enriching CO2 to 900–1,200 ppm, you can push PPFD toward the upper end of that range, often realizing 10–20% yield increases when the rest of the environment is dialed. Ensure even distribution and manage leaf surface temperature with airflow to prevent localized heat stress.
Yield potential is competitive for indica-dominant resin producers. Indoors, experienced growers often target 1.5–2.5 ounces per square foot, with canopies trained to maximize top sites. Outdoors, vigorous plants in 30–50 gallon containers or in-ground beds can produce 1.5–3.0 pounds per plant under long-season sun, provided disease management and nutrition remain consistent.
Cultivation Guide: Mediums, Nutrition, Training, and IPM
After Dark performs well in both living soil and inert media. In amended soil, aim for a biologically active profile with balanced NPK and abundant calcium and magnesium, using top-dresses of compost, kelp, and malted barley for enzymatic support. In coco or rockwool, maintain a root-zone pH of 5.8–6.0 in veg and 6.0–6.2 in flower, with EC targets of 1.2–1.6 in veg and 1.8–2.2 in peak flower, tapering down in the final week.
The cultivar appreciates a steady calcium and magnesium supply, particularly under high-intensity LEDs that increase transpiration rates. Silica supplementation at 50–100 ppm can bolster cell walls and improve resistance to mechanical stress. Avoid overfeeding nitrogen late in flower to preserve aroma complexity and prevent leafy buds.
Training strategies should prioritize an even canopy and strong lateral development. Topping once or twice followed by low-stress training can produce a grid of uniform tops perfect for SCROG. Strategic defoliation around weeks 3 and 6 of flower opens airflow through dense bud sites, reducing the risk of botrytis and powdery mildew.
An integrated pest management program is crucial due to dense floral clusters. Start with prevention: maintain clean intakes, quarantine new clones, and use weekly scouting with yellow sticky cards. Biological controls such as predatory mites (e.g., Amblyseius swirskii, Neoseiulus californicus) and periodic foliar applications of microbial biostimulants in veg can keep populations of thrips and spider mites below economic thresholds without impairing terpenes.
Harvest, Drying, and Curing
Time harvest by combining trichome observation and whole-plant cues. Many growers target a trichome ratio around 10–20% amber, 70–80% cloudy, and minimal clear for a sedating but not overly narcotic effect. Waiting an extra 3–5 days beyond your earliest acceptable window often deepens color and adds a touch of weight as calyces swell.
Drying is best done slow and cool: 60–62°F (15.5–16.5°C) and 58–62% relative humidity for 10–14 days. Hang whole plants or large branches to even out moisture gradients in dense colas, and aim for gentle airflow that circulates the room without directly buffeting the flowers. The 60/60 rule of thumb remains a reliable starting point, with adjustments for local climate and room load.
Once stems snap cleanly, move to curing jars or totes at 58–62% humidity using calibrated hygrometers. Burp containers daily for the first week, then every few days for weeks two and three, targeting a 3–6 week cure for maximal flavor polish. Proper cure preserves After Dark’s dark fruit sweetness and pepper-chocolate finish, while too-rapid drying risks flattening the nose into simple earth.
Post-cure trimming should be delicate to avoid knocking trichomes from the already resinous surface. For retail-ready flower, aim to standardize moisture content around 10–12% by weight to maintain compliance and shelf stability. Thoughtful post-harvest handling can make a double-digit percentage difference in perceived quality at the counter.
Post-Harvest: Storage, Testing, and Product Forms
Store finished flower in airtight, opaque containers at 60–68°F (15.5–20°C) and 55–60% relative humidity to minimize terpene volatilization and oxidative THC degradation. Avoid repeated light exposure and temperature cycling, both of which accelerate the loss of monoterpenes such as myrcene and limonene. Under good conditions, aroma intensity and cannabinoid integrity are best within 3–6 months, with gradual decline thereafter.
Laboratory testing should cover cannabinoid potency, terpene profile, moisture content or water activity, and screening for pesticides, heavy metals, and microbial contaminants per local regulations. Expect THC-dominant results with minor cannabinoids in the low single-digit percentages and a myrcene-caryophyllene-humulene core in the terpenes. Tracking terpene totals over batches can be a useful KPI; many producers aim for 1.8%+ total terpenes as a sign of vigorous cultivation and careful post-harvest.
After Dark’s resin density and rounded dessert-kush profile translate well to multiple product formats. As fresh frozen for hydrocarbon or solventless extraction, it can yield flavorful live resins or rosins with soothing nighttime appeal. In edibles, its terpene-forward distillate or full-spectrum extracts align with sleep gummies or chocolates marketed for evening use.
Pre-rolls benefit from a uniform grind that preserves structure and avoids powdering dense buds, ensuring even burns. For hash enthusiasts, sieving gently at cold temperatures protects capitate-stalked trichomes and captures the cultivar’s chocolate-spice notes. Clear labeling that emphasizes evening use and potential sedative effects helps consumers select appropriately and mirrors the intent behind the strain’s name.
Positioning and Consumer Guidance
After Dark sits at the intersection of modern dessert aromatics and classic indica calm. For retailers, it fits cleanly into relax, unwind, and sleep collections and pairs well with accessory bundles like low-wattage ambient lighting or herbal teas. Consumer education should emphasize onset timing, dose titration, and the value of pre-sleep routines to amplify the strain’s natural sedative tendencies.
Because sedating cultivars are commonly recommended for after-dark use across industry sources, the strain’s branding efficiently cues responsible timing. New consumers benefit from anchoring their first experiences to quiet evenings with minimal obligations, allowing the full body effect to unfold without pressure. Encouraging hydration, light snacks, and a comfortable environment improves the likelihood of a positive session.
For experienced users, After Dark can serve as a finisher strain in a two-strain evening plan, following a balanced hybrid with a heavier finale. Those seeking maximum relaxation may experiment with terpene stacking, combining linalool-rich botanicals like lavender in the environment rather than ingestion. Above all, matching intent to timing—truly after dark—remains the simplest way to get the most from this cultivar.
