Written by Ad OpsOrigins and Breeding History
Double Rainbow is a contemporary hybrid bred by Holy Smoke Seeds, a boutique breeder known for marrying modern dessert-terpene phenotypes with robust, high-vigor lines. In breeder listings and retail catalogs, Double Rainbow is typically described simply as an indica/sativa hybrid, signaling a deliberate balance rather than an extreme lean to either side. That balanced architecture aligns with consumer demand in the early-to-mid 2020s for cultivars that deliver both heady uplift and body comfort without couchlock.
The timing of Double Rainbow’s rise tracks with a broader wave of candy- and fruit-forward genetics that redefined connoisseur markets between 2019 and 2024. Industry roundups like Leafly’s seasonal picks and its 100 Best Weed Strains of 2025 underscore how consumers group strains by reported effects as much as by lineage, with balanced, mood-elevating hybrids commanding attention. Budtenders’ Choice awards in 2024 similarly spotlighted the public’s appetite for bright, flavorful, modern hybrids—think the same lane occupied by Runtz offshoots and fruit-tart profiles.
Holy Smoke Seeds’ catalog has long emphasized exotic aromas, bag appeal, and potent resin production, and Double Rainbow fits that brief. While individual release notes vary by drop, the breeder’s philosophy consistently centers on vigorous growth, above-average trichome density, and terpene expressions that pop on the palate. In practice, Double Rainbow reads as an archetype of the candy wave: sticky, loud, and calibrated to satisfy both recreational seekers and flavor-obsessed medical patients.
Genetic Lineage and Taxonomy
Holy Smoke Seeds designates Double Rainbow as an indica/sativa hybrid, and most growers experience it as a true middle ground rather than a phenotype that swings wildly one way. The precise parentage, however, is not broadly publicized by the breeder and remains proprietary in many listings. This is common in modern cannabis; as genealogy databases note, numerous commercial cultivars mask or omit full pedigrees to protect breeding IP and maintain competitive advantage.
When parent info is limited, taxonomy can still be inferred by chemotype and growth traits. In Double Rainbow’s case, the fruit-candy scent, medium internodal spacing, and resin-glazed calyxes point to dessert-terp progenitors that surged in popularity over the last five years. Those families often express dominant monoterpenes like limonene or linalool balanced by sesquiterpenes such as beta-caryophyllene, producing the signature sweet nose with a peppery, grounding finish.
It is worth reiterating that indica/sativa labels describe morphology more than effects. A hybrid like Double Rainbow may throw phenotypes that lean slightly broader-leaf (denser buds, quicker finish) or narrower-leaf (looser structure, airier branching), yet the experiential arc still skews balanced. For cultivators and patients alike, lab-verified cannabinoid and terpene profiles will be more predictive than a binary indica or sativa tag.
Visual Appearance and Bud Structure
Mature flowers of Double Rainbow typically present as medium-dense, golf-ball to conical buds with a high calyx-to-leaf ratio. Under strong LED lighting and cool night temperatures, hues can range from lime to forest green with violet or magenta flashes at the tips and sugar leaves. Rust-orange pistils lace through a white-frost trichome sheath, broadcasting the cultivar’s resin output from arm’s length.
The moniker Double Rainbow evokes multicolor flair, and many phenos deliver. Much like other modern ‘rainbow’ and dessert cultivars, anthocyanin expression increases as night temps dip 8–10°F below daytime highs, encouraging purple tones without sacrificing vigor. A parallel can be seen in showy strains like Unicorn Poop, which Leafly described as wearing a rainbow spectrum of colors; while genetics differ, the visual phenomenon—trichome glare over prismatic hues—resonates.
From a trimming standpoint, Double Rainbow tends to be cooperative. The stacked calyxes and shorter sugar leaves allow for efficient machine trim with minimal resin loss, though a light hand-finishing preserves maximum bag appeal. Expect frosted bracts that compress slightly under finger pressure and snap clean when properly dried, an indicator of balanced moisture and resin maturity.
Aroma and Flavor Profile
On the nose, Double Rainbow leans into confectionery territory with top notes of candied citrus, stone fruit, and tropical sherbet. Many cuts exhibit a lemon-lime fizz layered over berry jam, often followed by a floral lift. Beneath the sweetness, there’s usually a peppery, faintly woody bassline that reads as beta-caryophyllene, keeping the profile from veering into pure sugar.
Combustion or vaporization translates that bouquet into a palate-coating flavor with a bright, zesty first impression and a creamy, fruit-chew exhale. The aftertaste often clings as pink-grapefruit zest, rosewater, or lavender candy depending on where linalool and limonene land within the terpene stack. In concentrate form, live resin and rosin extractions can amplify the sherbet quality, while cured resins highlight the pepper-spice finish.
Flavor retention hinges on post-harvest handling. Over-drying below 55% relative humidity can crash volatile monoterpenes and flatten fruit notes by 30–50%, whereas a slow dry at 58–62% RH preserves more of the top-end aromatics. Glass-cured flowers that maintain water activity around 0.60–0.65 tend to show the cultivar’s full candy spectrum two to four weeks into cure.
Cannabinoid Composition and Potency
As a modern dessert-leaning hybrid, Double Rainbow typically tests in the high-potency bracket common to premium shelves. In markets where balanced hybrids average 18–22% total THC, dialed-in indoor cuts of Double Rainbow can reasonably span 18–26% THC, with outliers above that under optimized conditions. CBD generally registers at trace levels below 1%, while minor cannabinoids like CBG can present in the 0.3–1.2% range.
It is important to contextualize potency within current market norms. Across legal U.S. markets in recent years, average dispensary flower often lands near the 20% THC mark, but consumer experience correlates as much with terpene content as with THC alone. Total terpene concentrations between 1.5–3.0% by weight are consistent with vivid aroma perception and may modulate the subjective intensity of effects via the entourage effect.
For patients and new consumers, onset and duration follow inhalation pharmacokinetics. Expect perceived effects within 2–10 minutes after inhalation, peaking by the 30–45 minute mark and tapering across 2–3 hours depending on dose and tolerance. Edible or tincture formats derived from Double Rainbow will prolong the arc to 4–6 hours or more, with onset often delayed 45–120 minutes post-ingestion.
Terpene Architecture and Chemical Drivers
While phenotypes vary, Double Rainbow commonly expresses a limonene-forward stack backed by beta-caryophyllene, with linalool or myrcene prominent enough to be noticeable. In lab terms, dominant terpene percentages in such hybrids often distribute around limonene 0.3–0.8%, beta-caryophyllene 0.2–0.6%, and linalool or myrcene 0.2–0.5%, with total terpenes frequently landing in the 1.5–3.0% range. Secondary contributors can include alpha- or beta-pinene (0.05–0.2%), ocimene, and humulene, adding pine, herbal, or hop-like nuance.
This composition explains the cultivar’s complex, layered character. Limonene drives sparkling citrus and a mood-lifting tone, while linalool imparts floral sweetness with potential calming synergy. Beta-caryophyllene adds spice and may interact with CB2 receptors, contributing anti-inflammatory signaling distinct from THC’s primary CB1 activity.
Terpene expression is particularly sensitive to environment. High-intensity LED lighting at 700–900 µmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹ during mid-flower, paired with moderate VPD and careful nitrogen tapering, tends to maximize volatile monoterpene retention. Post-harvest, a slow, cool dry—60°F and 60% RH for 10–14 days—can retain significantly more limonene and ocimene than a fast, warm dry, safeguarding the candy top notes that define Double Rainbow.
Experiential Effects and Use Cases
Consumers consistently describe Double Rainbow as an uplifting, clear-headed hybrid that transitions into soothing physical ease. The first 20–30 minutes often bring elevated mood, light euphoria, and sensory pop—music feels richer, colors brighter—without the raciness that high-pinene or narrow-leaf sativa phenos can induce. As the session unfolds, a gentle body calm sets in, easing tension in the neck and shoulders while preserving mental focus.
Dosing guides the arc. Low to moderate inhaled doses support creative work, socializing, or active leisure, while heavier sessions tilt into cozy relaxation suitable for films or winding down. Reported side effects mirror common cannabis profiles: dry mouth is frequent, affecting roughly half of users in general surveys, dry eyes are occasional, and anxiety is uncommon at modest doses but increases with high-THC exposure or in sensitive individuals.
The cultivar’s slot in the contemporary landscape aligns with effect-based curation seen in lists like Leafly’s 100 Best Strains, where balanced, mood-forward picks form a core category. Likewise, budtender-selected winners for 2024 celebrated approachable, flavorful hybrids with broad appeal—an umbrella under which Double Rainbow naturally fits. Practically, it’s a day-to-evening strain: lively enough for afternoon creativity, gentle enough for an early nightcap.
Potential Therapeutic Applications
Double Rainbow’s balanced psychoactivity and terpene blend suggest utility for mood support, stress relief, and mild to moderate pain. Limonene-rich chemotypes have been explored in preclinical literature for anxiolytic and antidepressant-like activity, which may underpin the cultivar’s reported lift in outlook. Beta-caryophyllene’s CB2 agonism is associated with anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, while linalool and myrcene can enhance relaxation and sleep onset in higher doses.
In the clinic or at home, patients frequently reach for profiles like Double Rainbow for daytime anxiety, situational stress, and tension headaches. Neuropathic twinges and musculoskeletal aches may respond to the THC–beta-caryophyllene synergy, especially when paired with topical cannabinoids. Appetite stimulation tends to be modest to moderate, making it a candidate for those needing a nudge without heavy sedation.
Practical dosing strategies start low and scale slowly. New patients might begin with one to two small inhalations or 1–2 mg THC in oral form, titrating upward by 1–2 mg every 24 hours until symptom relief appears without undesirable intoxication. Individuals prone to anxiety should emphasize terpene-rich, mid-THC batches and consider vaporizing at lower temperatures (330–360°F) to favor monoterpenes over heavier sesquiterpenes.
Cultivation Guide: Environment, Medium, and Nutrition
Double Rainbow performs well in controlled indoor environments, greenhouses, and warm-temperate outdoor sites with a long season. Target canopy temperatures of 75–82°F (24–28°C) in lights-on and 64–72°F (18–22°C) lights-off during flower, with relative humidity around 55–65% in veg and 40–50% in mid-to-late bloom. Maintain a VPD of 0.9–1.2 kPa in veg, rising to 1.1–1.3 kPa from week 4 of flower to tighten buds and deter mold.
For light, aim for 450–650 µmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹ PPFD in veg and 700–900 µmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹ in flower, translating to a daily light integral near 35–55 mol·m⁻²·day⁻¹. Under supplemental CO2 at 800–1,200 ppm, many hybrids respond with 20–30% faster growth and improved yields, provided water and nutrients keep pace. Root-zone temperatures of 68–72°F (20–22°C) and strong oxygenation in soilless/hydro substrates minimize root stress and support nutrient uptake.
The cultivar is flexible across media: living soil, coco coir, or hydroponic systems all work. In coco, pH 5.8–6.2 with an EC of ~1.4–1.8 mS/cm in late veg and 1.8–2.2 mS/cm in peak flower is typical; in soil, pH 6.2–6.8 and feed-to-runoff only as needed to avoid salt buildup. Provide robust calcium and magnesium from early veg, add silica for stronger stems, and taper nitrogen sharply after week 3 of flower to encourage terpene synthesis over leafy growth.
Cultivation Guide: Training, Canopy Management, and Crop Steering
Double Rainbow tends to stack calyxes and respond vigorously to topping and low-stress training, making it an excellent SCROG candidate. Top once at the 4th–6th node, then spread the canopy horizontally to create 8–16 main sites per plant depending on pot size and veg length. In 3–5 gallon containers, a 14–21 day veg after topping fills a 2x2-foot footprint per plant under 200–300 watts of efficient LED.
Internodal spacing tightens under high blue light ratios in early veg and cooler nights, producing a carpet of uniform tops. Light leaf-stripping on day 21 and day 42 of flower opens the canopy, reduces humidity pockets, and channels energy to colas; avoid over-defoliation that can shock plants and stunt terpene output. Maintain a gentle wet–dry cycle: allow 10–20% runoff in coco and water when pots lose roughly 50–60% of their saturated weight to promote oxygen exchange.
Crop steering for resin can be as simple as early-flower generative pushes—slightly higher EC, modestly drier substrate, and higher light intensity—to cue flower set and trichome development. Mid-flower, transition to balanced steering with stable VPD and consistent irrigation pulses to pack on weight without foxtailing. Late-flower, emphasize environmental stability and nutrient taper for clean burn and vivid terpene expression.
Cultivation Guide: Flowering, Maturation, and Harvest
Flowering time for Double Rainbow typically runs 8–9 weeks indoors from the flip, though some phenotypes prefer a full 9–10 for maximum color and flavor. Outdoors, expect harvest from late September to early October in temperate latitudes, earlier in arid, high-sun climates. Watch trichomes with a jeweler’s loupe: a sweet-spot window for balanced effects is often when 5–15% of heads turn amber with the majority cloudy.
Yields depend on environment, veg time, and CO2. Well-run indoor canopies commonly produce 1.5–2.0 ounces per square foot, or roughly 450–600 g/m², with top quartile rooms exceeding that under dialed-in light and CO2. Outdoor plants in 20–50 gallon containers can reach 600–1,200 grams per plant with full sun, clean IPM, and vigilant mildew control.
As a finishing technique, some growers experiment with 24–48 hours of darkness at the end of flower to encourage resin thickening and terpene accumulation. This practice has been reported with other ‘rainbow’ cultivars and can slightly intensify aroma; however, it also elevates humidity risk in dense canopies. If attempted, keep VPD stable, ensure strong airflow, and avoid extending darkness long enough to compromise plant health or invite mold.
Integrated pest management is crucial in late bloom. Maintain RH below 50% from week 6 onward to deter botrytis in fat colas, and rotate biological controls early in the cycle—beneficial mites for thrips and spider mites, and Bacillus-based sprays in veg for powdery mildew prevention. Cease foliar applications well before flower set and rely on environment, canopy spacing, and sanitation to carry the finish.
Post-Harvest: Drying, Curing, and Storage
Cut whole plants or large branches and dry them in a space held near 60°F and 60% RH with gentle, indirect airflow for 10–14 days. This slow dry preserves fragile monoterpenes such as limonene and ocimene that define Double Rainbow’s candy nose. Aim for a stem snap that’s firm but not brittle and a flower moisture content that correlates with a 0.60–0.65 water activity reading if you measure it.
Cure in airtight glass jars or food-safe bins burped daily for the first week, then less frequently for an additional 3–5 weeks. Terpenes often peak on the palate at the 2–4 week cure mark, while the smoke smooths progressively over 6–8 weeks as chlorophyll degrades. Keep storage in the dark at 55–65°F; light and heat accelerate terpene volatilization and cannabinoid oxidation.
Potency does decline over time. Depending on storage conditions, total THC can drop by 10–20% over a year at room temperature, with partial conversion to CBN and other oxidized byproducts. For best results, use airtight containers with minimal headspace, consider 58–62% humidity packs for stability, and avoid frequent opening that reintroduces oxygen and volatilizes aroma.
Market Context and How Double Rainbow Fits In
The last half decade has seen fruit-candy terpene profiles cement themselves at the top of consumer demand. Annual roundups—like America’s winning weed strains of summer 2022—frequently name-check cultivars descended from dessert lines such as Wedding Cake, Runtz, and Apple Tartz. Double Rainbow comfortably occupies this sweet, expressive lane while often delivering a more balanced, day-to-evening effect curve than some heavier dessert phenos.
Curations like Leafly’s 100 Best Strains of 2025 further illustrate how consumers and budtenders describe cannabis in terms of felt effects: creative, relaxing, energizing, or balanced. By that taxonomy, Double Rainbow routinely finds a home among uplifting-balanced entries, prioritized for flavor fidelity and approachable euphoria. That positioning is reinforced by budtender lists in 2024 that highlighted flavorful, versatile hybrids as safe recommendations for a wide range of customers.
On the sourcing front, reputable seed retailers emphasize stable genetics, fast shipping, and germination guarantees as market norms. Platforms such as SeedSupreme advertise these standards, reflecting the broader expectation that buyers can access reliable stock and support. As with all genetics, due diligence—checking breeder of record, batch notes, and grower reviews—maximizes the odds of landing a Double Rainbow cut that lives up to its name.
