Written by Ad OpsHistory and Breeding Origins
Kalashnikova was developed by Green House Seeds, the Amsterdam-based breeder known for creating globally recognized cultivars like White Widow and Super Lemon Haze. The strain's creation is a deliberate cross between AK-47 and White Widow, a pairing documented by both the breeder and retail descriptions carried by CannaConnection. The name nods to the legendary reliability and force of the AK platform, signaling a hybrid intended to deliver power, consistency, and versatility in both effect and cultivation.
The release grew out of an era when European seed banks were actively hybridizing 1990s champions, seeking modern expressions with higher yields and broader terpene appeal. Green House Seeds positioned Kalashnikova as a production-ready hybrid that could satisfy commercial growers while still delighting connoisseurs. From the outset, the cultivar was promoted for its robust growth, generous resin production, and a balanced indica/sativa heritage.
While Green House Seeds has not publicized a single launch year in official summaries, the strain has circulated in catalogs for over a decade, with documented distribution through European and global seed vendors. Its continued availability through breeder-authorized channels speaks to sustained demand and stable seed production. The existence of an autoflowering counterpart further confirms its popularity and adaptability for diverse cultivation styles.
As it spread, Kalashnikova became a classic example of strain stacking among legends—combining AK-47's renowned high with White Widow's dense resin blanket. The result is a cultivar recognized across forums and grow logs for dependable performance. Its reputation is bolstered by breeder-reported metrics that highlight strong yields and efficient flowering times suited to indoor and outdoor environments.
Genetic Lineage and Taxonomy
Kalashnikova is a direct cross of AK-47 and White Widow, as reported by Green House Seeds and summarized by CannaConnection's product listings. AK-47 contributes a global hybrid background, often traced back to Colombian, Mexican, Thai, and Afghani lines. White Widow, a hallmark of Green House Seeds, is typically described as a Brazilian sativa crossed with a South Indian indica, famous for heavy trichomes and a crisp, piney citrus profile.
The combined heritage places Kalashnikova squarely in the indica/sativa category, with a balanced hybrid expression that many growers describe as leaning slightly indica in structure but maintaining sativa lift in the headspace. In practical terms, that means moderate internodal spacing, firm lateral branching, and a predictable stretch of about 1.5–2.0x after the flip to 12/12. This genotype is friendly to training and can be steered toward either single-cola sea-of-green or wider, netted scrogs.
From a chemotype standpoint, Kalashnikova tends to exhibit a THC-dominant profile with low CBD—a pattern consistent with both parents. Phenotype variation can express toward the AK-47 side with brighter terpenes and looser calyxes, or toward the Widow side with harder, frostier flowers and earthier, peppered aromatics. Careful selection of mother plants can lock in either direction for production.
Taxonomically, region-of-origin influences from South America, South Asia, and Central Asia converge in this hybrid, building a terpene palette that commonly includes myrcene, beta-caryophyllene, and limonene, with occasional pinene or terpinolene spikes. This breadth helps explain the strain's dual appeal—uplifting social energy set against a deeply soothing body feel. The equilibrium of these traits is a hallmark of its design.
Morphology and Appearance
Kalashnikova typically grows to medium stature indoors, reaching 80–120 cm in a standard 4–6 week vegetative cycle before flowering. Stems are sturdy with a slight flex under weight, suggesting good support capacity for dense colas without heavy staking. Internodal spacing is moderate, allowing light penetration with minimal lollipop pruning.
Leaves exhibit a hybrid morphology: broad-fingered and dark-lime green with a waxy sheen, but not quite as wide as a pure indica. Fan leaves may present five to seven fingers early and seven to nine on vigorous apical sites. As flowers develop, leaves near buds can show a lighter lime color from resin coverage and nutrient reallocation.
Buds are typically compact to very dense, especially in phenos leaning toward the White Widow side. Calyx clusters stack tightly and produce heavy trichome coverage that becomes visibly milky near peak maturity. Pistils often start pale peach to cream and age to amber or rust-orange.
A mature canopy shows fat terminal colas and multiple secondary spears, each with a firm, conical structure. The resin layer is thick and sticky, often leaving a granular frost on trimming scissors—a trait consistent with the Widow parent. In cooler night temperatures, some phenotypes may express faint anthocyanin hints on sugar leaves, though full purple coloration is not typical.
Under high-intensity LED lighting, the plant tolerates PPFD of 800–900 µmol/m²/s in late flower if CO2 is supplemented, maintaining structure without significant foxtailing. With good airflow, bract density remains uniform across the top third of the plant. Proper defoliation timing helps retain this tight structure while reducing microclimate humidity.
Aroma and Olfactory Profile
Kalashnikova's aroma is layered and assertive, bridging spicy, peppered notes with pine, citrus zest, and a sweet, earthy backbone. The top notes often reflect lemon-lime citrus and fresh-cut pine needles, echoing AK-47's brighter profile. Mid-notes bring cracked black pepper, basil, and faint floral spice, while the base notes remind of damp earth and resinous wood.
As flowers cure from 62–58% relative humidity, the citrus brightens and an herbal eucalyptus nuance can emerge in some jars. The Widow-influenced phenos intensify the pepper and earth, sometimes offering a hash-like incense quality. Overall intensity sits in the upper range; many growers note a strong room-filling bouquet after 2–3 weeks of cure.
Grinding releases a sharper spike of citrus and savory spice, often with a sweet underpinning that suggests candied lemon peel. Vaporizer use emphasizes the zest and pine, whereas combustion unlocks deeper pepper and wood tones. A trained nose may also detect subtle hops-like humulene traces and a menthol whisper from pinene synergy.
Aromatics can shift with environment: warmer, drier drying rooms tend to favor the pepper and wood, while cooler, slower cures retain floral-citrus nuances. Nitrogen management late in flower also affects perceived sweetness, with lower late-N programs leading to cleaner, brighter jars. Across phenotypes, the smell is rarely shy and often demands odor control in production settings.
Flavor and Palate
Kalashnikova's flavor follows its nose with a dynamic first impression of bright citrus layered over pine and pepper. On inhale, expect lemon-lime and sweet herbal tones, sometimes reminiscent of lemongrass or verbena. On exhale, black pepper, cedar, and a lingering earthy sweetness tend to dominate.
Vaporized at 175–190°C, the citrus, pine, and sweet herbals are most vivid and clean, with less pepper bite. At higher vapor temperatures or in combustion, the pepper, wood, and earthy resin notes expand, delivering a fuller, hash-forward finish. A properly cured sample avoids grassy undertones and retains a lightly sweet aftertaste for several minutes.
The mouthfeel is medium-weight with an oily resin texture that coats the palate, especially in Widow-leaning cuts. Terpene preservation improves noticeably with slow drying—targeting roughly 10–14 days at 60°F/60% RH—followed by a 4–6 week cure. Over-drying below 55% RH tends to flatten the citrus and accentuate peppery astringency.
Water content and combustion temperature also shape the experience; well-hydrated flower (11–12% moisture content) burns evenly and yields richer citrus. In extracts, the profile leans toward pine-citrus with spicy tails, often testing dominant in myrcene and caryophyllene with limonene support. Live resin from cold-harvested material usually presents the brightest lemon-pine top.
Cannabinoid Composition and Potency
Kalashnikova is THC-dominant, reflecting both AK-47 and White Widow heritage. Breeder and retailer descriptions consistently position it as a high-potency cultivar, with community lab reports commonly clustering in the mid-to-upper teens for THC. In practical terms, many cuts land around 15–19% THC by weight, though skilled cultivation and optimal environment can push higher.
CBD content is typically low, often below 1% by weight, yielding a THC:CBD ratio that commonly exceeds 20:1. Trace minors such as CBG may appear in the 0.1–0.5% range in cured flower, a pattern seen in many modern hybrids. Total cannabinoids can reach the low-20% range when THCA conversion is included.
From a dosing perspective, 18% THC equates to roughly 180 mg THC per gram of flower, assuming near-complete decarboxylation in combustion or vaping. A modest 0.1 g inhaled portion would thus deliver approximately 18 mg THC, which is considered a strong session dose for inexperienced consumers. Experienced users often find a comfortable range in the 10–20 mg inhaled THC window per session, depending on tolerance and desired intensity.
The onset for inhalation is fast, usually under 2–5 minutes, with peak effects arriving at 10–20 minutes and tapering over 2–3 hours. Edible or tincture preparations using Kalashnikova extract will follow oral pharmacokinetics, with onset in 30–120 minutes and duration of 4–8 hours. As always, potency varies by phenotype, grow conditions, harvest timing, and post-harvest handling.
Terpene Profile and Chemistry
While formal published lab datasets for Kalashnikova are limited, its parentage strongly predicts a terpene profile anchored by myrcene, beta-caryophyllene, and limonene. Myrcene often leads in the 0.3–1.0% range by weight in cured flower, contributing to the sweet herbals and smooth body feel. Beta-caryophyllene commonly follows in the 0.2–0.6% range, bringing pepper and potential CB2 receptor activity.
Limonene typically shows in the 0.1–0.5% range, correlating with citrus brightness and perceived mood elevation. Secondary contributors may include alpha- and beta-pinene (0.05–0.3%), adding pine, eucalyptus, and alertness, and humulene (0.05–0.2%), enhancing woody, hops-like nuances. Some AK-47-leaning phenotypes can show measurable terpinolene, though it is usually a minor player here.
The overall terpene load for well-grown, slowly dried flower frequently sits between 1.5–3.0% by weight. Careful environmental control—particularly a cool, slow dry and cure—helps preserve monoterpenes such as limonene and pinene, which volatilize quickly at elevated temperatures. Growers who keep post-harvest conditions near 60°F and 60% RH often report the most expressive jars.
Terpene synergy matters in how this hybrid feels: myrcene may reinforce body relaxation, caryophyllene can modulate inflammatory signaling via CB2, and limonene contributes to bright mood and perceived sociability. The pepper-citrus-pine triangle is the sensory signature many connoisseurs seek out in Kalashnikova. With phenohunting, cultivators can skew the profile brighter (AK-47 side) or earthier and spicier (Widow side) to meet market preferences.
Experiential Effects and Use Patterns
Kalashnikova reliably delivers a balanced experience that opens with a clear, upbeat headspace and settles into a calm, grounded body feel. Early effects often include heightened sensory focus, talkativeness, and a gently euphoric mood. As the session progresses, the body relaxation deepens without wiping out motivation in moderate doses.
Compared with AK-47, Kalashnikova is typically a touch heavier in the body but less racy in the head, thanks to Widow influence. Compared with White Widow, it tends to feel a bit brighter and more sociable up front. Many consumers describe it as a daytime-to-early-evening hybrid that transitions well into casual social settings or creative tasks.
Onset is fast with inhalation, typically within minutes, with peak intensity around the 15-minute mark. Duration commonly spans 2–3 hours for most users, with a clean taper that avoids grogginess when dosed conservatively. Heavy consumption or late-night use, however, can nudge it toward couchlock, particularly in myrcene-forward phenotypes.
Adverse effects are in the expected range for THC-dominant hybrids: dry mouth and dry eyes are common, and overconsumption may trigger transient anxiety in sensitive individuals. Newer consumers should start low, taking 1–2 small inhalations and waiting 10–15 minutes before escalating. Pairing with hydration and a calm environment can help smooth out the experience.
Potential Medical Applications
Given its THC-dominant chemotype with a myrcene–caryophyllene–limonene backbone, Kalashnikova is often explored for stress relief, mood elevation, and body comfort. Anecdotal reports frequently mention reduced muscle tension and a calmer mental state within 10–20 minutes of inhalation. The peppy but composed headspace can be useful for tasks that require focus without anxiety.
Beta-caryophyllene's CB2 agonism has been investigated for anti-inflammatory potential in preclinical studies, suggesting a mechanistic rationale for mild pain modulation. Limonene is studied for possible anxiolytic effects and enhancement of positive affect, which may support daytime use for stress. Myrcene may contribute to perceived body relaxation, complementing caryophyllene's effect profile.
Low baseline CBD means this cultivar may not be ideal where CBD-rich formulations are preferred or required. Some patients mix THC-dominant flower with CBD flower or concentrate to broaden the therapeutic window and moderate psychoactivity. As with all cannabis use, individual response varies widely, and professional medical guidance is recommended for specific conditions.
Commonly cited use cases include tension headaches, post-activity soreness, and situational anxiety where a gentle mood lift is desired. For sleep, higher evening doses can be sedating, but many find the sweet spot at moderate doses that wind down without next-day fog. In any medical context, titration and journaling of responses help dial in an effective regimen.
Comprehensive Cultivation Guide
Kalashnikova was bred by Green House Seeds with production in mind, and the plant responds well to a range of methods from sea-of-green to scrog. Indoors, plan for 8–9 weeks of flowering, with a typical stretch of 1.5–2.0x after the flip. Outdoors in the northern hemisphere, harvest commonly falls in late September to early October under temperate conditions.
Seed germination is straightforward: hydrate seeds in clean water for 12–24 hours until they sink, then place in a moist starter medium at 24–26°C with 70–90% RH. Seedlings prefer gentle light around 200–300 µmol/m²/s PPFD for the first 7–10 days. Maintain root zone pH at 6.2–6.6 in soil or 5.7–6.1 in hydro/coco to optimize nutrient uptake.
Vegetative growth is quick and responsive to training. Top once at the 4th–5th node and shape into 4–8 mains for a balanced canopy, or run untopped clones at high density for SOG. Expect to veg photoperiod plants for 3–5 weeks depending on target plant count and canopy footprint.
Nutrient needs are moderate. In veg, target EC 1.2–1.6 (600–800 ppm 500-scale) with an NPK ratio around 3-1-2, plus Ca/Mg support in soft water. In early flower, shift to 1.6–1.8 EC and transition to roughly 1-2-2, peaking mid-flower near 1.8–2.0 EC if the plants are thriving and showing no burn.
By late flower (weeks 6–8), many growers taper nitrogen and emphasize P/K gently (still near 1.8 EC total), avoiding harsh spikes that can cause leaf burn or flavor degradation. Maintain good micronutrient availability—iron, manganese, and boron—by keeping pH stable and feeding evenly. A 7–10 day plain-water or low-EC finish is common practice to enhance burn quality and aromatics.
Environmental parameters drive quality and yield. In veg, 24–27°C day, 20–22°C night, and 60–70% RH (VPD ~0.8–1.0 kPa) promote rapid, healthy growth. In flower, tighten to 23–26°C day, 19–21°C night, and 50–55% RH early, dropping to 42–48% in late flower to deter botrytis in the dense colas.
Light intensity can hit 600–750 µmol/m²/s PPFD in early-to-mid flower and 800–900 µmol/m²/s late in flower for acclimated plants. With 1000–1200 ppm CO2, many growers see a 10–20% yield increase and improved bud density, provided nutrition and irrigation keep pace. Aim for daily light integrals around 45–55 mol/m²/day during peak bloom for best results.
Irrigation cadence is key. In coco, frequent, smaller feeds to 10–20% runoff prevent salt buildup and maintain root oxygenation; in soil, employ a water–dry cycle that lets the top 2–3 cm dry before rewatering. Keep root zone temperature near 20–22°C to maximize oxygen availability and root metabolism.
Training options are flexible. A scrog can net 6–12 tops per plant in a 4×4 ft (1.2×1.2 m) tent, producing even, chunky colas that finish together. For SOG, 16–25 small plants per 1.2 m², minimal veg, and single colas can drive fast turnover with excellent uniformity.
Defoliation should be moderate and timed. Remove large fan leaves that shade lower sites at late veg and again around day 21 of flower. Avoid over-stripping, as Widow-leaning phenos pack heavy trichomes that benefit from healthy leaf-driven photosynthesis through weeks 5–7.
Pest and disease management is conventional for a dense-flowering hybrid. Good airflow—achieve at least 0.3–0.5 m/s across the canopy—and multiple oscillating fans reduce microclimate humidity. Preventive IPM in veg with biologicals like Bacillus subtilis (for powdery mildew) and Beauveria bassiana (for soft-bodied insects) helps keep pressure low.
White powdery mildew (WPM) and botrytis are the prime risks in late flower, particularly if RH creeps above 55%. Space colas, clean up lower larf, and thin leaves strategically to keep RH stable. Never spray wet products on flowers after week 3–4; rely on environment, canopy management, and beneficial predators like Amblyseius swirskii when needed.
Yield potential is strong for a balanced hybrid. Indoors, experienced growers commonly report 600–750 g/m² under modern LEDs in dialed rooms, with 1.2–2.0 g/W attainable in high-efficiency setups and well-run SOGs. Outdoors, vigorous plants in 50–100 L containers or in-ground beds can produce 700–1200 g per plant in sunny, Mediterranean climates.
Harvest timing is typically 56–63 days from flip, with some phenos preferring the early end for brightest citrus and others benefiting from 3–5 extra days for heavier pepper and deeper body feel. Aim for a trichome ratio around 5–15% amber, 70–85% cloudy, and minimal clear for a balanced effect. AK-47-leaning cuts often shine at mostly cloudy with very little amber for an energetic tilt.
Post-harvest handling determines how fully the terpene story survives. Dry over 10–14 days at 60°F (15.5°C) and 58–62% RH, with gentle airflow and minimal light exposure. Cure in airtight containers burped as needed to keep internal jar RH near 60–62% for 4–6 weeks, then stabilize at 58–62% for storage.
For extraction, Kalashnikova's resin density makes it a solid candidate for both hydrocarbon and rosin processes. White Widow influence can improve returns, particularly in phenos with looser calyxes that allow better resin separation. Fresh-frozen runs accentuate limonene and pinene for a brighter concentrate.
Cloning is straightforward with 14–18 day root times in standard conditions and 72–78°F (22–25.5°C) domed humidity. Keep EC low (0.4–0.6) and pH in range. Select mother stock based on terpene intensity, internode spacing, and disease resistance to anchor a consistent production line.
Outdoor cultivation favors warm, dry summers with cool nights to enhance color and resin. In higher humidity regions, select airier AK-leaning phenos or train plants to maximize airflow, and consider early defoliation. Planting in amended living soil with robust microbiology can reduce inputs and improve resilience over long seasons.
For the homegrower, a 2×2 or 2×4 ft tent can house 1–2 scrogged plants, delivering dense, aromatic flowers in 9–10 weeks from flip. Simple success metrics include stable pH, moderate EC, and tight late-flower humidity. The cultivar’s forgiving nature makes it a strong candidate for a second or third grow once basic environment control is in place.
Growers should also note that Green House Seeds offers an autoflowering variant—Kalashnikova Autoflowering—designed for faster turnaround and smaller footprints. While autos generally yield less per plant than dialed photoperiods, they can finish in roughly 9–10 weeks from seed in optimal conditions and suit balcony or microgrow scenarios. Choose the photoperiod version to chase maximum yield and canopy control, or the auto for speed and simplicity.
Putting it together, Kalashnikova thrives when given consistent light, balanced nutrition, and clean, dry air. The plant rewards methodical growers with a resinous, terpene-rich harvest that translates well to both flower and extract. With its pedigree and breeder-backed performance metrics, it remains a dependable, high-value cultivar for diverse cultivation styles.
