Written by Ad OpsHistory
Key Lime Pie (KLP) emerged in the early 2010s as a standout phenotype selection of the famed GSC (formerly Girl Scout Cookies). The phenotype was stabilized and popularized by Burning Bush Nurseries, a Northern California breeder known for dialing in dessert-forward cookie cuts. By selecting for a brighter citrus nose, denser resin coverage, and a more soothing indica-leaning effect, Burning Bush carved out a version of GSC that felt both familiar and distinctly new.
The strain’s prominence was cemented as it began showing up on dispensary menus across the West Coast during the mid-2010s. It resonated with consumers seeking the cookie family’s potency but with an unmistakable lime-and-cream twist. As its adoption grew, Key Lime Pie started to appear in strain guides and press roundups, eventually earning a nod in lists of essential and top-tier strains.
Leafly later included Key Lime Pie in a compilation of the 100 best weed strains of all time, noting its status as a GSC phenotype with a more subdued, dessert-forward profile. In editorial pieces celebrating “pie” strains, KLP stood out for offering GSC-like euphoria and body relaxation while pushing a unique citrus-cream terpene signature. That positioning helped KLP remain relevant through changing flavor trends, keeping it on the radar of both connoisseurs and new consumers.
By 2018, craft farms like Flowerdaze Farms were showcasing Key Lime Pie in California, highlighting its fit for the state’s evolving quality standards. The strain’s visibility continued into the 2020s as breeders used it in new hybrids and hash-focused growers praised its resin characteristics. Its sustained presence in both flower and extract markets speaks to a profile that balances potency, flavor, and versatility.
Genetic Lineage
Key Lime Pie is widely regarded as an indica-dominant phenotype of GSC selected for a brighter, citrus-forward bouquet and a creamier finish. Burning Bush Nurseries’ work focused on keeping the cookie core—dense buds, high THC potential, and a calming body effect—while pulling the bouquet toward lime zest, vanilla, and mint. The result was a selection that behaves like GSC in effect but develops a unique aromatic identity that gave it a name of its own.
The strain’s genetic influence can be tracked in multiple modern crosses. Chili Verde, for example, is a recognized cultivar resulting from Key Lime Pie crossed with Lavender, producing a 21% THC indica-dominant hybrid with a spicy-herbal twist layered over the dessert-lime base. Limelight (also known as Lime Light) incorporates Key Lime Pie as well, combining (KLP x Lemon Tree) with additional work from Kali Grown Seeds, stacking citrus terpenes with cookie structure.
Beyond those, KLP has been paired with Tangie in some modern selections, aiming to amplify sweet orange and lime notes while preserving the dense bud architecture of Cookies. Editorial coverage of 2025 harvests even highlighted new cultivars expressing “blueberry key lime pie” flavor, illustrating how breeders leverage KLP to create layered dessert-citrus experiences. These descendants underscore KLP’s role as a terpene donor, particularly for limonene-forward crosses that still benefit from indica-leaning structure.
For consumers, the GSC ancestry helps predict effects—uplifting euphoria followed by full-body calm—while the Key Lime Pie phenotype introduces a noticeably different taste lane. For growers and breeders, KLP provides a template for resin-rich buds and a terpene stack that skews citrus-cream rather than pure earth-gas. This dual reliability—predictable effects and marketable flavor—is why the lineage remains relevant more than a decade after its emergence.
Appearance
Key Lime Pie typically forms dense, golf-ball to egg-shaped buds that reflect its cookie heritage. Calyxes stack tightly, creating short internodal spacing and a solid, weighty feel in the hand. Mature flowers are often forest green with darker jade hues, accented by a heavy frost of milky trichomes that blanket sugar leaves.
Under cooler night temperatures during late flower, KLP can express anthocyanin pigmentation that ranges from subtle lavender blushes to deeper plum undertones. These purples contrast dramatically with bright orange pistils that become more vibrant as the flowers finish. The visual effect is a classic “dessert strain” look: frosted, colorful, and appetizing.
Trichome density is a signature of KLP, with glandular heads that are often large and easily visible to the naked eye. When examined under magnification, the heads present a mix of cloudy and amber near maturity, reflecting a potent resin profile. The sticky feel of well-grown KLP buds often persists through trimming and curing, a sign of robust essential oil content.
Overall bag appeal is high, aided by both coloration and the reflective, glassy finish of mature resin. Properly trimmed flowers retain their domed calyx structure, avoiding a larfy look. In retail settings, KLP’s combination of tight nug structure and frosted surface often stands out in a display case.
Aroma
The aroma of Key Lime Pie combines bright lime zest with sweet cream and subtle vanilla, evoking its dessert namesake. At first crack, many jars release a sharp citrus top note indicative of limonene, followed by a whipped, sugary undertone reminiscent of meringue. As the bouquet expands, a gentle mint thread—common to some GSC phenotypes—intertwines with cookie dough and graham-like warmth.
On the back end, earthy and peppery notes emerge, pointing toward beta-caryophyllene and humulene. These base notes provide depth and help the nose linger, keeping the aroma from feeling like pure candy. A faint diesel or gas hint can appear in some cuts, likely reflecting the Cookies lineage rather than KLP-specific selection.
The complexity is accentuated during grind, when volatile terpenes release more readily. Many connoisseurs report that the lime turns more candied, while the cream shifts to a custard-like aroma after grinding. This transition from tart citrus to sweet bakery is part of KLP’s appeal and a reason it is favored for aromatic extracts and solventless preparations.
Growers notice that the live plant’s aroma skews greener and more citrus-peel in mid-flower, then rounds out with creamy, vanilla-like tones post-cure. Long cures at stable humidity (58–62%) often emphasize the pie crust aspect and soften any sharpness. The resulting jar opens with a layered bouquet that is both nostalgic and novel.
Flavor
On inhalation, Key Lime Pie often leads with a crisp lime candy note that quickly deepens into sweet cream. The mid-palate introduces a cookie-dough warmth, leaning toward graham cracker or vanilla wafer as the draw continues. On exhale, a peppery tickle and faint mint close the loop, echoing a zest-and-cream dessert.
The flavor arcs match the aroma closely, but vaporization at lower temperatures can highlight different facets. At 170–185°C (338–365°F), limonene and linalool come forward, tasting like lime zest folded into custard. Higher temperatures bring in more caryophyllene and humulene, which add spice, earth, and a darker pastry tone.
Cured flowers usually show their best balance after 10–21 days, when chlorophyll has subsided and sugars have stabilized. During this window, KLP’s lime-cream signature is most vivid, and the cookie base tastes fully baked rather than doughy. Overly long or dry cures can thin the dessert sweetness, leaning the flavor back toward earth and pepper.
In concentrates, KLP’s flavor can be intense. Solventless hash rosin typically amplifies the lime soda and meringue notes, while hydrocarbon extracts may pull more of the vanilla custard and pastry tones. This consistency across forms is a hallmark of a well-bred dessert cultivar and a reason KLP maintains demand in both flower and extract categories.
Cannabinoid Profile
Key Lime Pie is primarily a high-THC cultivar, reflecting its GSC ancestry. In legal-market lab tests, KLP commonly measures total THC (reported as THCA plus decarboxylated THC) in the 18–26% range, with standout cuts occasionally topping 27% under optimized conditions. CBD content is typically minimal, often below 0.5%, placing KLP squarely in the THC-dominant category.
Minor cannabinoids can add nuance. CBGa often appears between 0.3–1.0%, which may contribute to perceived smoothness and a less edgy high, though human data are limited. CBC and THCV are usually present only in trace amounts, frequently below 0.2% each, but can vary with phenotype and cultivation method.
Potency perception is shaped by more than total THC alone. The entourage effect—interactions among cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids—likely enhances KLP’s soothing, steady high. Consumers frequently describe KLP as delivering a firm potency that feels “rounded,” which aligns with the balancing influence of limonene, myrcene, and caryophyllene.
Batch-to-batch variability is real, driven by environmental conditions, harvest timing, and curing practices. In general, consistent indoor batches with strong resin development tend to post THCA values in the low- to mid-20s, while outdoor expressions hover slightly lower on average. Regardless of the raw number, KLP’s dense trichome coverage and terpene richness often lead to a robust overall effect profile.
Terpene Profile
Key Lime Pie’s terpene spectrum is typically limonene-forward, supported by beta-caryophyllene and myrcene as secondary drivers. In many lab-tested batches, total terpene content lands between 1.5–3.0% by weight, with limonene frequently measuring 0.4–0.8%. Caryophyllene often ranges from 0.3–0.7%, while myrcene is commonly 0.2–0.6% depending on phenotype and grow method.
Supporting terpenes include linalool, humulene, and ocimene in smaller amounts, often 0.05–0.25% each. Linalool contributes floral sweetness and a relaxing undertone, humulene adds herbaceous earth, and ocimene can brighten the top end with a green, sweet note. Trace amounts of terpinolene are unusual in KLP but may occur in certain crosses.
The trio of caryophyllene, myrcene, and limonene is frequently cited as a sensory cornerstone for dessert-lime cannabis profiles. Industry descriptions of similar terpene stacks evoke “key lime pie with a mango chutney twist,” a nod to how this mix can present both citrus brightness and creamy depth. In KLP specifically, the balance skews toward lime custard and pastry, with peppery caryophyllene keeping the finish lively.
For extraction, KLP’s terpene balance translates well, especially in solventless formats where monoterpenes remain vivid. Washers report that resin heads often sit comfortably in the 90–120 µm range, a sweet spot for bubble hash separation. Live rosin from KLP tends to preserve the lime-cream aromatics while layering in a gentle mint backdrop.
Cultivation conditions will nudge the profile. Warmer rooms and rapid dry-downs can thin citrus top notes, whereas stable, cool cures tend to lock in limonene and linalool better. Growers targeting a terpene maximum often prioritize gentle drying (10–14 days, 60–62% RH) to maintain the dessert spectrum.
Experiential Effects
Key Lime Pie behaves similarly to GSC, delivering an initial wave of uplift and euphoria that transitions into palpable body relaxation. The onset from inhalation is usually felt within 2–5 minutes, peaking around 20–30 minutes after the first draw. Users commonly describe mood elevation without jitteriness, making KLP feel both celebratory and composed.
As the session progresses, the indica-leaning nature becomes more pronounced. Shoulders loosen, racing thoughts quiet, and a calm, heavy-bodied buzz takes hold. At moderate doses, this can enhance conversation, music appreciation, or creative tasks; at higher doses, it may invite a couch-friendly calm and drowsiness.
Consumer reports regularly emphasize KLP’s smooth, dessert-like smoke and the way flavor and effect reinforce one another. The lime-cream profile can psychologically “sweeten” the experience, while caryophyllene and myrcene add a grounded, soothing base. This synergy likely contributes to a perception of comfortable potency rather than overwhelming intensity.
Relative to GSC, many find KLP slightly more mellow, which matches editorial descriptions that call it a more subdued expression of the Cookies effect. That makes it a flexible evening or late-afternoon choice for those who want relief without full sedation. For sensitive users, microdosing—one or two short puffs—often supplies the mood lift and sensory bloom without heavy fatigue.
Potential Medical Uses
As a THC-dominant, indica-leaning strain, Key Lime Pie is commonly chosen by patients and adult users for stress relief and mood support. The limonene-forward bouquet correlates with anecdotal anxiolytic effects, consistent with preclinical findings that limonene can reduce stress-related behaviors in animal models. A warm body comfort often follows, which many people find helpful after physically demanding days.
Beta-caryophyllene, a frequent secondary terpene in KLP, is a known CB2 agonist in preclinical research and may play a role in modulating inflammation. While human clinical data are still developing, this mechanistic pathway aligns with user reports of relief from general aches and tension. The calming body effect may also support sleep in some individuals, especially when dosing in the 1–3 inhalation range 60–90 minutes before bedtime.
For appetite stimulation, the THC-dominant nature of KLP may help, as THC is well-documented to enhance appetite signaling. Patients who experience decreased appetite from stress or certain treatments sometimes turn to dessert-forward strains like KLP for a more palatable experience. The pleasant flavor profile can make adherence to a dosing routine easier.
Importantly, responses are individualized, and potency must be respected. New users should start low and go slow to avoid transient anxiety or over-sedation. Those with specific medical conditions should consult healthcare professionals, as cannabinoid-terpene interactions can vary widely based on personal physiology and concomitant medications.
Comprehensive Cultivation Guide
Key Lime Pie grows like a classic indica-dominant Cookies selection: compact, resin-heavy, and responsive to training. Indoors, plants typically reach 80–120 cm with short internodes and stout lateral branches. Flowering finishes in roughly 8–10 weeks, with many cuts showing peak ripeness at days 60–66.
Environmental targets that favor KLP include daytime temperatures of 22–26°C (72–79°F) and nighttime drops to 18–21°C (64–70°F). A controlled night drop in late flower can encourage purple hues without stressing the plant. Relative humidity should be maintained at 55–65% in veg, 45–50% in early flower, and 38–45% in late flower to deter botrytis on dense colas.
Light intensity is well-tolerated, with PPFD of 400–600 µmol/m²/s in veg and 800–1,000 µmol/m²/s in flower under LED. With supplemental CO2 at 900–1,200 ppm and adequate nutrition, it’s common to see 10–30% yield improvements over ambient conditions. Aim for a daily light integral (DLI) of 35–45 mol/m²/day in bloom for optimal resin development.
Feeding requirements are moderate to moderately heavy. In soilless/hydro, target an EC of 1.2–1.6 mS/cm in veg and 1.6–2.0 mS/cm in flower, with a pH of 5.8–6.2. In soil, keep pH between 6.2–6.8 and avoid overfeeding nitrogen past week three of flower, as KLP prefers a steady rise in potassium and phosphorus from weeks three to six.
Training techniques such as topping, low-stress training (LST), and SCROG work exceptionally well due to KLP’s tight structure. Topping once or twice during late veg creates multiple prime tops and evens the canopy for uniform light. A light defoliation around day 21 of flower, followed by a selective clean-up at day 42, improves airflow and reduces mold risk without compromising photosynthesis.
Expected indoor yields range from 350–500 g/m² for well-managed canopies under high-quality LED lighting. Outdoor plants, when started early and grown in rich, well-drained soil, can finish at 450–700 g per plant in temperate climates. Outdoor harvest typically falls in early to mid-October, with the caveat that late-season rains pose a bud rot risk due to the cultivar’s density.
Integrated pest management (IPM) is critical with cookie-line plants. Maintain cleanliness, quarantine new clones, and rotate biologicals (e.g., Bacillus-based products, beneficial mites) to stay ahead of common pests like spider mites and thrips. Silica supplementation and adequate calcium help fortify cell walls, while vigilant canopy pruning minimizes microclimates where powdery mildew can take hold.
KLP’s notable resin production makes it a strong candidate for hash and rosin. It has been highlighted among strains favored for hash-making, with many growers reporting wash-friendly trichome heads in the 90–120 µm range. Bubble hash yields commonly fall in the 3–5% range from fresh-frozen material under skilled hands, while flower rosin returns in the 15–25% range are achievable from premium, properly cured buds.
Harvest timing should be guided by trichome maturity and desired effect. For a balanced profile, many growers aim for mostly cloudy heads with 5–10% amber; for a heavier finish, 10–20% amber can be targeted. Drying at 16–18°C (60–65°F) and 58–62% RH for 10–14 days preserves terpenes, followed by curing at 60–62% RH for at least two weeks to fully express the lime-cream bouquet.
Post-harvest handling has an outsized impact on KLP’s signature flavors. Overly rapid dry-down strips citrus top notes and flattens the custard-like middle. Gentle burping, odor-neutral storage, and avoiding light and heat preserve the dessert spectrum that makes KLP special.
For living-soil or regenerative practices, KLP responds well to balanced mineralization and diverse microbial inputs. Growers focused on resin quality—echoing approaches used by regenerative outfits celebrated for resin-rich cultivars—often report improved terpene intensity with slow-release nutrition and minimal salt buildup. The result is a buttery-smooth, lime-forward expression that commands premium value in connoisseur markets.
Breeding-wise, KLP pairs best with citrus-forward or berry-leaning partners that won’t overwhelm its pastry base. Crosses like Chili Verde (KLP x Lavender) and the (Key Lime Pie x Lemon Tree) lineage show how the lime dessert core can be extended into spicy-herbal or bright-citrus families. For growers pursuing seed hunts, selecting for thick calyx stacking, strong lime peel on stem rub, and early resin onset (week three to four) helps lock in the archetypal KLP expression.
