Written by Ad OpsHistory and Naming of King
King is an indica-leaning cultivar whose precise origin story has been obscured by time, regional cuts, and the community’s habit of shortening longer strain names on menus. Most sources list the breeder as unknown or legendary, a nod to the way this variety circulated as a clone-only selection before any formal seed release. In many markets, King appeared during the early 2010s as a reliably heavy nightcap that competed with better-known Kushes without demanding a flashy lineage.
The name itself invites confusion because several unrelated cultivars carry regal titles, including King Louis OG, King’s Kush, and even the sativa-leaning Jamaican heirloom King’s Bread. Dispensaries sometimes abbreviate long names to King, blurring the distinction between separate genetics and a particular cut with a loyal following. This overlap is one reason King is often grouped with Kush- and OG-adjacent indicas even when its parentage is undocumented.
Culturally, King earned a reputation as a king among indicas thanks to its consistent, sedative demeanor and classic pine-earth bouquet. Leaf-list roundups that highlight sleepy, myrcene-dominant indicas mirror how users describe King’s after-hours appeal. The cultivar’s mystique persists because growers prize its effect profile and bag appeal over a neat pedigree chart, keeping the history long on lore and short on paperwork.
Genetic Lineage: Hypotheses and Context
With breeder information listed as unknown or legendary, the genetic lineage of King remains speculative, yet morphological and aromatic clues point toward classic broad-leaf indica ancestry. Dense, pinecone-shaped flowers, a deep forest-green palette, and a myrcene-forward aroma suggest influence from Afghan and Hindu Kush landrace lines. Many long-running West Coast cuts that match King’s profile descend from these mountainous gene pools known for resin production and physical relaxation.
Market patterns also fuel the hypothesis that King shares kinship with Kush and OG families, even if indirectly or by convergent selection. Piney, woody top notes coupled with a gassy undercurrent often indicate pinene and caryophyllene layered over a myrcene base, a terp stack common to OG-leaning indicas. That chemistry does not prove lineage, but it narrows the likely gene neighborhoods where King may have been found or selected.
It is equally possible that King is a standout phenotype of a now-forgotten cross, preserved through clone exchange rather than seed sales. Many celebrated cultivars followed this path: cut-first, paperwork-later, with the original breeders remaining uncredited. Until a verified genetic assay links King to a specific parental line, the best evidence remains the plant’s consistent indica morphology and chemical signature aligned with old-world Kush heritage.
Physical Appearance and Morphology
King produces compact, symmetrical flowers that range from golf-ball nuggets to larger, oblong spears on the main colas. Calyxes stack tightly, emphasizing a high calyx-to-leaf ratio that trimmers appreciate for efficiency. The coloration trends olive to forest green with occasional lavender flecking in cooler rooms, all wrapped in a thick, frosty trichome sheath.
Pistils are typically vivid tangerine to burnt orange, providing striking contrast against the heavy resin coverage. Under magnification, gland heads are bulbous and uniform, indicating good resin maturity potential and appealing to extractors. The trim leaves are broad and dark, a hallmark of indica-dominant genetics, and they curl inward slightly as the buds finish.
In the garden, King grows squat to medium-tall depending on veg duration, with strong apical dominance that responds well to topping. Internodal spacing is tight to moderate, keeping the canopy dense and improving light-use efficiency in compact setups. Stems are sturdy and fibrous, supporting weighty colas without excessive staking, though trellising improves airflow and reduces bud flop near harvest.
Aroma Bouquet
Open a jar of King and the first wave is classic: coniferous pine, damp forest floor, and freshly split cedar. A deeper pull reveals a peppery spice from caryophyllene and a faint citrus-rind brightness often attributable to limonene. Together, these layers create an aroma that is both nostalgic and assertive, reminiscent of well-cured OG-adjacent flowers.
Compared to relatives in title, King leans woody and grounded rather than overtly sweet or fruity. Notably, cultivars like King Louis OG are consistently described as earthy, piney, and slightly woody, a profile that King echoes in its own way. This convergence aligns with reports that many top-rated sedating indicas are myrcene-dominant, reinforcing the cultivar’s nighttime persona.
Curing method noticeably modulates the bouquet. Slow, cool cures maintain the pine and cedar primary notes while allowing a faint herbal tea nuance to emerge from oxidized terpenes. Over-dry conditions, by contrast, collapse the aromatic complexity into a simple, peppered pine that lacks the breadth of a properly conditioned sample.
Flavor and Mouthfeel
The flavor of King follows its nose but adds a velvety mouthfeel that lingers between hits. On the inhale, bright pine and green wood take the lead, supported by a pepper-tinged backbone. The exhale turns earthier and slightly sweet, like resinous sap meeting toasted herb.
In joints and blunts, the blend highlights the woody core while softening the sharper conifer edges. In clean glass or vaporizers set between 175–190°C, the pine-citrus top notes bloom and the finish shows a touch of herbal bitterness. At higher vaporization temperatures, caryophyllene’s spice steps forward, giving King a satisfying, peppered aftertaste.
The smoke is typically smooth when flowers are dried at 58–62% equilibrium humidity and cured for at least three weeks. Poorly cured material can feel astringent and chalky, muting the resinous sweetness that defines the end of the pull. When dialed in, the palate progression moves from bright pine to rounded cedar, finishing on a gentle, peppered earth.
Cannabinoid Profile and Potency
Like many contemporary indicas, King is generally high in THC with trace levels of CBD. Across mature US markets, lab data for indica-dominant, myrcene-forward chemovars routinely falls in the 18–24% THC range, with select top-shelf lots testing higher. Producers focused on potency often achieve total cannabinoids of 20–28% when cultivation practices, genetics, and post-harvest are optimized.
In contrast, CBD in such chemovars is typically below 1%, and CBG often ranges from 0.3–1.0% by dry weight. THCa dominates pre-decarboxylation figures, converting to THC with heat during smoking or vaporization. Total terpene content in well-grown batches commonly sits between 1.5–3.0% by weight, which materially impacts perceived effect even when headline THC values are similar.
While exact numbers vary by phenotype and grow, the user experience tracks closely with the myrcene-driven indica stereotype. Expect a pronounced body load, soft mental focus, and a sedation ramp that pairs well with evening routines. Newer consumers should approach high-THC batches carefully, as the combination of 20%+ THC and 2%+ terpenes can feel markedly stronger than potency alone implies.
Terpene Profile: Chemistry and Dominant Compounds
A myrcene-dominant profile is commonly reported for sedating indicas, and King fits this pattern. Myrcene often appears in the 0.6–1.8% range by dry weight in high-terpene lots, contributing to the cultivar’s musky, herbal baseline and its relaxing body effect. Beta-caryophyllene, typically 0.2–0.8%, layers peppery spice and is notable as a dietary cannabinoid that can engage CB2 receptors.
Limonene, frequently 0.2–0.7%, adds a subtle citrus lift that keeps the nose from reading purely woody. Alpha-pinene and beta-pinene, often totaling 0.1–0.5%, drive the pine-needle top note and may contribute to the crispness perceived on the first draw. Humulene in the 0.1–0.4% band can reinforce woody, slightly bitter edges that some describe as hoppy.
Linalool, while usually a minor player at 0.05–0.3%, can broaden the calming signature and introduce a faint floral whisper on the finish. This ensemble explains why King’s aroma reads as pine-wood first, spice second, and citrus third. It also aligns with roundups that call out myrcene-dominant indicas as ideal for winding down after long days, reinforcing the cultivar’s nighttime identity.
Experiential Effects and Onset
King tends to come on in two measured waves. The first arrives within minutes: warm relaxation spreads through the shoulders and neck, eyelids feel heavier, and racing thoughts slow to a manageable tempo. The second wave deepens the body load, loosening joints and inviting a quieter, introspective headspace suited to low-stimulation activities.
Users consistently report sleepy, hungry, and tingly sensations that mirror how top-rated indicas are described in consumer guides. Snack raids are common, and couch sessions often evolve into early lights-out if dosing is generous. Those sensitive to strong indicas should schedule sessions when obligations are complete and a full night’s rest is possible.
Side effects largely mirror the category: dry mouth, dry eyes, and occasional dizziness in inexperienced users or at high doses. Hydration and moderation typically mitigate these issues. Because King is primarily sedating, pairing it with stimulating environments may feel mismatched; dim lighting, calm music, and soft seating tend to complement its arc best.
Potential Medical Uses and Safety Considerations
Anecdotally, many consumers reach for King to address late-day stress, sleep difficulty, and discomfort that benefits from body relaxation. In this respect, it is directionally similar to other myrcene-dominant indicas that feature in best-of lists for winding down. Related cultivars with royal branding, like King Louis OG, are frequently cited for relieving anxiety, pain, and insomnia, and their piney, woody, myrcene-heavy profiles set expectations for King’s potential utility.
Reports from the broader community suggest that sedating indicas can help stimulate appetite and calm tense musculature, outcomes echoed in strain notes for Jamaican heirloom King’s Bread, which is praised for pain relief, appetite, and stress alleviation. While King is distinct from King’s Bread and other similarly named varieties, the overlap in consumer-reported benefits indicates a class effect driven by shared terpene and cannabinoid patterns. Individuals seeking nighttime relief often prefer this profile over uplifting sativas that may be less compatible with sleep.
Safety considerations include avoiding driving or operating machinery while under the influence, especially given King’s sedative arc. Combining high-THC indicas with alcohol or other depressants can amplify drowsiness and impair coordination. As with all cannabis use, start low and go slow, particularly for new users or those returning after a tolerance break, and consult a clinician if you take prescription medications or manage chronic conditions.
Comprehensive Cultivation Guide
King behaves like a classic broad-leaf indica in the garden: vigorous, compact, and eager to stack dense colas under strong light. Indoors, a veg period of 3–5 weeks from clone usually fills a 2x2-foot (60x60 cm) space per plant after topping and light low-stress training. Outdoors, a single plant in a 25–50-gallon (95–190 L) container or in-ground bed can become a stout bush with multiple cola sites, provided it gets full sun and consistent airflow.
Environment targets that suit King are fairly standard for resin-rich indicas. Aim for 24–26°C in veg and 20–25°C in flower, with relative humidity stepping from 65–70% (seedlings) to 55–60% (veg) and 45–50% (flower). Maintain a VPD of roughly 0.8–1.2 kPa in veg and 1.2–1.5 kPa in mid-flower to balance transpiration, calcium transport, and mold risk.
Lighting intensity drives yield and terpene density. In flower, a daily light integral of 35–45 mol/m²/day, which often equates to 700–900 µmol/m²/s PPFD for 12 hours, produces dense buds without bleaching when canopy temps and CO2 are matched. If supplementing CO2 to 900–1,200 ppm, temperatures can comfortably run 1–2°C warmer, improving photosynthetic efficiency and weight.
Nutrition should follow an indica-friendly curve with moderated nitrogen during bloom to keep internodes tight and leaves dark but not clawing. In coco or hydro, target 1.2–1.6 mS/cm EC in early veg, 1.7–2.0 mS/cm in late veg, and 2.0–2.3 mS/cm from weeks 3–6 of flower, tapering slightly before fade. Maintain pH at 5.8–6.0 for coco/hydro and 6.2–6.7 for soils to optimize macro- and micronutrient uptake.
Training pays dividends because King’s natural apical dominance channels mass into the main spear. Top once or twice by the fourth node, then employ low-stress training to spread branches and even the canopy. A single net in week 2 of flower helps support the developing colas and maintains ideal light angles across the top.
Defoliation should be measured rather than aggressive. Remove large fan leaves that shadow interior sites around day 21 of flower, and perform a light cleanup again around day 42 if necessary. Over-stripping can reduce terpene density and slow bud maturation, outcomes that are counterproductive for a cultivar whose appeal rests heavily on taste and effect.
Watering cadence favors a wet–dry cycle that keeps oxygen in the root zone. In 3–5-gallon (11–19 L) pots of coco, daily irrigations to 10–20% runoff are common as plants size up; in amended living soils, water less frequently but more thoroughly, using pot weight and leaf posture as guides. Supplement calcium and magnesium, particularly under high-intensity LEDs, to prevent marginal necrosis and interveinal chlorosis.
Pest and pathogen management centers on airflow and leaf-surface hygiene because King packs dense flowers. Keep oscillating fans moving air across and under the canopy, prune lower larf sites, and avoid RH spikes during late bloom. Integrative pest management with weekly scouting, sticky traps, and safe-in-veg preventatives such as neem, essential-oil blends, or biologicals like Bacillus thuringiensis can keep populations in check without compromising resin.
Flowering time is typically 8–9 weeks from the flip for most indica phenos consistent with King’s profile. Harvest window is best judged by trichome color under 60–100x magnification: milky heads with 5–10% amber generally deliver the relaxed yet clear effect that fans of this cultivar prize. Allowing more amber (15–25%) often deepens the sedative quality at the cost of some brightness.
Yields are competitive when environmental basics are respected. Indoors, expect roughly 450–600 g/m² under efficient LED fixtures, with dialed-in grows pushing beyond 600 g/m² through canopy management and CO2. Outdoors, single plants can return 500–900 g or more depending on season length, pot size, and feeding strategy, though mold vigilance becomes crucial as buds thicken late.
Flushing remains a grower preference, but a 7–10 day period of reduced EC near the end can improve burn and ash quality by lowering nutrient residues. Drying should proceed slowly at 18–20°C and 55–60% RH for 10–14 days to minimize terpene loss and chlorophyll bite. Curing in airtight containers at 58–62% RH, burped as needed for 3–6 weeks, polishes flavor from sharp pine into rounded cedar and preserves the peppered sweetness that defines King.
For extraction, King’s resin density and gland size are encouraging. Well-grown, hand-trimmed material frequently delivers 15–22% yields in ice-water hash to rosin workflows, with first-wash fractions showing the brightest pine-citrus notes. Mechanical separations benefit from cold rooms and gentle agitation to keep contaminant levels low and preserve the cultivar’s clean, woody profile.
Finally, genotype confusion is common with regal names in the marketplace. Strains like King Louis OG are renowned for earthy, piney, slightly woody aromas and mid-20s THC potential, shaping consumer expectations for anything labeled King. Likewise, the emergence of similarly named heavy-hitters, such as The King’s Poison featured among potent harvest picks, underscores a broader trend toward high-impact indicas; growers and buyers should verify cut provenance to ensure they are truly working with the King described here.
