Written by Ad OpsHistory and Origin
Mint Trip is a contemporary hybrid bred by Lucky 13 Seed Company, a boutique operation known for curating heirloom and modern lines into flavorful, resilient crosses. The breeder lists its heritage as indica/sativa, signaling a true hybrid intended to balance structure, aroma, and effects. While Lucky 13 has released many carefully selected polyhybrids, Mint Trip stands out in their catalog for its cooling, confectionary profile and modern bag appeal.
The strain arrived amid a broader wave of “mint” cultivars that captivated the market from 2018 onward, driven by cookies-leaning and dessert-style genetics. Names like Thin Mint, Animal Mints, Double Mint, Apple Mintz, and Gush Mints helped define the category with frosty visuals and dessert-adjacent terpenes. In that context, Mint Trip was positioned to deliver a familiar minty character while refining the balance of uplift and relaxation prized by hybrid enthusiasts.
Lucky 13’s approach often emphasizes phenotype selection over novelty, and Mint Trip has benefited from that ethos. Early cultivation chatter praised its manageable stretch, clean burn, and a terpene profile that held through cure instead of fading. That stability helped Mint Trip gain traction with home growers and connoisseurs seeking a mint-forward cultivar that performs consistently from seed to jar.
The rise of mint-themed strains coincided with a broader consumer shift toward aroma-rich, high-THC hybrids with complex minor-terpene footprints. Popular education around terpenes—aromatic compounds responsible for cannabis flavors and smells—also accelerated adoption. As Leafly’s overview of terpenes explains, these compounds both define scent and contribute to perceived effects, aligning perfectly with what Mint Trip aims to showcase.
Genetic Lineage and Breeding Rationale
Lucky 13 Seed Company lists Mint Trip as an indica/sativa hybrid. The breeder has not publicly disclosed a precise parental cross as of 2025, which is common among small-batch seedmakers seeking to protect IP while continuing line work. That said, the mint-forward category is strongly shaped by Thin Mint GSC descendants and Animal Mints lines, and Mint Trip’s naming and profile suggest adjacency to that family.
Across the market, many mint-themed cultivars trace back to cookies-leaning parents like Thin Mint GSC, Sunset Sherbet hybrids, or the Animal Mints family. For example, Hytiva profiles a popular hybrid of Sunset Sherbet x Thin Mint GSC testing around 17–22% THC with caryophyllene and limonene dominance—chemotypes frequently tied to dessert flavors and a fresh mint tickle. Apple Mintz on Leafly is reported around 20% THC with roughly 1% CBG and a talkative, aroused, relaxed effect set, illustrating how the mint category can span both potency and nuanced minor cannabinoids.
This context offers a rationale for Mint Trip’s breeding goals: preserve the crystalline, dense cookie-style flowers while dialing a cooler mint top note rather than heavy gas or pure fruit. The name also implies a sensory “journey,” possibly selecting phenotypes that shift from sweet to herbal to cooling as they warm in the hand. That layered bouquet is commonly achieved by combining a caryophyllene-limonene spine with supporting myrcene, pinene, and occasional eucalyptol or fenchol, as seen across mint-leaning hybrids.
In practice, growers should expect Mint Trip to behave like a medium-stature hybrid with moderate internodal spacing and a 1.5x to 2.0x stretch after flip. These are hallmarks of cookie-adjacent crosses, which typically reward canopy management and stable VPD. The genetic inference aligns with Lucky 13’s reputation for practical, production-ready selections that pack boutique appeal.
Appearance and Bag Appeal
Mint Trip typically presents dense, golf-ball to egg-shaped flowers with a high calyx-to-leaf ratio and prominent trichome coverage. Expect calyxes to swell late in flower, stacking into frosty, resin-caked crowns that glisten under light. Sugar leaves often show deep green to forest tones with occasional lavender flecks when grown in cooler night temps.
Visually, pistils lean apricot to pumpkin-orange, offering color contrast against a pale, crystalline backdrop. Under magnification, glandular trichomes appear abundantly capitate-stalked with bulbous heads, an indicator of volatile-rich resin. Skilled growers report that a steady dry and cure retains a glassy, almost greasy resin sheen that resists premature brittleness.
Trimmed buds weigh heavier than they look due to density and moisture retention when properly cured between 58–62% RH. In jars, the cultivar’s structure resists collapse, maintaining shape even after repeated handling. These traits translate to a professional bag appeal that does well in transparent packaging and macro photography.
When broken, Mint Trip’s interior reveals tightly packed bracts and lighter lime-green hues hugging a resin-slick core. The grind yields a fluffy, even particulate with minimal stem mass, ideal for cones and even burns. Properly finished flowers avoid leafy remnants and showcase clean white ash when fed balanced nutrition and flushed or ripened appropriately.
Aroma and Sensory Notes
The nose opens with sweet mint and herbal cooling, supported by a confectionary base reminiscent of cookie dough and faint chocolate. Secondary notes often include citrus zest, faint pine, and a peppery tickle that hints at caryophyllene. As buds warm in the hand, a creamier sweetness can emerge, morphing into a balanced sweet-herbal bouquet.
On the grind, the mint facet intensifies and brightens, sometimes revealing a eucalyptus or menthol-adjacent edge. While cannabis rarely expresses true menthol at meaningful levels, minor terpenes like eucalyptol or fenchol can read as cooling. This synergy with limonene and pinene creates the “fresh air” sensation many mint strains are prized for.
The jar aroma evolves over time, so a dialed cure is key to preserving its top notes. At 58–62% RH, volatiles stay intact and mint brightness remains lively rather than collapsing into generic sweetness. Over-drying below 55% RH can flatten the mint and amplify pepper, while overly humid conditions risk grassy notes intruding on the bouquet.
Leafly’s terpene primer underscores how terpenes define scent and contribute to flavor and effect, and Mint Trip exemplifies this synergy. Caryophyllene frames the peppery warmth that anchors sweetness, while limonene provides lift and quick-onset aroma. Supporting contributors like myrcene and pinene round out the herbal and forested contours, creating a multi-dimensional nose that justifies the name.
Flavor and Consumption Experience
Flavor tracks closely with the aroma: sweet mint on the inhale with a silky herbal glide, and a gentle pepper-citrus exit on the exhale. The cooling impression—not literal menthol—can make pulls feel smoother than typical cookie-forward hybrids. A subtle cocoa or cookie dough finish often lingers on the palate, especially in slow, low-temperature draws.
In joints, Mint Trip burns evenly when properly dried to 58–62% RH and ground to consistent particle size. Expect a balanced resin ring without excessive oiling, a sign of clean feed and full maturation. In glass, the mint remains bright at lower temperatures, while higher temps intensify pepper and citrus and may shadow the confectionary base.
Vape users can coax layered flavor by stepping up from 350–380°F to 390–410°F. The lower range preserves citrus and mint volatility; the upper range teases out deeper cookie and pepper. Dab-style extracts from Mint Trip—when available—often amplify the herbal-mint axis, though overpurging or overheating can mute nuance.
A clean cure magnifies these subtleties. Slowly dried flowers with a 10–14 day hang at 60°F/60% RH maintain lighter volatiles and avoid chlorophyll harshness. The result is a polished, confectionary mint experience that lives up to the strain’s name.
Cannabinoid Profile and Potency
Lucky 13 lists Mint Trip as an indica/sativa hybrid; specific published COAs for this cultivar are limited in public databases as of 2025. However, the mint-hybrid cohort provides a realistic expectation window. For comparison, Apple Mintz is reported around 20% THC with roughly 1% CBG, while a Sunset Sherbet x Thin Mint hybrid profiled by Hytiva often lands between 17–22% THC with caryophyllene and limonene dominance.
Within this category, many market-tested mint hybrids routinely assay between 18–26% THC, with dialed cuts occasionally exceeding 28% under optimized conditions. Leafly’s annual overviews of the strongest strains highlight how modern high-THC cultivars continue to push potency ceilings, and mint-adjacent lines are often represented among top-testing hybrids. That said, potency is an outcome of genetics x environment x post-harvest handling, so operator practices shift final numbers.
For Mint Trip specifically, a practical working expectation for most home and craft gardens is roughly 19–24% THC under standard LED intensities and conventional inputs. Minor cannabinoids may include CBG in the 0.3–1.0% range and trace CBC, though expression will vary by phenotype and maturity. Lab verification remains the gold standard; growers should obtain COAs if marketing products or seeking consistent medicinal outcomes.
Consumers sensitive to high THC should start low and titrate. Even within the same batch, variability in cannabinoid-terpene synergy can alter perceived strength. Accurate dosing and mindful setting are essential to get the most out of Mint Trip’s balanced profile.
Terpene Profile and Volatile Chemistry
Terpenes—aromatic compounds that shape cannabis scent and flavor—are central to Mint Trip’s appeal. Leafly notes that terpenes not only determine odor but also contribute to the overall experience, which explains why mint-leaning hybrids feel distinct from purely gassy or fruity cultivars. In Mint Trip, the expected backbone is beta-caryophyllene and limonene, with supportive myrcene and pinene.
Caryophyllene contributes the peppery warmth that grounds sweetness, and uniquely interacts with CB2 receptors, which some users associate with soothing, body-centered calm. Limonene adds citrus lift and brightens top notes; in mint profiles it can simulate a “clean” sensation and perceived anxiolysis. Myrcene, often herbal and musky, can round the base and is commonly cited in strains like Mint Chocolate Chip, where herbal-myrcene notes complement citrus and sweet mint.
Secondary terpenes may include alpha- and beta-pinene, contributing woodland, pine, and focus-leaning tones. Minor but impactful components like eucalyptol (1,8-cineole) and fenchol can present a cooling or camphoraceous facet, helping “mint” read as mint without actual menthol. Humulene and ocimene occasionally appear, adding faint hops or green floral lift.
While exact percentages for Mint Trip will vary, mint-category COAs commonly show caryophyllene and limonene as the top two, with any of myrcene, pinene, or humulene in positions three to five. In well-grown samples, total terpenes often cluster around 1.5–3.0% by weight, and higher totals generally correlate with stronger jar presence. Maintaining this chemistry through harvest and cure is key to delivering the promised mint journey.
Experiential Effects and Onset
Mint Trip, as a balanced indica/sativa, typically opens with a clear, buoyant headspace and mild euphoria, then gently settles into a relaxed, body-centered calm. The limonene lift can make conversations feel fluid and enhance sensory engagement in music or food. As the session unfolds, caryophyllene and myrcene support a tempering of tension without pushing into couchlock for most users.
Within the broader mint family, reported effects vary: Thin Mint skews energizing with high THC; Animal Mints is often described as relaxed, hungry, and tingly with occasional negatives such as paranoia, anxiety, or headache at high doses. Mint Trip tends to chart a middle course—engaging but composed—when consumed in moderate amounts. Appetite stimulation is common, and a warm, behind-the-eyes calm signals the transition from heady to full-body balance.
Onset is fairly quick, with peak perceived effects within 10–20 minutes when smoked or vaped. Duration is typically 2–3 hours for most consumers, with a gentle taper rather than a sudden drop-off. Higher doses or concentrates may extend the arc but also increase the likelihood of over-intensity for the anxiousness-prone.
Set and setting matter. For creative work or social time, a few small inhales may keep the mint-bright headspace without drifting into heavy sedation. For unwinding, a fuller session complements relaxation rituals, and pairing with calming music or a walk can make the “trip” feel pleasantly exploratory.
Potential Medical Applications
Mint Trip’s caryophyllene-limonene backbone suggests potential in tension relief and mood support, aligning with user reports across mint-category hybrids. Limonene has been popularly associated with stress relief and a brightened affect in consumer discourse, while caryophyllene’s interaction with CB2 receptors is often cited in discussions around soothing inflammation-related discomfort. While clinical evidence is still evolving, these terpenes’ contributions are consistent with many patients’ experiences.
Patients seeking appetite stimulation may find value in Mint Trip, similar to Animal Mints and other dessert-leaning hybrids where “hungry” appears frequently in reviews. Mild-to-moderate pain relief and muscle relaxation are commonly reported with cookie-adjacent lines, and Mint Trip appears to share that softening body effect without heavy sedation at conservative doses. For sleep, it can serve as an evening wind-down choice, though pure insomniacs may prefer heavier, myrcene-dominant phenotypes.
Anxiety-prone patients should start low. Leafly notes negative experiences like anxiety and paranoia with some mint strains at higher doses, so titrating carefully maximizes benefit while minimizing adverse events. A symptom journal noting dose, ingestion method, and effects can help dial consistency.
Medical outcomes vary by chemistry and physiology. For precise use, patients are encouraged to consult a clinician, verify COAs when possible, and compare batches to identify the most effective chemotype. Combining mindfulness practices, hydration, and consistent sleep hygiene can enhance perceived benefits alongside Mint Trip.
Comprehensive Cultivation Guide
Mint Trip grows like a modern hybrid: manageable height, moderate internodes, and a 1.5–2.0x stretch after flip. Indoors, veg 4–6 weeks to establish robust branching, topping once or twice by week 3 to create an even canopy. SCROG or dual-layer trellising helps position colas and maximize light penetration, especially in tents under LEDs.
Lighting targets: 300–500 µmol/m²/s PPFD in early veg, 600–800 µmol/m²/s in late veg, and 800–1,000 µmol/m²/s in flower for most cultivars, rising to 1,200–1,300 with added CO2. Photoperiod flowering at 12/12 generally completes in 8–10 weeks for mint-category hybrids; plan for 56–70 days and let trichomes guide the final call. Keep DLI appropriate to stage and watch for light stress with pale tops or fox-tailing under excessive intensity.
Environmental control matters. Aim for 75–80°F (24–27°C) day temps in veg and 72–78°F (22–25°C) in flower; night temps 5–8°F lower can enhance color without stalling growth. Maintain VPD around 0.8–1.2 kPa in veg and 1.2–1.6 kPa in flower, stepping down RH from 65–70% (seedling), 60–65% (early veg), 55–60% (late veg), 50–55% (early flower), and 45–50% late flower.
Nutrition should be steady and not excessive. In coco/hydro, target pH 5.8–6.2; in soil/soilless, pH 6.2–6.8. EC guidelines: 0.8–1.2 mS/cm for rooted clones/seedlings, 1.4–1.8 in veg, and 1.8–2.2 in peak flower depending on cultivar response; watch runoff EC to prevent salt buildup.
Mint Trip appreciates calcium and magnesium support under LEDs. Supplement 100–150 ppm Ca/Mg in RO systems, especially during stretch and early flower. A balanced NPK with modest nitrogen in late flower preserves flavor and clean burn; taper N weeks 5–6 and maintain K to support density and oil production.
Training and canopy management are pivotal. Top above the 4th–6th node, then low-stress train laterals to fill the footprint evenly. A light defoliation around day 21 of flower and a second, lighter clean-up around day 42 improves airflow and reduces microclimates that invite powdery mildew or botrytis.
Watering cadence should be frequent but controlled in coco and more measured in soil. In coco, multiple small irrigations to 10–20% runoff per day minimize EC drift; in soil, water to near field capacity and allow for dry-back that still keeps leaves perky. Overwatering late in flower can dull terpenes and increase risk of mold in dense tops.
Outdoors, Mint Trip prefers warm, semi-arid to Mediterranean climates with strong sun and low prolonged humidity during late bloom. Space plants for airflow and remove interior growth to limit pressure from PM and bud rot. If fall rains are common, consider greenhouse protection and aggressive IPM to carry aromatic colas to the finish line.
Yield potential depends on phenotype and operator skill. Well-run indoor gardens commonly see 40–60 g/ft², with dialed setups and CO2 pushing higher. In 4×4 tents under 480–650W LEDs, 1–2 lb dried harvests are achievable with disciplined canopy management, stable environment, and a patient finish.
Pre-harvest ripening makes a difference in mint intensity. Reduce nitrogen, avoid late heavy defols, and maintain moderate temperatures to protect volatiles. Monitor runoff EC and consider a nutrient taper or plain-water finish tailored to your medium to achieve a clean, bright ash and pronounced aroma.
Phenotype Hunting and Selection Strategy
If starting from seed, pop at least 6–10 seeds to sample the phenotypic spread and chemotype variability. Label, clone each candidate before flip, and flower all contenders to week 8–10 while tracking vigor, stretch, node spacing, and early resin. Invite a blind aroma panel during week 7–9 of flower to minimize bias and pick top noses.
For mint expression, prioritize phenotypes with a clear, cool-top aroma when gently warmed between fingers. On the grind, look for a spike of mint-citrus with a pepper kiss—often the signature of caryophyllene-limonene dominance with supportive pinene or myrcene. Discard phenos that skew hay-like, generic sweet, or overly gassy if your target is true mint.
Structure matters. Choose plants with stout branches that can carry dense tops without constant stakes, and a calyx-forward build that trim teams love. Resin density under a jeweler’s loupe, particularly thick-headed glandular trichomes, is a reliable visual marker for extract potential and aroma retention.
After harvest, cure all finalists identically and conduct a second blind session at 3, 6, and 10 weeks post-harvest. Stable mint brightness through cure is critical; some phenos flash early but fade. Save mother stock only after evaluating jar stability and real-world user feedback, ensuring your keeper meets the “trip” promise from fresh flower to final puff.
Environmental Controls, Nutrition, and IPM
Dialed environment preserves Mint Trip’s terpene integrity. Keep day/night temperature deltas conservative (5–8°F), avoid late-flower heat spikes above 80–82°F, and maintain steady VPD to prevent stomatal stress that can slow resin output. Strong, laminar airflow above and below the canopy reduces microclimates in dense cookie-style colas.
In living soil, build a balanced base with properly mineralized amendments and supportive biology. Top-dress lightly at the flip with bloom inputs (e.g., phosphorus, potassium, calcium, sulfur) and monitor leaf tissue for signs of excess nitrogen after week 4 of flower. In salts, keep a clean feed schedule, track runoff EC/pH, and avoid abrupt swings that can mute flavor.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) should be preventative. Start with clean stock, quarantine new cuts, and apply a layered plan: environmental control, sanitation, beneficial predators (e.g., Amblyseius cucumeris for thrips, Amblyseius andersoni for broad-spectrum mite suppression), and gentle foliar inputs during veg only. Discontinue foliar applications before flower unless absolutely necessary, and never spray resinous colas.
CO2 enrichment to 1,100–1,300 ppm can push biomass and resin in sealed rooms if light intensity and nutrition support it. Keep in mind that higher metabolic rates demand more rigorous IPM and dehumidification capacity. Calibrate sensors regularly—bad data is worse than no data when chasing premium aroma.
Harvest, Drying, and Curing for Maximum Mint
Use trichome maturity as the primary harvest cue: milky heads as the baseline, with 10–15% amber to accentuate body without flattening mint brightness. Many mint-category hybrids shine between days 60–67, but let each plant tell you—earlier cuts skew brighter and racier, later cuts lean softer and cushier. Sample branches a few days apart to triangulate your ideal point.
For drying, aim for the classic 60/60 approach: 60°F (15.5°C) and 60% RH for 10–14 days with gentle air exchange and minimal direct airflow on flowers. Target a stem “snap” rather than a bend before trimming; this often correlates to an internal moisture content of 10–12%. Rapid dries (under 5–7 days) risk terpene loss and a grassy edge that mutes mint nuance.
Cure in airtight containers at 58–62% RH for at least 3–6 weeks. Burp jars daily for the first 7–10 days to off-gas moisture and prevent wet-pockets; then taper to every few days. Water activity (aw) in the 0.55–0.65 range is a useful metric for long-term stability and preventing mold while preserving aroma.
Store finished flowers around 55–60°F in the dark to protect volatiles. UV and heat degrade terpenes quickly, flattening the top-note mint into a dull sweetness. Nitrogen-flushed packaging can help retail shelf stability, but nothing replaces a disciplined dry and cure.
Comparisons within the Mint Family
Animal Mints is widely known for relaxed, hungry, tingly effects but can induce anxiety, paranoia, or headaches in sensitive users at high doses. It sits as a benchmark for dessert-mint hybrids with heft, sometimes skewing heavier on the body side. Mint Trip feels comparatively balanced—less couch-bound, more social—when consumed moderately.
Thin Mint GSC phenotypes trend energizing and frequently test higher-than-average in THC, which can feel racy if overdone. Mint Trip moderates that charge with a smoother body glide, making it comfortable for afternoon-to-evening transitions. Users seeking a calmer, mint-bright ride often find Mint Trip more flexible than Thin Mint for daily use.
Mint Chocolate Chip leans herbal-citrus with myrcene and limonene commonly cited, delivering a sweet-meets-herbal fusion. Mint Trip echoes the sweet-mint axis but typically holds a stronger cookie-dough and pepper spine, signaling higher caryophyllene presence. The result is a richer confectionary impression when cured well.
Double Mint is described as sedative and “end of day,” ideal for shrugging off stress with a heavily relaxing arc. Gush Mints, highlighted among harvest standouts, also trends calming and nighttime. Relative to those, Mint Trip’s versatility stands out: uplift for conversation and creative tasks upfront, then a reliable descent into unwind territory without total sedation.
Apple Mintz offers a useful cannabinoid reference point with about 20% THC and 1% CBG, and reviewers report talkative, aroused, relaxed effects. Where Apple Mintz can skew fruit-forward, Mint Trip leans cooler and more confectionary, reading mint first, dessert second. For patients or flavor-chasers, these nuances can guide selection based on desired mood and taste.
Closing Thoughts
Mint Trip is a refined entry in the mint-themed hybrid category, designed to deliver a cooling, confectionary experience without sacrificing performance in the garden. Bred by Lucky 13 Seed Company as an indica/sativa hybrid, it balances a lively top end with a calm, body-centered finish. The result is a versatile cultivar that suits social evenings, creative sessions, and gentle wind-downs alike.
The chemistry behind Mint Trip—anchored in caryophyllene and limonene, with support from myrcene and pinene—aligns with what terpene education has taught consumers to expect. Leafly’s terpene insights emphasize that these compounds shape both aroma and feel, and Mint Trip’s mint-forward arc underscores that principle. Comparisons to Animal Mints, Thin Mint, Mint Chocolate Chip, Double Mint, and Apple Mintz help situate its potency and personality.
For cultivators, success hinges on canopy discipline, stable VPD, and a patient, cool dry and cure. Plan for 8–10 weeks of bloom, monitor trichomes, and protect the mint top notes with careful handling from harvest to jar. When done right, Mint Trip delivers the “mint journey” its name promises—bright at the start, soothing at the end, and distinctly memorable in between.
As always, verify chemistry where possible and adapt practices to your specific phenotype and environment. The best expression of Mint Trip is the one you grow and cure attentively. Treat it like a dessert wine: slow, careful, and worth savoring.
