The 10 best wake-and-bake strains

Cannabis strains aren't created equal. If you love to wake and bake, you may have figured that out the hard way by overindulging in a heavy-handed indica early one morning. To help you avoid such adversity in the future, here is a hand-curated list of some of the best wake-and-bake strains to leave you uplifted, creative, and motivated.

What does “wake and bake” mean?

Wake and bake refers to the act of getting high in the morning. While it's obviously not everyone's cup of tea, some cannabis users find a good wake-and-bake routine to be the perfect start to the day. Everyone's experience with cannabis is different, but fans of waking and baking often find that it:

• Improves mood
• Sparks creativity
• Increases energy
• Boosts motivation

For more insight into how to take your morning toke to the next level, check out our 12 tips for the best wake and bake.

Top 10 cannabis strains for the morning

Everyone's morning routine is a little different. Whether you choose to wake and bake every day of the week or only on weekends or holidays, the list below is bound to feature a strain to match your a.m. preferences.

1. Jack Herer

Jack Herer is a beloved sativa-dominant hybrid. Bred from a combination of Skunk, Haze, and Northern Lights, Jack Herer has won over 14 cannabis cups, stunning growers and smokers with its elongated, aromatic flowers and energising, uplifting effects. Jack Herer buds have a unique spicy-sweet aroma that blends sweet citrus notes with hints of spicy Haze, fresh pine, and cinnamon. A few tokes of Jack Herer in the morning is sure to put a smile on your face, relax your body, and invigorate your mind with an energising cerebral push. Growers are also sure to be delighted by Jack Herer; plants grow up to 2 metres tall and produce heavy yields—especially when grown in ScrOG or SOG setups—of large, dense, and super-resinous flowers.

2. Green Crack

Don't be put off by its name—Green Crack is an all-natural sativa-dominant hybrid with plenty of potency, aroma, and flavour. A unique mix of Afghan and Skunk #1, Green Crack boasts energising effects and a delicious aroma that's earthy, sweet, and citric all at once. Also known as Green Crush or Mango Crack, this strain can produce between 15–25% THC alongside an exotic mix of terpenes. Her unique combination of cannabinoids and terpenes produces a subtle physical effect combined with an uplifting and social cerebral high. Light her up in the morning, and Green Crack will elevate your mood and boost your motivation—perfect for a productive day.

3. Zkittlez

Zkittlez is a cross of Grape Ape, Grapefruit, and a mystery strain that breeders like to keep hidden. The resulting hybrid is a candy-sweet, fruity masterpiece. Originating in California, Zkittlez has all the traits of a modern US hybrid, producing dense and resinous flowers with a dank aroma that's tantalisingly sweet, combining hints of grape candy with touches of berries, citrus, and tropical fruit. While she is 70% indica dominant, her effects are well-balanced, producing strong physical relaxation and an uplifting head rush. A few morning tokes of Zkittlez will loosen your muscles while stimulating the mind with positive social energy, and the calmness to tackle whatever the day throws at you.

4. Durban Poison

Durban Poison originates from Durban, a vibrant coastal city in South Africa. It was bred from the Durban strain, a unique landrace sativa from South Africa that made its way into the hands of Dutch breeders and geneticists decades ago. Today, different seed banks offer unique takes on this beloved sativa, but most stem from a mix of Durban and indica genetics. The flavours and aromas of Durban Poison are something else, combining classic fruity/citrus Haze overtones with unique hints of dark anise and licorice. Her effects are uplifting and energising, and will make you immediately want to conquer the day. While Durban Poison can be enjoyed on any morning, try indulging in just a few hits of her sweet smoke before a hike or other outdoor activity.

5. Blue Dream

Few strains have achieved the glory of Blue Dream. Bred from Blueberry and Haze, this US icon is renowned for its well-balanced effect and delicious aroma. Slightly sativa dominant, Blue Dream plants grow up to 2m tall and produce great harvests. They are known to perform well indoors and outside, thanks to their hardy genetics and resilience. Once dried and cured, Blue Dream buds boast a decadent aroma that combines the earthy berry aromas of Blueberry with the herbal, piney sweetness of Haze. While she packs up to 19% THC, Blue Dream produces a very well-balanced high; she'll relax your entire body while simultaneously activating your mind with a motivated and social high.

6. Sour Diesel

Sour Diesel, or simply Sour D, is a classic hybrid whose unique gas-like aromas have had a huge influence on cannabis genetics everywhere. Bred from Chemdawg and Skunk, Sour Diesel smells, you guessed it, like a jerry can full of pungent diesel fuel. Originating from Staten Island, New York, Sour Diesel is arguably one of the most famous strains from the US East Coast. Besides her bold aroma, smokers love Sour Diesel for her dreamy, cerebral high—a few tokes is all it takes for Sour D to send you into an hours-long, positive ethereal dream state that's perfect for when you want to unwind and create. Sour Diesel is also very energising, making her a great wake-and-bake strain for when you're on holiday, or whenever you want to unleash your inner creative.

7. Chocolope

Anyone who's had the privilege of smoking Chocolope will understand why this strain is on this list. Descending from a unique mix of sativa genetics that stem from Haze and both Mexican and Thai landraces, Chocolope is really something else. She is almost 100% sativa and produces long, bright green flowers with a thick coating of aromatic resin that smells of sweet chocolate with hints of ripe fruit. Her aromas are true to those of her sativa ancestors, invoking an almost immediate burst of energy that's ideal for mornings when you're struggling to feel motivated. Chocolope is also ideal for enjoying in the great outdoors, or before music or stage rehearsals to spark some creative energy.

8. Strawberry Cough

Strawberry Cough is a dank sativa-dominant hybrid. While breeders have been very silent about the genetic origins of this strain (some trace it back to Erdbeer, a unique clone-only sativa born and bred in Switzerland), smokers everywhere have fallen in love with her bold aromas and well-balanced effects. While Strawberry Cough flowers have the dense, frosty structure of indica buds, the effects they produce are extremely well-balanced. Expect a subtle physical relaxation that'll loosen your muscles and soothe any aches and pains you may have, combined with a hit of energising euphoria. Light her up in the morning, and Strawberry Cough is bound to put you in the perfect mindset to head out and seize the day.

9. White Widow

White Widow is a certified legend. While she originates from the Netherlands, this potent hybrid has won over smokers everywhere, who treasure her well-balanced effects, potency, and delicious aromas. White Widow is bred from two landrace strains originating from Brazil and South India. The result is a high-yielding hybrid with dense, long flowers that produce a pungent sweet aroma with hints of fruit, spice, and fresh pine. After you inhale her dense, sweet smoke, White Widow will hit you with a big rush of euphoric energy that'll leave you feeling talkative, creative, and generally positive. A few hours into this initial high, you may notice some subtle physical effects settling in, relaxing tight muscles and putting the body at ease.

10. Island Sweet Skunk

Last but not least on our list of perfect wake-and-bake strains is this delicious cross of Sweet Pink Grapefruit and Skunk #1. Island Sweet Skunk might not be the most well-known strain on this list, but its delicious aroma and uplifting effect make it a favourite among smokers lucky enough to try it. She inherited aromatic terpenes that give off a pungent sweet, skunky, and fruity aroma. Spark her up early in the day, and Island Sweet Skunk will immediately treat you to an uplifting euphoria and a bold rush of energy. She also produces some subtle physical effects that help to ease tension and discomfort, allowing you to focus on more important things.

Start your day off right with these essential wake-and-bake strains

Looking for a strain that'll put a smile on your face and give you the energy and motivation you need to face the world? Search for any of the above strains at your local dispensary, coffeeshop, or cannabis club, and get ready to seize the day!