Runtz

Runtz is an indica/sativa variety from unknown origin and can be cultivated indoors (where the plants will need a flowering time of ±63 days) and outdoors. .

What do we know about the unknown/legendary Runtz?

Few names in the cannabis world carry the weight that Runtz does. Created in Los Angeles in the late 2010s from a select line of premium genetics, Runtz has become a worldwide phenomenon. Keep reading to learn all there is to know about this strain and its unique growth traits, aromas, flavors, and effects.

History of the Runtz Cannabis Strain

Runtz was created by the Runtz Crew, which consists of a breeder known only as Nick, rapper Young LB, and brand leader Ray Bama. Ray is a close friend of Berner from Cookies, and has had a passion for cannabis since his teenage years. He dropped his first strain, Sandia, in collaboration with a breeder known as Cookie Monster in the early 2010s, and has been close to many Cali breeders for several years, including Mario Guzman (Sherbinskis), 3rd Gen Farms, Terp Hogz (Zkittlez), and many more.

In 2017, Ray Bama and Young LB officially dropped Runtz at the Emerald Cup, reportedly selling 5 pounds of flower in under 10 minutes. Runtz was then commercialized by Cookies and grew to become the brand's best-selling strain in many markets. Besides the original Runtz, several other versions of this strain have come to market, including White Runtz, Black Runtz, Purple Runtz, Pink Runtz, and more. Some of these varieties were created by the original Runtz crew, while some were hunted down by other breeders.

Genetic Lineage of Runtz

Runtz, sometimes also known as Runtz OG, is a hybrid cannabis strain combining genetics from Zkittlez and Gelato.

Zkittlez (now known as "The Original Z" or simply "Z") is an indica-dominant hybrid renowned for its distinct candy flavors and aromas, as well as its potency. Bred from Grape Ape, Grapefruit, and a third undisclosed strain, Zkittlez is sweet, fruity, and very relaxing. According to cannabis folklore, Zkittlez was originally known as Gas Station Bob and was created by the breeders/growers Terp Hogz and 3rd Gen Family Farms. In 2016, The Original Z won 1st place at the Emerald Cup. Ever since, the strain has continued to win cannabis cups and awards, and new varieties of Zkittlez continue to creep onto the market, offering other unique flavors and aromas.

Gelato is another super-popular strain, and arguably one of the most beloved cannabis cultivars of the 2010s. Created by Mario Guzman (aka Mr Sherbinski) from Sunset Sherbet and Thin Mint Cookies, Gelato boasts unique aromas that are fruity, creamy, and earthy all at once—oddly reminiscent of artisan ice cream. Its effects, on the other hand, are soothing and mentally calming, ideal for peaceful introspection, relaxation, or low-key social situations. Under the Sherbinski moniker, Mario Guzman has released a wide variety of Gelato phenotypes, including Bacio Gelato (#41), Mochi Gelato (#47), and Acaiberry Gelato (#49). Unfortunately, it's unclear which Gelato phenotype was used to create Runtz, though some sources point to Gelato #33.

Physical Characteristics of Runtz

Runtz weed was never released to the public in seed or clone form—at least not by Cookies or The Runtz Crew. Hence, it's nearly impossible to know what original Runtz plants look like. What we do know, however, is that Runtz produces electric lime-green buds with deep purple spots and elongated, sugary trichomes. While their structure is notably wispier than other modern cannabis strains, Runtz buds still look great out of the bag.

Properties and Effects of Runtz

Runtz is potent, flavorful, and very aromatic. Based on third-party reports from cannabis testing labs, Runtz can contain over 30% total cannabinoids, and roughly 27–28% total THC (though this varies from one batch to another). Moreover, it's also rich in terpenes such as myrcene, limonene, caryophyllene, linalool, humulene, pinene, and camphene. Combined, these compounds produce Runtz's unique candy aroma, which is, undoubtedly, one of the strain's biggest selling points.

Crack open a bag of original Runtz and you'll be hit in the face by the strain's bold candy aromas, letting you know you’ve got the real deal. Grind her up and Runtz will continue smelling like fruity candy, though you may also notice subtle aromas of tree fruit, berries, cream, earth, and pine. Whether enjoyed in a joint or vape, Runtz also delivers a ton of flavor. Upon your first inhale, your palate will be doused in Runtz's fruity overtones and candy sweetness. As you continue smoking her, you'll enjoy subtler notes of cream, wet soil, and fresh pine needles, rounding out the strain's incredible candy notes.

In terms of its effects, Runtz blends together the best of a traditional physical indica stone and the uplifting high of a sativa. Inhale her sweet smoke/vapor and you'll experience an almost immediate cerebral rush settle in right between/behind your eyes. Within minutes, you should feel elevated and tension-free. If you need to concentrate or stay productive, you generally shouldn't have any problems doing so within the first 1–2 hours of smoking Runtz. After that, however, you may start to feel more relaxed and distracted as her effects begin to wash down over the body, eventually leaving you in a happy, giggly, and hungry daze.

Uses of Runtz

In general, we recommend lighting up Runtz in the afternoons, on weekends, or while on vacation when you can make the most of her cerebral rush before crashing guilt-free. Runtz is also a great strain to enjoy in social settings, as her blissful buzz helps to release social inhibitions and free up the flow of conversation. Based on reviews and user reports, Runtz is the ideal strain for:

• Social situations

• Relaxing in the evenings

• Weekend or holiday sessions

• Playing video games

• Watching movies

• Playing board games with friends and family

• Introspection and meditation

• Post-workout relaxation

Runtz's balance of physical and mental effects also makes her an appealing strain for medical cannabis users. And while the strain is generally well-tolerated, keep in mind that Runtz is very potent and may prove overwhelming for beginners or users with a low tolerance. Some unwanted side effects reported by users of Runtz include:

• Anxiety and paranoia

• Dry mouth and dry eyes

• Dizziness

• Headaches

Cultivation and Production of Runtz

The original Runtz created by Young LB, Ray Bama, and Nick never made it into the hands of home growers, as both the Runtz Crew and Cookies keep a tight lock on their genetics. However, countless other breeders and geneticists have released their own versions of Runtz, both as seeds and clones. In general, Runtz strains are indica dominant, producing stout plants that perform well indoors and can be trained using a variety of techniques. The flowering time of Runtz cannabis varieties ranges from 8–10 weeks on average, and the strain is said to produce decent yields.

Runtz — The World's Favorite Candy Cannabis Strain

Runtz is one of the most famous cannabis strains to have been created in recent years. Bred by Nick, Young LB, and Ray Bama (aka the Runtz Crew) and commercialized by Cookies, Runtz has become a worldwide phenomenon and marked the introduction of candy aromas and flavors to the cannabis market. While Runtz and Cookies have since split and many breeders now offer their own versions of this epic strain, the original Runtz has a strong following among a wide variety of cannabis smokers. If you get the chance, don't pass up the opportunity to try what is arguably one of the most iconic cannabis strains of the last decade.

• Runtz »»» Zkittlez x Gelato
• Zkittlez
  • »»» {Grape Ape x Grapefruit} x Unknown Strain
  • Grape Ape x Grapefruit
    • Grape Ape
      • Grand Daddy Purple Grape Ape Probably
        • »»» Purple Urkel x Big Bud Probably
        • Purple Urkel
          • Unknown Mostly Indica »»» Mostly Indica
        • Big Bud
          • »»» {Big Bud x NL#1} x Big Bud
          • Big Bud x NL#1
            • Big Bud »»» Indica
            • NL#1 IBL
              • »»» Purest Indica x Afghani probably from Neville IBL
              • Purest Indica
                • Afghani (specified above)
              • Afghani probably from Neville
                • Afghanistan Probably Indica »»» Indica
          • Big Bud »»» Indica
    • Grapefruit
      • Unknown Hybrid »»» Indica/Sativa Hybrid
  • Unknown Strain
• Gelato
  • Gelato
    • »»» Sunset Sherbet x Thin Mint Cookies
    • Sunset Sherbet
      • »»» Girl Scout Cookies x Pink Panties
      • Girl Scout Cookies
        • Thin Mint GSC (specified above)
      • Pink Panties
        • »»» OG Kush South Florida x {OG Kush South Florida x Burma}
        • OG Kush South Florida x Burma
          • OG Kush South Florida
            • »»» Unknown Strain Unknown Strain: Emerald Triangle x Hindu Kush Neville
            • Unknown Strain Unknown Strain: Emerald Triangle »»» Unknown Strain
            • Hindu Kush Neville »»» Indica
          • Burma
            • Burma Probably Sativa »»» Sativa
        • OG Kush South Florida (specified above)
    • Thin Mint Cookies probably
      • »»» OG Kush South Florida x F1 Durban probably
      • OG Kush South Florida (specified above)
      • F1 Durban S1
        • »»» F1 x Durban S1
        • F1
          • Unknown Strain
        • Durban
          • South African Sativa Geo Information: KwaZulu-Natal »»» Sativa

Map of the Runtz Family Tree

Click to show all parents of Runtz in our dynamic family tree map.

We found 304 direct descendants from Runtz in the seedfinder strain database, here a short overview. To see all hybrids and their descendants, visit our Runtz Genealogy Page and check out all the direct crosses as like as the following generations.

Banana Runtz Cake

{Runtz x WeddingCake} x Banana OG ^probably

Cereal Runtz

Banana OG ^probably x Runtz

American Runtz

American Cincinnatus x Runtz

Candy Junction

Dysfunction Junction x Runtz

Candylicious

Zkittlez x Runtz

Continental Candy

Mothertongue x Runtz

Funky Runtz

Smell My Finger x Runtz

Government Runtz

G13 x Blueberry Headband x Runtz

Pu Tang Pie

Pu Tang x Runtz

Cadillac Rainbow

Runtz x Pure Michigan

Map of the Runtz Descendants

If you are with a big screen and not browsing with your mobile, check out our dynamic family tree map with all known hybrids of Runtz! (but this maybe will need some time to load all the data!)