HybridIndica-dominant (Mostly Indica per breeder)22–26% THC

Black Soap

Breeder: Lit Farms

Black Soap combines two modern Seed Junky powerhouses — The Soap (Animal Mints x Kush Mints, released under the Cookies/Minntz banner) and Permanent Marker (Leafly's 2023 Strain of the Year). Bred by Lit Farms as a feminized offering, it leans indica-dominant and is prized for its strikingly dark, near-black purple bag appeal and a refined, clean high that builds gradually from clear-headed focus into deep relaxation. The nose is notably more restrained than either parent suggests, with subdued talc and laundry notes in the jar that open into chemical marker and soapy bite once combusted. Black Soap merges two of the most celebrated modern genetics in cannabis. The Soap, a Seed Junky Genetics and Cookies collaboration released under the Minntz banner at the 2019 Emerald Cannabis Cup, provides the soapy, floral, mint-forward terpene character and an uplifting cerebral edge. Permanent Marker, also from Seed Junky, contributes the industrial-marker aroma, dense bud structure, and heavy indica body effects that made it Leafly's Strain of the Year in 2023. Lit Farms, founded by Ray Schiavone of Tahoe Hydroponics fame, produced this cross as part of a broader collaboration with Seed Junky that yielded five or more Permanent Marker-based varieties. The resulting cultivar has gained traction in craft markets from Oregon to Canada, prized for near-black bag appeal, layered effects that transition from focused euphoria to deep physical relaxation, and a terpene profile that balances clean floral notes against raw chemical funk.

Lineage

The Soap x Permanent Marker

THC Range

22–26%

Flower Time

8-9 weeks

Difficulty

Intermediate

Lineage & Genetics

Cross: The Soap x Permanent Marker

Parent strains in encyclopedia:The Soap→Permanent Marker→

The Soap (Seed Junky Genetics / Cookies / Minntz): Animal Mints x Kush Mints. Sativa-leaning hybrid known for soapy, floral, lavender-forward terpenes, routinely testing 25–30% THC. Permanent Marker (Seed Junky Genetics): Biscotti x Jealousy x Sherbert BX1. Indica-leaning hybrid, Leafly Strain of 2023, known for pungent candy-gas aroma with dark berry and earthy undertones, testing 28–35% THC.

Lineage Dispute

No dispute on lineage. Community notes describe it as a Lit Farms collaboration using Seed Junky Genetics' Permanent Marker pollen. Both parents are Seed Junky Genetics creations.

Terpene Profile

DOMINANT

Caryophyllene —

DOMINANT

Limonene —

SECONDARY

Linalool —

SECONDARY

Humulene —

Aroma: Restrained in the jar — talc, baby powder, dark cream sherbet, faint rubber/tire-shop undertone. Notably less loud than the parent names imply. Once combusted, the Permanent Marker chemical-solvent sharpness and The Soap's clean soapy bite become more apparent. Dry, smooth finish that dissipates quickly.

Flavor: Soapy bite on inhale and exhale with subtle permanent-marker chemical edge. Sparse sweetness rounds the edges. Clean and dry with a soft finish — described as 'Dial gold soap' rather than intensely perfumed. Earthy and spicy undertones on the backend.

Effects & Experience

Onset: Slow, gradual build. Clear-headed from the start — no immediate rush or scatter.

Refined and functional at lower doses: clear focus, mild euphoria, suitable for cooking, reading, or walks. Stacks with additional consumption into deeper indica territory — heavy eyelids, full-body relaxation, sleepiness. The Kush Mints and Permanent Marker genetics pull toward sedation at higher doses without feeling 'geeked out' at any point.

Duration: Moderate to long. Body relaxation persists well after the cerebral clarity fades.

Commonly Reported Uses

Evening wind-downStress reliefRelaxation with maintained claritySleep aid at higher dosesCreative focus at lower doses

Grower's Notes

Flower

8-9 weeks

Indoor Yield

400-500 g/m²

Outdoor Yield

500-700 g/plant

Difficulty

Intermediate

Height / Stretch

Short-Medium (90-110 cm)

Environment

Indoor / Outdoor

Black Soap is an indica-dominant hybrid from Lit Farms (Lost In Translation), bred by Ray Schiavone's team in collaboration with Seed Junky Genetics. The cross pairs The Soap (Animal Mints x Kush Mints), the flagship cultivar of the Cookies/Seed Junky Minntz banner, with Permanent Marker (Biscotti x Jealousy x Sherb Bx1), Leafly's 2023 Strain of the Year. The result is a heavily resinous, visually striking plant that merges the soapy, floral mint character of one parent with the industrial, fuel-forward pungency of the other.

Breeder Notes

Black Soap is available exclusively as feminized photoperiod seeds, typically sold in packs of six or twelve. The plant flowers in approximately 56 to 63 days (8-9 weeks) and is suitable for both indoor and outdoor cultivation. Morphologically, it tends toward a short-to-medium stature with sturdy branching and relatively tight internodal spacing inherited from the Permanent Marker side. Indoor plants average 90-110 cm in height, while outdoor specimens may run slightly taller. The indica-dominant structure produces dense, heavy colas with exceptional trichome coverage and deep coloration ranging from dark green to intense purple and near-black hues. The dark pigmentation is driven by high anthocyanin concentrations; growers report that dropping nighttime temperatures to 60-65°F during the final three to four weeks of flower intensifies the characteristic blackish-purple expression.

Breeder Notes

Phenotype variation is notable. Permanent Marker-dominant phenotypes may exhibit slower vegetative vigor, longer veg times, and reduced cloning success rates (some growers report around 70% take rates), but these same phenos tend to carry the loudest, most pungent terpene expression. Soap-dominant phenotypes generally show more vigorous growth and a slightly more open structure. Growers on pHenohunter.org have observed that the Permanent Marker parent's influence can make certain phenos slower to establish, recommending extended veg periods and patience during early growth stages.

Training responds well

low-stress training (LST), topping, and SCROG setups all improve light penetration into the dense canopy and boost bud site development. Environmental targets for indoor cultivation include temperatures of 68-79°F (20-26°C) and relative humidity of 40-50% during flower. Maintaining a growing medium pH of 6.0-6.8 optimizes nutrient uptake. The strain shows good resistance to common pests and molds, though the density of the colas demands diligent airflow management to prevent botrytis, particularly in the final weeks when buds pack on substantial weight.

Nutrient Management

Nutrient management is critical for maximizing resin and cannabinoid production. A combination of organic and synthetic fertilizers has shown strong results, with some cultivators reporting yield increases of 25-30% through consistent feeding programs. Organic living soil setups tend to bring out the most complex terpene expression, particularly the chemical-marker top notes inherited from Permanent Marker, while hydroponic systems can push density and trichome coverage at the expense of some terpene nuance.

Bud Structure and Trichomes

The terpene profile is led by beta-caryophyllene (spicy, peppery), limonene (citrus, mood-elevating), and linalool (floral, lavender), with sporadic traces of humulene. Aroma intensity from the jar is more restrained than one might expect given the parents, but once sparked, the Permanent Marker genetics become more obvious with a sharp chem-and-Sharpie quality layered over the sudsy, soapy bite from The Soap lineage. THC levels typically range from 22-28%, with CBD remaining low (0.1-1%). Commercial flower samples from growers like Evan's Creek Farms (Oregon) and Skookum Cannabis (Canada) have tested at 28% THC.

Drying and Curing

Post-harvest handling matters significantly. A drying period of 7-14 days followed by a minimum 2-4 week cure preserves the complex terpene profile and stabilizes the chemical compounds. Extended cold curing, as practiced by commercial growers, further enhances flavor depth and smoothness of the smoke, which burns to a clean light-grey ash when properly finished.

History & Origin

Lit Farms created Black Soap as part of a multi-cross collaboration using Seed Junky Genetics' Permanent Marker pollen, producing at least five distinct Permanent Marker crosses. The Soap parent was itself a Seed Junky creation released under the Cookies/Minntz banner (Animal Mints x Kush Mints). With Permanent Marker winning Leafly's Strain of 2023 (following its parent Jealousy winning in 2022), Black Soap represents a convergence of consecutive hype-strain genetics. It gained traction in the Oregon market through cultivators like Evan's Creek Farms and dispensaries like Oregrown Portland.

Frequently Asked Questions

6 common questions about Black Soap

What is Black Soap and what are its genetics?

Black Soap is a hybrid cannabis strain (Indica-dominant (Mostly Indica per breeder)) bred by Lit Farms. It is a cross of The Soap x Permanent Marker, testing at 22–26% THC. Black Soap combines two modern Seed Junky powerhouses — The Soap (Animal Mints x Kush Mints, released under the Cookies/Minntz banner) and Permanent Marker (Leafly's 2023 Strain of the Year). Bred by Lit Farms as a feminized offering, it leans indica-dominant and is prized for its strikingly dark, near-black purple bag appeal and a refined, clean high that builds gradually from clear-headed focus into deep relaxation.

What does Black Soap smell and taste like?

Black Soap's dominant terpenes are Caryophyllene, Limonene. The aroma is described as restrained in the jar — talc, baby powder, dark cream sherbet, faint rubber/tire-shop undertone. notably less loud than the parent names imply. once combusted, the permanent marker chemical-solvent sharpness and the soap's clean soapy bite become more apparent. dry, smooth finish that dissipates quickly.. The flavor profile features soapy bite on inhale and exhale with subtle permanent-marker chemical edge. sparse sweetness rounds the edges. clean and dry with a soft finish — described as 'dial gold soap' rather than intensely perfumed. earthy and spicy undertones on the backend..

What are the effects of Black Soap?

Slow, gradual build. Clear-headed from the start — no immediate rush or scatter. Refined and functional at lower doses: clear focus, mild euphoria, suitable for cooking, reading, or walks. Stacks with additional consumption into deeper indica territory — heavy eyelids, full-body relaxation, sleepiness. Duration is typically moderate to long. body relaxation persists well after the cerebral clarity fades.. Commonly reported uses include Evening wind-down, Stress relief, Relaxation with maintained clarity, Sleep aid at higher doses.

How hard is Black Soap to grow?

Black Soap is rated intermediate difficulty. It flowers in 8-9 weeks, reaches short-medium (90-110 cm) in height, and yields 400-500 g/m² indoors. Best suited for indoor / outdoor environments.

What are the parent strains of Black Soap?

Black Soap is a cross of The Soap and Permanent Marker. The Soap (Seed Junky Genetics / Cookies / Minntz): Animal Mints x Kush Mints. Sativa-leaning hybrid known for soapy, floral, lavender-forward terpenes, routinely testing 25–30% THC.

Does Black Soap turn purple?

Yes. Black Soap is known to express purple coloration, with reported colors including Near-black purple, Deep violet, Dark olive green. Cooler nighttime temperatures during late flowering typically intensify anthocyanin expression.

Sources & References (33)

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