Sativa70% Sativa / 30% Indica15-25% THC

Grapefruit

Also known as: BC Grapefruit, Sweet Pink Grapefruit, SPG

Breeder: Breeder Steve / Spice of Life Seeds (clone-only original); Female Seeds (seed-form C99 derivative)

Grapefruit is a sativa-dominant hybrid with two distinct genetic lineages: the original clone-only BC Grapefruit (Sweet Pink Grapefruit) from late-1980s British Columbia, and the commercially dominant seed-form derived from Cinderella 99. Both versions share an unmistakable fresh grapefruit citrus terpene profile driven by dominant limonene, delivering uplifting, euphoric, and energizing cerebral effects that have made it a dispensary staple for decades. Grapefruit occupies a unique position in cannabis history as a bridge between the clone-trading culture of 1990s British Columbia and the modern feminized seed market. The original clone — sometimes called BC Grapefruit or Sweet Pink Grapefruit (SPG) — was the foundation of Breeder Steve's entire Spice of Life catalog. Federation Seed Co's "Mikado" was essentially SPG under a different name. Female Seeds' Ferry took the C99-derived seed line and stabilized it over multiple generations beginning in 1998, with the current version dating to a 2007 selection focused on aroma intensity and manageable height. The terpene profile is anchored by limonene, supported by myrcene, caryophyllene, and pinene — a stack that produces the unmistakable sweet-and-sour citrus peel character intensifying sharply in the final two weeks of flower. THC typically tests 18–24%, with negligible CBD. The strain's influence extends far beyond its own name: it is a parent of Zkittlez (2015 Cannabis Cup winner), Sweet Deep Grapefruit, Grape Romulan, and dozens of other modern cultivars.

Lineage

Clone-only BC cultivar (likely NL#1 select);

THC Range

15-25%

Flower Time

8-9 weeks (56-63 days)

Difficulty

Easy to Moderate

Lineage & Genetics

Cross: Clone-only BC cultivar (likely NL#1 select); seed-form: Cinderella 99 x Thai Sativa

The clone-only line is believed to be a select phenotype of Northern Lights #1 with anomalous citrus terpene expression, supported by breeding trials showing 498 of 500 F1 offspring resembling the mother. The seed-form traces to Cinderella 99 (Brothers Grimm), itself a backcross of Princess from Jack Herer seeds (NL#5 x Haze x Skunk#1 x Haze). Female Seeds' version additionally incorporated a Thai Sativa and an autoflowering strain before stabilization over multiple generations.

Terpene Profile

DOMINANT

Limonene — Drives the sharp, fresh citrus peel character that defines the strain; intensifies in the final two weeks of flower

SECONDARY

Myrcene — Adds tropical fruit sweetness and subtle relaxation without drowsiness

SECONDARY

Terpinolene — Contributes herbal and slightly pine-like complexity, especially in C99-derived lines

SECONDARY

Pinene — Fresh resinous notes; production peaks when day/night temperature differential exceeds 10°F in final weeks

SECONDARY

Caryophyllene — Faint spiced warmth noticeable on the exhale

Aroma: Immediately identifiable burst of fresh citrus resembling freshly peeled grapefruit, layered with tropical fruit hints and subtle floral undertones. The clone-only SPG cut is described as smelling like a freshly cut ruby red grapefruit — absolutely luscious and loud.

Flavor: Sweet, tangy grapefruit-forward inhale with citrus notes more prominent on exhale and a clean, sharp finish. Some phenotypes add a pineapple dimension. Vaping at lower temperatures preserves the grapefruit top notes better while combustion delivers a fuller, more complex experience.

Effects & Experience

Onset: Gradual, coming on in stages — a slow-hitting high that spreads out evenly rather than immediate intoxication

Uplifting cerebral high with heightened awareness, improved mood, and mental clarity. The mind feels engaged and energized while physical effects remain gentle — lightly relaxed body without heavy sedation. Users report feeling happy, euphoric, creative, and sociable.

Duration: Moderate duration typical of sativa-dominant strains

Commonly Reported Uses

DepressionStressAnxietyFatigueChronic painMigrainesPMS

Grower's Notes

Flower

8-9 weeks (56-63 days)

Indoor Yield

400-550 g/m²

Outdoor Yield

500-800 g/plant

Difficulty

Easy to Moderate

Height / Stretch

90-150 cm indoors / 200-300 cm outdoors

Environment

Indoor, Outdoor, Greenhouse —

Grapefruit is a cultivar whose reputation precedes its seed packet — the original clone circulated through Vancouver basements in the late 1980s and early 1990s as simply "the one to grow," and Breeder Steve of Spice of Life Seeds built an entire breeding empire (Sweet Tooth, Blockhead, LUI) on its back. The seed-form version most growers encounter today descends from Female Seeds' 2007 stabilization of a Cinderella 99 x Thai Sativa cross, selected ruthlessly for that unmistakable sweet-and-sour citrus nose and moderate stature. Understanding both lineages matters in the grow room, because the clone-only original and the seed-form derivative present differently under lights.

Stretch and Structure

Expect 1.5x to 2x stretch after the flip to 12/12, with most vertical gain occurring in weeks one through three of flower. The vegetative plant shows classic sativa morphology — elongated internodes, narrow leaflets, and vigorous lateral branching that responds beautifully to training. Left untrained, indoor plants reach 90–150 cm; outdoors, 200–300 cm is common. Topping at the fourth to sixth node and running a SCROG net with 20–25 cm spacing transforms the vertical energy into a flat, productive canopy. The Female Seeds version was specifically selected for moderate height among the phenotypes, making it more manageable than the original clone.

Flower Time and Yield

Indoor flowering runs 49–63 days for most cuts, with the majority finishing at 56–60 days under optimal conditions — remarkably fast for a 70/30 sativa-dominant plant. The original SPG clone pushed 62–68 days. Expect 400–550 g/m² indoors in well-managed rooms, with 500–800 g per outdoor plant under full-season sun. Female Seeds' breeder notes describe it as a "massive yielding beast" once stabilized.

Nutrients and Media

Grapefruit is a heavy feeder that tolerates aggressive nutrition without complaint. In coco/perlite (70/30), maintain pH 5.8–6.2 and EC 1.2–1.6 mS/cm in veg, rising to 1.6–1.8 mS/cm in peak bloom. Moderate nitrogen early, then increase phosphorus and potassium from weeks three through seven of flower. CalMag supplementation is critical under LEDs — the strain's high metabolic rate and coco's natural calcium-binding properties create deficiency risk without consistent supplementation at 1–2 mL/L from seedling through week six of flower. In soil, target pH 6.2–6.8. The strain also performs well in recirculating hydro for growers chasing maximum speed.

Environment and Light

Day temperatures of 24–28°C and night temperatures of 18–22°C, with a 6–8°C differential to limit stretch and reduce foxtailing risk. Maintain VPD at 1.1–1.4 kPa in veg and 1.3–1.6 kPa in flower. Lighting intensity should reach 600–900 µmol/m²/s PPFD in late veg and 900–1,200 µmol/m²/s in flower. Under supplemental CO2 at 1,000–1,200 ppm, the strain can utilize up to 1,300–1,400 µmol/m²/s, increasing yields 10–20%. Humidity management is non-negotiable in late flower — taper from 55–65% in veg to 40–45% mid-flower to 35–40% in the final two weeks.

Color and Bud Structure

Buds form elongated, slightly conical clusters with a high calyx-to-leaf ratio. The dried flowers sit slightly below average density — not rock-hard but well-structured. Bright lime-to-forest green calyxes contrast with tangerine-to-sunset-orange pistils. Under cooler night temperatures in late bloom, some phenotypes express faint anthocyanin blushing along sugar leaves, adding lavender or pink highlights. Trichome coverage is robust, creating a frosted, sanded-glass sheen across the canopy.

Pest and Disease

The dense bud structure in late flower makes Grapefruit susceptible to botrytis (gray mold) if humidity climbs above 50% in the final weeks. Strong oscillating airflow, selective defoliation around weeks two through four of flower, and aggressive humidity control are essential. The strain shows good general vigor and stress tolerance — grower reports describe plants recovering from near-death experiences and subzero cold exposure. No particular sensitivity to spider mites or thrips beyond normal sativa-type plants with open canopy architecture.

Wash Data

While Grapefruit is not considered an elite hash-dumping cultivar by modern solventless standards, its robust trichome coverage and citrus-forward terpene profile make it a worthy candidate for ice-water extraction. Expect moderate wash yields in the 3–4% WPFF range for most phenotypes, with the best selections potentially reaching 4–5%. The limonene-dominant terpene stack translates well through cold-water processing, and the resulting hash retains bright citrus character. For flower rosin, press at 180–200°F to preserve the volatile monoterpenes.

Drying and Curing

Slow drying is critical for preserving Grapefruit's signature citrus terpene profile — limonene and ocimene are volatile and easily lost to heat. Dry whole branches at 15.5–18.5°C (60–65°F) and 58–62% RH for 10–14 days until small stems snap cleanly. Cure in glass jars at 58–62% RH, burping one to two times daily for the first week, then tapering. A three-to-five-week cure maximizes the grapefruit zing while smoothing the finish. Rushing the dry or curing at elevated temperatures strips the citrus top notes and leaves a flat, generic sweetness.

History & Origin

Grapefruit emerged in the late 1980s in Vancouver's British Columbia cannabis scene as a clone-only cultivar. Breeder Steve acquired the cut in the early 1990s, recognized its exceptional terpene expression, and founded Spice of Life Seeds (~1995), using SPG as the mother for his entire breeding program including Sweet Tooth. In 1998, Female Seeds created the first seed-form Grapefruit using a special C99 clone crossed with Thai Sativa, establishing the commercially dominant lineage. Blimburn Seeds' version won at Spannabis 2011, and Flow Gardens' CBD version took 3rd place in the CBD Flower category at Spannabis 2025. The strain remains relevant across four decades with Breeder Steve continuing to verify authentic SPG cuts through Spice of Life Seeds.

Awards & Recognition

●3rd Place Outdoor — Spannabis 2011 (Blimburn Seeds version)
●Spannabis Champions Cup 2025 — 3rd Place CBD Flower (Flow Gardens)
●Parent strain of Zkittlez — 1st Place, 2015 Cannabis Cup (San Francisco and Michigan)

Notable Crosses

Strains bred using Grapefruit as a parent:

Sweet Tooth— Sweet Pink Grapefruit x DJ Short's Blueberry→The Original Z— (Grape Ape x Grapefruit) x Unknown→

Grapefruit Haze— Grapefruit x Super Silver Haze

GrapeGod— Godbud x Grapefruit

Citrix— Grapefruit x LA Confidential

Pink Stardust— SPG x Star Dawg (Kate Upton cut)

Frequently Asked Questions

7 common questions about Grapefruit

What is Grapefruit and what are its genetics?

Grapefruit is a sativa cannabis strain (70% Sativa / 30% Indica) bred by Breeder Steve / Spice of Life Seeds (clone-only original); Female Seeds (seed-form C99 derivative). It is a cross of Clone-only BC cultivar (likely NL#1 select); seed-form: Cinderella 99 x Thai Sativa, testing at 15-25% THC. Grapefruit is a sativa-dominant hybrid with two distinct genetic lineages: the original clone-only BC Grapefruit (Sweet Pink Grapefruit) from late-1980s British Columbia, and the commercially dominant seed-form derived from Cinderella 99. Both versions share an unmistakable fresh grapefruit citrus terpene profile driven by dominant limonene, delivering uplifting, euphoric, and energizing cerebral effects that have made it a dispensary staple for decades. Grapefruit occupies a unique position in cannabis history as a bridge between the clone-trading culture of 1990s British Columbia and the modern feminized seed market.

What does Grapefruit smell and taste like?

Grapefruit's dominant terpenes are Limonene. The aroma is described as immediately identifiable burst of fresh citrus resembling freshly peeled grapefruit, layered with tropical fruit hints and subtle floral undertones. the clone-only spg cut is described as smelling like a freshly cut ruby red grapefruit — absolutely luscious and loud.. The flavor profile features sweet, tangy grapefruit-forward inhale with citrus notes more prominent on exhale and a clean, sharp finish. some phenotypes add a pineapple dimension. vaping at lower temperatures preserves the grapefruit top notes better while combustion delivers a fuller, more complex experience..

What are the effects of Grapefruit?

Gradual, coming on in stages — a slow-hitting high that spreads out evenly rather than immediate intoxication Uplifting cerebral high with heightened awareness, improved mood, and mental clarity. The mind feels engaged and energized while physical effects remain gentle — lightly relaxed body without heavy sedation. Duration is typically moderate duration typical of sativa-dominant strains. Commonly reported uses include Depression, Stress, Anxiety, Fatigue.

How hard is Grapefruit to grow?

Grapefruit is rated easy to moderate difficulty. It flowers in 8-9 weeks (56-63 days), reaches 90-150 cm indoors / 200-300 cm outdoors in height, and yields 400-550 g/m² indoors. Best suited for indoor, outdoor, greenhouse — warm/mediterranean climate preferred environments.

Does Grapefruit turn purple?

Yes. Grapefruit is known to express purple coloration, with reported colors including Bright green, Orange pistils, Light lavender (cool temps). Cooler nighttime temperatures during late flowering typically intensify anthocyanin expression.

What strains were bred from Grapefruit?

Grapefruit has been used as a parent in several notable crosses, including Sweet Tooth, The Original Z, Grapefruit Haze, GrapeGod, Citrix. Its genetics contribute to a wide range of modern cultivars.

Has Grapefruit won any cannabis awards?

Yes. Grapefruit has received recognition including 3rd Place Outdoor — Spannabis 2011 (Blimburn Seeds version); Spannabis Champions Cup 2025 — 3rd Place CBD Flower (Flow Gardens); Parent strain of Zkittlez — 1st Place, 2015 Cannabis Cup (San Francisco and Michigan).

Sources & References (57)

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