Runtz
Breeder: Runtz Crew (Nick Corwin, Ray Bama, Yung LB)
Runtz is a balanced hybrid born from two of the most decorated strains of the 2010s. It delivers a candy-sweet terpene profile, dense trichome-coated buds, and a potent but functional high. Named after the fruit candy for its sweet flavor, it grew from an underground LA phenomenon to a national cultural force through social media marketing and deliberate scarcity. Runtz is the defining strain of the post-2017 California exotic era. Created by grower Nick Corwin who crossed Zkittlez with Gelato #33, it was branded and launched by the "Runtz Crew"—Ray Bama, Nick, and Long Beach rapper Yung LB—who debuted it at the December 2017 Emerald Cup in Santa Rosa, California. The name references the Runts candy brand, nodding to both the strain's candy-sweet terpene profile and its characteristically small, dense nugget structure. Within a year of its debut, Cookies (Berner's brand) partnered with the crew as exclusive distributor, dramatically expanding availability beyond California. The strain's cultural impact extends well beyond cultivation—it has been referenced in hundreds of rap songs, spawned an entire family of crosses (White Runtz, Pink Runtz, Obama Runtz, and dozens more), and created a template for strain-as-lifestyle branding that defines modern cannabis marketing. Dominant terpenes are beta-caryophyllene (~0.75%), limonene (~0.55%), and linalool (~0.35%), producing the signature candy-fruit-cream profile. THC typically ranges 19–29%, with select phenotypes like White Runtz reaching 30%+.
Lineage & Genetics
Cross: Zkittlez x Gelato #33
Zkittlez (indica-dominant) was bred by Dying Breed Seeds, 3rd Gen Family, and Terp Hogz — genetics are Grape Ape x Grapefruit x an undisclosed third parent. Gelato #33 was created by Cookie Fam as Sunset Sherbet x Thin Mint GSC. The original cross produced two standout phenotypes — #3 and #7 — which became the foundation cuts.
Terpene Profile
Beta-Caryophyllene — Peppery, spicy, woody; ~0.5–0.75%
Limonene — Bright citrus, lemon zest; ~0.4–0.55%
Linalool — Floral, lavender, sweet; ~0.2–0.35%
Aroma: Sweet candy, tropical fruit, grape, with creamy undertones and a gassy finish. Frequently compared to opening a bag of fruit candy.
Flavor: Smooth and sugary with prominent berry and tropical fruit on inhale. Creamy, slightly spicy on exhale. No harshness when properly grown and cured.
Effects & Experience
Onset: Cerebral rush of euphoria and mood elevation within minutes.
The head high smooths out while a warm full-body relaxation gradually sets in. A light creative energy persists — functional rather than foggy. Body relaxation deepens but rarely reaches full couch-lock at moderate doses. Come-down is gentle.
Duration: 2–4 hours
Commonly Reported Uses
Grower's Notes
Runtz is a balanced 50/50 hybrid crossing Zkittlez and Gelato #33, bred by Nick Corwin and popularized by the Runtz Crew (Ray Bama, Yung LB) out of Los Angeles. It debuted at the 2017 Emerald Cup and quickly became one of the most sought-after modern cultivars. In the grow room, Runtz exhibits a vertical, columnar growth pattern with moderate lateral branching. It stays relatively compact—finishing 40–60 inches indoors—but doesn't spread out naturally, making it an excellent candidate for ScrOG or LST to direct energy horizontally and maximize light penetration to lower bud sites.
Growth Structure and Training
Stretch during the first 2–3 weeks of flower is moderate, typically 50–100% of vegetative height. Growers should establish trellis or ScrOG netting before the flip and continue tucking through week two of 12/12. Topping once or twice during veg combined with aggressive LST produces a flat, even canopy that this cultivar rewards with uniform cola development. Nodal spacing is relatively tight (Cookies-style architecture), which aids density but demands defoliation in mid-flower to maintain airflow through the interior canopy.
Yield
Indoor yields range from 300–550 g/m² depending on environment, training, and light intensity. Under a well-dialed 600–1000W equivalent LED with proper ScrOG training, most growers report 400–550 g/m². Outdoor plants in Mediterranean climates yield 400–600 grams per plant, harvesting mid-to-late October. Flowering time is 8–9 weeks (56–63 days from flip), with most phenotypes hitting optimal ripeness around day 58–62. Always verify harvest timing with trichome inspection—target mostly cloudy heads with 5–15% amber.
Nutrient Management
Nutrient demands are moderate-to-heavy. During veg, feed a balanced NPK with a nitrogen lean (3-1-2 ratio) at 1.0–1.4 EC. Be generous with nitrogen early to support the vigorous vegetative push. Add CalMag at 2–5 mL/L from week two of veg, especially under high-output LEDs which increase calcium demand. At flip, begin ramping phosphorus and potassium while tapering nitrogen. By week 3 of flower, target a P-heavy ratio (1-3-2) at 1.6–2.0 EC. Drop nitrogen to near-zero by week 6. A 7–10 day flush with plain water before harvest improves burn quality and terpene clarity. Runtz thrives in well-draining soil (pH 6.0–6.5) or coco coir (pH 5.8–6.2); hydroponic DWC setups also produce excellent results for experienced growers.
Environment and Climate
Environmental control is the primary challenge. Maintain 70–80°F (21–27°C) during lights-on and drop to 65–70°F at night. This nighttime temperature differential encourages anthocyanin expression—the signature purples and pinks. In the final 2–3 weeks, dropping nights to 55–65°F intensifies color development. Humidity must be stepped down progressively: 50–60% RH in veg (VPD 0.8–1.0 kPa), 45–50% in early flower (VPD 1.0–1.2 kPa), and 30–40% in late flower (VPD 1.2–1.5 kPa). Anything above 45% RH after week 5 of flower dramatically increases botrytis risk in these dense buds.
Lighting
full-spectrum LEDs are ideal. Target 400–600 µmol/m²/s PPFD in veg, ramping to 800–1000 µmol/m²/s during peak flower (weeks 3–7). CO₂ supplementation at 1000–1200 ppm pairs well with higher intensity and pushes resin production. Standard 18/6 veg, 12/12 flower photoperiod; ensure absolute darkness during the off-period.
Bud Structure and Trichomes
Bud structure is dense, grape-shaped, and compact—olive green nugs laced with thin orange pistils displaying dark purple undertones beneath a thick coat of frosty white-purple trichomes. This density is both the strain's greatest bag-appeal asset and its primary vulnerability. Strategic defoliation at day 21 and day 42 of flower is essential to prevent humid microclimates. Oscillating fans at canopy level plus exhaust cycling the full room volume every 1–3 minutes are non-negotiable.
Pest and disease management
the sweet terpene profile attracts common pests (spider mites, thrips). Implement preventive IPM during veg—neem oil or spinosad applications. Botrytis (bud rot) is the primary disease threat due to bud density; strict humidity control and airflow are the best defense. Powdery mildew resistance is moderate. Potassium silicate applications during veg strengthen cell walls preventively.
Wash/extraction data
Runtz and its phenotypes are highly regarded by hash makers for their dense, oily trichome coverage and excellent gland-to-leaf ratio. Fresh-frozen material washes clean with excellent head separation in the 73–120 micron range. Typical ice water hash yields from fresh-frozen Runtz run 3–8% of starting material weight. When pressed into rosin at 155–165°F, expect 60–70% return on quality bubble hash, yielding approximately 2–5% hash rosin relative to fresh-frozen input. The candy terps survive processing well, producing creamy, flavorful live rosin.
Drying and curing
hang whole branches in a dark room at 60–70°F with 55–60% RH, targeting a 10–14 day dry. Faster than 5 days degrades volatile terpenes irreversibly. Trim and jar at 75% capacity in wide-mouth glass at 60–65°F. Burp 2–3 times daily for week one, once daily through week three. Minimum cure is 3–4 weeks; 6–8 weeks is optimal for full candy terpene development. Store in cool, dark conditions—heat and light rapidly bleach anthocyanins and evaporate monoterpenes.
History & Origin
Created in late 2016 to early 2017 in Los Angeles by Nick Corwin, who was cultivating indoor Zkittlez and sourced Gelato from Jai Chang of Cookies Fam. First publicly debuted at the December 2017 Emerald Cup in Santa Rosa, California, where roughly 300 jars were introduced. The California trademark was filed in early 2018.
Awards & Recognition
- ●2019: 1st Place Overall — Emerald Cup (grown by Ridgeline Farms, out of 700+ entrants)
- ●2020: Leafly Strain of the Year
- ●2019 Emerald Cup: 3rd Place Flower (White Runtz phenotype)
- ●2019 Emerald Cup: 7th Place Rosins (Runtz rosin by Kalya Extracts)
- ●2022 Michigan Cannabis Cup: People's Choice (multiple Runtz entries dominated)
Notable Crosses
Strains bred using Runtz as a parent:
Frequently Asked Questions
7 common questions about Runtz
What is Runtz and what are its genetics?
Runtz is a hybrid cannabis strain (50% Indica / 50% Sativa) bred by Runtz Crew (Nick Corwin, Ray Bama, Yung LB). It is a cross of Zkittlez x Gelato #33, testing at 19–29% THC. Runtz is a balanced hybrid born from two of the most decorated strains of the 2010s. It delivers a candy-sweet terpene profile, dense trichome-coated buds, and a potent but functional high.
What does Runtz smell and taste like?
Runtz's dominant terpenes are Beta-Caryophyllene. The aroma is described as sweet candy, tropical fruit, grape, with creamy undertones and a gassy finish. frequently compared to opening a bag of fruit candy.. The flavor profile features smooth and sugary with prominent berry and tropical fruit on inhale. creamy, slightly spicy on exhale. no harshness when properly grown and cured..
What are the effects of Runtz?
Cerebral rush of euphoria and mood elevation within minutes. The head high smooths out while a warm full-body relaxation gradually sets in. A light creative energy persists — functional rather than foggy. Duration is typically 2–4 hours. Commonly reported uses include Stress relief, Mood elevation, Mild pain management, Appetite stimulation.
How hard is Runtz to grow?
Runtz is rated intermediate difficulty. It flowers in 8-9 weeks, reaches medium (100-150 cm) in height, and yields 400-550 g/m² indoors. Best suited for indoor preferred environments.
What are the parent strains of Runtz?
Runtz is a cross of Zkittlez and Gelato #33. Zkittlez (indica-dominant) was bred by Dying Breed Seeds, 3rd Gen Family, and Terp Hogz — genetics are Grape Ape x Grapefruit x an undisclosed third parent. Gelato #33 was created by Cookie Fam as Sunset Sherbet x Thin Mint GSC.
What strains were bred from Runtz?
Runtz has been used as a parent in several notable crosses, including White Runtz, Pink Runtz, Lemon Cherry Runtz, Strawberry Runtz, Runtz Muffin. Its genetics contribute to a wide range of modern cultivars.
Has Runtz won any cannabis awards?
Yes. Runtz has received recognition including 2019: 1st Place Overall — Emerald Cup (grown by Ridgeline Farms, out of 700+ entrants); 2020: Leafly Strain of the Year; 2019 Emerald Cup: 3rd Place Flower (White Runtz phenotype).
Sources & References (52)
- *High Times** (interview with Ray Bama and Nick Corwin) — primary source for breeder identity, Gelato #33 specification, origin story
- *WeedMaps** (Candy Runtz / Runtz OG entry) — Runtz Crew membership, Emerald Cup debut date, Cookies Fam connection
- *Seedfinder.eu** (Runtz Muffin, Canal Street Runtz, Menthol Runtz genealogy pages) — lineage tree confirmation: The Original Z x Gelato → Sunset Sherbet x Thin Mint Cookies
- *PhenoDB** (Runtz lineage page) — 506 direct descendants documented
- *Leafly** (2020 Strain of the Year article, Strain of the Year Winners list) — award verification, search trend data, terpene profile
- *Dark Coast Seed Co.** (Runtz Strain History) — detailed breeder history, phenotype #3 and #7, Zkittlez and Gelato origin detail
- *Seeds Here Now** (Runtz Family Tree 2026) — cross reference table, THC ranges
- *MMJ.com** (Runtz strain page) — terpene percentages (~0.75% caryophyllene, ~0.55% limonene, ~0.35% linalool)
- *STIIIZY** (Runtz Strain Guide) — alternative terpene order (caryophyllene, limonene, myrcene)
- *Barney's Farm** (Runtz seeds page) — grow data: 55-60 day flower, 550-650g/m² indoor, 90-110cm height
- *MSNL Seeds** (Runtz grow guide) — 8-10 week flower, 400-500g/m², easy difficulty rating
- *Hypno Seeds** (week-by-week grow diary) — real-world grow timeline, stretch behavior, bud density notes
- *Fresh Bros**, **Hyperwolf**, **marijuanaseedsforsale.com** — effects onset/duration data, community review aggregation
- ### Source Conflicts
- *Terpene #3 position:** Majority list linalool; STIIIZY and MSNL list myrcene. Both terpenes are present — relative dominance varies by phenotype and grow conditions.
- *Pink Runtz lineage:** Phenotype of original Runtz (majority view) vs. Pink Panties x Rainbow Sherbet (minority view). Noted explicitly above.
- *Indoor yield range:** Barney's Farm claims 550-650 g/m²; MSNL Seeds says 400-500 g/m²; Hypno Seeds says 1.3-1.5 oz/ft² (~400-460 g/m²). The 400-650 range captures the realistic spread.
- *Flowering time:** Barney's Farm says 55-60 days; most other sources say 56-63 days (8-9 weeks). Range is consistent at 8-9 weeks.
- Key facts confirmed across multiple sources:
- Lineage: Zkittlez × Gelato (specifically Gelato #33 per High Times interview with Nick Corwin)
- Breeder: Nick (Corwin), marketed by Ray Bama and Yung LB as the Runtz Crew, with ties to Cookies Fam
- Created: Late 2016 / early 2017 in Los Angeles
- Debuted: December 2017 at Emerald Cup in Santa Rosa, CA
- Officially launched in spring 2018 as a balanced 50/50 hybrid with THC ranging from 19-29% across different tests. The terpene profile is dominated by beta-caryophyllene at around 0.75%, followed by limonene at 0.55% and linalool at 0.35%, though some sources swap linalool for myrcene as the third component. The strain earned Leafly's Strain of the Year in 2020 and has a flowering time of 55-63 days, with Ridgeline Farms notably winning the 2019 Emerald Cup with their Runtz phenotype.
- Growing this strain ranges from easy to intermediate difficulty, with indoor yields around 400-650 g/m² and outdoor yields typically between 500-700g per plant, though some breeders claim up to 1500g. The most sought-after phenotypes are #3 and #7 from the original cross, and the strain has spawned over 500 documented crosses including popular variants like White Runtz, Pink Runtz, and Lemon Cherry Runtz.
- Grower's Notes cultivation sources:
- https://www.leafly.com/news/strains-products/runtz-2020-leafly-strain-of-the-year
- https://www.losangeleshash.co/post/the-original-runtz-cannabis-strain-an-in-depth-report
- https://www.leafly.com/news/strains-products/best-runtz-strains
- https://stoopsnyc.com/blog/runtz-strain-history/
- https://hightimes.com/culture/runtz-brings-its-iconic-strain-to-the-masses/
- https://hypnoseeds.com/the-blog/how-to-grow-runtz-seeds-in-2025-week-by-week-grow-diary/
- https://hypnoseeds.com/the-blog/how-to-grow-purple-runtz-seeds-2025-grow-diary/
- https://growguide.app/blog/pink-runtz-strain-grow-guide-for-dense-candy-coated-buds/
- https://www.nextgenerationnurseries.com/growing-strains-1/runtz
- https://blimburnseeds.com/blog/marijuana-crop-guide/how-to-grow-runtz-weed/
- https://blimburnseeds.com/blog/marijuana-crop-guide/how-to-grow-white-runtz-weed-strain/
- https://www.medizinlv.com/blog/all-about-runtz-strain-origin-effects-and-growing-tips/
- https://seedsherenow.com/runtz-family-tree/
- https://www.getseedsrighthere.com/white-runtz-strain/
- https://freshbros.com/runtz-strain-guide/
- https://www.mmj.com/learn/strains/runtz/
- https://www.cannaconnection.com/strains/runtz
- https://www.atlrx.com/blogs/cannabis-strains/runtz-strain/
- https://www.msnlseeds.com/blog/what-is-the-runtz-strain/
- https://www.strainpedia.com/purple-rain-runtz/
- https://www.kalixcpn.com/blogs/kalix-cpn-presents/the-science-of-purple-unlocking-anthocyanins-in-cannabis-cultivation
- https://seedsgenetics.us/blog/prevent-cannabis-mold/
- https://truetoplant.com/cannabis-bud-rot-prevention-treatment-guide/
- https://mobiustrimmer.com/flower-rosin-vs-hash-rosin/
- https://thepressclub.co/blogs/tips-tricks/average-rosin-yields-from-various-cannabis-material
- https://buycannabisseeds.net/growing-guides/how-to-grow/how-to-grow-critical-runtz-a-step-by-step-guide/
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