Cannabis Terpene Guide
Understand the six SDP categories and what each terpene does.
Beyond Indica & Sativa
How terpene chemistry maps to the labels you already know.
The Strain Data Project analyzed 2,149 observations across 151 strains to see how their 6-color Strain Compass correlates with traditional Indica/Sativa/Hybrid labels. The result: terpene chemistry explains much of what "Indica" and "Sativa" actually mean in practice.
Sativa
In SDP research, Orange strains were classified as Sativa nearly 3x more often than expected. Terpinolene — rare across cannabis — dominates these cultivars, producing the uplifting, energetic effects traditionally associated with sativas.
Orange — Terpinolene
Jack Herer, Super Silver Haze, Dutch Treat
Modern Indica
Yellow and Purple strains were both classified as Indica about 30% more often than expected. These represent the modern indica lineage — Kush, OG, Cookies — where Limonene or Caryophyllene leads instead of Myrcene.
Yellow — Limonene
Kush Mints, OG Kush, Ice Cream Cake
Purple — Caryophyllene
Girl Scout Cookies, Dosidos, Wedding Cake
Classic Indica
Blue and Green strains also lean Indica, but with a different chemical signature. Blue is Myrcene-dominant (the classic sedating terpene), while Green is Pinene-dominant — rare strains with an alert, focused quality despite Indica heritage.
Blue — Myrcene
Northern Lights, Granddaddy Purple, Bubba Kush
Green — Pinene
Blue Dream, Grape Ape, Blueberry
Hybrid
Red strains were classified as Hybrid about 40% more often than expected. Their balanced Myrcene/Limonene/Caryophyllene profile maps neatly onto the hybrid experience — versatile effects that borrow from both sides.
Red — Balanced
Runtz, Gelato, Zkittlez
Based on research from Strain Data Project — 2,149 observations, 151 strains
SDP Categories
Purple
Caryophyllene dominant
Spicy, peppery — the modern indica experience with body-focused effects
Also features notable amounts of Limonene, Humulene, and Myrcene, while typically low in Pinene
Dominant: Caryophyllene
Examples: Girl Scout Cookies, Dosidos, Wedding Cake
Yellow
Limonene dominant
Bright, citrusy — modern indica cultivars with upbeat character
Also features notable amounts of Caryophyllene and Linalool, with appreciable amounts of Pinene
Dominant: Limonene
Examples: Kush Mints, OG Kush, Ice Cream Cake
Red
Balanced Myrcene/Limonene/Caryophyllene
Versatile, balanced — the true hybrid experience
Usually low in Pinene and Humulene
Dominant: Balanced
Examples: Runtz, Gelato, Zkittlez
Blue
Myrcene dominant
Earthy, musky — the classic indica experience with deep relaxation
Variable amounts of other terpenes. Myrcene plays the dominant role
Dominant: Myrcene
Examples: Northern Lights, Granddaddy Purple, Bubba Kush
Green
Pinene dominant
Piney, herbal — classic indica lineage with an alert, focused twist
Very rare and diverse, with notable a-Pinene, Myrcene and Caryophyllene
Dominant: Pinene
Examples: Blue Dream, Grape Ape, Blueberry
Orange
Terpinolene dominant
Uplifting, energetic — the classic sativa experience
Very distinct. Notable Terpinolene, Myrcene and b-Ocimene
Dominant: Terpinolene
Examples: Jack Herer, Super Silver Haze, Dutch Treat
Classification system by Strain Data Project