Super Silver Haze, abbreviated SSH in coffeeshops and growers' circles, is one of the most awarded cannabis strains in history.
Created by Green House Seeds in Amsterdam, the result of a cross between a Haze, a Northern Lights #5 and a Skunk #1, she won the High Times Cannabis Cup three years running (1997, 1998, 1999), a record that has never been equalled. Dominant sativa in 23 % of THC, It offers intense, long-lasting cerebral effects tempered by a pain-relieving component inherited from Northern Lights. Today, it remains one of the best-selling strains on the global Haze scene.
Origin and history of Super Silver Haze
Super Silver Haze was born in the laboratories of Green House Seeds, the seedbank founded in Amsterdam by Arjan Roskam,nicknamed «The King of Cannabis» for his success at the Cannabis Cups. The aim was ambitious: to combine the cerebral power of Original Haze with the flowering speed and robustness of more accessible hybrids.
The selected cross combines three legendary varieties:
- Haze The original pure sativa from Santa Cruz, the mother of all Haze hybrids. It brings the characteristic cerebral effects profile and spicy-citrusy aromas.
- Northern Lights #5 Indica: the legendary indica, the benchmark for robustness, resin and pain-relieving effects. It shortens flowering and provides the body component.
- Skunk #1 Sam the Skunkman's universal hybrid, which stabilizes the genetics and brings the recognizable musky aromas.
The result is a sativa that Haze profile can 80% (cerebral effects, aromas, duration of effects) while being much more practical to grow than pure Original Haze - flowering time 65-70 days vs. 84-112 days for original Haze.
Is Super Silver Haze a sativa or an indica?
Super Silver Haze is a dominant sativa, with an estimated proportion of 80% sativa / 20% indica. The influence of Northern Lights is perceptible but remains in the minority, as SSH remains fundamentally a sativa experience.
Northern Lights makes two key contributions:
- Shortened flowering 65-70 days compared with over 12 weeks for pure Haze
- Body component A slight pain-relieving and muscle-relaxing effect, in addition to the cerebral Haze high.
In terms of effects, SSH is much more accessible than pure Original Haze. It is stimulating without being destabilizing, It's an active Haze without being anxiety-provoking for most consumers. That's why it's often recommended as a «first Haze» for those who want to discover the intense sativa profile without diving straight into the original Haze.
Aromas, flavors and terpenes
Super Silver Haze proudly bears its Haze heritage in its aromatic profile.
Nose: a spicy, lemony combination characteristic of Haze, with a touch of skunk inherited from Skunk #1. The whole is smoother and more accessible than pure Haze.
In the mouth: generous, aromatic smoke. The lemony-spicy taste dominates on the exhale, with a slight sweet note in the background inherited from Northern Lights.
Its dominant terpenes :
- Terpinolene signature terpene of Haze genetics, responsible for floral, lemony and herbaceous notes
- Myrcene Adds earthy depth and contributes to the light relaxing effect inherited from NL5
- Ocimene sweet, slightly fruity notes that round out Haze's spicy profile
What are the effects of Super Silver Haze?
The effects of SSH are what earned it its three Cannabis Cups: a remarkable balance between sativa intensity and accessibility.
Initial phase : The first effects come on quickly, faster than pure Haze. A frank euphoria sets in, accompanied by a clear mental energy surge. Colors seem brighter, sounds sharper. The «psychoactive» effect is present but controlled, without the quasi-psychedelic distortions of high-dose original Haze.
Main phase : High sativa dominates: cerebral stimulation, creativity, energy. The Northern Lights component is discreetly expressed in the background: a light muscular relaxation that makes the whole more comfortable than pure sativas. It's «very exciting at first», as described in the original article, before the effects gradually «cotton off».
Main effects :
- Intense euphoria and mental energy
- Creative stimulation and clarity of thought
- Light background muscle relaxation (NL5 heritage)
- Sensory enhancement, colors, sounds
- Appetite stimulation
Possible side effects:
- Anxiety or paranoia in people sensitive to powerful sativas
- Dry mouth and red eyes
- Insomnia if taken in the evening
Ideal time : morning or day. SSH is a daytime variety par excellence, ideal for creative, sporting or social activities.
Super Silver Haze reviews and reputation
SSH enjoys an outstanding reputation in the global cannabis community, based on three elements:
1. The Cannabis Cup prize list Three consecutive victories (1997-1998-1999) remain an absolute record. This is the highest level of peer validation in the cannabis industry.
2. Consistency Contrary to many varieties whose reputation exceeds reality, SSH is known for its regularity. Consumers and growers who return to it consistently mention the predictability of its effects and aromas.
3. Accessibility Compared with other varieties in the Haze family, SSH is considered one of the most affordable both in terms of cultivation (reasonable flowering) and effect profile (intense but not destabilizing).
Reviews are few and far between, but all agree on one point: SSH is not the most suitable variety for parties, and it may surprise consumers unaccustomed to powerful sativas.
Medical uses
Super Silver Haze is particularly appreciated in therapeutic use for :
- Depression and chronic fatigue Its euphoric, energizing effect is one of the most effective and reproducible of the commercial sativas.
- Mild to moderate pain the addition of Northern Lights gives it a background analgesic action not found in pure sativas
- Nausea and lack of appetite constant orexigenic effect
- Chronic stress In moderate doses, brain stimulation shifts attention away from stress
For intense pain or insomnia, indica or hybrid varieties are more suitable.
Growing Super Silver Haze
SSH is one of the varieties that has contributed most to democratizing Haze cultivation with an effect profile almost identical to Original Haze, but with half the flowering time.
Indoors :
- Flowering: 65-70 days, reasonable for a Haze-dominant sativa
- Height: 120-180 cm, manageable with LST or topping
- Yield: 500-600 g/m² in good conditions
- Abundant resin at the end of flowering, easily identifiable by its silvery trichomes (hence the name «Silver»).
Outdoor :
- Harvest: mid-October
- Prefers Mediterranean or warm temperate climates
- Height up to 2 metres in optimal conditions
Varieties close to Super Silver Haze
- Haze the original parent strain, more intense and much longer to cultivate
- Silver Haze simplified version (Haze x NL5), similar profile but less complex
- Lemon Haze Silver Haze: shares the Silver Haze heritage, strong citrus profile
- Amnesia Haze Another legendary Haze hybrid with even more cerebral effects
- Northern Lights direct relative, the indica that made SSH accessible
