Why is Runtz one of the most famous cannabis strains? There’s no single answer, nor is there a shortage of strong opinions. But the original Runtz weed strain has done something truly remarkable, making the leap from dispensary shelves to pop culture.
Along the way, it’s won Leafly’s coveted Strain of the Year in 2020, as well as numerous Cannabis Cup awards. However, a large part of its popularity stems not only from its mouthwatering flavors or effects, but also from the fact that it hosts a whole family of cultivars.
The list of Runtz strains is extensive, encompassing a diverse array of styles and strain-specific expressions. In our roundup of top Runtz strains, we’ll lead you to the best of the best, drawing upon our deep experience as the Hudson Valley’s go-to dispensary to share top variants, breeder insights, family histories, and other must-know details.
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The Runtz Strain Family & Its Lineage
The Runtz story begins a few years back, when Ray Bama of Cookies Fam and Runtz Crew hit on an insight. He explained in a 2022 interview, “Pre-2017, our claim to fame was having indoor Zkittlez. At that point, people didn’t have indoor Zkittlez—it was a unicorn. Everyone was looking for what was next. Gelato was the biggest thing at that time, Young Dolph had just dropped the album called Gelato… I was like, ‘Let’s cross the Gelato with the indoor Zkittlez’.” Runtz’s parents are both notable in their own right:
- Zkittlez: Sometimes known as “The Original Z” to avoid infringing on the popular candy brand’s trademark, Zkittlez is an indica-leaning hybrid. It’s recognized for its sweet and tropical fruit-flavored smoke and its famously calming, focusing, and euphoric effects.
- Gelato: A balanced hybrid known for delivering a strongly relaxing, euphoric, but cerebrally stimulating effect. Notable for its high THC levels, Gelato imparts creamy-sweet flavors and aromas with ripe fruit on the finish.
Born from Gelato and Zkittlez, Runtz is a sweet, potent hybrid with superstar parents.
Once Bama had selected the best phenotype of the cross, all that remained was to give it an unforgettable name. Taking inspiration from Zkittlez, Bama chose to call the new strain “Runtz” to play off the sweet, ultra-fruity flavor of a similarly named candy brand. Since then, the Runtz strain family has won millions of fans, inspired songs, and spawned hundreds of different Runtz strains, clones, and variants.
Top Runtz Strains: Exploring the Sweetest Family in Cannabis
Given there are so many Runtz strains—and that choosing the “best” ones is subjective at best—how did we settle on the top Runtz strains? We based our assessments on several key factors: credible strain documentation, popularity, cultural relevance, and the potential for further exploration in future strain profiles. While this list of Runtz strains may not line up with everyone’s favorites, we feel these are the contenders that truly deserve a closer look.
Original Runtz (Runtz OG)
As the basis of the Runtz strain lineage, this is the strain that started it all. Crowned Leafly’s 2020 Strain of the Year and a multiple winner of Emerald and Cannabis Cups before and since, Runtz builds upon the strengths of its parent strains, combining Zkittlez’s typically calming, focusing effects with Gelato’s fruit-forward, mouth-filling flavors and potency.
As a result, Runtz has become the key strain in pop culture, name-dropped in countless rap songs and a stand-in for a level of quality. In the words of rapper Yung LB, who’s closely associated with the brand, “It’s not different than Alexander Wang droppin’ a shirt. Or Supreme. We’re like that of the weed. And we do not discriminate; it’s just setting the tone. It’s just like going shopping for clothes.”
Runtz OG Stats
- Aroma & Flavor: An intensely fruity, candy-like sweetness.
- Potential Effects: Imparts a balanced hybrid experience, with an uplifting onset that settles into mellow body relaxation.
White Runtz
Nearly as famous as the original Runtz due to its being featured in numerous raps and songs, this Runtz phenotype—or variant—is a collab between two bona fide cannabis powerhouses: Runtz and Cookies. White Runtz is known for a thick dusting of frosty white trichomes, the tiny resin-rich glands that produce the majority of the cannabis plant’s potent cannabinoids and aromatic terpenes.
Though Runtz already had off-the-charts bag appeal, White Runtz quickly climbed to the top of our list of Runtz strains. That layer of trichomes contributes to an almost shimmery appearance, with the frost-covered buds popping with vivid green hues underneath.
White Runtz Stats
- Aroma & Flavor: Sweet peachy vanilla with creamy undertones.
- Potential Effects: A potent, tingly calm that unfolds into long-lasting relaxation.
Pink Runtz
Widely thought to be another phenotype of the original Runtz weed strain, this variant is distinguished by an even smoother and more sugary flavor. It grows with an extremely dense bud structure, with leaves ranging from deep forest green to striking purple. However, some believe Pink Runtz isn’t technically part of the Runtz family. According to CannaConnection, Pink Runtz may actually be a cross between Pink Panties and Rainbow Sherbet.
Regardless of its exact lineage, Pink Runtz is often described as the most colorful personality in our list of Runtz strains, typically imparting a giggly effect that may bring on waves of heady bliss. In the words of one reviewer, “It brings the silliest high that melts pain and stress. Apparently, it will also have you talking to your forehead…”
Pink Runtz Stats
- Aroma & Flavor: A floral and explosively fruity candy-like mix, often described as sugary and smooth.
- Potential Effects: Uplifting, social, and carefree with a decidedly giggly edge.
Black Runtz
This Runtz phenotype is a richer expression of the Runtz lineage, and it reportedly hails from the Great White North, courtesy of Big Boss Farms in British Columbia. The name comes from its dense, dark olive flowers spiked with explosive purple highlights and thick orange pistils.
Markedly more potent than most Runtz subtypes, Black Runtz routinely tests out around the 24% THC range, making it best suited to experienced cannabis consumers. If you can brave the potency, you’ll be rewarded by a flavor described as “amazing” and ranging from candy and berries to citrus and tropical fruit. As one reviewer describes it, “It has a rich and creamy smoke with a delicious earthy and citrusy flavor. As one who suffers with anxiety, this strain is perfect as I can’t but [be] happy after smoking it.”
Black Runtz Stats
- Aroma & Flavor: Earthy-spicy base with subtle fruity sweetness.
- Potential Effects: Calming body high with euphoric, dreamy headspace.
Rainbow Runtz
A variation from the original Runtz lineage, this notably beautiful subtype has several competing backstories. Most sources trace its original genetics to a cross between Zkittlez—rather than Runtz—and the indica-dominant hybrid, DoSiDos. The combination makes sense: Rainbow Runtz is genuinely a different Runtz strain, inheriting DoSiDos’s pungent, sweet, and earthy notes along with the fruit-and-candy blast of Zkittlez.
But as with the original Runtz strain, some breeders have tinkered with the Rainbow Runtz formula. You may also come across a Rainbow Runtz with Rainbow Sherbet 11 and Runtz parents. Regardless of Rainbow Runtz’s exact lineage, all versions share one characteristic in common: Their flower appears in a vibrant plumage of rainbow colors, ranging from lime to olive, lavender to deep purple. If that doesn’t tempt you, like Runtz the previous year, Rainbow Runtz won Leafly’s coveted 2021 Strain of the Year.
Rainbow Runtz Stats
- Aroma & Flavor: Sweet candy notes layered with tropical fruit.
- Potential Effects: A balanced hybrid effect that can be uplifting or relaxing.
Bubblegum Runtz
A cross of Runtz and Bubble Gum, this hybrid is known to impart an intense, body-heavy effect, along with cerebral stimulation. Believed to have first been grown under mysterious circumstances in Indiana, the seeds were brought to Amsterdam, where the strain quickly became a fan favorite.
Bubblegum Runtz comes on like a playful, candy-forward twist on the classic Runtz vibe, blending Bubble Gum’s nostalgic, candy-sweet flavors with Runtz’s characteristic fruity blast. For those who’ve sampled it, it’s a fairly irresistible combo. As one consumer reports: “This strain smells and tastes delicious, but most importantly, it helps to relax my chronic cramping and muscle spasms, which [have] me miserable most of the time.”
Bubblegum Runtz Stats
- Aroma & Flavor: Classic bubblegum sweetness with a smooth, creamy finish.
- Potential Effects: Cheerful, sociable, and lightly euphoric effects.
White Cherry Runtz
Another evenly balanced hybrid, this Runtz spinoff matches the trichome-dusted charm of White Runtz with another award-winner: Cherry Pie. Beloved for its typically happy, giggly, and euphoric buzz, Cherry Pie took 3rd Place at the 2014 Denver High Times Cannabis Cup for Best Medical Sativa.
White Cherry Runtz folds its usually uplifting energy into those familiar Runtz effects: That unforgettable tingly body feel combined with a subtle cerebral energy. Visually, this beautiful bud seems to be inspired by the classic cherry pie dessert, producing vibrant pistils ranging from the expected orange to hints of frosty pink.
White Cherry Runtz Stats
- Aroma & Flavor: Creamy berry with tart cherry notes.
- Potential Effects: A relaxing body buzz combined with an uplifting head high—it might also bring on an attack of the giggles.
Greasy Runtz
The name of this indica-dominant hybrid may have you second-guessing, but that’s no reason to give up on this cross between Runtz OG and the popular indica-leaning hybrid, Grease Monkey. Commonly chosen for a deeply relaxing, even sedative session, along with its sweet and pungent flavor profile, Grease Monkey gets its name from its heavily resinous buds. It’s also been a prior Cannabis Cup winner in live resin form, and a sought-after strain in its own right.
Those loudly aromatic qualities make for an appealing cross in Greasy Runtz. As the dank earthiness melds with the classic candy-forward Runtz vibe, you may feel a powerful wave of relaxation rolling in, followed a few minutes later by an ever-expanding sense of contentment and ease.
Greasy Runtz Stats
- Aroma & Flavor: Rich, creamy-gas profile layered with sweet, fruity, and candy-like undertones.
- Potential Effects: A heavier-bodied and sedating feel—it’s known for its strong couch-lock potential.
How We Chose These Runtz Strains
At Valley Greens, we know the Runtz family holds a special place in cannabis culture. Among the many Runtz strain names circulating today, a handful stand out not only for their popularity with our customers but also for their well-documented lineages and cultural impact. That balance between consumer demand and credible, traceable sources guided the selections you find here.
While there are dozens of other popular Runtz weed strains on the market, the ones highlighted in this guide share a few qualities:
- Consistent availability across multiple markets
- Recognition from reputable strain databases and breeders
- A clear role in shaping the broader Runtz lineage
We chose Runtz strains with traceable lineage, standout flavor, and real cultural staying power.
Here, we don’t just follow trends or go with hype; we track the story behind the strain to bring you what truly stands out.
Discover What’s Next in the Runtz Strain Family at Valley Greens
With stunning, candy-like flavors, tropical-fruit aromas, and beloved effects that may combine tingly body sensations with a smooth uplift, the Runtz family of strains has long been a favorite in the cannabis world. Add in off-the-charts bag appeal, like those sticky, resin-covered nugs, and you have a cultivar that’ll be gracing dispensary shelves for years to come.
At our Peekskill dispensary, this list is just the beginning. We’re committed to exploring the stories behind each strain, including its growers, lineage, and cultural impact, so you can deepen your understanding of the cannabis you enjoy. Keep an eye out for upcoming profiles on individual Runtz strains, or contact us anytime for more information.
FAQ: Runtz Strains
How many different strains of Runtz are there?
While the sheer number of phenotypes makes it impossible to know the exact number of different Runtz strains, and Leafly documented at least 20, there are now many more Runtz strains out there. Some of the most popular include White Runtz, Pink Runtz, Rainbow Runtz, and Bubblegum Runtz.
What is the original Runtz strain?
The original Runtz strain resulted when star breeder Ray Bama crossed a rare indoor-grown Zkittlez with Gelato. Since then, the strain has gone on to become a bona fide blockbuster, spawning potentially hundreds of phenotypes.
Which Runtz strain is the strongest?
Though THC levels vary from grow to grow, it’s believed that Strawberry Runtz, a fruity subtype known for its intense euphoria and uplifting creativity, is the strongest Runtz strain, with an average THC level of 32%.
