Skunk No.1 Strain Review: THC, Effects, Flowering Time & Yield

Skunk No.1 is an original QCS strain: a feminized, mostly sativa classic with 14 to 16% THC, 8 to 9 weeks of flowering and a very easy, beginner-friendly growing style. This review covers our specs, the history of the famous Skunk lineage, and what real customers say about it (average 4.8 out of 5 across 9 reviews).

Skunk No.1 strain at a glance

What is the Skunk No.1 strain?

Skunk No.1 is an original QCS strain: Quebec Cannabis Seeds is its original breeder, and these are our own genetics, bred in Quebec since 2015 by a grower with more than 35 years of experience.

Skunk No.1 is one of the most influential cannabis strains in the world, and QCS has its own version. The classic Skunk lineage is generally credited to 1970s California breeding that blended Afghani, Acapulco Gold and Colombian Gold, and the plant went on to become a parent of countless modern hybrids, which is why you will see its name in the family trees of so many strains. Our product page describes it as a stable, easy-to-grow plant and the parent of many modern Skunks.

The Skunk No.1 name is used by several seed companies, and their versions can differ in height, THC and flowering time. The numbers here are for the QCS version only.

Is Skunk No.1 indica or sativa?

QCS lists Skunk No.1 as mostly sativa without an exact percentage. The three-way heritage of Afghani, Acapulco Gold and Colombian Gold explains why: one indica-leaning landrace combined with two sativa-leaning ones. In the garden that tends to show as a tall, vigorous plant. One customer reported an outdoor plant of more than eight feet, another a 6-foot plant, and a third found that it stretched more than expected. Plan your space and topping accordingly, and the product page suggests topping once in June if you grow outdoors.

The effect is gentle and cerebral, which fits a sativa-leaning plant. To compare with a heavier type, see our guide on what indica does to you.

Smell and flavour: skunk, burnt rubber and sweet earth

The QCS description is skunk, burnt rubber and sweet earth. This is the traditional skunk nose: pungent, a little rubbery and unmistakable. A customer harvesting at three weeks out noted a strong skunk and burnt-rubber smell, and another praised the plants as very tasty. Consumers commonly describe classic skunk as a sharp, musky aroma that carries a long way, so odour control is important, which the product page also warns about.

Skunk No.1 effects

QCS describes the effect as a cerebral high that is gentler than many modern strains. This fits the moderate THC. Consumers commonly describe the original Skunk as clear-headed and mood-lifting rather than overwhelming, which makes it a pleasant choice for people who do not want a knock-out strong plant. Still, tolerance varies from person to person, so start low and go slow. We make no medical claims.

How strong is Skunk No.1? THC content

QCS lists Skunk No.1 at 14 to 16% THC, with no CBD listed. That is deliberately moderate, and QCS makes it clear that this is not a high-potency strain. One customer measured over 15% THC on his harvest. If you prefer something much stronger, see our seeds over 25% THC. If you value flavour, ease and a mellower high, this classic is hard to beat.

Growing Skunk No.1: flowering time and yield

Indoors, Skunk No.1 flowers in 8 to 9 weeks and yields 350 to 450 g/m². Outdoors it finishes in mid-October and gives around 550 g per plant. QCS calls it very easy to grow and carries a beginner-friendly badge, and the reviews agree: one customer harvested an estimated 10 to 12 oz from a 6-foot plant, another averaged 5 oz per plant, and a third got 2.5 to 3 oz from a 20-inch plant in a 10-gallon bag.

Tips: top the plant once, train it to keep the height in check, give it room and a good light cycle outdoors, and harvest a week or two earlier if autumn weather turns cold and wet, as a southern Ontario customer did. Keep airflow strong in late flower to prevent mould in dense colas. If you prefer to skip the light cycle altogether, QCS also offers a separate Skunk No.1 Autoflower; check our autoflower seeds guide.

What customers report

Skunk No.1 has nine reviews on our site, averaging 4.8 out of 5. Almost all are glowing, with a few honest notes.

• Big, frosty plants: reviewers describe lots of bud sites frosted with trichomes, big chunky buds covered with crystals, and nice big buds from free bonus seeds.
• Good yields: averages of about 5 oz per plant, 10 to 12 oz from a tall outdoor plant and 2.5 to 3 oz from a small container plant.
• Easy: one grower said it was definitely easy to grow and smokes nicely; another liked organic soil with a 400 W HPS plus LED combination.
• Excellent germination and service: one customer germinated 30 seeds of different varieties successfully and praised customer service.
• Height: an outdoor plant exceeded 8 feet, and another stretched more than expected.
• Moderate THC: one reviewer put it at over 15%, matching our listing.

Is Skunk No.1 right for you?

Skunk No.1 is ideal if you are a beginner, if you love traditional skunk flavour, or if you prefer a mellow, cerebral high. It is a poor match if you chase 25%+ THC or a tight, compact plant, because it can grow tall and demands odour control. Outdoor growers in Quebec should note the mid-October finish and plan around autumn weather.

Compare it with our feminized seeds, our high-THC seeds or the sweeter Black Cherry OG.

Skunk No.1: frequently asked questions

A note on the numbers in this article: harvest dates, flowering times and yields are ranges, not promises. They vary depending on growing conditions: the grower, the method and the season's weather. No strain is 100% mold resistant. How we set these numbers →

View Skunk No.1 seeds →