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Balanced Hybrid

Runtz Strain

The candy-sweet Zkittlez x Gelato cross that took over California menus and became Leafly's 2020 Strain of the Year.

Shop This StrainView Lab Results
Type
50/50 hybrid
Lineage
Zkittlez × Gelato
Breeder
The Runtz crew (Cookies family)
Top terpene
Caryophyllene
Top effects
Euphoric, Relaxed, Happy
Best for
Afternoon or evening

Strain Overview

Runtz is one of the most recognizable strain names of the last decade. It crosses two heavyweights — Zkittlez, known for its fruit-candy terpenes, and Gelato, the creamy, dessert-like Cookies descendant — and lands right in the middle: a true 50/50 hybrid that tastes like candy and hits with a happy, chatty high before easing into body relaxation.

Because the Runtz name became so valuable, there are now more than 20 Runtz variations (White Runtz, Pink Runtz, Lemon Runtz and more). The original is still the reference point for the whole family.

Effects

  • Euphoric
  • Relaxed
  • Happy
  • Giggly
  • Talkative

How it feels

Calming
Energizing

Starts upbeat and social, gets heavier and more body-focused the more you smoke. Best time: Afternoon or evening — hanging out with friends, music, a movie night.

Possible side effects reported by users: Dry mouth, Occasional anxiousness at high doses, Couch-lock if you overdo it. Effects vary by person and batch — start low and go slow.

Genetics & Lineage

Zkittlez
×
Gelato
=
Runtz

The Runtz crew debuted the strain at the Emerald Cup in Santa Rosa, California, in December 2017. Long Beach rapper Yung LB helped push it into the culture, and the team filed a California trademark in early 2018. Cookies — the brand co-founded by Berner — brought Runtz into its lineup alongside White Runtz in 2018. A Runtz entry from Ridgeline Farms won the 2019 Emerald Cup, and Leafly named Runtz its 2020 Strain of the Year.

Terpenes

Terpenes are the aromatic compounds that give each strain its smell and shape how it feels. These are the terpenes most often reported for Runtz; exact levels vary batch to batch, so check the COA for the jar you buy.

  • CaryophylleneBlack pepper · spice · woodThe peppery terpene in black pepper and cloves. It's the only common terpene known to interact directly with the body's CB2 receptors.
  • LimoneneCitrus peel · brightThe zesty terpene also found in lemon and orange rinds. Usually tied to an upbeat, mood-lifting start.
  • MyrceneEarthy · musky · ripe fruitThe most common terpene in cannabis. Smells like ripe mango and damp earth, and is the one most often linked to a heavy, relaxed body feel.

Aroma, Flavor & Appearance

Aroma

Sweet fruit candy up front, with grape and berry notes and a light gassy undertone. Breaking a bud open brings out sharper tropical and pineapple notes.

Flavor

Tastes like a handful of fruit candy — creamy berry and stone fruit on the inhale, with a light fuel finish on the exhale.

Appearance

Dense, chunky buds that often turn deep purple to nearly black in cool weather, buried in frost with thin orange pistils. Greener phenos show olive tones with purple underneath.

Shop It as THCa Flower

Our strains are hemp-derived THCa flower. THCa is the raw, non-intoxicating form of THC found in the living plant; when it's heated (smoked or vaped), it converts into THC. Every batch is third-party lab tested for potency and Delta-9 THC compliance, and the full Certificate of Analysis is on our Lab Results page.

FAQ

Is Runtz an indica or a sativa?

Runtz is a balanced hybrid — most databases list it as roughly 50/50. In practice the first half of the high feels uplifting and social, and the back half settles into a relaxed body feel, especially at higher doses.

What two strains make Runtz?

Runtz is a cross of Zkittlez and Gelato. Gelato itself comes from Thin Mint GSC and Sherbert, and Zkittlez is reported to come from Grape Ape and Grapefruit.

What does Runtz taste like?

Sweet, fruity candy with creamy berry notes and a light gassy finish — the flavor the strain was literally named after.

Who created Runtz?

Runtz was created and popularized by the Runtz crew, who are closely tied to the Cookies family. It debuted at the Emerald Cup in late 2017.

Is Runtz THCa flower legal?

Our Runtz is hemp-derived THCa flower that tests at or below 0.3% Delta-9 THC on a dry-weight basis, per the federal Farm Bill definition. Laws vary by state, so check your local rules before ordering. You must be 21+.

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Sources

Strain genetics, effects and terpene information are compiled from public strain databases and user reports, and can vary by grower and batch. Potency figures are from the latest Certificate of Analysis for each product. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA; this product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. For adults 21+ only.