Papaya Strain Information & Review

Papaya is a great weed to smoke if you want to replicate the feeling of relaxing on a tropical beach without a care in the world.

This hybrid is strongly indica-dominant (70% indica, 30% sativa), and it’s known for combining a happy and very calming head high with a powerful body stone that’s likely to leave you locked to the couch for quite a while. Expect to experience lethargy and a case of the munchies.

Papaya is also known for its delicious scent and flavor, although it also smells a little like earth and skunk when it’s burned. The papaya taste is fruity, spicy, and delightful.

There’s moderately-high THC content in this strain, which — along with the heavy body buzz — makes it best used when you have nothing else to do for a while.

Effects

The tropical scent and taste of Papaya seem to promise relaxation, which arrives quickly after you spark up.

There is a euphoric head high which can initially be energetic and focused for some but is much more likely to provide an overwhelming sense of relaxation and calm, wiping away stress. Even those who are energized at first will find themselves slowing and calming down as the body high hits.

That body stone is numbing and extremely relaxing. Tight muscles ease, joints loosen, and users inevitably find themselves planted firmly on the couch for the duration of the high. Lethargy is almost unavoidable, drowsiness is common, and sleep isn’t out of the realm of possibility. But just as if you were lying on a tropical beach, you’ll be happy as you drowse off.

Don’t be fooled into thinking you can use Papaya as a pick-me-up during the day, despite the initial burst of energy you may experience. The strongly sedating effects of this strain make it a far better choice for late afternoon or evening use.

Bottom Line: Papaya delivers a strong, relaxing high that often turns lethargic and sedating. Its euphoric head buzz is relaxing and happy, but sometimes starts as energetic and focused.

Positive Effects:

Energy: 2/5
Creative: 2/5
Pain: 4/5
Stress: 5/5
Sleep: 4/5
Mood: 5/5

Side Effects

Dry mouth is the most common side effect of Papaya, and dry eyes can be a problem as well. Overuse can lead to dizziness or headaches, but those issues are unlikely for experienced users.

However, the strain has been known to induce anxiety or paranoia in users with low THC tolerance levels and those who are relatively new smokers. Those with preexisting anxiety issues might want to avoid Papaya, or microdose so they don’t get overwhelmed.

Negative Effects:

Paranoid: 2/5
Dry Mouth: 5/5
Dry Eyes: 4/5
Lethargy: 5/5
Cough: 3/5

Medical Conditions

One obvious benefit of this strain, its ability to bring on drowsiness and sleep, is praised by MMJ users who suffer from insomnia or other sleep difficulties. The extreme body relaxation that Papaya produces is another benefit for patients suffering from chronic or serious pain. They say it can numb that pain for hours.

Don’t sleep on Papaya’s head high, though. Patients who are dealing with mental health issues like chronic stress, anxiety, or depression say the strain’s euphoric and relaxing cerebral effects help with all of those problems (as long as the THC doesn’t make their anxiety worse). Papaya may also be helpful to those with appetite issues because it brings on the munchies.

Flavor and Aroma

Your first whiff of Papaya may seem sour rather than sweet, but the sweet tropical scent you expect asserts itself quickly. It’s enticing, with some tang to go along with the sweetness, and you may notice the aroma of mango along with that of papaya. This strain does have a little earthiness and skunk in it, and you’ll smell it as you toke.

There’s no sourness in the taste of the creamy smoke, though, just lots of delicious tropical flavor, some noticeable pepper, a little herbaceousness, and a hint of earth. It may not taste exactly like the papaya punch you’d enjoy at the beach, but it’s still delicious.

Flavor and Aroma Ratings:

Earthy: 2/5
Citrus: 2/5
Fruity: 5/5
Spice: 3/5
Wood: 1/5

Cannabinoids and Terpenes

The average THC level of Papaya is said to be 17%. However, you probably won’t find this strain with much less THC content, and you’re likely to find it with much more. The flower sold in dispensaries often contains between 20% and 25% THC. CBN content may reach 1%, but CBD levels are usually quite low.

A large assortment of terpenes contributes to Papaya’s sensory appeal and effects. Limonene, myrcene, caryophyllene, pinene, humulene, nerolidol, and ocimene are some of the terps that dominate in this strain.

Lineage

Nirvana Seeds gets the credit for creating Papaya. They’re said to have bred Citral #13 with Ice #2 to come up with this delicious and potent weed. Ice #2 is a well-balanced strain that contributes the relaxing cerebral high and fruit flavors; Citral #13 is an indica-dominant strain whose genetics add a strong body high and a fruit-flavored hash taste.

A few resource sites claim Papaya is the product of Jack Herer and Skunk #1, but that doesn’t seem to be accurate. It could be that other growers have cross-bred those strains in an attempt to mimic Papaya’s characteristics.

Where to Buy Papaya Seeds

You can easily purchase feminized Papaya seeds online. You’ll get the “real deal” by buying them from the original cultivator, Nirvana Seeds, but major vendors like Pacific Seed Bank, Seedsman, Blimburn Seeds, and Crop King Seeds sell them as well. Clones are available from sellers like California Street Cannabis and Dankland Delights.

Similar Strains

You won’t have much luck searching for weed that tastes like Papaya. However, you can find similar effects from strains like Blackberry, The White, Hawaiian Diesel, and Mazar x Blueberry OG.

Papaya Strain Review: FAQ

Q: Are Papaya plants easy to grow?
A: Somewhat. They are generally pest- and disease-resistant, and since they grow like an indica, they don’t grow tall and don’t have to be topped. However, they’re not suitable for outdoor grows unless you live in a Mediterranean climate, and they don’t usually produce large crops indoors unless they’re grown with Sea of Green and hydroponic techniques.

Q: What is the flowering time of Papaya plants?
A: Indoors, it’s generally 8-9 weeks. When grown outdoors, they’re normally ready for harvest in late September or early October.