Indica Dominant · DNA Genetics
Banana Kush
Banana Kush is the DNA Genetics cross of Ghost OG and Skunk Haze released in the mid-2000s, an indica-dominant hybrid named for the unmistakable ripe-banana terpene on the inhale. The flavor is tropical and sweet with a faint OG fuel note on the exhale, and the bud structure carries the dense Kush shape from the Ghost OG side. Plants finish in eight to nine weeks indoors with above-average yields and moderate stretch that responds well to a single topping. The high opens with a fast cerebral lift that mellows into a heavy body relaxation over the first thirty minutes, making the strain a common late-afternoon or early-evening pick rather than a daytime functional strain.
Reviewed 2026-05-23· Sources: seedfinder.eu, DNA Genetics catalogue, leafly
Potency
- THC range
- 18–26%
- Typical THC
- 23%
- CBD
- up to 0.1%
Flowering
- Indoor weeks
- 8–9 wk
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Climate
- Mediterranean, indoor
Yield & size
- Indoor
- 475-575 g/m²
- Outdoor
- 500-700 g/plant
- Height
- 100-130 cm
Indica / sativa ratio
Terpene profile
The aromatic compounds below shape how Banana Kush smells, tastes, and ultimately feels in the body.
- dominant
Myrcene
Sedating, musky, herbal — commonly linked to couch-lock effects.
- secondary
Limonene
Uplifting citrus — typically associated with mood elevation and stress relief.
- secondary
Caryophyllene
Peppery and spicy — the only terpene that binds CB2 receptors, studied for anti-inflammatory action.
- minor
Humulene
Hoppy and earthy — appetite-suppressing and shared with hops and sage.
Reported side effects
Lineage
Banana Kush traces to Ghost OG × Skunk Haze. The cross sits in the OG / Skunk family, which influences both the terpene profile and the flowering structure described above.
Genetic family tree
Documented parents for Banana Kush based on breeder catalogues. Library entries are clickable; ancestors not yet documented on this site appear in a lighter, non-linked box.
Strains crossed with Banana Kush
Banana Kush is a parent of 3 strains in the broader catalogue. These are crosses that carry Banana Kush genetics on at least one side of the cross.
Grow profile
Grow profile
- Indica / sativa
- 60% / 40%
- Flowering days
- 56–63 days
- Stretch
- Moderate
- Pest resistance
- Moderate
- Mold resistance
- Moderate
- Training methods
- topping, lst, scrog
Feed schedule for Banana Kush
These EC and NPK targets are starting points calibrated for the strain's Indica lean and moderate difficulty rating — not gospel. Drop 15-20% off any EC ceiling on your first run and let the plant tell you where it actually wants to feed.
Suggested feed schedule
- Late veg
- 1.4-1.6 EC
- Early flower
- 1.5-1.7 EC, NPK 2-3-4
- Mid flower
- 1.8-2.0 EC, NPK 1-4-6
- Late flower
- 1.6-1.8 EC
- Final week
- Plain pH-balanced water for the last 7-10 days; light flush if you ran nutrients on the higher end.
Full breakdown of feed math, runoff testing, and salt buildup in our nutrient guide.
What to expect through the grow cycle
Banana Kush is documented with a 9-week flower and a compact stretch typical of indica-leaning structure. The visual below maps a documented 13-week cycle built from 4weeks of vegetative growth and the strain's published flowering window.
Published grow reports for Banana Kush concentrate the most observational notes on the late-flower ripening window. This timeline is descriptive — it reflects what reports document, not a how-to. Actual week-to-week behaviour varies with phenotype, light intensity, pot size, and environment.
Phase details
- Veg (weeks 1-4)
- The documented vegetative period for Banana Kush. Plants establish root structure, leaf canopy, and node count before flower triggering, with a moderate difficulty rating shaping how forgiving the early canopy work tends to be.
- Stretch (weeks 5-7)
- Banana Kush is documented as having moderate stretch. Reports describe the plant roughly doubling in height during this phase as the indica-leaning structure establishes its final flowering frame.
- Bud sites (weeks 8-9)
- Pre-flowers form at the nodes and calyxes begin to develop. Grow reports for Banana Kushnote this as the window where the canopy's eventual bud distribution becomes visible.
- Bud development (weeks 10-11)
- Flowers thicken and calyxes fatten through this phase. Documented Banana Kush runs show the bulk of visible flower mass accumulating here, with resin production accelerating toward the end.
- Ripening (week 12)
- Trichomes transition from clear toward cloudy and amber. Reports for Banana Kush describe the Myrcene-led terpene profile maturing through this window, with aroma sharpening week over week.
- Final (week 13)
- Calyx swelling is documented as complete and the harvest window opens. Published Banana Kush runs end here, within the 8-9 week flowering range reported by the breeder.
Flavor & aroma
Reported effects
Common questions about Banana Kush
Does Banana Kush really taste like banana?
The dominant phenotypes carry a clear ripe-banana note from the Ghost OG side combined with the Skunk Haze parent. Selection runs heavily for the banana expression, so seed packs from DNA Genetics reliably deliver it.
Is Banana Kush good for stress?
Yes — the limonene-myrcene combination produces a uplifting opening that mellows into body relaxation, which makes it one of the more recommended evening stress strains in the DNA catalogue.
Breeder of record
DNA Genetics
View breeder profile and other strains →
More from DNA Genetics
Strains similar to Banana Kush
These picks lean on the same terpene profile and parent genetics as Banana Kush — shared dominant terps, overlapping lineage, and matching indica/sativa lean. No star ratings or popularity contests, just overlap on the traits that actually drive a similar grow and smoke.