Zkittlez Strain: Genetics, THC, Names and Price

Last updated 8 October 2026 from live stock · By the Bud Cargo team

What strain is Zkittlez?

Zkittlez is a fruit-forward hybrid that came out of Northern California’s Mendocino and Humboldt scene in the mid-2010s. Leafly describes its genetics as “an alleged mix of Grape Ape and Grapefruit that is crossed with another undisclosed strain”, and credits the breeding to Terp Hogz and 3rd Gen Family. AllBud gives the simpler Grape Ape × Grapefruit cross.

Grape Ape is the indica side: Leafly lists it as Mendocino Purps × Skunk × Afghani, with grape, berry and sweet flavours and 18% THC. Grapefruit is a citrus-leaning sativa. Put together, the cross is known almost entirely for its taste, which is why the candy-inspired name stuck.

Zkittlez, Skittlez or The Original Z?

All three names refer to the same strain line. The original spelling was “Skittlez”, which was later changed to “Zkittlez”. In 2023, according to Leafly, Terp Hogz announced they would use the name “The Original Z” as part of a settlement with a candy company over alleged trademark infringement. Many shops, including ours, still list it under the older names because that is what people search for.

One point we couldn’t settle: our Skittlez product page credits Dying Breed Seeds, while Leafly credits Terp Hogz and 3rd Gen Family. Both listings give the same Grape Ape × Grapefruit parentage, so this guide treats them as one strain and uses Leafly’s breeder credit.

Is Zkittlez indica or sativa?

Zkittlez is an indica-leaning hybrid. Leafly classifies it as an indica, AllBud rates it 70% indica and 30% sativa, and the Skittlez listing on our menu describes it as indica-dominant. Our Zkittlez listings call it a balanced hybrid, which is the outlier, so the 70/30 indica split is the safer figure.

The type label is only a rough guide to the effect. THC level and terpenes, covered below, matter as much.

What does Zkittlez taste and smell like?

Zkittlez tastes like sweet mixed fruit: grape and berry up front, with grapefruit and tropical citrus on the finish. Leafly’s top reported flavours are grapefruit, grape and berry. AllBud lists berry, citrus, grape, grapefruit, sweet and tropical, and describes “a crisp tropical citrus aftertaste” over an earthy, fruity aroma.

Leafly lists caryophyllene as the dominant terpene, followed by linalool and humulene. Caryophyllene adds a peppery edge, linalool a floral note and humulene a woody, hoppy one. Our cannabis terpenes guide explains how each one shapes the smell.

What does Zkittlez look like?

Zkittlez grows dense, dark olive-green buds with amber hairs and a heavy coat of white trichomes. AllBud calls them “large and lumpy pepper-shaped” nugs, and some phenotypes show purple flecks from the Grape Ape side.

How strong is Zkittlez?

Zkittlez is a mid-strength to strong strain, with published THC ranging from the low teens to about 20%. Leafly lists 20% THC, while AllBud gives a lower 13% to 15%. Neither source lists a meaningful CBD figure.

The wide range is normal for a strain this widely grown: the grower, the phenotype and the lot all move the number. We don’t publish lab results for the lots we stock right now, so we don’t quote a THC figure for them. Our guide to reading THC percentages on a label explains what these numbers do and don’t tell you.

What effects do people report from Zkittlez?

People most often describe Zkittlez as relaxing, sleepy and appetite-raising. Those are Leafly’s top three reported feelings, and the most common negatives on the same page are headache, dry mouth and dry eyes.

For most people it is an evening strain rather than a daytime one. If you haven’t tried it, start with a small amount, because people react differently. This describes what consumers report, not a health claim.

What do the main sources say about Zkittlez?

The major strain databases agree on the fruity flavour and the Grape Ape parent, but differ on THC, the exact type and which awards to list.

What strain is similar to Skittles?

The cannabis strain people mean by “Skittles” is Zkittlez itself, so the closest match is any listing sold under Zkittlez, Skittlez or The Original Z. Beyond that, look for strains with a Grape Ape parent or a similar sweet grape-and-berry profile. Our hybrid flower is collected in the hybrid category, and the best AAAA strains list shows every quad-grade strain we have in stock with per-gram prices.

Where to buy Zkittlez online in Canada

Bud Cargo has three Zkittlez listings in stock today. The cheapest way in is the Zkittlez AAAA ounce deal at $99, about $3.54 a gram. The Zkittlez premium flower listing sells smaller weights, and its 28 g size is the same $99. The Skittlez AAAA+ listing is the top-grade option, starting at $10 for a gram.

At $99 the Zkittlez ounce sits above the $72 median of our 35 in-stock ounce deals, which reflects its AAAA grade. An ounce is 28 g, just under the 30 g of dried cannabis an adult may carry in public under section 8 of the Cannabis Act.

Orders ship across Canada for $25 to BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, $30 to the rest of the country, and free on orders over $150. You can pay by Interac e-Transfer or credit card. Bud Cargo is a mail-order dispensary, not a provincially licensed retailer. If a listing has sold out by the time you read this, the premium flower page shows what is in stock today.

Frequently asked questions

Sources: Leafly, The Original Z (Zkittlez) strain profile. AllBud, Zkittlez. Leafly, Grape Ape. Cannabis Act (S.C. 2018, c. 16), section 8. Prices from Bud Cargo’s live in-stock catalogue, 8 October 2026.