Few cannabis strains have reshaped the market the way Runtz has. Born from the cross of Zkittlez × Gelato, Runtz brought together two heavy-hitting dessert strains into something so flavorful, so photogenic, and so approachable that it became a worldwide phenomenon. It didn’t just win over smokers—it defined an era.
Origins and Breeding History
Runtz emerged from the West Coast breeding scene, popularized by the Runtz crew (led by Yung LB out of Long Beach). Its momentum exploded when it began dominating competitions—most notably the 2019 Emerald Cup, where Ridgeline Runtz won 1st place in Sungrown Flower and White Runtz placed 3rd. By 2020, Leafly crowned Runtz “Strain of the Year,” citing its unstoppable rise and unique terpene profile.
The heritage is straightforward yet powerful: Gelato contributes its creamy dessert backbone, while Zkittlez adds tropical fruit sweetness. Together, they created a flavor profile that instantly stood out from gas-heavy Kushes and classic hazes, setting the stage for dozens of spin-offs.
Flavor and Aroma
Runtz is defined by its candy gas profile—a blend of sugary sweetness layered over a strong, gassy backbone. Crack open a bag and you’ll be hit with:
Sharp fruit candy and berry taffy that announce its Zkittlez lineage
Creamy gelato notes softened by vanilla undertones
Fuel and citrus-laced funk that cuts through the sweetness and lingers
The balance of loud gas with candy-sweet terps makes Runtz stand apart, delivering flavor that’s both playful and powerful—one of the reasons it became a coast-to-coast phenomenon.
SHOP --> Candy Gas THCa Collection
Effects and Why People Love It
The effects are as balanced as the flavor. Runtz provides:
A clear, uplifting headspace perfect for social sessions
A gentle body relaxation that eases stress without being sedative
A smooth, potent smoke that makes the most of its trichome coverage
This balance made it a crowd-pleaser, equally appealing to daily smokers and casual consumers. Where some strains lean too racy or too heavy, Runtz hits the sweet spot.
The Runtz Family Tree
The success of Runtz sparked a wave of phenotypes and new crosses, creating a colorful family of strains. Below is an SEO-friendly list of popular Runtz strains and their reported genetics:
- White Runtz — Zkittlez × Gelato (Runtz phenotype)
- Black Runtz — Zkittlez × Gelato (Runtz phenotype)
- Pink Runtz — Zkittlez × Gelato (Runtz phenotype)
- Purple Runtz — Gelato #33 × Zkittlez
- Candy Runtz — Runtz × Zkittlez
- Rainbow Runtz — Zkittlez × Do-Si-Dos
- Super Runtz — Super Lemon Cherry Gelato × Runtz
- Tropical Runtz — Tropic Truffle × Runtz
- Blue Runtz — Blueberry × White Runtz
- Cherry Runtz — Runtz × Cherry Pie
- Bolo Runtz — (Reported as Runtz × LCG × Gelato 33 S1 or Biscotti × Sherb Cake, depending on breeder)
- Red Runtz — Runtz × Red Pop
- Strawberry Runtz — Versions include White Runtz × (Kushberries × Chocolate Covered Strawberries) or Runtz × Strawberries & Cream F2
- Lemon Cherry Runtz — Reported as Sunset Sherbet × Runtz or Runtz × Lemon Tree
- Banana Runtz — Banana OG × Runtz
Our Runtz Offerings at Lucky Elk
At Lucky Elk, we’ve chosen two of the most beloved expressions from the Runtz family:
Candy Runtz THCa (Runtz × Zkittlez) doubles down on everything people love about candy gas. Its colorful, resinous buds burst with loud fruit-candy terps—grape taffy, tropical punch, sour citrus—finished with a creamy backend. By amplifying the Zkittlez side of the cross, Candy Runtz delivers a juicier, sweeter expression of the Runtz lineage that remains one of the most crowd-pleasing flavor bombs on the market.
White Runtz THCa (Zkittlez × Gelato) is one of the defining cuts of the Runtz family, famous for its sugar-dusted appearance and balanced appeal. Dense green and purple buds sparkle with trichomes, giving the flower its frosty, “white” glow. The lineage blends Gelato’s creamy smoothness with Zkittlez’s tropical candy terps, creating a layered profile that set the standard for the candy gas movement.
We grow our Runtz genetics with the same care and craft we bring to every Lucky Elk strain—sustainably farmed, full of terpenes, and meant to be shared like family.
