P85 Strain Review (aka P85 BX): The Candy-Coated Indica Heavyweight

The P85 strain crosses Legend’s Ultimate Indica with Indiana Bubblegum, a backcrossed line that pairs candy aromas with Afghani depth.

I’m James Bean, founder of Seeds Here Now since 2010. This review covers P85’s lineage, the meaning of BX, the aroma and reported potency.

Seeds Here Now sells authentic breeder packs to adults 21+. We do not provide growing instructions, and nothing here is a medical claim.

P85 at a Glance

Lab figures vary by sample, so treat THC numbers as reported ranges, not guarantees. We describe lineage, aroma and appearance only; we make no claims about effects.

P85 Genetics and History

P85 crosses Legend’s Ultimate Indica (LUI), a long-standing Afghani-structured favorite, with Indiana Bubblegum. The BX in P85 BX means backcrossed, a stabilizing step that locked in resin, the bubblegum nose and consistent phenotypes.

Read our Bubblegum strain guide and Bubble Gum Gelato review for the bubblegum side.

Legend’s Ultimate Indica (LUI)

Legend’s Ultimate Indica, usually shortened to LUI, is described as an indica with classic Afghani structure: compact, resinous and earthy. It has had a loyal following for years, mostly passed along as a cut among growers rather than through a big seed release.

Public records of where LUI first came from are thin, which is common for older indica cuts. We would rather tell you that plainly than repeat an origin story no one can confirm. What you can rely on is its reputation for Afghani character, which shows up in P85 as earth, spice and wood.

Indiana Bubblegum and the Bubblegum Story

Indiana Bubblegum is one of the best-known American heirloom lines. As the story is usually told, it was developed by growers in Indiana in the 1970s and 1980s, selected for a sweet, candy-like aroma that really did resemble bubblegum.

The line later reached the Netherlands, where Serious Seeds worked it into its Bubble Gum release in the 1990s, and that version helped make the name famous worldwide. Since then, Bubblegum has been a favorite parent whenever breeders want a sweet candy top note. Our complete Bubblegum strain guide tells the full story, and Bubble Gum Gelato shows another modern use of the same parent.

What BX Means and Why It Matters

P85 is often sold as P85 BX. BX stands for backcross, a breeding step in which offspring are crossed back to one of their parents. Breeders use backcrossing to reinforce the traits of that parent and make a line more consistent from seed to seed.

For buyers, a BX label tells you the line has been through at least one extra round of selection toward a particular parent. Our guide to S1, F1 and F2 cannabis seeds explains this and other common breeding labels.

Where the P85 Name Comes From

Unlike most strain names, P85 does not describe a flavor or a parent. Public sources do not clearly explain what the letter and number stand for. Labels like this often start as a breeder’s internal code for a selection and then stick once the line is shared.

Because the name is so short, it is easy to confuse with unrelated lines. That is one more reason to check the full lineage, LUI x Indiana Bubblegum, rather than relying on the name alone.

Why P85 Seeds Interest Buyers

The P85 strain joins two very different pieces of cannabis history. LUI represents the Afghani indica tradition, prized for resin and structure. Indiana Bubblegum represents American heirloom breeding, a line kept and selected in the Midwest long before modern seed companies took it overseas.

Few modern crosses tie those two threads together this directly. For buyers, P85 seeds are a way to hold both in one pack: the hash-plant roots of LUI and the candy sweetness that made Bubblegum famous. The BX label adds one more layer of interest, since it signals extra selection work on the line.

Kept next to a classic Bubblegum pack and an Afghani indica, a P85 pack shows clearly how much a single cross can change the character of an heirloom parent.

P85 Aroma and Appearance

The P85 strain smells of sweet candy and tart citrus, like orange zest over bubblegum, with classic Afghani earth, spice and wood underneath.

P85 strain buds are dense and resinous. P85 seeds suit buyers of bubblegum and Afghani heritage lines.

P85 Flavor and Aroma Notes

Descriptions of the P85 strain usually split into a sweet top and an earthy base.

• Bubblegum candy: the sweet top note from Indiana Bubblegum.
• Citrus zest: a tart, orange-peel edge over the candy.
• Afghani earth: a deep, hashy base from LUI.
• Spice and wood: a dry finish that fits the Afghani side.

Aroma depends on the individual plant and on how flower is handled, so treat these as the common description. We describe aroma only and make no claims about effects. Our guide on what terpenes are explains where these smells come from, and our article on cannabis trichomes covers the resin that holds them.

P85 vs. Similar Strains

About the Reported THC and the 80/20 Split

P85 is usually listed at about 22% to 30% THC and as roughly 80% indica and 20% sativa. Both figures come from breeder and community reports, not from one standard test, and THC results vary widely from lab to lab.

The indica label mostly reflects the heavy Afghani influence of LUI. Neither number tells you whether a pack of P85 seeds is genuine, which is why we focus on lineage and packaging.

Buying P85

Look for a named breeder, a clear lineage and sealed original packaging when you find a P85 pack. Popular names attract imitations, so buy from accountable sources. Browse our feminized, regular and autoflower seeds for related lines.

How to Spot Authentic P85 Seeds

1. Look for the full lineage, Legend’s Ultimate Indica x Indiana Bubblegum, on the label or listing.
2. Check whether the pack is sold as P85 BX and who released it.
3. Confirm whether the pack is regular or feminized.
4. Buy sealed, original packaging with no signs of repacking.
5. Be careful with listings that give only the short name and no lineage.

In a collection log, record the breeder, the seed type, the lineage as printed, the pack size and the purchase date, and keep a photo of the sealed pack. Store P85 seeds sealed, somewhere cool, dark and dry, and out of reach of children and pets.

Building a Bubblegum and Heirloom Collection

P85 pairs well with other lines that carry American heirloom or Afghani history. Good companions include the Bubblegum classic, Bubble Gum Gelato and Bubba Kush. Our guides to landrace and heritage strains and heirloom landrace strains cover the older lines behind them.

Seeds, the Law and Our Rules

Cannabis laws differ by state, and federal hemp and seed rules are changing under Section 781. Check the law where you live before you buy anything. Our cannabis seeds by state guide links every state and its official sources, and our explainer on what Section 781 is covers the federal side.

Every buyer must be 21 or older. We sell seeds only to adults 21+.

How To Grow the P85 Strain Like a Pro

P85 is a dream for new growers because it doesn’t throw tantrums when you miss a feeding or bump the humidity. Still, a few pro moves will push it from “good” to “holy hell.”

Environment and Setup

• Thrives indoors and in greenhouses with temps 70–80 °F and RH 45–55 %.
• Can handle moderate heat but rewards cooler night temps with deeper colors and sharper terps.
• Responds well to training (LST, topping, SCROG) to keep the canopy even.

Feeding and Care

• Veg light on N (nitrogen) to avoid dark over-leafing — she likes balanced feeds.
• In flower, add extra K and P to fuel dense colas and boost resin output.
• Flush 1–2 weeks before harvest to let those sweet notes shine.

Flowering and Harvest

Expect full maturity at around 63–70 days indoors. Look for milky trichomes and just a few ambers if you want more flavor and less coma.

Yield and Structure

• Indoor: 450–550 g/m² under LED or HPS with proper training.
• Outdoor: Heavy yield by late September with adequate sun and airflow.
• Bud structure is tight and chunky; occasional foxtails are normal in Bubblegum-leaning cuts.

Grower Tips to Maximize Your Yield

1. Keep temps steady: Avoid extreme heat — it can dull terps and reduce resin.
2. Airflow is everything: Those tight colas need movement to dodge mold.
3. Dry & cure slow: 60 °F and 60 % RH for two weeks to lock in that bubblegum sweetness.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the P85 strain?

An indica-leaning hybrid from Legend’s Ultimate Indica x Indiana Bubblegum, also sold as P85 BX.

What does BX mean in P85 BX?

Backcrossed, a step used to stabilize traits.

How strong is P85?

Reported THC usually falls around 22% to 30%.

What does P85 smell like?

Sweet candy and citrus over Afghani earth.

Do you give growing advice for P85?

No.

What does LUI stand for?

Legend’s Ultimate Indica, an Afghani-structured indica cut that is one of P85’s two parents.

Where does Indiana Bubblegum come from?

As the story is usually told, it was developed in Indiana in the 1970s and 1980s and later made famous through a Dutch seed release in the 1990s.

What does P85 stand for?

Public sources do not clearly explain the name. It is likely a selection code that stuck, so check the full lineage rather than the name alone.

Are P85 seeds the same as Bubblegum seeds?

No. Indiana Bubblegum is one parent of the P85 strain, but P85 is a separate cross with LUI on the other side.

What are the parent strains of P85?

P85 is a cross between Legend's Ultimate Indica (LUI) and Indiana Bubblegum. The LUI parent contributes Afghani heritage and resin production, while Indiana Bubblegum adds the sweet, fruity flavor profile that defines the strain.

How long does P85 take to flower?

P85 has a flowering time of 8–9 weeks indoors and finishes in late September outdoors, making it a relatively standard timeline for indica-dominant hybrids.

Is P85 difficult to grow?

No—P85 is rated as easy to moderate difficulty and is recommended for new growers, featuring a forgiving feeding curve and manageable plant structure both indoors and outdoors.

Bottom Line

P85 earns its place with its lineage and a distinctive aroma.

Sources

• Leafly: Bubble Gum strain profile

Last updated October 7, 2026 by James Bean, founder of Seeds Here Now. Nothing here is legal advice. See our disclaimer, terms of use and shipping policy.