What Are Lobster Strains? Blue Lobster, Cipher Genetics & The Rise of a New Cannabis Family

By Jeff Eckenrode

Quick Answer: Lobster strains are a fast-growing family of cannabis cultivars descended from Blue Lobster, a rare indica-leaning hybrid bred from Apples and Bananas crossed with Eye Candy. Named for the rarity of a blue lobster in nature, the strain was developed by Cipher Genetics and grown by Maine Trees. Its blueberry candy flavor and euphoric effects have spawned an expanding lineup of Lobster crosses.

If you've shopped for cannabis recently, then you've probably noticed a new & peculiar name showing up on the menu.

Blue Lobster. Pink Lobster. Grape Lobster. Lobsters of all kinds!

There are so many different types of Lobster strains that the question: “Am I in a Dispensary or a Seafood restaurant?” has probably crossed your mind once already.

So what are Lobster strains, anyway? Where did they come from? And why have they become so popular so quickly?

Why "Lobster"?

The name isn't random. And it isn’t a marketing gimmick, either.

Blue lobsters are a real thing, too. Because they occur naturally in the ocean due to a genetic mutation that causes overproduction of a specific protein.

The odds of catching one? About one in two million.

So when the growing team at Maine Trees (a prominent craft cannabis brand based in Maine) found the phenotype that would eventually become Blue Lobster, they knew they had something equally rare. Their cut that stood apart from everything else in their garden: full of flavor, potent effects, and visual character that put it in a class of its own.

Where Did Blue Lobster Come From?

Blue Lobster traces back to a cross originally developed by Cipher Genetics (led by breeder Chris Lynch, who also co-founded Compound Genetics). The original cross — Apples and Bananas crossed with Eye Candy — was initially called “Facade”.

From a phenotype hunt of that Facade cross (aka “phenohunt”: the process of growing numerous cannabis plants from the same seed batch to identify, select, and clone the single best plant), Maine Trees selected the phenotype that would become Blue Lobster.

Since then Maine Trees took Blue Lobster from Maine’s medical market to nationwide. Their drops in New York and Los Angeles generated a significant amount of buzz, quickly making Blue Lobster a popular and highly-sought strain for cannabis connoiseurs.

Blue Lobster won three trophies at the East Coast 2023 Zalympix competition, taking home Best Terps, Gassiest Flower, and Second Place Overall. It was also a Leafly Strain of the Year 2025 nominee.

And for a strain that started as a regional craft find in Maine, that's a remarkable climb!

The Growing Lobster Family

Blue Lobster's success has inspired a tidal wave of offspring and crosses, and the Lobster family tree is rapidly expanding.

Cipher Genetics released a full themed line of Blue Lobster crosses in 2024, including Grape Lobster, London Lobster, Pink Lobster, and more.

Each takes Blue Lobster's exceptional terpene expression and pairs it with a different genetic partner to explore new flavor and effect combinations.

Here’s a look at the strains you’ll find at Hashtag Redmond:

Blue Lobster

(Apples and Bananas x Eye Candy)

The original. The one that started everything. Blue Lobster is the award-winning, Leafly Strain of the Year 2025 nominee that put the entire Lobster family on the map. Dense, periwinkle-tinged buds burst with blueberry candy, ripe grape, and stone fruit, with a creamy citrus finish. The high is euphoric and uplifting, settling into warm body relaxation without sedating you into the couch. If you pull this one from the blind box, you are not disappointed.

Grape Lobster

(Grape Lyfe 29 x Blue Lobster)

Described by growers as a "AAA candy-flavor standout," Grape Lobster takes Blue Lobster's fruit-forward foundation and cranks the grape dial all the way up. The Grape Lyfe 29 parent brings a bold, sweet grape candy profile with a creamy backbone and no sharp gas — just smooth, loud terps that hold strong through cure. Buds come out dense, colorful, and resin-rich. If you love grape candy more than you love breathing, this is your strain.

London Lobster

(Brightside Cheese x Blue Lobster)

The wildcard in the lineup. London Lobster pairs Blue Lobster's modern candy depth with Brightside Cheese — a bold, old-school British cheese variety — and the result is unlike anything else in the Lobster family. The first thing you notice is a sharp, funky cheese note that fills the room fast. Behind it comes a richer, creamier depth from the Blue Lobster side, creating a layered aroma that is loud, confident, and not at all subtle. The high is equally expressive: an uplifting head lift that transitions into smooth, comfortable relaxation. For consumers who love complexity and character in their flower, London Lobster delivers both.

Pink Lobster

(Cotton Candy Runtz x Blue Lobster)

Pink Lobster is the sweetest, most approachable member of the Lobster family. The Cotton Candy Runtz parent — itself a cross of Runtz and Cotton Candy Kush — brings a confectionary sweetness, lighter structure, and an airy, uplifting quality that softens Blue Lobster's denser indica character. The result is a spun-sugar, berry-candy experience with a relaxed but engaged effect profile. Think of it as Blue Lobster in a party dress: same great genetics, a little lighter on its feet.

Strawberry Lobster

(Strawberry Cough x Blue Lobster)

Strawberry Lobster brings the classic sativa energy of Strawberry Cough into the Lobster family, resulting in one of the more uplifting and cerebral members of the lineup. The flavor profile is bright and instantly recognizable: sugary strawberry up front, followed by creamy citrus and a candy-like exhale with just a hint of gassy diesel underneath. The high starts in the head with a buzzy, tingly cerebral stimulation before a grounding body relaxation sets in. THC content runs 25-30%. It's the Lobster for daytime sessions and people who like their fruit flavors punchy.

Lobster OG
(Sour Best Shit Ever x Apples & Bananas) x Blue Lobster

Lobster OG brings uniquely new genetics into the Lobster family, grounding Blue Lobster's fruit-candy brightness with the classic earthy, piney, fuel-forward character that made OG Kush a West Coast legend. The result is a strain that bridges two eras of cannabis — the modern dessert-forward candy wave and the foundational OG lineage that shaped a generation of West Coast consumers. Expect a heavier, more body-focused experience than the other Lobster crosses, with some of Blue Lobster's sweetness showing up in the background. This is the Lobster for OG purists who want to see what happens when craft genetics meet a classic foundation.

With many breeders quickly incorporating Blue Lobster into their gardens, it’s likely that we’ll enjoy even more varieties of Blue Lobster for years to come: each carrying sweet, candy-like terpenes, dense resinous buds, and an experience that is one-of-a-kind!

Where Can I Find Lobster Strains?

Whether you're shopping online or in Redmond, we're here to help you find what you're looking for. That includes Lobster strains!

We are proud to carry a variety of small-batch, limited-run Lobster strains from Lifted Cannabis.

What Makes Lifted Cannabis Special?

Based in Tacoma, Washington, Lifted Cannabis is committed to creating premium cannabis products for everybody.

That’s why they hunt down the most flavorful and potent strains to add to their array of flower, pre rolls and concentrates.

Every plant at Lifted is hand-watered, pheno-selected, and glass-jar cured.

Lifted’s dedicated and experienced growing team has produced some of Washington's most sought-after flower, with an ever-expanding portfolio of exclusive drops, including (you guessed it!) The Blue Lobster.

Want to learn more? Visit them at: liftedcannabisco.com

Want to buy some today? Click the link below to see current availability.

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FAQ: What Are Lobster Strains?

What are Lobster cannabis strains?

Lobster strains are a family of cannabis cultivars that descend from or were inspired by Blue Lobster, a rare indica-leaning hybrid developed by Cipher Genetics and popularized by Maine Trees. The original Blue Lobster — a cross of Apples and Bananas and Eye Candy — won multiple awards and became a Leafly Strain of the Year 2025 nominee. Its success has since sparked a growing lineup of Lobster crosses from multiple breeders, including Blueberry Lobster, Maui Lobster, Grape Lobster, Purple Lobster, and others. They share a common flavor identity rooted in blueberry candy and fruit-forward terpenes.

Who created Blue Lobster and where does the name come from?

Blue Lobster was bred by Cipher Genetics, whose breeder Chris Lynch developed the original Apples and Bananas x Eye Candy cross (initially called Facade). The Maine Trees team — co-founded by Jesse Jordan and Mike Barris — hunted and selected the specific phenotype that became Blue Lobster and gave it its name. The name references the extraordinary rarity of a naturally occurring blue lobster in the wild, which happens approximately once in every two million lobsters. The team felt that level of rarity matched what they had found: a phenotype so exceptional it deserved its own identity.

What does Blue Lobster taste and smell like?

Blue Lobster's flavor and aroma are among the most celebrated features of the strain. The scent is immediately distinctive: thick, sweet blueberry candy layered with grape, ripe stone fruit, and a subtle citrus creaminess. On the inhale, blueberry candy is front and center, with apple and banana notes emerging as the smoke opens. The exhale brings a slightly gassy, creamy finish that adds depth without overwhelming the fruit-forward experience. It is a flavor profile that consumers tend to remember — and come back for.

What are the effects of Blue Lobster?

Blue Lobster is an indica-leaning hybrid (approximately 60% indica, 40% sativa) with THC levels that commonly run between 26% and 30%. Effects arrive quickly — most users report a lifting wave of euphoria that settles into warm, comfortable body relaxation. The overall experience leans social and uplifting rather than sedating, making it versatile for both daytime and evening use depending on dose. Users frequently cite mood enhancement, reduced anxiety, and a giggly, talkative quality. It is generally considered best suited for experienced consumers given its potency.

What other Lobster strains exist besides Blue Lobster?

The Lobster family is actively expanding. Cipher Genetics released a suite of Blue Lobster crosses in 2024, including Maui Lobster, Grape Lobster, London Lobster, and Cotton Candy Lobster. Blueberry Lobster (Blueberry x Blue Lobster) is one of the most prominent offspring, leaning even more heavily indica at 70/30 with amplified berry flavor. Anesia Seeds released Purple Lobster (Blue Lobster x Planet Red), a 50/50 balanced hybrid with reported THC around 34%. The rapid uptake of Blue Lobster genetics in breeding programs across multiple brands signals that its terpene and structural traits pass reliably to offspring — a hallmark of genuinely great genetics.

How does Blue Lobster compare to Blue Dream?

Both strains share blueberry-forward flavor and an uplifting effect profile, but they are quite different in character. Blue Dream is a sativa-dominant classic (Blueberry x Haze) known for its lighter, airier high and broad approachability — it's been a top-seller for over a decade for good reason. Blue Lobster is denser, richer, more potent, and more firmly fruit-candy in flavor. The effects lean more indica with stronger body engagement. Blue Dream is the everyday crowd-pleaser; Blue Lobster is the special occasion discovery.

Where can I find Blue Lobster in Washington State?

Blue Lobster is increasingly available through Washington State dispensaries as licensed producers incorporate the genetics into their programs. At Hashtag Cannabis in Redmond, we carry Blue Lobster SugarStix Infused Pre-Rolls from Lifted Cannabis, a Tacoma-based Tier 3 producer known for pheno-selected, glass-jar cured, craft-quality flower. Check our online menu for current availability — and ask your budtender about what else might be in the Lobster family on our shelves.

Want to learn more about legendary hybrid cannabis strains?

Then check out our collection of related posts here!