Home»Blog»How to Grow Ice Cream Cake Strain (2026 Grow Diary)
January 27, 2026
How to Grow Ice Cream Cake Strain (2026 Grow Diary)
Why Grow Ice Cream Cake?
Ice Cream Cake is the dessert dream of the cannabis world, a 75% Indica hybrid blending Gelato 33and Wedding Cake genetics into dense, trichome-frosted buds bursting with creamy sweetness. With up to 25% THC and a soothing yet creative high, it’s a top pick for flavor chasers and connoisseurs.
Use the reliable paper towel method to ensure strong germination.
Place seeds between two damp paper towels
Cover with two plates to keep dark & humid
Maintain 70–75 °F
When taproot ≈ ½″, plant root-tip down ½″ deep ⚠️ Avoid sealed plastic bags, airflow prevents rot.
Week 1: Seedling Stage
Provide soft light, high humidity, and stable warmth.
Light: 18–24 h cycle, low intensity (24–30″ from LED)
Temp: 72–77 °F | Humidity: 65–70%
Mist lightly and avoid waterlogging
Gentle airflow to strengthen stems End of week: small round leaves turn into first true serrated leaves.
Week 2: Early Vegetative Growth
Growth accelerates and the plant establishes structure.
Start light LST (low-stress training) to widen canopy
Feed ¼-strength veg nutrients
Temp: 73–78 °F | Humidity: 60–65%
Keep soil moist but not wet Strong roots and branching begin to form by week’s end.
Week 3: Veg Expansion
Your Ice Cream Cake plant starts to fill out with dense leaves.
Height: 10–14 inches
Feed ½-strength veg nutrients
Humidity: 55–60% | Temp: 73–78 °F
Consider topping above 5th node for more colas The aroma becomes noticeably sweet and creamy even before flower.
Week 4: Pre-Flower Transition
You’re approaching flower, time to prep.
Defoliate lower growth for airflow
Drop humidity to 50–55%
Maintain 72–78 °F
Switch to bloom nutrients next week
Flip to 12/12 light cycle indoors First white pistils appear, flower phase has begun.
Week 5–6: Flower Initiation
The stretch starts and buds begin to form.
Light: 12/12 cycle
Temp: 70–77 °F | Humidity: 45–50%
Full bloom nutrients (high P & K)
Add extra airflow as aroma intensifies Expect a rich blend of earth and vanilla notes in the room.
Week 7–8: Bud Formation
This is the peak frost phase.
Temp: 68–75 °F | Humidity: 40–45%
Maintain nutrients and consistent watering
Optional PK booster for density
Support colas to prevent bending Buds become fat, sticky, and sparkling like ice-coated treats.
Week 9–10: Ripening & Flush
Your final weeks define flavor and smoothness.
Flush with plain pH-balanced water for 5–7 days
Temp: 65–70 °F | Humidity: 35–40%
Check trichomes; mostly cloudy with 10–15% amber
Harvest when pistils are 70–80% darkened Expect a creamy, sweet aroma with frost-white buds.
Harvest & Curing
Dry: Hang in dark room 60 °F / 55% RH for 10–14 days
Cure: Place buds in glass jars and burp daily for a week
Cure 3–4 weeks to develop rich creamy flavor and smooth burn
Proper curing brings out that dessert-like finish Ice Cream Cake is famous for.
Final Thoughts on Growing Ice Cream Cake Strain
Ice Cream Cake is a grower-friendly hybrid with elite flavor and appearance. Expect medium height, dense buds, and powerful creamy-sweet aromas. Perfect for growers who want top-shelf bag appeal and balanced effects.
I planted 10 Super Boof seeds, and all germinated without a hitch. The plants grew strong and healthy, producing dense, frosty buds with a sweet, earthy aroma. The high is uplifting yet relaxing—a perfect balance. Impressive yield too, even with minimal effort
Gary Payton
Michael ClintMarch 27, 2024
I’ve been growing weed for 30+ years, and to be honest, it’s quite difficult to surprise me. After a few decades of facing different strains, changing growing conditions, and solving whatever problem you could possibly think of, by then, I believe I’ve seen it all in cannabis growing.
Gary Payton defied every single one of my expectations. The plant thrived, growing to an impressive 6 feet in what seemed like a blink of an eye. It quickly filled out with buds and displayed better smell each day, showing solid proof of superior genetics. The buds were tight, aromatic, and a source of immense pride, surpassing the outcome of many of my previous endeavors.
Hypno Seeds with their Gary Payton strain has won my complete admiration and loyalty. Outstanding genetics in this plant have truly turned what I always thought of to be an experiment with negligible expectations into one of the most satisfying grows of my long career.
Looking forward, my excitement for the next growing season is unparalleled. I can’t wait to see how much I can take these strains, especially with the attention that Gary Payton really does deserve right from the start.
RS11
Marina BayMarch 23, 2024
TRUE MAGIC! This strain really stands out. I am trying Hypno Seeds for the first time and I surely made the right choice. I will be ordering more RS11 seeds just to keep this beauty in my garden for the upcoming season. Growing in Virginia and it’s only shown perfection by now.
Blackberry Kush
WhildGreeneryMarch 28, 2024
Starting my latest grow, I decided to try out some Blackberry Kush from Hypno… I planted her on a whim alongside my other favorites. Hypno Seeds said it had to be a powerful plant with rich, fruity scents… Seeing is believing. She developed purplish hues and dense resin coated buds and quickly took center stage in my garden and produced much more than expected. The buds are tightly packed, literally bursting with the heady aroma. The yield? Very impressive for her conditions…
Godfather OG
Bandon the Weed DiaryFebruary 21, 2025
Germinated three seeds using the paper towel method with100% success rate within 48 hours. Planted in 5 gallon pots with living soil under a 315W CMH light. Plants remained compact (3.5 ft) with thick lateral branching, showing high resistance to humidity and minor nutrient fluctuations. Yield per plant: 5.8 oz of extremely dense, trichome-heavy buds. Smell profile during flower: sharp pine, pepper, and a hint of citrus. Harvested at week 9, after trichomes showed 30% amber for peak sedative effects. Smoke report: Potent. Deep relaxation without full sedation. Ideal for stress relief.