Ice Cream Cake vs Gelato #33: Complete Grower's Comparison
The dessert indica throne match. Ice Cream Cake — a cross of Wedding Cake and Gelato #33 — is literally the child of Gelato #33. This is parent vs offspring, and both are dispensary royalty. Gelato #33 changed modern cannabis with its creamy, fruity flavor and euphoric high. Ice Cream Cake took those genetics and pushed them further into indica territory, adding vanilla-cream sweetness and deeper relaxation. If you want to grow the best dessert strain from seed, this is the comparison that matters.
| Spec | Ice Cream Cake | Gelato #33 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Indica-Dominant Hybrid (75/25) | Balanced Hybrid (55/45 Indica) |
| THC | 20–25% | 22–27% |
| Genetics | Wedding Cake × Gelato #33 | Sunset Sherbet × Thin Mint GSC |
| Difficulty | Moderate | Moderate |
| Flower Time | 8–10 weeks | 8–10 weeks |
| Yield (Indoor) | 400–500g/m² indoor | 400–550g/m² indoor |
| Height | Medium (80–120cm) | Medium (90–130cm) |
| Effects | Heavy relaxation, sleepy, body melt, appetite | Euphoric onset, creative, then settling relaxation |
| Flavor | Sweet vanilla ice cream, creamy, doughy, subtle nuts | Sweet citrus, lavender, earthy, creamy |
| Best For | Nighttime use, pain relief, sleep, dessert terp lovers | Versatile use, social-to-chill sessions, all-day strain |
Head-to-Head: Growing ICC vs Gelato #33
Both are moderate-difficulty grows — manageable for anyone with at least one successful harvest under their belt. They share a lot of genetic overlap, so the growing experience is similar in many ways.
Ice Cream Cake grows compact and dense. It develops thick, chunky colas that need defoliation to allow light and airflow into the canopy. The indica-dominant structure keeps it short and bushy, which makes it ideal for tents where height is limited. The buds pack on weight late in flower — don't harvest early, even if it looks ready.
Gelato #33 grows slightly taller and more hybrid in structure. It's a bit more demanding on environmental controls — Gelato really wants consistent temps and humidity to express its full terp profile. Temperature swings will mute the flavor. Ideal daytime temps around 75–80°F with a 10-degree drop at night bring out the best colors and terps.
Potency and Effects
Gelato #33 is slightly stronger on paper (22–27% vs 20–25%), but the experience is completely different. Gelato starts with a euphoric, almost energizing head high before gradually settling into relaxation. It's the kind of strain you can smoke at 4pm and still be functional for dinner plans.
Ice Cream Cake is much more sedating. The onset is slower — a creeping body warmth that builds into full physical relaxation and heavy eyelids. This is a "last bowl of the night" strain. It excels for pain relief, insomnia, and appetite stimulation. If you need to be productive, save the ICC for later.
Flavor Profile
Both strains are exceptional on flavor, but they hit different notes. Ice Cream Cake delivers on its name — sweet vanilla ice cream, creamy dough, with subtle nutty undertones. It's rich, smooth, and dessert-like in the most literal sense. The smoke is silky and doesn't bite.
Gelato #33 has a more complex flavor with sweet citrus leading into lavender and earthy undertones. The Sunset Sherbet parentage brings fruity sweetness while the Thin Mint GSC adds depth and a cookie-dough finish. It's less "pure dessert" than ICC but more dimensionally interesting.
Bag Appeal
This is a toss-up — both strains produce some of the most photogenic buds in cannabis. ICC tends toward deep green and purple with a thick, almost white trichome frost that looks like the buds were dipped in powdered sugar. Gelato #33 runs the color spectrum — green, purple, sometimes orange — with a crystalline frost layer. Both look like they belong in a display case.
Growing Tips
🌱 Ice Cream Cake
Defoliate in weeks 3 and 6 of flower for better light penetration. ICC's dense buds need good airflow — use oscillating fans aimed at the canopy. Let it go the full 9–10 weeks for maximum flavor development. The buds will swell significantly in the final week.
🌱 Gelato #33
Climate control is everything with Gelato. Keep daytime temps 75–80°F, nighttime 65–70°F. Humidity under 50% in flower. This strain responds well to SCROG training. Flush for the final 7–10 days to bring out the cleanest flavor.
Where to Buy Ice Cream Cake & Gelato #33 Seeds
These seed banks carry verified genetics from reputable breeders. All links include our affiliate tracking — you pay the same price, and it helps keep this site running.
North Atlantic Seed Co
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Multiverse Beans
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ILGM
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Homegrown Cannabis Co
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Frequently Asked Questions
🏆 The Verdict
Gelato #33 is the better all-around strain — more versatile effects, slightly higher potency, and excellent for any time of day. Ice Cream Cake is the specialist pick for nighttime use, pain relief, and the smoothest dessert flavor in cannabis. If you can only grow one, Gelato #33 gives you more range. If you already have a daytime strain and want the ultimate evening companion, ICC is unbeatable.