
Top 10 tobacco alternatives for spliffs
Looking for a healthier, nicotine-free way to roll? This guide compares the top 10 tobacco alternatives for joints. From chamomile to hops and trending rose petals, find the best tobacco substitutes to enhance flavour, customise your experience, and create spliffs that fit your vibe.
Rolling a spliff with tobacco has long been the standard, but in 2025, many smokers are looking for a different experience. Cutting out nicotine, enjoying a smoother burn, or adding new flavours are just some of the reasons people are turning to herbal blends. These days, there are plenty of natural alternatives to tobacco in joints, giving smokers the chance to customise their sessions.
In this guide, we compare the 10 most popular options being used right now, from classics like chamomile and mullein to trending choices such as rose petals. Each one brings its own unique properties, helping you find the best fit for your rolling style. So, rather than wondering “what can I use instead of tobacco in my joint?” you’ll find the best herbal blends right here.
Why switch from tobacco in your spliffs?
Spliff smokers are switching out tobacco for three main reasons:
- Health: tobacco means nicotine addiction, throat irritation, and a harsher burn; a tobacco substitute for joints avoids these issues
- Lifestyle: with more smoking bans and shifting attitudes in the UK, many people want a cleaner option
- Flavour: alternatives to tobacco in joints can enhance your smoke with unique aromas and effects
The right blend can make a tobacco-free joint taste better and burn smoother than the old-school mix.
Top 10 tobacco alternatives for spliffs
There are numerous options for what to use instead of tobacco in a spliff. Below you’ll find the 10 most popular tobacco alternatives for joints in 2025.
Visual guide: The top 10 tobacco alternatives compared
To make it easier to choose the best tobacco substitute for your joints, we’ve put together a quick visual guide. Check it out here:
CBD flower (most popular)
CBD flower has quickly become a leading tobacco substitute for joints in the UK and across Europe. Unlike regular cannabis, it contains only trace amounts of THC, meaning you can enjoy the full aroma and texture of cannabis without the psychoactive high. That makes it especially appealing for daytime spliffs or for users who want balance without getting overly stoned.
CBD flower mimics the texture, weight, and burn of regular cannabis, which makes it one of the easiest fillers to work with. Many people mix CBD flower with high-THC weed for a smoother, more rounded high.
- Flavour: earthy, herbal, terpene-rich
- Effect: soothing, clear-headed, non-intoxicating
- Burn quality: slow, even
- Physical properties: same density as most cannabis buds
It’s available in a wide range of terpene profiles, such as fruity, citrusy, or earthy. You can match it perfectly with your strain of choice.
Chamomile
Chamomile is one of the most familiar and accessible herbs for anyone wondering what to use instead of tobacco in a spliff. Known for its gentle, honey-like sweetness, it makes an excellent evening companion, especially when paired with fruity cannabis strains.
Chamomile slows down the burn of a spliff, producing a mellow, even smoke that’s perfect for winding down at night. Whether you buy it as a loose herbal blend or simply crack open an organic tea bag, it’s quite easy to source.
- Flavour: floral, sweet, honey-like
- Effect: gentle relaxation, ideal before bed
- Burn quality: smooth, steady
- Physical properties: light and fluffy
Chamomile is best used in moderation to keep blends light and soothing.
Damiana
Damiana has a long history as both a traditional herbal remedy and a recreational smoke. With its spicy-sweet flavour and mild buzz, it adds character to any joint. Many people note a slight lift in mood and a sense of euphoria, making it a favourite for social sessions.
Its consistency makes it easy to roll with, as it burns slowly and evenly without overpowering your cannabis. Damiana also works well in blends with citrusy or earthy strains, where its sweetness rounds out sharper flavours.
- Flavour: spicy, sweet, slightly earthy
- Effect: mild euphoria, uplifting, aphrodisiac reputation
- Burn quality: consistent, slow
- Physical properties: medium density
Curious? Check out our guide on damiana or try it for yourself.
Greengo
Greengo is one of the best-known branded tobacco substitutes in the UK. Although it's nicotine-free, many find it outperforms even the best tobacco for spliffs. It comes pre-mixed and ready to roll, which makes it popular with people who don’t want to mess around sourcing individual herbs. Made from hazel leaves, papaya, mint, and eucalyptus, Greengo provides a neutral, smooth base that burns cleanly without nicotine.
Its texture is very similar to rolling tobacco, so it’s particularly easy to work with for anyone just switching away from tobacco. Greengo doesn’t add much flavour, which makes it versatile and compatible with all cannabis strains.
- Flavour: neutral, mild herbal notes
- Effect: no real psychoactive effect
- Burn quality: even, consistent
- Physical properties: medium density, similar to shredded tobacco
If you want something quick, consistent, and available straight from the pouch, Greengo is a reliable choice.
Hops
Hops might surprise you as a tobacco substitute, but it’s a fantastic choice for spliffs. Known mostly from beer brewing, hops flowers share terpenes with cannabis, including myrcene, which adds earthy, citrusy notes and relaxing effects.
On their own, hops can burn a little unevenly, so they’re best when blended with a fluffier herb like mullein. They’re perfect for an evening spliff when you want to deepen the heavy, couch-lock feeling.
- Flavour: earthy, piney, citrus
- Effect: soothing, body-heavy, stoning
- Burn quality: slightly uneven unless blended
- Physical properties: dense, resinous flowers
Used in the right blend, hops add depth to both flavour and effects.
Mullein
Mullein is a classic base herb for spliffs and one of the best tobacco substitutes in the UK for those going completely nicotine-free. With its light, neutral flavour, it doesn’t overpower cannabis. Instead, it softens the smoke and makes joints smoother on the throat and lungs.
Mullein has long been used in traditional herbal practices for respiratory support, which makes it especially appealing as a tobacco replacement. Its fluffy texture also improves airflow, helping your spliffs burn evenly.
- Flavour: neutral, mild
- Effect: soothing, uplifting
- Burn quality: slow, smooth
- Physical properties: light and airy
For beginners looking for a reliable base, mullein is hard to beat.
Rose petals (2025 trending option)
Rose petals have become one of the trendiest spliff fillers in 2025, thanks to TikTok and Reddit. Beyond their aesthetic, they add a sweet, floral note that feels luxurious and makes for a smoother smoke than you’d expect.
Use sparingly, as adding too many petals can cause uneven burning. Always stick to organic, untreated petals to avoid harmful residues. When blended properly, rose pairs beautifully with fruity cannabis strains or mellow bases like mullein.
- Flavour: sweet, floral, slightly tart
- Effect: soothing, uplifting, special-occasion vibes
- Burn quality: steady in small amounts
- Physical properties: thin and delicate
A great choice when you want your spliffs to feel like a treat.
Lavender
Lavender brings a strong, unmistakable aroma to any spliff. Just a pinch is enough to transform the flavour profile with its soothing, floral notes. It’s one of the best herbs for winding down at night, often paired with chamomile or mullein to mellow its intensity.
Too much lavender can overwhelm the blend, so use it sparingly. Think of it as a top-note herb rather than the main filler.
- Flavour: floral, aromatic, herbal
- Effect: soothing, tension relief
- Burn quality: smooth in small amounts
- Physical properties: light and airy
Experiment with small doses of lavender to find your ideal balance.
Catnip
Though famous for its effect on cats, catnip offers humans a lightly soothing, minty smoke. It’s fresh and slightly sweet, making it a great daytime or social spliff filler.
Catnip burns quickly, so it works best when blended with denser herbs like CBD flower or mullein. Its novelty factor alone makes it appealing for anyone exploring alternatives to tobacco in spliffs.
- Flavour: minty, herbal, slightly sweet
- Effect: light relaxation
- Burn quality: fast, best blended
- Physical properties: light and fluffy
Curious? Learn more about catnip or buy some directly.
Skullcap
Skullcap is one of the more powerful relaxing herbs, making it perfect for evening spliffs. It has a mildly bitter taste, but when paired with sweet or neutral herbs like chamomile or mullein, it creates a deeply relaxing smoke.
Known for its tension-relieving qualities, skullcap pairs well with stoning strains and is ideal for when you want to switch off and unwind.
- Flavour: mildly bitter, earthy
- Effect: relaxing, soothing
- Burn quality: smooth when properly dried
- Physical properties: medium density
Read more in our skullcap guide.
Recommended blends & pairings
There are no strict rules for herbal spliffs, but these blends show how different herbs work together to enhance flavour, burn, and effects:
Blend | Properties | Best use | |
---|---|---|---|
Smooth & Relaxing (Evening) | chamomile (30%) + lavender (10%) + mullein (60%) | mellow floral taste, steady burn | a relaxing nightcap spliff before bed or when you want to unwind after a long day |
Balanced Buzz | CBD flower (50%) + damiana (20%) + raspberry leaf (30%) | herbal base with a touch of sweetness | daytime or afternoon smoking when you want focus and balance without getting too high |
Fruity & Floral | rose petals (15%) + chamomile (25%) + catnip (60%) | sweet and playful, with a minty finish | social spliffs with friends, creative sessions, or special occasions when you want something fun and unique |
Deep Chill | hops (15%) + skullcap (15%) + mullein (70%) |
earthy and grounding with a slow, even burn | solo nights, deep relaxation, or pairing with a stoning strain for a couch-lock vibe |
Fresh Daytime Smoke | catnip (20%) + CBD flower (40%) + Greengo (40%) |
crisp, minty, and neutral enough to let cannabis flavours shine | a smooth daytime substitute for tobacco joints, perfect for socialising, festivals, or light afternoon sessions |
A better way to smoke: Tobacco-free spliffs
Switching from tobacco to herbs isn’t just healthier; it makes rolling spliffs more creative and the smoke more flavourful. From soothing chamomile to CBD flower, there’s no shortage of options if you’re looking for the best herbal tobacco UK smokers actually recommend.
Experiment with blends, try new ratios, and discover your ideal tobacco replacement joint. You’ll not only ditch nicotine but also unlock a new world of flavours and effects. Ready to explore? Check out our full range of herbs, CBD flower, and rolling accessories.
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