Purple Weed Explained: Cannabis Strains, Terps & More
I remember the first time I grew a purple weed strain. What a blast! That epic feeling when you bring out the dank purple nugs from the bag…
Everybody starts mouth watering just at the mere sight of these babies.
And no, it isn’t just Purple Haze that has you drooling.
The big secret to the amazing purple paradise?
It’s all an entirely natural process determined by plant genetics.
So, who’s in for a sick kick purple weed ride?
Join(t) us below. We’re revealing the secrets of the purple-hued ganja feat—the ultimate purple bud superstars.
Purple Weed: Why Is Some Marijuana This Color?
Purple cannabis strains keep gaining huge affection. Both the flavor and the potent effects are simply one of a kind and effortless to set apart from most strains.
But is this magic all due to the purple coloring?
So, why is some weed purple – WTF causes this color anyways?
In short, it’s because of plant genetics. Yeah, most strains don’t turn purple because they simply lack the purple gene.
Purple marijuana strains are just another insanely good example of the incredible plant intelligence of her Royal Ganja Majesty!
The pigment that causes the green color of weed is the good ol’ chlorophyll.
But purple strains have different compounds in their cells besides chlorophyll.
As highlighted in a 2019 study, the purple coloration results from a defense mechanism that aims to protect the plant.
Purple strains react to cool temperatures by producing a higher level of particular pigments.
These pigments are called anthocyanins.
Psst, these same pigments are widely abundant in berries!
Anthocyanins belong to the family of flavonoids.
Flavonoids are all-natural substances found in a wide variety of fruits, veggies, roots, stems, flowers, tea, wine, tree bark, grains, and, well, you guessed it…Weed!
Not Always Purple
Anthocyanins are not just purple in color. Anthocyanins appear as red pigments in acidic conditions and as blue pigments in alkaline conditions.
Apart from purple strains, anthocyanins give rise to the beloved pink weed strains, like Pink OG Kush.
Anthocyanins are valued for their high antioxidant properties. Yet anthocyanins have nothing to do with the taste and aroma of purple weed strains since these pigments are known to have no flavor.
Terpenes & Purple Pigments In Weed: The Golden Thread!
In nature, it’s cold-weather adapted strains that turn purple.
Ultimately, the purple coloration in cannabis plants plays a function somewhat similar to terpenes.
Praise terpenes! We need an ode to terpenes!
These aromatic molecules give cannabis strains their distinct flavor, and aroma. Also, they yield an array of additional wellness benefits for users, including the selective enhancement of cannabinoid activity.
Above all, terpenes are mighty plant protectors.
Terps repel unwanted visitors from harming the plant while attracting beneficial insects and pollinators.
Similarly, cannabis plants produce higher levels of anthocyanins and ensure the flowers’ well-being.
Purple Weed Secrets Revealed: The Science Of Cannabis Breeding
A key point to keep in mind:
Most purple weed strains found in nature are Indicas, well-known to thrive in harsh climate conditions.
Holy Heavens, for the sweet love of holding a majestical purple Indica bud in your hands, what a blessing!
The potent body high with Indica strains get you glued to the couch in the most blissful, don’t-make-me-move-a-finger-I-am-busy-traveling-galaxies-right-now sort of high.
But nowadays, the purple strains you’ll find on the market are not just the good ol’ Indicas.
Hallelujah, we’ve gone a long way in understanding cannabis plant genetics through selective breeding, my precious bud buddies.
A whole universe resides in the seemingly fragile cannabis seeds.
Thus, ganja breeders are creating many different purple-hued varieties to give us a punch, a purple punch, to be precise.
This gives us plenty of room to experiment with purple weed and find our sweet spot.
Nonetheless, growers can apply another smart trick to trigger the purple marijuana to reveal its full glory.
For example, a purple strain can be intentionally exposed to cold temperatures during the dark cycle.
Also, LED lighting can help to bring out the best purple hues by stimulating the levels of anthocyanins to rise.
Purple Marijuana Exposed: Which Parts Of The Plants Turn Purple?
- Hairs – also known as pistils, the fluffy lil’ hairs can display purple color variations that don’t always last for long. However, with proper drying, some of the purple tones remain intact after the final stages of curing.
- Resin glands – also known as calyxes, these parts of the cannabis plant can also turn purple and express strong, vivid purple coloring.
- Trichomes – these tiny bubbles (aka the biochemical factories of the cannabis plant), can sometimes display purple coloring which is visible at the very end of the trichomes.
- Foliage – the leaves of purple cannabis strains can also grant us a feast of purple nuances in varying levels; sometimes, the entire leaf turns striking, lucid purple; sometimes, only the very base, tips, and/or the edges of the leaves turn purplish.
Purple Weed Flavors
I’ve noticed quite some confusion among ganja users when it comes to purple buds and their savory flavors.
Many people tend to think that their favorite purple bud strain gains its flavor due to the fact it’s purple.
That’s not really the case, though.
Indeed, purple weed strains often share some hints of fruity-grapey-berry thrill on your palate.
Yet ultimately, strains’ flavors depend on the type of terpenes involved, which has nothing to do with purple genetics.
Here are some succulent examples of the best purple weed strains. Let’s start with one of my personal all-time favorites.
Drumrolls, please!
Grandaddy Purple
This was the first purple weed strain I grew in my garden. And oh boy, you can bet I felt like the purple strain Queen ninja pro while admiring this purple Indica masterpiece.
Crafted by the skillful west coast breeders, it’s a legendary cross between Purple Urkle and Big Bud.
Open up a jar of Grandaddy Purple (GDP) buds, and the aroma will immediately envelop the whole room!
Prepare to submerge in a fruity-grapey, sweet flavor symphony with hints of ginger, sharp skunk, and spice.
This delicious blend is due to the complex concerto of terpenes.
Keep in mind that both in purple plants and in “regular” ganja plants alike, terpenes are found in varying amounts.
These amounts depend on marijuana seeds genetics, proper growing, drying, curing, and storage.
Simply put, terpenes are quite volatile.
Currently, experts are exploring new methods to preserve and augment terpenes. At the time of writing, there are over 200 terpenes identified in various cannabis strains!
Knowing the terpenes profile of your favorite weed strains is a real game-changer.
The dominant terpenes found in Granddaddy Purple include:
- Myrcene
- Caryophyllene
- Pinene
- Limonene
- Linalool
Purp Berry
And another jaw-dropping purple weed strains masterpiece: Purple Berry!
Yet another whimsical representative of the purple-colored weed family.
But the flavor and aroma profile offers a unique taste buds ride that has little to do with what other strains can provide.
Even though the berry delightfulness is present, the flavor composition is more complex and not limited solely to berries.
Flavor and aroma profile:
- A multilayered sonata of berry-tinged sweetness, spicy-earthy musk, diesel, and herbal undertones, with delicate notes of sage and peppermint
Dominant terpenes:
- Myrcene
- Pinene
- Terpinolene
- Caryophyllene
- Humulene
- Linalool
Best Purple Weed Strains 2024
Fasten your seatbelts because we’re up to share the most legendary purple strains—no joking around. We’ve got some of the strongest purple strains in here!
1. GDP
Granddaddy Purple is one helluva heavy, full-body-melt Indica strain that never seizes to inspire with its loving, come-mellow-out-with-me-and-chill embrace.
This weed strain is highly valued for pain relief.
It’s a pure joy to see the purple-tinged, fat buds densely covered in sparkling trichomes!
Meanwhile, the plant’s leaves exhibit deep purple coloration, which appears almost black during the flowering phase.
2. Purple Berry
Purple Berry is an Indica-dominant strain with infamous parents: Granddaddy Purple and Blueberry.
The dense flowers are uniformly compact, displaying vibrant lavender hues that beautifully contrast the silvery sheen of the sticky trichomes.
3. Purple Urkle
A well-balanced hybrid with 50% Sativa and 50% Indica genetics, this purple cannabis superstar is a keeper!
Bred in California, this strain is a phenotype of Mendocino purps, deeply cherished for its highly relaxing properties.
Unlike pure Indicas, Purple Urkle plants grow quite tall, covered in multiple gorgeous, middle-sized buds.
You can barely spot the green hues since the flowers are generously coated in a blazing blanket of lavender tones.
Flavor profile:
- A skunky, earthy body gives way to a sweet mix of berries, plum, and fresh grape, with hints of tropical fruits.
Dominant terpenes:
- Terpinolene
- Myrcene
- Pinene
4. Grape Ape
Grape Ape is a hybrid strain created by combining the genetics of not just 2, but 3 incredible strains: Skunk #1, Mendocino Purps, and Afghani Indica.
A strong Indica-dominant hybrid, this purple weed strain is only 10% Sativa. The buds are super tightly bundled, displaying saturated, deep purple color. Most of the purple coloration is prominent on the leaves.
Flavor and aroma profile:
- Juicy grapes dissolving in the sweet embrace of lavender flowers, spices, oak, and that distinct skunk kicking in powerfully
Dominant terpenes:
- Myrcene
- Pinene
- Caryophyllene
- Limonene
5. Purple Kush
Purple Kush is a pure Indica strain born by merging the genetics of Hindu Kush and Purple Afghani.
This California-bred purple marijuana strains starlet is highly valued in the making of potent concentrates such as shatter.
That’s because the buds of this ultimate wind-down strain are super resinous!
The sticky-icky buds display psychedelic-looking hues of purple accentuated by orange pistons.
Flavor profile:
- Earthy-woody body with crisp notes of fruity, sweet grape.
Dominant Terpenes:
- Myrcene
- Pinene
- Caryophyllene
- Limonene
- Linalool
6. Purple Diesel
Purple Diesel is another superstar in the purple strains family, beloved for its energizing effects. Yup, we are dealing with a beautiful hybrid strain here: 70% Sativa and 30% Indica genetics!
It’s a cross between the all-time favorite Sour Diesel and Pre-98 Bubba Kush.
If you are blessed to spot these purple plants during flowering, you’ll never forget it.
The plants display an array of mesmerizing blue, purple, and pink tones. No wonder it’s one of the best purple strains ever!
In case you simply look at a picture of this baby during flowering, you’ll totally think it’s photoshopped!
The buds are super dense and colored in dark purple, with contrasting amber-toned pistils.
Flavor profile:
- Sour, diesel-like aroma amidst a well-pronounced mixture of grapes and berries.
Dominant terpenes:
- Myrcene
- Linalool
- Ocimene
- Pinene
- Limonene
7. Purple Haze
For those who wish to explore the magic of the best purple strains beyond the Indica dominant family, Purple Haze is the real deal!
Named for the popular Jimi Hendrix song, Purple Haze is a Sativa-dominant hybrid (30% Indica and 70% Sativa).
Descending from Haze and Purple Thai parent strains, Purple Haze buds are rather hairy than grainy, exhibiting a combination of orange, green, and dark purple coloration.
Flavor profile:
- Fruity bouquet with a fresh grape body and hints of sugar and spice (and everything nice, if you ask me!)
Dominant terpenes:
- Caryophyllene
- Myrcene
- Humulene
8. Purple Space Cookies
This is a hybrid strain bred on the West Coast of Canada. It’s an Indica-dominant, with 80% Indica VS. 20% Sativa ratios, crafted by crossing Girl Scout Cookies and Durban Poison.
The frosty nugs reveal their alluring, deep lavender-purple colors neatly tucked amidst shining orange hairs.
Flavor profile:
- Delicious berries and grapes, sweet & sugary cookies with hints of nutty spice
Dominant terpenes:
- Caryophyllene
- Pinene
Wrapping Up
Anyone who has tried a purple bud has a whimsical story to share! What about you?
A friend with the best purple weed is a friend indeed!
Enjoy the potent high from the purple super skunk!
