Ever since Jimi Hendrix was 'Actin funny and not knowing why'. Cannabis culture has been fascinated by purple cannabis strains. Jimi was not alone in his love for purple cannabis, and ever since he had Purple Haze all up in his brain, growers have been trying to do the same. At least trying to get some purple all up in there.
Usually, the only colour a plant will display is through its flowers, but a cannabis plant is different. It isn't only the flowers that change colour. The leaves can dramatically vary in colour too. Cannabis plants don't adhere to the same rules as other plants. But why is that? And why do certain cannabis strains turn purple?
Why does cannabis turn purple?
Expert breeders crossbreed strains with purple traits to enhance the chances of breeding a purple strain. Crossbreeding aside, A cannabis plant usually turns purple when there is a presence of anthocyanin. Anthocyanins are flavonoids found mostly in flowers and fruits, and they are the component needed for a plant or flower to exhibit colour changes. Colour changes also occur when cannabis plants stop producing a pigment called chlorophyll. Chlorophyll is what makes plants green, and a plant stops producing it as harvest approaches.
What do flavonoids do?
Some expert breeders suggest that flavonoids enhance a plants resistance to pathogens and mould. They protect plants from potentially damaging ultraviolet rays. Although a plant requires light to produce food, over or under exposure can damage a plants DNA.
Why are some cannabis strains plants more purple than others?
There is a reason some plants are more purple than others or might have a more consistent purple hue. It is that some plants have higher levels of anthocyanin present. The more of it present, the more purple a plant will become. You can spot a cannabis strain with high levels of anthocyanin present by its name. They usually have a colour in the title, like, Pink Lemonade or Super Orange Glue.
Can a temperature change turn cannabis purple?
Yes, and it does. Cannabis plants can turn purple when subjected to extreme changes in temperature. Indoor growers begin to see variations of colour between 20 - 26 degrees. Although, it is common for outdoor growers in northern Europe to experience temperatures lower than 15 degrees.
Can you feed a plant to turn it purple?
Not in a healthy way. If the stems or leaves of your plant are turning purple, it could be a sign that you are over or underfeeding it. Either way, you need to figure out which, and quickly.
Is purple cannabis stronger than regular cannabis?
Purple cannabis doesn't equal potent cannabis. Just because a cannabis strain might be strikingly purple, it doesn't mean it will be stronger than any other cannabis strain. Some purple cannabis varieties have high levels of THC, and some have low levels of THC. As you're about to see in the list below, THC content varies from strain to strain.
Granddaddy Purple - Granddaddy Genetics
In this case, purple does equal potent. Grandaddy Purple is a high yielder with high THC levels and one of the most famous purple cannabis strains on the market. Many breeders have tried to imitate it without success. GDP is known for producing unusually dense flowers and a spectacular colour scheme, which makes GDP unmistakable.
Sweet PurpleOut of stock
Sweet Purple - Paradise Seeds
Sweet Purple by name, sweet purple by nature, this purple variety is a vigours plant made for cold, wet environments. The resilient purple nature of Sweet Purple is evident in her resistance to mould, and her sweetness becomes apparent once harvested. The potency of this strain, like many others, varies from plant to plant. But due to its apparent quality, Sweet Purple is popular in places like the U.K. and Denmark.
Purple Kush - Kannabia
Purple Kush, if grown right, will flourish with purples and greens. This one is mostly Indica, which you will notice from the relaxing high that follows Purple Kush. On the growing side of things, Purple Kush has an overall purple tone, and the flowers are especially purple and resinous. The breeder advises that this strain will grow well with little attention or need to add fertilisers.
Purple OG Punch - Super Sativa Seeds Club
These guys are legends of cannabis breeding, and they've returned to the scene with an implosion of quality cannabis strains. And as you would expect from such expert breeders, they have added a purple variety to their lineup. The frosty and resinous Purple OG punch is a crossbreed of Larry OG and the famous Granddaddy Purple. She delivers stunning crystal coated flowers and a terpene profile with an impressive sweet berry aroma.
Purple Haze - White label
Many breeders have been trying to kiss the sky with this subtly sweet haze. The plant develops darker green flowers, not purple ones, but towards the end of the flowering period, the leaves and stems turn lavender or violet. It is darker than most Sativa cannabis strains, and if subjected to low temperatures while growing, it may develop more prominent purple traits. Is this why it's called Purple Haze?