Ever wondered if purple strain buds taste as grape-like as they look? Most of them certainly do. After cultivating these violet crops, cannabis connoisseurs feel some sense of supremacy as they take out a bag of purple nugs among peers.
With their shimmering trichomes and striking amber pistils, the traditional green crops are already a sight to behold. Add purple weed strains to that, and watch your growing space light up with sheer devotion, creativity, magic, and pride.
That's right! The significance of the color purple coincidently works well with the way cultivators feel when they look at these beauties.
But does cannabis inherently grow into purple crops, or do they turn this color during growth due to other reasons? Read on and learn how to add royalty to your garden by loading that seed stash with the best purple weed strains.
Let's go!
The rising popularity of purple cannabis strains
Purple strains of weed have been captivating the attention of aficionados for decades. They weren't always easily attainable. Due to their rarity, they were slightly more expensive than the traditional bags of green making them a bit unpopular.
Since the cannabis industry started easing up legalities, growers find it easier to nurture these cultivars. Breeders also comfortably create new purple variants, increasing the availability and growing their niche in the cannabis market.
Legendary cultivars are crossed with purple strains to create the much-loved and popular ones you're eager to get your hands on. It allows for the availability of different variants too. While these violet-looking crops are mostly indica leaning, you'll be happy to know that purple sativa strains are also available.
Their attractive features stand out in a growing space by emphasizing the beauty of their main colas and foliage. Imagine frosty-looking buds surrounded by vivid orange pistils and hues of light to deep purple or blue colors.
There are many purple cultivars available on the market today. As clear indicators, most purple weed strain names have the word "purple' in them. Some of them don't, like the one below:
Strain name |
Phenotype and flowering |
THC/CBD |
Flavors and aromas |
Effects |
Yields |
LSD Genetics: Mazar Sharif x Skunk #1 |
Indica Seven Weeks of flowering |
THC:1–24% CBD: Less than 2% |
Sweet, earthy, skunk |
Euphoric, happiness, pain-relieving relaxation |
Indoor: 21 oz./m² Outdoor: 21 oz./plant |
What makes weed purple?
Contrary to belief, as majestic as your garden may seem with rows of all purple weed strains, there are no mystical violet sprinkles for cannabis crops.
Besides creating an unpleasant experience for your plants to turn them purple, the DIY remedies cause more harm than good. The easiest and safest way to get plum hues is to choose seeds with purple genetics.
For years the only way to grow purple strains was to expose marijuana plants to long periods of cold temperatures.
Thanks to improved breeding patterns, cultivators have the luxury of buying cannabis seeds that naturally possess anthocyanin pigments. These tints react to pH in their environment and change parts of the plant purple.
Anthocyanin turns marijuana into different colors. Depending on the lineage of the cultivar, the antioxidants enhance light violet shades or deepen the color of dark purple weed strains.
Parts of the plant that turns purple during flowering due to genetics:
- The pistils: Usually, they're amber, but during flowering, they change purple.
- The calyx: The resin glands or buds hold deep purple colors.
- Foliage: Certain leaves fully turn purple while others only at the base or the edges of the leaf.
- Trichomes: At times, the tips of the trichomes change their color.
Are purple weed strains better than green cultivars? In terms of their dazzling appearance, yes! The availability of anthocyanins also adds extra benefits since it contains antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
The anti-inflammatory properties are only beneficial to consumers in edibles and not when lighting up a blunt filled with buds from purple strains.
Naturally, it's normal to imagine sweet, grape-like scents and flavors when you think of purple. While these flavonoids are present, the terpene profile of strains with purple buds also contains lavender, herbal even skunky garlic notes.
The effects and growing qualities depend on the genetics of the parents. Purple indica strains provide relaxing effects, while sativa variants, like Purple Haze, provide uplifting experiences.
Enhancing the colors of your crops is possible but not necessarily recommended since it poses threats to growth patterns. We must cover some truths and myths around "do's" and "don'ts" to ensure that you always provide your crops with the best care.
Truths - Do’s |
Myths - Don'ts |
Choose strains that naturally grow into purple crops. |
Depriving your crops of nutrients won't change their color. It damages the plant and inevitably kills it off. |
Marijuana plants change to purple when exposed to cold temperatures. It’s true but isn't entirely beneficial to the crops. The cold breaks down chlorophyll in the leaves, allowing anthocyanins to increase. It’s only suitable for cultivars that are able to grow in colder temperatures. |
The color of cannabis changes when you freeze it. Don’t freeze your plants—they’ll die. |
The pH levels affect the color of purple strains. Anthocyanins react well to neutralize pH levels. It’s vital to be wary of your strains’ requirements. |
Don’t dye your plants with purple food coloring. It’s harmful to the crops and if they survive, the buds aren't safe to consume. |
Manually changing the color of your crops is harmful. It's best to be knowledgeable about the best purple strains. This way, you're guaranteed to raise violet beauties without having to stress out the plants.
The 7 best purple weed strains
Time to find the best purple weed strains on the 420 scene. Below we'll summarize some of the best purple strains of 2021 and 2022.
Grape Ape
Combining the powerful genetics of Afghani, Mendocino Purps, and Skunk #1 gave rise to Grape Ape feminized. Filling every growing space with their sharp green colas and violet-colored leaves when grown in lower temperatures.
Raising these purple indica strains is best suited to experienced cultivators as it has particular growing needs. The crops thrive in a greenhouse set up where they can do all the lateral stretching they need under the sun's natural influence.
Puff on the buds from these purple weed strains for a euphoric buzz and relaxed body stone. The effects creep in slowly, allowing you to delve into elated limb-numbing laziness. Couch lock is on the cards, so save these purps for a late evening sesh.
Flowering |
Yields |
Flavors/aromas |
THC |
Effects |
6–8 weeks |
Indoors: 18 oz./m² Outdoors: 25 oz./plant |
Profound grape candy notes with subtle tones of skunk, musk, and hash |
15–25% |
Cerebral stimulation and tension relieving body relaxation |
Purple Haze
Purple Haze feminized is considered one of the best purple weed strains in the 420 community. Besides the famed "Jimi Hendrix" label it flaunts, the exceptional qualities are thanks to the lineage of Haze and Purple Thai.
A true socialite in the cannabis garden with displays of violet hues adorning the crops. This sativa stands out from the rest with its easy-to-grow qualities.
If you're looking for a purple strain to share with peers for a good day or night of fun and laughter, this Haze is for you. The potent effects kick in instantly, leaving you in a blissful mind.
Flowering |
Yields |
Flavors/aromas |
THC |
Effects |
9–11 weeks |
Indoors: 21 oz./m² Outdoors: 25 oz./plant |
Infusions of sweet topical berries, woody incense, and earthy metallic notes |
14–18% |
Cerebral and physical euphoria |
Mendocino Purple Kush
With genetics from Mendocino Purple and Purple Kush, it's only natural that Mendicino Purple Kush (also known as Mendocino Purps) is a pure purple strain. Unlike most violet cultivars, this one doesn't exert any grape flavors or aromas.
After two to three weeks of flowering, you'll notice the fascinating display of the purplest, trichome-coated buds. These purple indica strains prefer outdoor growing, even though it thrives in controlled environments too.
Mendocino Purps is beginner-friendly with relatively easy growing traits. The bushy structure requires regular topping and trimming, which encourages more bud sites, ultimately leading to larger yields.
This purple weed strain sets you off on a mental buzz before leading you into a full-body calm that eventually has you seeking the bed. An ideal after-work puff when all you need is to brush off the day's rush.
Flowering |
Yields |
Flavors/aromas |
THC |
Effects |
8–9 weeks |
Indoors: 16 oz./m² Outdoors: 21 oz./plant |
Delectable sweet, earthy, woody overtones accompany the citrus notes |
16–23% |
Cerebral stimulation followed by physical relaxation |
Rainbow Kush
Rainbow Kush seeds produce the most colorful crops. Crossing sativa heavy Dancehall with indica dominant Blueberry created a purple weed strain with exceptional qualities.
A pot of gold holds these rainbow buds with their sharp blends of purple, dark green, and striking orange pistils.
Uniquely designed cannabis seeds to provide growers and consumers with exactly what they're looking for in purple strains of weed. The cultivating is easy, the smoke is smooth, and it delivers pleasant effects that aid pain relief.
This fast-flowering hybrid grows well indoors in a Sea of Green—or shall we say Sea of Purple—setup. Due to its short, sturdy structure and vertical growing traits, it's easy to apply this low-stress training technique to optimize space and increase yield production.
Feel free to puff on these purple strain buds any time of the day. Mental euphoria coupled with body-calming effects encourages overall blissful sensations.
Flowering |
Yields |
Flavors/aromas |
THC |
Effects |
8–10 weeks |
Indoors: 16 oz./m² Outdoors: 18 oz./plant |
Blends of spice, sweet tropical fruit, and undertones of pineapple and apricot |
17–22% |
Creative high without the heavy sedation, pain relief |
Granddaddy Purple
Crossing much-respected cultivars like Purple Urkle and Big Bud brought about one of the best purple weed strains—Granddaddy Purple feminized—also known as Granddaddy Purps.
One of the most popular purple strains you'll ever encounter, with its exceptional growing capabilities, big dark plum buds, and powerful effects.
Growers new to the cultivating scene enjoy raising these indica-dominant crops. Besides the additional mounting needed to support the heavy colas, they require little attention.
A mixture of flavorsome treats decks the senses with each puff. The euphoric sensations experienced take you on a trip around purple haven before sweeping you off your feet. The ultimate purple strain to enjoy with friends before a group movie night at home.
Flowering |
Yields |
Flavors/aromas |
THC |
Effects |
9–10 weeks |
Indoors: 18 oz./m² Outdoors: 21 oz./plant |
Sweet, fruity, grape, berry, herbal notes, citrus, and pine |
15–19% |
Powerful yet balanced effects between cerebral euphoria and physical relaxation |
Blackwater Purple OG Cheese
Mendocino Purps, San Fernando Valley OG Kush, and Cheese created this outstanding indica hybrid. Blackwater Purple OG Cheese feminized is an exceptional purple weed strain ideal for recreational and medicinal toking.
The crops grow bushy on strong stalks that hold up the heavy colas that are covered in frosty buds and surrounded by dark green foliage.
Exposing these purple strains of weed to colder environments enhances the plum colors of the crops.
Every flavorsome inhale opens the flood gates to a stimulating mood and physical relaxation, making it a perfect cultivar to delve into before bedtime.
Flowering |
Yields |
Flavors/aromas |
THC |
Effects |
8–10 weeks |
Indoors: 18 oz./m² Outdoors: 21 oz./plant |
Berry, cheese, earth, sweet, pine, woody |
16–18% |
Euphoric, happy, hungry, relaxed and sleepy |
Purple Urkle
Being a descendant of Mendocino Purps assures an all-rounder purple strain experience. Purple Urkle cannabis seeds light up any growing space with frosty, violet-looking colas.
They’re best cared for by seasoned growers due to the plant's nutrient-hungry traits and particular cultivating requirements.
Lighting up these purple buds leaves you in awe as your senses enjoy the sweet infusions before that first puff. These grape flavors and aromas exhilarate the blissful, calming effects experienced. An ideal purple weed strain to tap into after a long tiring day.
Flowering |
Yields |
Flavors/aromas |
THC |
Effects |
8 weeks |
Indoors: 16 oz./m² Outdoors: 21 oz./plant |
Berry, grape, earthy and skunky notes |
10–14% |
Relaxing, happy calming body stone |
Purple Kush genetics
Purple Kush is a 100% indica cultivar born and bred in Oakland, California. By crossing the exceptional genetics of Hindu Kush and Purple Afghani, breeders created purple weed strain seeds that parent many other cultivars.
Hindu Kush is a landrace classic to the mountainous regions of Pakistan and Afghanistan. Its excessive trichome production on the cola keeps hash lovers coming back for more.
Purple Afghani is a resilient and easy plant to grow. This purple Indica strain possesses dark green foliage that turns purple during flowering.
Both parents add to the potent effects experienced when puffing on the violet buds of Purple Kush.
Plum picking from cannabis colas
Purple weed strains are the most glamorous cannabis crops to look at. They're not better than traditional green plants, but you have to admit that they steal the attention in a growing space.
Thanks to growth in the cannabis industry, breeders made it possible for consumers to have varieties of weed strains that are purple.
As much as we'd like to turn our green beauties into purple strains, have faith in nature and buy cannabis seeds that possess violet hues. Your options are broader today than they were years ago.
Now that you know the safest way to get your green fingers dusty with the best purple weed strains of 2022, browse through reputable seedbanks like Seed Supreme.