Purple Weed – Expanding on the Prettiness of Purps

Many factors contribute to the appeal of the beautiful substance that is cannabis, including flavour, effects, and, of course, aesthetics, with purple weed quickly rising in popularity due to its stunning appearance.

Weed comes in all sorts of colours, shapes and smells. Each strain contains its unique combination of cannabinoids and terpenes, including CBD vs THC and other lesser-known components, such as CBN and CBG. 

In terms of colour, it can range anywhere from dark green to orange and, in this case, purple.

While many users seek it out solely for its looks alone, purple weed is more than just a pretty face.

That said, is there more to purple weed than meets the eye? What makes it purple? Are there any differences or advantages to purple weed as opposed to other colours?

Rest assured. We will answer all your questions. Today, we are sharing with you all you need to know about purple weed.

So strap in because there’s a lot to learn!

What is Purple Weed?

Purple weed, also known as purple cannabis or its affectionate colloquial name, ‘purps,’ is what you might imagine it to be. It is a type of weed that features pops of purple colouring in some way.

While most purple weed also contains many green and other hues, purple is often the dominant colour that catches many tokers’ eyes. In some cases, the purple tones can even appear so dark that they almost look black.

While many may be under the impression that all purple weed strains are Indicas, this is a common misconception and not necessarily the case. Whether or not a cannabis plant is a Sativa or an Indica is heavily dependent on growing technique and environment.

While Indicas and Sativas have different appearances, with Indicas being shorter and bushier and Sativas more tall and slender, they both can produce purple buds.

So then why are some strains green or orange while others are purple strains? We’ve got that answer for you!

What Causes Weed to Turn Purple?

While you may think there are potentially hidden secret benefits or effects for smoking purple weed, the colour has no impact or correlation with cannabinoids or terpenes within the cannabis plant.

Instead, purple cannabis strains are a result of molecules called anthocyanins. Anthocyanins are water-soluble pigments that cause plants to appear purple, red, green, or blue. They are present in all plants, including cannabis, as well as fruits and vegetables.

The primary purpose of anthocyanins is to protect plant cells from outside light and UV radiation damage. They are also a type of flavonoids.

However, outside of their principal function, research also indicates that anthocyanins possess healing properties, including antimicrobial, antioxidative, and anti-inflammatory effects. They have also been shown to preserve cardiovascular health.

In terms of what causes specific plants to turn purple, growing techniques and conditions play a significant role. 

For example, the soil environment has a particularly notable impact. Soil pH is a strong determining factor for the production of anthocyanins, as are other elements, such as temperature and lighting.

However, there are still more factors to consider. Even with ideal soil and growing conditions, not all strains will turn purple. They must be functionally able to do so. What’s more, the ones that can require very particular growing conditions.

It takes a lot of time, dedication and consideration to create the right conditions, but it’s well worth producing beautiful buds. 

There are ways to increase anthocyanins production, with one of the most prominent being using shorter wavelengths, specifically for blue and UV lights, when growing.

The next time you’re sparking up a J of your favourite purple cannabis, take a minute to consider and appreciate the time and effort it took to create. It’s also an excellent indicator that the bud you’re smoking received a lot of attention, which speaks to its overall quality.

Examples of Purple Weed Strains

As we said before, your bud’s overall colour does not directly impact its quality or potency. However, there are undoubtedly specific varieties of weed that are famous specifically for being purple strains.

It is also important to note that different genetically able strains that produce purple hues can still vary significantly in appearance, with some having more purple than others.

For example, while some purple strains may appear so dark that they almost look black, others will be dominantly green with small purple pops around the buds’ edges.

This colour variation is a result of the different levels of anthocyanins present in each strain.

That said, below are some delectable examples of purple weed strains.

Purple Haze

If you’ve heard of Jimi Hendrix, then you likely already know about Purple Haze. Made famous by Hendrix and his psychedelic music, this strain is known for delivering a rush of euphoria and a powerful head high.

Purple Haze is a Sativa-dominant strain with strong cerebral effects that is ideal for blazers looking for a boost of energy and creativity along with an elevated, uplifting effect.

With an elegant mix of sweet and earthy flavours accentuated with hints of berry and spice, it’s no wonder why Purple Haze is such a favoured purple marijuana strain.

Purple Kush

A cross-breed of Hindu Kush and Purple Afghani, Purple Kush is a widely popular Indica strain of purple weed noted for its subtle, earthy aroma with sweet overtones, typical of Kush varieties.

Purple Kush is excellent for helping with pain, insomnia, and stress, supplying blissful, long-lasting euphoria beautifully coupled with physically relaxing properties.

Ideal for a chill night in to relax and unwind, this strain’s claim to fame is undisputed.

Granddaddy Purple

A California staple, Granddaddy Purple is renowned for its complex grape and berry aroma inherited from its parent strain, Purple Urkle. In contrast, its other parent strain, Big Bud, supplies an oversized, compact bud structure.

This strain’s flowers bloom with stunning shades of deep purple while providing potent psychoactive effects for both the mind and body for a perfect combination of cerebral euphoria and physical relaxation.

Indicative of Indica-heavy strains, many tokers reach for Granddaddy Purple to help alleviate pain, stress, appetite loss, and insomnia, making it a purple bud that is as beautiful as it is functional.

Purple Weed – More Than Meets the Eye

Aside from its healing benefits and enticing physical and cerebral effects, cannabis in itself is a beautiful plant, with purple cannabis, in particular, being incredibly stunning.

That said, if you are of the impression that purple weed possesses higher quality or potency, you’re out of luck. It isn’t to say that purple bud isn’t amazing, because it is, but in terms of unique effects, its appearance has no impact.

However, its anthocyanins concentration may help with certain conditions by providing relief for inflammation while also containing antimicrobial and antioxidant properties.

As always, be sure that the weed you’re purchasing comes from a reputable and trustworthy dispensary to ensure the highest quality. With purple bud, in particular, a lot of attention to detail is implemented to produce the best yields.

Purchasing from a reliable dispensary is the best way to make sure you receive the best product.

If you haven’t already and are looking to try something new, we would highly recommend giving purple weed a try, with Purple Kush, Purple Haze and Granddaddy Purple being some of our top choices.

The wonderful world of weed is full of opportunity and vast in variety. Why not take the time to explore and experiment with some purple bud?

Happy toking!