Purple cannabis strains hold a special place in cannabis culture. Known for their captivating purple hues, these strains provide more than just aesthetic appeal—they deliver distinct flavors and experiences that set them apart. But what gives purple strains their vibrant colors? And which are the most popular varieties worth trying? Read on to discover the world of purple weed strains.
What Makes Purple Strains Unique?
The iconic coloration of purple cannabis strains is primarily due to anthocyanins, a type of flavonoid that produces shades of purple, blue, and red in plants. These pigments become more pronounced in cooler temperatures during the flowering stage. While environmental factors play a role, genetics largely determine whether a strain exhibits these striking hues.
Beyond their visual allure, purple strains are celebrated for their unique flavor profiles. Many feature sweet, fruity notes with earthy undertones, creating a delightful sensory experience for cannabis enthusiasts.
These strains are often indica-dominant, known for their relaxing and soothing effects. However, sativa-dominant purple varieties are also available, offering uplifting and energizing effects. This diversity makes purple strains a favorite for both recreational and medicinal users.
Popular Purple Weed Strains
Granddaddy Purple (GDP)
- Lineage: Purple Urkle x Big Bud
Granddaddy Purple is a legendary indica-dominant hybrid cherished for its sweet grape and berry flavors, complemented by subtle earthy undertones. With THC levels reaching up to 27%, this strain delivers profound relaxation and euphoria, making it an excellent choice for evening use. Its dense purple buds adorned with bright orange hairs and a frosty coating of trichomes have solidified its status as a favorite among cannabis connoisseurs.
Purple Kush
- Lineage: Hindu Kush x Purple Afghani
Purple Kush is a pure indica strain renowned for its potent sedative effects, making it perfect for alleviating insomnia and chronic pain. THC levels typically range between 17% and 22%. The strain offers a rich, earthy flavor with a hint of sweetness, enhanced by a terpene profile dominated by myrcene, caryophyllene, and pinene. Its vibrant purple buds coated in sparkling trichomes are both visually striking and therapeutically effective.
Purple Haze
- Lineage: Haze x Purple Thai
Purple Haze is a sativa-dominant hybrid celebrated for its uplifting and energizing effects. With THC levels ranging from 16% to 20%, it’s ideal for sparking creativity or enjoying social activities. The strain features sweet, fruity notes with subtle spicy undertones. Terpenes like terpinolene and limonene enhance its focus-boosting and mood-lifting qualities, making it a delightful choice for daytime use.
Purple Urkle
- Lineage: Mendocino Purps (phenotype)
Purple Urkle is an indica-dominant strain loved for its deeply relaxing effects and rich, sweet berry flavors. With THC levels reaching up to 24%, it’s a great choice for easing tension and stress at the end of the day. Myrcene and pinene dominate its terpene profile, enhancing its calming and sedative qualities. The buds, dense and coated in vibrant purple with fiery orange hairs, are a visual standout and perfect for evening relaxation.
Ayahuasca Purple
- Lineage: Master Kush x Red River Delta
Ayahuasca Purple is a balanced hybrid strain with THC levels ranging between 18% and 21%. Known for its combination of physical relaxation and mental clarity, this strain is versatile enough for both daytime and nighttime use. Its earthy, sweet flavors, accented by subtle berry undertones, make it a treat for the senses. The terpenes myrcene and limonene enhance both its calming and slightly uplifting effects.
Purple Trainwreck
- Lineage: Mendocino Purps x Trainwreck
Purple Trainwreck is a hybrid that balances invigorating and soothing effects, with THC levels between 17% and 22%. Its high begins with a burst of cerebral energy and gradually transitions to a relaxed state, making it a great option for all-day use. Featuring sweet and spicy flavors, this strain’s terpene profile includes caryophyllene and myrcene, which contribute to its stress-relieving and focus-enhancing properties.
Purple Diesel
- Lineage: Sour Diesel x Purple Kush
Purple Diesel is a lively hybrid strain boasting THC levels of up to 23%. It delivers a euphoric and creative high that’s ideal for social settings or creative tasks. The flavor profile blends bold diesel notes with hints of sweet berries. Limonene and caryophyllene terpenes complement the strain’s uplifting effects, making it both energizing and stress-relieving.
Grape Skunk
- Lineage: Blueberry x Super Skunk x Grapefruit
Grape Skunk is a hybrid strain with THC levels ranging from 18% to 22%. Its sweet grape aroma and subtle skunky undertones provide a pleasant mix of euphoria and relaxation. Dominant terpenes such as myrcene and caryophyllene enhance its calming yet uplifting effects, making it a versatile strain suitable for both daytime and evening use.
Purple Afghani
- Lineage: Purple Kush x Afghani
Purple Afghani is a pure indica known for its deeply calming effects and earthy, sweet flavors. With THC levels between 17% and 20%, this strain is perfect for winding down after a long day. Its terpene profile, featuring myrcene and caryophyllene, supports relaxation and stress relief, making it a go-to choice for nighttime use.
Purple Hindu Kush
- Lineage: Hindu Kush x Purple Afghani
Purple Hindu Kush is a potent indica with THC levels ranging from 20% to 24%. Known for its earthy and slightly sweet flavor profile, this strain delivers strong relaxation and stress-relief, making it ideal for nighttime use. Myrcene and caryophyllene terpenes enhance its ability to promote a sense of calm and ease.
Purple Punch
- Lineage: Larry OG x Granddaddy Purple
Purple Punch is an indica-dominant hybrid cherished for its dessert-like flavors of berries and grapes. With THC levels between 18% and 20%, it provides a deeply relaxing experience perfect for unwinding after a busy day. Dominant terpenes such as caryophyllene and limonene enhance its calming effects, making it a favorite for evening relaxation.
Purple Zlushie
- Lineage: Sweet D Purple x Slushberry
Purple Zlushie is a hybrid strain with THC levels ranging from 18% to 23%. Its flavor profile bursts with fruity and berry notes, offering a sweet and refreshing experience. Limonene and myrcene terpenes contribute to a balanced combination of euphoria and relaxation, making this strain perfect for stress relief and creative exploration.
Purple Runtz
- Lineage: Gelato #33 x Zkittlez
Purple Runtz is a balanced hybrid with THC levels between 19% and 23%. Known for its creamy, fruity flavors, this strain delivers a euphoric high that combines happiness with calm relaxation. Its terpene profile, dominated by limonene and linalool, enhances both its uplifting and soothing qualities, making it versatile for day or night use.
What Weed Strains Are Purple?
Cannabis genetics play a significant role in determining a strain’s characteristics, from its color and flavor to its effects. A cultivar is a specific cannabis variety bred selectively for unique traits. While many cannabis cultivars naturally develop purple hues due to anthocyanins, not every cultivar with “purple” in its name will display this vibrant coloring, and not all purple-hued strains include “purple” in their name.
Factors like THC content, terpene profiles, and lineage also define a strain’s effects, aroma, and taste. Terpenes such as myrcene, limonene, and caryophyllene add depth to a strain’s flavor while enhancing effects like relaxation, creativity, or euphoria.
The development of purple hues in cannabis is influenced by environmental conditions, nutrient availability, and cultivation techniques. For instance, specific phenotypes or growing environments may encourage purple buds, while others from the same strain may not show these colors.
In addition, cooler temperatures during the flowering stage often enhance anthocyanin expression, creating more vivid purples. Growers can manipulate environmental factors, such as light exposure and temperature, to amplify these colors. However, results may vary, as not all plants respond equally to these conditions, even within the same genetic lineage.
This variability highlights the complexity of cannabis cultivation. While some genetic lines are renowned for producing purple strains, it’s not a guarantee that every plant in that line will showcase the same traits.
Purple Cannabis Concentrates and Purple Rosin
Purple strains are not just captivating as flowers; they also transform beautifully into cannabis concentrates. Concentrates like rosin and live rosin extracted from purple-tinged flowers showcase vibrant shades of purple, a result of the anthocyanins naturally occurring in these plants.
These concentrates do more than look appealing; they carry over the same terpene profiles that make their source flowers highly sought after. The fruity, sweet, and sometimes earthy flavor notes of purple strains are intensified in concentrate form, offering an enhanced sensory experience that is both aromatic and flavorful.
The extraction process, particularly for live rosin—which uses fresh-frozen cannabis—helps to preserve the strain’s pigments and terpenes. The result is a concentrate that mirrors the essence of the original purple strain, delivering powerful effects alongside its distinct flavors. Many consumers find that purple concentrates elevate their overall experience, offering both potency and the signature taste profiles of these unique strains.
Effects of Purple Cannabis Strains
The appeal of purple strains goes beyond their striking appearance; they offer a diverse range of effects to suit various preferences. Indica-dominant strains like Granddaddy Purple and Purple Kush are renowned for their deeply relaxing and sedative effects. Meanwhile, sativa-dominant strains such as Purple Haze are prized for their ability to boost creativity and enhance mood, making them a favorite for social occasions or artistic pursuits.
Purple Strains and Cannabis Culture
Purple strains hold a special place in cannabis culture, influencing everything from music to fashion. Iconic songs like Jimi Hendrix’s “Purple Haze” and A$AP Rocky’s “Purple Swag” celebrate the allure of purple cannabis and its unique vibe. Tracks such as “Purple Kush” by Curren$y and “Purple City” by Cam’ron also showcase the strong connection between purple strains and cannabis enthusiasts.
In films like Pineapple Express, cannabis culture and camaraderie are often depicted, adding to the mystique surrounding purple strains. Beyond entertainment, these strains have also inspired fashion trends, with many fans sporting purple clothing or accessories as a nod to their favorite varieties. This intersection of creativity, culture, and personal expression highlights the significant role of purple cannabis in the broader community.
Light Deprivation and Purple Weed Strains
Light deprivation is a cultivation method that some growers use to enhance the purple hues in cannabis strains. By carefully managing the amount of light plants receive, growers can mimic seasonal changes that promote flowering and encourage anthocyanin production—the pigments responsible for the vibrant purple coloration.
This technique also accelerates the flowering cycle, allowing for multiple harvests in a single year. Outdoor growers, in particular, benefit from light deprivation, as it helps them control natural light cycles more effectively. By limiting light exposure with dark tarps or similar coverings during specific hours, growers induce stress in the plants, triggering an increase in anthocyanin levels and deepening the purple tones.
Some cultivators combine light deprivation with temperature control, as cooler nighttime temperatures can intensify the pigmentation further. This combination not only produces visually stunning buds but also preserves terpene profiles, leading to rich flavor and aroma—qualities that make purple strains highly desirable.
While light deprivation techniques enhance the aesthetic and flavor aspects of cannabis, they are not without controversy. Some growers argue that these methods can compromise plant health or quality, raising questions about the balance between aesthetics and overall cannabis integrity.
Choosing the Best Purple Cannabis Strains
Selecting the ideal purple strain depends on your preferences and desired effects. Consider factors like flavor, THC content, and terpene profiles when making your choice. Terpenes such as myrcene, known for its relaxing properties, or limonene, which provides an uplifting boost, can significantly shape the experience.
For instance, Purple Punch offers sweet and fruity notes, while Purple Kush brings earthy undertones. If you’re looking for a more energizing option, Purple Haze delivers uplifting and creative effects. Understanding these nuances can help you find the strain that aligns with your needs.
Sourcing also matters—strains grown organically or sustainably often deliver a cleaner experience. By choosing reputable growers or dispensaries, you can ensure you’re purchasing high-quality cannabis that meets your expectations.
Keep in mind that the “best” strain is subjective, influenced by your body chemistry, tolerance, and personal preferences. Experimenting with different strains can help you discover what works best for you.
Discover the World of Purple Cannabis
Purple cannabis strains are much more than visually appealing—they offer a rich blend of flavors and effects that cater to diverse tastes. It’s no wonder that some of the most beloved strains in cannabis history are purple. Explore our wide variety of strains and products featuring purple cannabis. Visit one of our dispensaries to browse our selection or order online for convenient pickup or delivery today.