The Most Popular Purple Weed Strains You Need to Try
Purple cannabis strains have become iconic thanks to their eye-catching hues, rich cultivation history, and loyal community following. From legendary genetics to newer hybrids, purple weed has a legacy rooted in both culture and craft.
Whether you're drawn to these strains for their visual appeal or curious about their genetics and cultivation methods, here's everything you need to know about the most popular purple cannabis strains and what makes them so sought-after.
What Makes Purple Strains Unique?
The vivid purple coloration in cannabis is the result of anthocyanins—flavonoid pigments that appear in plants under specific environmental and genetic conditions. These compounds can turn cannabis flowers shades of purple, blue, or even deep violet, especially when exposed to cooler temperatures late in the flowering cycle.
While the striking appearance sets these strains apart, they also tend to feature unique terpene expressions that cannabis consumers find memorable. Many well-known purple strains carry terpenes like myrcene, caryophyllene, and limonene, contributing to their distinctive aroma and taste profiles.
Most Popular Purple Cannabis Strains
Granddaddy Purple (GDP)
Lineage: Purple Urkle x Big Bud
A staple among purple cultivars, Granddaddy Purple has built a reputation for dense buds rich in dark violet hues and a robust terpene profile. Often recognized for its legacy in California cultivation, this indica-leaning hybrid is a classic choice among purple strain enthusiasts.
Purple Kush
Lineage: Hindu Kush x Purple Afghani
This landrace-inspired indica strain is recognized for its deep coloration and earthy terpene profile. Purple Kush became popular through its long-standing presence in the NorCal scene and is often featured in home grow projects for its coloration potential.
Purple Haze
Lineage: Haze x Purple Thai
A sativa-forward purple strain that rose to fame during the 1960s and 70s. While the name might bring Jimi Hendrix to mind, Purple Haze also represents a historical cross that blends tropical and high-elevation genetics with vibrant hues and bright, citrus-forward aromas.
Purple Urkle
Lineage: Mendocino Purps (phenotype)
Born out of Northern California's Emerald Triangle, Purple Urkle is revered not just for its bold coloring, but also for its complex terpene layers. It's often described as the genetic anchor behind several other popular purples.
Ayahuasca Purple
Lineage: Master Kush x Red River Delta
With balanced hybrid traits and unique coloration, Ayahuasca Purple has gained attention from growers seeking genetics that deliver in both garden appeal and cannabinoid potential. It often displays both purple and red hues.
Purple Trainwreck
Lineage: Mendocino Purps x Trainwreck
Merging NorCal classics, this hybrid balances floral aroma with gassy undertones and offers a unique expression of purple coloration. Growers favor it for its resilient structure and regional adaptability.
Purple Diesel
Lineage: Sour Diesel x Purple Kush
This hybrid brings together two fan favorites. Purple Diesel typically develops darker flower clusters, especially when grown under cooler night conditions, and it often exhibits gassy and berry-like terpenes.
Grape Skunk
Lineage: Blueberry x Super Skunk x Grapefruit
A flavorful cross that leans toward deep purples with resin-heavy buds. It bridges old-school skunk lineage with more modern, berry-forward cultivars.
Purple Afghani
Lineage: Purple Kush x Afghani
A pure indica phenotype that's known for its compact growth and bold, resinous buds. Purple Afghani often displays high trichome density and can show rich violet hues in its late flowering phase.
Purple Hindu Kush
Lineage: Hindu Kush x Purple Afghani
Another pure indica cultivar that thrives in cooler climates. It reflects classic Afghan genetics with rich earth tones and dense purple buds.
Purple Punch
Lineage: Larry OG x Granddaddy Purple
An indica-dominant hybrid that brings dessert-like aroma notes into the purple strain category. Purple Punch has become a go-to option for extract artists and consumers alike.
Purple Zlushie
Lineage: Sweet D Purple x Slushberry
A modern hybrid with vibrant pigmentation and dynamic trichome production. Its terpene profile often expresses fruity and gassy undertones.
Purple Runtz
Lineage: Gelato #33 x Zkittlez
Combining two of the most celebrated strains in recent memory, Purple Runtz is a balanced hybrid that has quickly become a standout in both flower and concentrate form.
Why Some Cannabis Strains Turn Purple
The expression of purple hues is a complex interplay of genetics, temperature, light exposure, and nutrient conditions. Here’s what drives the coloration:
- Anthocyanins: These are naturally occurring flavonoids in cannabis that produce purple pigments.
- Temperature: Colder night temperatures late in the flowering cycle can encourage anthocyanin development.
- Genetics: Strains bred for color often express their purple traits more readily, though not every plant in a batch will do so.
- Phenotype Variation: Even within the same strain, some phenos may express purple hues while others remain green.
Not every cannabis plant with “purple” in its name will display purple buds, and not all purple-colored plants will have “purple” in their name. Visual traits can vary significantly based on how a strain is grown.
Purple Cannabis Concentrates and Purple Rosin
Purple strains are increasingly favored in the solventless extract world. Live rosin and fresh-pressed hash made from purple cultivars not only retain color but also showcase the strain’s terpene profile more vividly. When made from anthocyanin-rich plants, the resulting concentrate can display purple swirls or tints, creating both visual and sensory appeal.
At STIIIZY, select purple strains like Purple Runtz and Purple Zlushie are available in Live Resin, Live Rosin, and Liquid Diamond formats.
Light Deprivation & Purple Coloration
Some cultivators use light deprivation (light dep) to influence color expression. By simulating shorter days using blackout tarps, growers can force plants to flower early. This technique:
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Encourages anthocyanin development
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Helps produce multiple harvests per season
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Can enhance visual appeal and consistency in coloration
Combined with cooler nighttime temps, this technique can help maximize both appearance and aroma of purple strains. However, outcomes vary depending on the specific genetic line and cultivation environment.
Choosing the Right Purple Strain
When selecting a purple strain, consider:
- Genetic Background: Indica, sativa, or hybrid? Landrace or modern cross?
- Terpene Profile: Do you prefer gassy, earthy, citrus, or berry-forward aromas?
- Product Type: Are you looking for flower, vape pods, or solventless concentrates?
- Visual Appeal: Are dark purple hues a must, or are you more focused on aroma and cannabinoid levels?
Consumers who enjoy variety might experiment across several purple strains to discover which cultivar best matches their preferences and lifestyle.
FAQs
Not always. Many purple strains are indica-leaning, but there are also sativa-dominant purple strains like Purple Haze. It depends on the genetic lineage of the strain.
The purple coloration is due to anthocyanins, plant pigments that emerge under specific environmental and genetic conditions, especially during cooler flowering periods.
Color alone does not determine potency. THC levels vary by strain and batch. Always check lab results for cannabinoid content.
Purple strains often have unique terpene profiles that include earthy, berry, or citrus-forward aromas. Taste will vary depending on cultivation and curing methods.
Yes, but purple coloration may only emerge under the right conditions. Strains with stable purple genetics and cooler nighttime temperatures are more likely to express vivid hues.
Some legacy strains are easier to find, while others may be limited or breeder-specific. Availability depends on region, grower preference, and demand.
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