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Purple cannabis varieties: the secret of coloration and origin

The common colour of cannabis is green. However, there are a few varieties that stand out in terms of colour. And visual appeal is far from their only advantage.

What causes some cannabis varieties to turn purple? 

Or look for anthocyanins behind everything. For a plant to turn purple, it must contain high concentrations of anthocyanins. Some strains of cannabis naturally contain higher levels of anthocyanins than others.

And what exactly are anthocyanins? Since we're not in biology class, we won't bother you with a complicated explanation. In short, we are talking about natural plant dyes belonging to the flavonoid group (organic chemical compounds). These water-soluble pigments are responsible for the purple, blue and red colours of flowers, fruits and sometimes leaves. The most common type of anthocyanin in plants is cyanidin, which, together with delphinidin, produces red and purple dyes.

In addition to cannabis, anthocyanins can be found in various fruits and vegetables. These include:

  • Blueberries
  • Aubergine
  • Red cabbage
  • Grapes
  • Blackcurrant

To make matters worse, anthocyanins are also responsible for the colours of autumn leaves.

 

Fialová zelenina přes šedé pozadí. Zelí, salát radicchio, olivy, kedluben, mrkev, květák, cibule, artyčok, fazole, brambory, švestky.

Anthocyanins and their functions

Anthocyanins play an important role in plant physiology. They serve two main purposes:

  • Pollination: first, they help plants attract pollinators (e.g., bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies) while discouraging other insects from consuming them. They make them think the plant is unhealthy.
  • Protection: secondly, they are known for their antioxidant properties, which help protect the plant from extreme light conditions.

What is the influence of genetics and environmental conditions?

Many strains, which you can recognise by their names starting with colours, have a genetic predisposition to high anthocyanin content. But beware, genetics isn't everything. It certainly doesn't mean that they will always have distinctive colour shades. More accurately, they just have a higher potential to exhibit these colors under the right conditions.

To summarise, the purple colour of cannabis is the result of a combination of genetic predispositions and environmental conditions that influence anthocyanin production.

While the available information on their production in cannabis is limited, a number of studies measuring anthocyanin production patterns in other plants fill in any gaps.

So what are the environmental factors?

Environment

One of the important factors influencing whether a plant turns purple is the soil in which it grows. According to a 2006 study in the Pakistan Journal of Nutrition, anthocyanins in plants tend to die when they are exposed to higher pH levels. Therefore, purple discolouration occurs in environments with neutral or slightly acidic pH. Just for interest, let's see how other colours fare:  

  • Red or pink: acidic environment
  • Blue: higher pH values
  • Yellow: alkaline environment

Temperature

The purple color (and not only that) also has to do with lower temperatures. This is because the cold usually causes plants to stop producing chlorophyll (green pigments) for a while. We don't have to go far for an example, the result of this phenomenon can be seen every year with the arrival of autumn, when the leaves of some trees turn red and orange.

 

Podzimní vinná réva s listy, které zčervenaly z důvodu přerušení tvorby chlorofylu

It is therefore not surprising that purple cannabis varieties come from areas with colder climates, where the plants have developed a purple colouration as an adaptive response to the cold. Specifically, these strains are thought to originate from mountainous areas in Pakistan and parts of Central Asia, including the Hindu Kush mountains in Afghanistan, where temperatures can plummet during the growing season.

Light

Light is a key factor affecting anthocyanin production in plants. The higher the light intensity, the higher the anthocyanin concentration. The spectrum also matters, with blue and UV light typically responsible for the higher production of these pigments. UV light, which is present in sunlight, stimulates the plant's defence mechanisms, including the production of anthocyanins. These then act as antioxidants and protect the plant cells from UV damage.

Purple cannabis varieties rich in anthocyanins are plentiful. We have selected a few of the most interesting ones, and we will tell you more about their appearance and aroma. The origins and genetics are not left out either.

Purple Haze

Purple Haze, made famous by Jimmy Hendrix's 1967 song of the same name, is a sativa-dominant variety with a beautiful purple colour and a sweet and spicy aroma. A hybrid variety native to Colombia, it is considered a cross between sativas and indica genetics. It is most commonly associated with the Haze and Purple Thai varieties.

The appearance of Purple Haze is characterized by purple flowers that can vary from dark purple to light purple shades. The aroma is usually described as 'sharp and earthy with undertones of sweetness and spice'. Some users also report hints of floral, woody or citrus notes.

Purple Queen

Vibrant purple shades and an intense pine-petrol odour. As the name suggests, pure indica Purple Queen is the true queen of purple varieties. The combination of Hindu Kush and Purple Afghan is behind its perfect genetics. Hindu Kush contributed its robustness and durability, while Purple Afghani brings a unique colour and pleasant aroma to the mix.

This relatively modern variety has become popular in recent decades. Its origins can be traced back to European breeding programmes in the Netherlands and Spain, where cannabis culture and breeding is well developed.

 

Fialově žlutý květ konopí s vinětou

Blueberry

The now legendary Blueberry cannabis strain, which won first place in the Best Indica category at the High Times Cannabis Cup in 2000. But let's go back in time. Blueberry's origins date back to the 1970s, when Canadian grower DJ Short created it by experimenting with cannabis varieties from three different parts of the world. He then entrusted it to the Dutch Passion seed bank, which brought it to the European market in the late 1990s.

To be specific, the indica-dominant variety was created by crossing an Afghan indica variety (Afghani) with sativa genetics from Thailand (Thai) and to a lesser extent from Oaxaca, Mexico (Purple Thai). The appearance is characterised by blue-purple flowers and a strong, sweet aroma reminiscent of fresh blueberries. Blueberry genetics are the basis for many newer varieties such as Blue Dream and Blueberry Headband.

Car Blackberry Kush

The autoflowering indica-dominant Auto Blackberry Kush, which was bred in the Netherlands, is worth a more detailed mention. It is a unique cross (from Dutch Passion) of the original Blueberry and the dark Kush.

The aroma of this hybrid variety is characterised by its combination of sweet and earthy tones. A fruity note reminiscent of blueberries or blackberries is associated with Blueberry, while the earthy elements are inherited from the kush line. Blackberry Kush usually develops a distinctive colour especially at harvest, when the leaves and buds are dark purple to black. In addition, one of its strengths is that it grows very vigorously and forms many lateral branches.

Purple Kush

Purple Kush was first bred in Oakland, California, and with exaggeration it could be said to have won the genetic lottery. This pure indica was created by crossing two famous varieties - Hindu Kush and Purple Afghani.  She took only the best of both plants.

  • Hindu Kush: Known for its robustness and resistance to harsh climatic conditions, Hindu Kush originates from the mountains of the same name on the border of Afghanistan and Pakistan.
  • Purple Afghani: A pure indica variety of cannabis with roots in the Hindu Kush mountains of Afghanistan. It is often crossed with other genetic lines to create hybrids that have a striking purple colouration.

 

Kvetoucí fialová rostlina s květy, listy cannabis sativa, květ -THC a rostlina

As expected from the Kush variety, it offers above all a subtle earthy aroma that evokes the scent of forest and fresh earth. The overall aromatic profile is complemented by sweet notes, as if you smell grapes or berries. The contrast of green and dark purple is not unlike a patch of delicious fruit.

Purplematic CBD

Purplematic CBD is the result of careful breeding that includes a combination of Kush Rose Auto CBD and Afghan Rose Auto CBD. This crossbreeding has resulted in a variety with probably the highest CBD content found in autoflowering genetics.  While CBD levels reach up to 17 %, the THC content does not exceed 0,5 %. It is a stable hybrid with a genetic composition that is 90 % indica, supplemented by sativa and ruderalis in proportions of 5 %.

Purplematic CBD boasts a complex aromatic profile, which is underpinned by the wide range of terpenes present in the plant. It contains, for example:

  •  Limonene (citrus scent)
  •  Myrcene (herbal scent with hints of clove)
  •  Terpinolene (herbal fragrance with floral and fruity undertones)
  •  Caryophyllene (peppery scent with woody undertones)
  •  Pinen (pine scent)

In terms of appearance, this variety catches the eye at first sight with its unusually large pistils, which stand out in contrast to the deep purple flowers.

 

Author: Canatura

 

 

Photo: ChatGPT, Shutterstock

"This article is for informational purposes only. The information provided should not be considered legal or medical advice. Readers are advised that the cultivation, possession and use of cannabis may be subject to legal restrictions and regulations in various jurisdictions. Depending on the country and specific laws, cultivation of cannabis plants containing 0.2% or more of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or other psychoactive substances may be considered illegal and subject to criminal penalties.

This article is intended for those interested in the ethnobotanical and collecting aspects of hemp seeds. Any mention of cultivation or use is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as encouraging or endorsing illegal activities. The reader is responsible for understanding and complying with the laws and regulations governing cannabis in his/her country or region. The authors and publishers of these articles are not responsible for the actions of readers who choose to grow, possess or use cannabis in violation of local laws. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, we do not guarantee the germination or any other properties of the cannabis seeds discussed in these articles. The sale of cannabis seeds and related products is intended for persons over the age of 18. By accessing and reading these articles, you acknowledge and agree to this Disclaimer."

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