Fact Checked by Doctor NameCannabis plants contain a variety of leaves with different shapes and sizes depending on factors like genetics, maturity of the plant, and position on the plant.
But most marijuana leaves can be categorized either as fan leaves or sugar leaves.
What is a Cannabis Leaf?
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Fan leaves are the iconic, palm-shaped leaves that emerge from branches along the main stalk.
Fan leaves have between 5-11 finger-like leaflets, although 7 is most common. The fingers radiate out from one central point like spread fingers or a fan.
Fan leaves tend to be larger and more flat or broad. They act as the main photosynthetic factories on cannabis plants, absorbing light energy to fuel growth.
Fan leaves also aid metabolism, respiration, and transpiration. Their size allows them to capture ample light and exchange gases efficiently.
The Difference between Fan Leaves and Sugar Leaves
Sugar leaves are found among the dense buds that form flower clusters. Sugar leaves are smaller and more slender than fan leaves.
They have blades made up of 3, 5, 7 or sometimes 9 leaflets. The overall shape is less spread out and broad compared to a fan leaf’s palm-like form.
Sugar leaves are rich in trichomes, the sticky resin glands that secrete cannabinoids, terpenes and other compounds.
So, sugar leaf trim can be used to make potent edibles, extracts and concentrates. However, sugar leaves lack some nutrients compared to fan leaves due to their smaller size and shorter lifespan.
Both fan and sugar leaves begin green but can change color later in flowering.
The pigments that mask green chlorophyll break down over time, revealing shades of purple, red, orange, yellow and brown.
