Fact Checked by Doctor NamePurps refers to any strain or type of cannabis that exhibits a distinctly purple coloration on buds, leaves and stems.
The vibrant purple hues result from high concentrations of anthocyanin pigments. These water-soluble pigments emerge through genetics as well as environmental factors like temperature shifts during the growing phase.
While not directly indicative of potency or effects, purple strains provide an eye-catching, exotic appearance highly sought after in the marijuana industry.
What are Purps?
The amount of purpling varies depending on strain and growing conditions.
Purple coloration becomes especially pronounced in the final weeks of flowering during the maturation process as chlorophyll breaks down.
Strains described as “purps” are distinctly rich in purple, ranging from shades of lavender to deep eggplant. They also tend to be indica-dominant or mixed indica/sativa hybrids.
Popular purple strains include Purple Kush, Granddaddy Purple, Purple Urkle, Purple Haze, Purple Afghan, and Mendo Purps.
These showcase the trademark purp characteristics. However, many strains can develop purple hues naturally or with a little coaxing through environmental controls.
For example, lowering nighttime temperatures into the 50-60°F range towards the end of flowering frequently induces anthocyanin expression and purpling.
While their eye-catching color has consumer appeal, the combination of genetics, terpene profiles, and psychoactive effects determine the true quality of any purple cannabis variety.
The characteristic vivid purple shades simply provide an added visual flourish.
