Purple Strains Cannabis Seeds

How purple strains came about

Purple cannabis didn't just happen by accident, breeders spent years crossing different plants to create something new and eye-catching.

The real push started in the 1970s when growers in California and elsewhere began mixing strains to get those striking colours and fresh flavours.

Purple Haze became a household name after Jimi Hendrix sang about it, and suddenly everyone wanted a piece of that purple magic.

A lot of the original genetics came from Purple Thai and the landrace plants growing high up in the Hindu Kush mountains, where the cooler climate naturally brought out those purple tones.

Purple Kush was born in Oakland when someone crossed Hindu Kush with Purple Afghani, and then in 2003 Ken Estes created Granddaddy Purple by pairing Purple Urkle with Big Bud.

These days, breeders have taken those classic lines and built on them, so you can find purple strains in autoflowering versions and even CBD-rich varieties. The modern hybrids keep the colour and flavour but often pack more punch than their ancestors.

What makes them purple

The purple comes from anthocyanins, which are pigments that live in the plant's cells. They're the same compounds that make red cabbage red and give autumn leaves their colour.

In cannabis, they really start to show up during the last few weeks of flowering, and they don't just look pretty, they also add to the smell and might bring some antioxidant benefits, though scientists are still figuring out exactly how they interact with cannabinoids.

Here's the thing: a plant needs the right genes to go purple in the first place. If those genes are there, cooler nights during flowering will coax out even more colour.

That's why outdoor plants often look more vibrant than indoor ones, natural sunlight and temperature swings do the job. But no amount of cold will turn a non-purple strain purple. The genetics have to be there from the start.

The big names in purple cannabis

Granddaddy Purple is probably the most famous purple strain out there. It's a cross between Purple Urkle and Big Bud, and it's packed with dense, purple buds covered in bright orange hairs.

The smell is all sweet grape and berry with a bit of earth underneath, and it's loaded with myrcene, caryophyllene, and pinene.

THC levels can hit 27%, and it's won a stack of awards, including first place at the Green Cup and the Denver High Times Cannabis Cup.

Purple Kush is a pure indica that brings together Hindu Kush and Purple Afghani. It's got that classic Kush earthiness with a sweet edge, and THC usually sits between 17% and 22%.

Then there's Purple Haze, which mixes Haze with Purple Thai to create a sativa-leaning plant with citrus up front and hints of berry and spice. It really took off in the 1960s and 70s, blending tropical vibes with high-altitude genetics.

You'll also come across Purple Punch, which is Larry OG crossed with Granddaddy Purple, and Purple Diesel, a mix of Sour Diesel and Purple Kush.

Purple Runtz is another popular one, made from Gelato #33 and Zkittlez. Breeders like Ace Seeds, Barney's Farm, Mephisto Genetics, and Royal Queen Seeds all offer a solid range of purple strains, whether you want photoperiod or autoflowering seeds.

Smells, tastes, and terpenes

Purple strains tend to smell fruity and sweet, with loads of grape, berry, and earthy notes floating around. Some have a hint of liquorice or spice, and the terpenes behind those smells include myrcene, caryophyllene, pinene, limonene, and linalool.

Myrcene brings deep, musky tones, linalool adds a floral lavender touch, pinene gives that sharp pine kick, and limonene throws in some citrus brightness.

Granddaddy Purple has a strong earthy smell with a sweet punch, and the taste is like fresh grapes mixed with sugary candy. Purple Haze is earthy too, but with sweet berries and lavender, and it leaves a sweet-and-sour aftertaste. Purple Kush is rich and earthy with a hint of sweetness and red berry notes woven in.