If you’ve ever had the opportunity to see different strains of cannabis growing, or you’ve checked out cannabis flowers online, you’ll quickly realize that weed isn’t just green. Weed’s many different colors include shades throughout the entire rainbow!
Why are there so many different colors of weed? In one word: Anthocyanins! Anthocyanins are a subtype of
flavonoid molecules.
These molecules can be found in most plant tissue (such as stems, leaves, roots, flowers, fruits, and berries), including cannabis plants. Anthocyanins are affected by pH levels; therefore, the leaves can turn red, blue, and purple as a result of exposure to different levels of acidity.
Anthocyanins are also sensitive to temperature. If you remember chlorophyll from science class, you may remember that it helps plants photosynthesize (gain energy from light). When the amount of light a plant receives changes, so does the color of this chlorophyll. In most states (except for those locations exposed to extreme heat year-round), colder temperatures (and reduced sunlight) cause deciduous tree leaves to lose their green color and turn red, yellow, and orange. Similarly, different growing temperatures affect the color of marijuana plants.
Now that you know a little bit about the presence of anthocyanins, it’s time to learn more about the different colors of weed strains.
Weed plants with strong orange, yellow, or red hues turn these colors due to carotenoids, naturally occurring pigments created by plants. Red, orange, and yellow-colored fruits and vegetables share this trait with cannabis. The next time you bite into a carrot or slice up a tomato, thank the anthocyanins and carotenoids that make them nutritious!
You may spot red hairs in your cannabis due to carotenoids, but truly “red” cannabis buds and leaves are rare. To create red marijuana, growers breed three different subtypes (indica, Sativa, and ruderalis) into one unique plant. It’s said to be both relaxing and invigorating with a tantalizing aroma.
When you picture someone growing cannabis, a certain green color always seems to come to mind. However, cannabis plants can span the entire spectrum of green, from very light (almost yellow) to very dark (almost brown).
Why are the majority of cannabis plants green? Since green is a hue present in chlorophyll, often plants are so “overwhelmed” with green color that no other colors show through. It’s a common phenomenon among many different plants before their flowering stage — not just cannabis.
Did you know that all strains of blue cannabis grown today are descended from a strain by Dutch Passion called Blueberry? It was first created in Amsterdam in the 70s and now has many popular descendent strains, such as Blue Cheese and Blue Haze. Most blue-tinted cannabis strains are indica-dominant and produce a relaxing effect.
The higher the concentration of anthocyanins, the “bluer” plants become. Therefore, blue cannabis flowers have higher concentrations of anthocyanins! To grow this uniquely colored plant, growers choose blue cannabis seeds, then raise their cannabis outdoors so that falling temperatures lead to a cool blue color shift.
Purple cannabis is closely related to blue cannabis. Whether you choose blue or purple flowers, you can be sure there are plenty of anthocyanins in both. However, purple cannabis also has the added benefit of antioxidant properties (which are present in many different purple fruits and vegetables as well)! Some of the most widespread purple weed strains include Purple Haze and Grandaddy Purple.
Some incredibly rare cannabis strains have such a dark indigo color that they are also called “black.” Many of these strains originate from Vietnam, where they are grown in unique environments called “landraces.” As you might expect, this hue’s most notable strain is Vietnamese Black.
Here’s another fun fact for you: In art class, you learn that black is the absence of color, but in the case of cannabis, indigo or “black” strains actually appear so dark because so
many
different colors are present in their leaves!
Some people assume that cannabis plants that appear “dusted” with white are less potent. However, this is an incorrect assumption. The “white” coat you see on many cannabis plants is actually due to the presence of trichomes (extremely fine protective “hairs” that grow on plants). Trichomes contain many ingredients that make weed so effective (terpenes and cannabinoids), so don’t dismiss those white plants just yet! If you’ve ever heard of White Rhino or White Widow, these strains are included in this category.
Are you ready to experience the whole rainbow? Shop hybrids, vape carts, Kanha gummies, and more at Good Tree, and we’ll deliver them right to your doorstep. Have more cannabis questions? Check out our recent popular article, “does weed expire?” or learn more about tincture microdosing. We’ll see you soon!
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