QCS Learning Center

Why is Weed Different Colors?

The different colors of cannabis are a fascinating topic and one that has long been studied by cultivators, growers, and enthusiasts. Every type of cannabis contains a shade of green, but when you look closely, there are an array of other exciting shades just waiting to be discovered. Purples, pinks, blues, reds, browns, orange, white, and even black can all be found in certain varieties of the plant.

Often the color palette is so attractive that it can be used as a selling point for certain products. People love fruits with beautiful colors and it's no surprise that they would want their cannabis to have beautiful colors too.

This might explain why some cultivators go to such lengths to find or create hybrid strains with truly incredible palettes of color. Not only do the marijuana strains often smell great but they also have stunningly colorful buds - the perfect combination!

The Cannabis Plant's Natural Pigments

A pigment represents a colorful substance with minimal or virtually no solubility in water. These color-providing chemicals originate from both living organisms and synthetic sources. Explore some of the most prevalent pigments present in cannabis that contribute to its vibrant and diverse hues.

Chlorophyll

The presence of chlorophyll is an essential part of plant life and is responsible for the green color of plants. It absorbs mostly blue and red light and reflects the green color, allowing the photosynthesis reaction to occur.

Photosynthesis captures sunlight and converts it into energy that the plant needs for growth and survival. Chloroplasts are embedded in this powerful molecular pigment and help to capture light energy more effectively than any other type of molecules making up a plant's cells.

Flavonoids

Flavonoids are a type of compound found in cannabis, and they are responsible for a wide range of flavors and colors. These molecules come in various yellow, blue, purple, or red shades, and while their visual appeal helps attract pollinators, they also have practical applications.

When exposed to sunlight, flavonoids can absorb ultraviolet (UV) rays which can potentially cause harm to plants. This defense against UV light radiation ensures that cannabis plants remain healthy and viable even under extreme weather conditions.

Additionally, flavonoids can provide a powerful level of deterrence when it comes to pests; when released into the environment by a cannabis plant flavonoids may act as an insect repellent by masking other smells that pests would use to locate food sources.

Carotenoids

Carotenoids are a group of natural pigments found in many fruits and vegetables and cannabis plants as well. They are produced by plants as well as some microorganisms and give the cannabis plants their bright reds, oranges, and yellows.

Carotenoids are responsible for the orange hue of carrots, for example, which is why they got their name. In addition to giving plants their vibrant hues, carotenoids also have several important health benefits.

One of the most sought-after benefits of carotenoids is that they can help prevent vitamin A deficiency when consumed as part of a balanced diet. While carotenoids do not directly function as a source of vitamin A in the body, they can be converted into vitamin A by the intestines as necessary.

Anthocyanins

Anthocyanins are a subclass of flavonoids, which is a large and diverse class of compounds in nature. Anthocyanins are responsible for the bright colors of many weed plants and flowers, including reds, blues, purples, and lilacs in cannabis plants.

Anthocyanins can be found combined with carotenoids that give off yellow and orange colors. For instance, they are often used as dyes in food that result in a delightful array of colors.

The Growth Stage of the Cannabis Plant

Cannabis, which can be categorized into feminized seeds or autoflower seeds, is a prolific grower that starts its life cycle as a sprout. As the cannabis plant matures, it will go through a series of stages that will help to fully define its growth. At the vegetative stage, cannabis is green and grows quickly.

As the marijuana plant enters into flowering, it will start taking on other colors to attract pollinators. During this phase, the marijuana plant's chlorophyll production stops, and leaves start to wither and die. This process is called senescence. Continued exposure to light will cause the cannabis leaf to change color once again, becoming more intense as the flowering continues.

Once the flowering has concluded, the marijuana plant, whether it's a Feminized or Autoflower variant, will enter into a period of dormancy where it will rest and resume growing at a slower pace next time around.

Temperature

Temperature is an important factor in marijuana plants' appearance. Cold temperatures can limit chlorophyll production, which then allows carotenoids and anthocyanins to become more visible.

This leads to different colors in marijuana plants depending on the ratio of these pigments. If there are fewer carotenoids than anthocyanins, the marijuana plant will develop a bluer or purple color when it flowers. Conversely, if there are more carotenoids present than anthocyanins, then expect yellows, reds, and oranges.

H3: Nutrients and pH

Soil pH and the availability of nutrients have a large effect on the color of cannabis plants. In general, acidic soil pH tends to favor red, orange, and yellow colors while neutral pH favors purple and blue hues. Alkaline soil with a high pH also boosts blue tints in some marijuana plants. Additionally, soil low in phosphorus also helps intensify reds and oranges.

Trichomes

Trichomes are one of the most fascinating aspects of cannabis plants. These tiny hairs are found on the surface of the marijuana leaves and cannabis flowers, which helps protect them from predators. Not only do they provide a contrasting visual effect that stands out against the green cannabis background, but they are also responsible for producing terpene and cannabinoid compounds.

When trichomes first begin forming, they appear as see-through and almost glass-like structures. As the plant matures, these trichomes change color from clear to white, then eventually turning to an amber shade.

Genetics

Genetics plays an important role in the colors of marijuana plants. Breeding certain strains can increase the odds of them ending up a desired color, but ultimately it is still down to the genes themselves and other environmental factors. Marijuana plant breeders work hard to produce a variety of cannabis with distinctive colors that people love, from vibrant blues and purples to muted greens and browns.

A breeder’s skill is evidenced in their ability to predict whether a strain of cannabis will end up a certain color or not. Even when their best efforts fail, their genetics determine what the final result looks like and this can be extremely rewarding for both growers and consumers alike.

It's important to remember, however, that strains can come out differently than expected – even if a Blueberry strain isn't blue it may still be Blueberry due to genetic reasons that were not controlled by the breeders. Ultimately, cannabis' beauty lies in its diversity and you should never judge a marijuana plant on its appearance alone.

Does a Cannabis Plant's Color Contribute to Its Effects?

The color of a cannabis plant plays an important role in its effects and how people respond to it. We often associate certain colors with certain tastes, like yellow and orange with citrus. We associate blues and purples with berries and grapes.

These connections are partly psychological, but they can also be linked to the flavonoids that are formed, which contribute to the effects of a particular cannabis strain or product.

At the same time, it is important to note that the contribution of color is limited. However, for those seeking out specific effects from their cannabis use, it is still something worth considering – since different pigmentation may lead to subtle differences in taste (and subsequently effects).

Even if the contribution from color is small or only psychological – where we expect certain benefits based on the shade – it still might contribute in some way.