Written by Brandon Topp

Purple cannabis strains have captivated cannabis enthusiasts for generations. With their vibrant purple buds, sweet grape aroma, and often chill effects, these colorful cultivars are more than just eye candy—they represent some of the most iconic genetics in cannabis cultivation history.

In this guide, we’ll break down what makes weed turn purple, why certain cannabis plants express vivid violet hues, and which popular purple weed strains from Mood deliver both style and potency.

Check out Mood's selection of THCa flower, including our favorite purple strains, today.

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Table of Contents

• What Makes Weed Purple?

• Top Purple Cannabis Strains From Mood

  • Tropicana Cherry Cookies

  • Gary Payton

  • Gushers

  • Purple Punch

  • Rainbow Runtz

• Hemp vs Marijuana: What’s the Difference?

• FAQs About Purple Cannabis Strains

• Try These Purple Strains from Mood

What Makes Weed Purple?

Many cannabis plants display green coloration, but some strains naturally develop deep purple color—especially during the flowering stage.

This visual transformation happens due to the presence of anthocyanins, a group of flavonoids that replace chlorophyll when temperatures drop, or certain genetic traits are expressed.

Purple pigmentation doesn’t impact potency, but it does reflect the uniqueness of the plant’s genetics and growing conditions.

Traits like bright orange hairs, light green sugar leaves, and vibrant purple hues often signal high-quality purple marijuana strains.

Common purple cultivars include:

• Purple Kush

• Purple Haze

• Granddaddy Purple (GDP)

• Purple Urkle

• Purple Diesel

• Purple Thai

• Purple Skunk

These strains often deliver fruity and berry notes, deep purple color, and effects that range from euphoric to deeply relaxing.

Whether you prefer a sativa-dominant hybrid, an indica-dominant strain, or a balanced hybrid strain, there's a purple plant for you.

Want the science behind the color shift? Learn more in our article: What Makes Weed Purple

Try Mood’s THCa flower to experience purple cannabis at its peak freshness and potency.

Top Purple Cannabis Strains From Mood

Below are five of the best purple cannabis strains you can order from Mood right now—each grown under optimal conditions for flavor, potency, and color.

Tropicana Cherry Cookies

This sativa-dominant purple strain bursts with citrus and cherry terpenes. Tropicana Cherry Cookies is visually stunning, with vibrant purple buds and a dense, frosty coating of trichomes.

Expect a heady, creative lift with a smooth comedown—ideal for daytime use.

Grab Tropicana Cherry Cookies and see why this purple cultivar is a rising star.

Gary Payton

While not known for consistently purple flower, Gary Payton sometimes showcases purple hues when grown in cooler temps. This balanced hybrid strain leans into cookie-forward flavors with diesel and earthy undertones.

Its fast-acting effects bring alertness and a mellow body high—a go-to for focused energy.

Try Gary Payton for a potent hybrid with purple skunk and cookies lineage influence.

Gushers

True to its name, Gushers explodes with sweet grape aroma, tropical fruit, and creamy undertones. These vibrant purple buds look like candy, often coated in shimmering resin with fiery orange hairs.

This indica dominant hybrid offers mellow, euphoric effects perfect for a chill night in.

Order Gushers and taste this fruity powerhouse with bold purple visuals.

Purple Punch

Few strains scream “purple” like Purple Punch—a cross between Granddaddy Purple (GDP) and Larry OG. This pure indica strain shows off deep violet tones and dense nugs with bright orange hairs.

Flavors range from blueberry muffins to grape candy, and a notable Purple Punch lineage make it perfect for end-of-day use and sharing with friends.

Get Purple Punch to experience one of the most iconic purple marijuana strains ever grown.

Rainbow Runtz

A cross between Zkittlez and DoSiDos, Rainbow Runtz features deep purple color, light green leaf edges, and a kaleidoscope of trichomes. This hybrid balances euphoria and body relaxation. If you're interested in a potent indica-dominant strain with sweet, fruity flavors and a deeply relaxing body high, you might want to learn more about the Rainbow Runtz strain.

Its fruity and berry notes are a nod to its dessert-like lineage. Think Purple Berry meets tropical haze.

Light up Rainbow Runtz and enjoy one of the most visually stunning and flavorful purple cannabis strains out there.

Hemp vs Marijuana: What's the Difference?

All of Mood’s THCa flower products come from hemp, not marijuana. Under the 2018 Farm Bill, hemp refers to cannabis plants with less than 0.3% Delta-9 THC by dry weight.

FWIW, once THCa is heated, it becomes potent.

This legal distinction matters because Mood’s flower is compliant and accessible and ships directly to you—no dispensary is required.

Though many purple marijuana strains like Purple Haze, Purple Hindu Kush lineage, and Ayahuasca Purple are legendary, Mood’s hemp-derived THCa flower delivers the same strain experience in a compliant form.

Whether you’re chasing Purple Diesel lineage, Purple Trainwreck lineage, or Blueberry strain vibes, you can find that flavor, aroma, and effect in hemp cultivars, too.

FAQs About Purple Cannabis Strains

What makes purple strains unique?

Their deep pigmentation, rich terpene profiles, and often sedative effects. They’re known for their beauty and bold flavor combinations—like grapefruit, grape skunk, or berry-citrus gas.

Are purple strains more potent?

Not necessarily. Potency depends on cannabinoid content, especially THCa—not color.

Which are the most purple strains?

Purple Punch, Granddaddy Purple, Purple Kush, and Ayahuasca Purple are some of the most visually striking purple cultivars.

Are purple cannabis concentrates a thing?

Yes—rosins, waxes, and other extracts made from purple flower can retain pigment, but the color isn’t as bold as in the raw bud.

Can I grow purple cannabis seeds?

Yes, but choose genetics known for their color, and use colder nighttime temps during flowering to encourage those hues.

Do you have any popular purple strains available in a vape?

We do. This THCa Purple Afghani Disposable Vape is one of our most popular and is available for just $60.

Try These Purple Strains from Mood

Looking for the best purple cannabis strains with standout color, aroma, and effects? Mood offers THCa flower that rivals any dispensary—legally and conveniently.

From Sour Diesel to strains with Purple Haze lineage, you can find a wide variety of amazing cannabis products at the Mood Shop.