Purple Kush — Pure Indica, Grape-Forward Nighttime Classic
Purple Kush is a classic pure indica celebrated for its vibrant purple buds, grape-forward nose, and heavy, sedating body high. Dense, frosty flowers combine landrace Kush power with Afghani colour and flavour, making it a go-to choice for evening and pre-sleep sessions
Fast Facts
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Strain Type: Pure indica (100% indica)
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Lineage: Hindu Kush × Purple Afghani, originally stabilized in Oakland, California (Bay Area)
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Typical THC: ~18–24%
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CBD: Generally low (<1–2%)
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Dominant Terpenes: Myrcene, β-caryophyllene, pinene, often humulene and linalool in support
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Aromas & Flavours: Sweet grape & berry, earthy hash, woody incense, pine, subtle spice
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User-Reported Effects: Heavy body stone, deep relaxation, euphoric calm, very nighttime-leaning
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Indoor Flowering: ~8–9 weeks (sometimes listed 8–10 weeks)
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Outdoor Harvest (N. Hemisphere): Late September–October
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Indoor Yield: Roughly 400–500 g/m² under good conditions
Purple Kush is frequently highlighted as a classic “top 10” indica thanks to its purple colour, strong THC content, and deeply relaxing euphoria.
Origin, Genetics & History
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Bred in the California Bay Area, especially associated with Oakland.
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Cross between:
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Hindu Kush – a landrace indica from the Hindu Kush mountain range, valued for its hardy structure and heavy body high.
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Purple Afghani – an Afghani-descended indica known for high THC and purple pigmentation.
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The goal: combine landrace Kush power with Afghani colour and flavour, creating a pure indica with grape/berry sweetness, violet tones, and knockout relaxation.
Appearance, Aroma & Flavour
Appearance
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Dense, compact indica buds with a high calyx-to-leaf ratio
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Colour range: lime to deep forest green with rich purple and violet hues
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Bright orange pistils interwoven through a thick layer of frosty trichomes
Cool night temps encourage intense purple via anthocyanins
Aroma
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Primary: Sweet grape, berry, earthy hash
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Secondary: Woody incense, pine, light floral notes
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Background: Subtle spice, herbal musk, “red wine” soil tones
Flavour
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Inhale: Grape candy, berry, earthy hash
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Exhale: Wood, pine, sandalwood, faint spice
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Finish: Thick, resinous mouthfeel; lingering grape-earth on the tongue
Cannabinoid & Terpene Profile
Cannabinoids
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THC: Often 18–24%; some reports list high-THC cultivars in the low-to-mid 20s and up to ~27% in select phenos/brands.
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CBD: Generally <1–2%
Terpenes
Common dominant and secondary terpenes reported in Purple Kush:
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Myrcene – herbal, earthy, musky; closely associated with relaxing, body-heavy strains
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β-Caryophyllene – peppery, woody; the only terpene known to directly interact with CB2 receptors
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Pinene (α/β) – fresh pine needle; adds brightness and forest notes
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Humulene – woody, hoppy; deepens the earthy base
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Linalool – floral, slightly citrus/lavender; often linked with “stonier,” calming profiles
The synergy of myrcene + caryophyllene + linalool explains the sedating, heavy indica feel
Effects & Experience
Onset (inhaled): 5–15 minutes
Peak: 30–60 minutes
Duration: ~2–4 hours (inhaled; longer in ingestible form)
Most common user descriptions:
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Body: Deep, heavy relaxation; “melt into the couch” body load
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Mind: Calm, blissful, gently euphoric; soft focus, dream-like
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Mood: Warm, happy, often giggly or talkative before heavier sedation hits
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Energy: Strong downward trend; best when you have nothing important to do
It’s regularly recommended as a nighttime or end-of-day strain because of its strong, “stoning” indica profile.
Potential Side Effects
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Dry mouth / dry eyes
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Drowsiness, couch-lock
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Short-term memory fog or dizziness if overconsumed
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Occasional anxiety or paranoia in sensitive users with very high doses
All effects are anecdotal; individual responses vary. Start low, go slow.
Cultivation & Grower Notes
Purple Kush is often described as moderate difficulty: manageable but rewards attentive growers with beautiful yields.
Growth Pattern
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Plant Type: Short, stout, bushy indica
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Indoor Height: Often short to medium (around 60–100 cm under training)
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Structure: Central cola with strong lateral branching, very dense buds
Environment & Climate
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Flowering time: Typically 8–9 weeks indoors (some sources: 8–10 weeks)
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Outdoor harvest: Late September–October in temperate climates
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Climate: Subtropical to temperate; thrives in warm days, cool nights for colour
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RH: Keep flower RH around 40–50% to protect dense buds from mold; strong airflow is essential
Yield Potential
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Indoors: Commonly listed 400–500 g/m² in optimized setups
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Outdoors: Often cited up to 800 g/plant with enough root space and sun
Training & Feeding
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Responds very well to topping, LST, SCROG to widen the canopy
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Buds can get heavy; stakes/trellis prevent branch snap near harvest
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Nutrient needs: moderate–heavy feeder, especially in bloom with P/K and Ca/Mg support
Colour Tips
To bring out maximum purple:
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Allow cooler night temps in late flower (within healthy range)
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Avoid excessive N late in bloom (which can mute colour)
How Purple Kush Compares to Similar Strains
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Granddaddy Purple: Both are grape-forward and purple; GDP can feel a bit more hybrid-balanced, while Purple Kush hits more like a classic, heavy pure indica.
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Hindu Kush: More purely earthy/hashy; Purple Kush layers grape/berry sweetness over Kush earth.
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Afghan/Hash Plant: Similar sedation and resin, but Purple Kush stands out with colour, grape notes, and slightly more “candy” nose.
FAQ
Is Purple Kush indica or sativa?
Purple Kush is a pure indica strain created by crossing Hindu Kush and Purple Afghani.
How strong is Purple Kush?
Reported THC levels often fall in the 18–24% range, with some cultivars listed higher. Potency varies by grower and batch, so always check the COA provided.
What does Purple Kush smell and taste like?
Expect sweet grape and berry layered over earthy hash, with woody, piney, and subtle spicy notes.
Is Purple Kush better for daytime or nighttime?
Most consumers reserve Purple Kush for evenings and nighttime, as it is widely reported to be deeply relaxing and sleep-leaning.
How long does Purple Kush take to flower?
Indoors, Purple Kush usually flowers in about 8–9 weeks; outdoors, expect harvest around late September to October in suitable climates.
Storage & Freshness
We package Purple Kush in resealable, smell-control packaging with 58–62% RH humidity packs. Store cool, dark, and airtight to protect potency, colour, and terpenes.
Responsible Use
Adult-use product. Effects vary by person. Do not drive or operate machinery after consuming. Keep out of reach of children and pets. Content is for information only, not medical advice.
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