How to Grow Purple Kush
Purple Kush is a pure-kush indica classic built on Hindu Kush and Purple Afghani genetics. It is a 70/30 indica-dominant feminized plant with high 17-27% THC, a deep earthy, fruity and sweet flavor, and a happy, relaxed, talkative effect. Compact, resinous and famously colorful, it is a rewarding indica to grow in a tent and one of the best choices for a Sea of Green. Purple genetics bring colour and calm, similar to Lavender OG and the higher-CBD White Widow CBD.
This is a feminized photoperiod strain, so every seed grows into a flowering female and you start flowering by switching the light cycle to 12/12, which lets you decide how big the plant gets before you flip it. It keeps the dense, trichome-coated, purple-tinged buds and the earthy, sweet character of the original Purple Kush, a strain prized for its heavy indica relaxation and its striking color.
Recommended Strains
Purple Kush
|
THC | 17% - 27% (High) |
|
Type | Feminized |
|
Yield | High |
|
Phenotype | 70% Indica / 30% Sativa |
Purple Kush Autoflower
|
|
THC | 15% - 20% (Medium) |
|
|
Type | Autoflowering |
|
|
Yield | Low |
|
|
Phenotype | 70% Indica / 30% Sativa |
Potent, compact and resinous, Purple Kush is a rewarding way to grow a colorful indica icon. You can see the full genetics and buy Purple Kush seeds on the strain page, and browse the rest of our feminized seeds alongside it.
Strain Profile at a Glance
| THC | High (17-27%) |
|---|---|
| Lineage | Hindu Kush x Purple Afghani |
| Type | Feminized (photoperiod) |
| Genetics | 70% Indica / 30% Sativa |
| Climate | Dry, warm |
| Flowering time | 8-10 weeks |
| Harvest (outdoor) | October |
| Height | 3.28 ft / 1 m |
| Yield indoor | 1.47-1.64 oz/ft² (450-500 g/m²) |
| Yield outdoor | 4.23-4.94 oz/plant (120-140 g/plant) |
| Grow difficulty | Easy, beginner-friendly |
| Flavors | Earthy, Fruity, Sweet |
| Effects | Happy, Relaxed, Talkative |
Promos & Deals
Growing a Feminized Strain
Purple Kush is a feminized photoperiod strain, so every seed grows into a flowering female and there is no sexing and no need to remove males. Because it flowers on the light cycle rather than on age, you control the timing: keep it under long 18/6 days to grow and build the frame you want, then switch to 12 hours of light and 12 of darkness to start flowering. That control is what lets you dial in the size and the yield.
Purple Kush stays short and compact at around 1 m, with the dense, bushy structure of a classic kush indica and very little stretch. That small, even stature is exactly why it shines in a Sea of Green (SOG): run several small plants, flip them early, and let the even canopy of dense colas fill the space rather than pushing one plant tall. It finishes resinous and colorful in 8 to 10 weeks of flower.
Climate and Where to Grow It
Purple Kush does best in a warm, dry climate with plenty of sun, steady warmth and good airflow. A drier environment suits its dense, resinous buds and helps them finish clean, while cooler nights late in flower are what coax out the deep purple color the strain is named for. Outdoors in the Northern Hemisphere it is ready to harvest around October.
It is very much an indoor specialist. Indoors it returns a heavy 450-500 g/m² in a well-managed tent, especially in a SOG where its compact size is an advantage. Outdoors each plant stays small and gives a more modest 120-140 g, so it rewards growing several plants rather than relying on one. As a short, kush indica it is easy to manage, so the main job is keeping the canopy open so light and air reach the lower buds.
Even in a dry climate, keep humidity sensible through flowering to protect those dense buds: around 55-60% in veg, nearer 40% as the flowers fill out, and lower toward harvest. A resinous indica like this can trap moisture inside its tight colas, so steady airflow keeps the finish clean. Aim for daytime temperatures around 68-80°F (20-27°C) with cooler nights, which this warm, dry-climate plant enjoys.
Feeding Schedule (EC Guide)
Purple Kush is a moderate feeder that responds well to steady, balanced nutrition. Build the feed up gradually through veg, push phosphorus and potassium once it is in flower to fuel those dense buds, then taper off for the final flush so the earthy, sweet flavor comes through clean and the smoke finishes smooth. The ranges below are a starting guide; adjust to your water and medium.
| Stage | EC (mS/cm) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Seedling | 0.4-0.6 | Very light feed while roots establish |
| Vegetative | 0.8-1.2 | Raise nitrogen as the plant builds size |
| Early flower | 1.2-1.4 | Shift toward bloom nutrients (P and K) |
| Full flower | 1.4-1.6 | Peak bloom feed while the buds swell |
| Flush | 0.0-0.4 | Plain water for the final 1-2 weeks |
Flowering and Harvest
Once you switch Purple Kush to a 12/12 light cycle it flowers in about 8 to 10 weeks, filling out with dense, chunky, trichome-coated buds that often take on deep purple tones, especially where nights run cool. It keeps the compact, frosty kush structure the original is known for. Outdoors in the Northern Hemisphere it is ready to harvest around October, after a full season of sun.
Yields are heavy indoors for such a small plant: around 450-500 g/m² in a well-run SOG. Outdoors each compact plant gives a more modest 120-140 g, so plan for several plants outdoors. Keep the canopy open so the lower buds get light, feed it steadily through flower, and harvest when most of the trichomes have turned cloudy for the fullest earthy-and-sweet flavor and the deepest relaxing effect.
Drying and Curing
Dry whole plants or branches in a dark room at around 60°F (15-18°C) and 55-60% humidity for 7-14 days, until the thin stems snap rather than bend. A slow, even dry matters with such a resinous indica, because its dense buds can stay damp in the middle while the outside dries, and a gentle dry protects both the aroma and the trichomes.
Then cure the trimmed buds in sealed jars, burping them daily for the first week and letting them settle for three to four weeks. A proper cure is what brings out the earthy, fruity and sweet notes and smooths the smoke, which matters on a classic indica like Purple Kush where that deep, kush-rich character is the main attraction.
What to Do With Your Trim
Don’t bin the sugar leaves you remove while manicuring. Purple Kush is a resinous, trichome-rich plant, so its trim works especially well for dry sift, bubble hash or rosin. Its heavy resin makes that trim worth saving for a flavorful, earthy-and-sweet concentrate run from material most growers would otherwise throw away.
Flavor and Terpenes
Purple Kush has a deep, classic kush flavor: a rich, earthy base lifted by a sweet, fruity note, with a soft, woody finish, exactly the profile the original is known for. It is a smooth, earthy-and-sweet smoke with a fruity edge, and a good cure really brings that character forward in the jar and on the inhale.
Its terpene profile shapes that character. Myrcene drives the deep, earthy base with a soft, sweet-fruity edge, while caryophyllene adds a warm, peppery spice. Humulene brings an earthy, woody depth, and alpha-pinene rounds it out with a fresh, herbal lift. Together these terpenes frame the earthy, fruity and sweet character Purple Kush is known for.
Effects and Best Use
With its high 17-27% THC and indica-leaning 70/30 make-up, Purple Kush delivers a potent, deeply relaxing experience. It is reported as happy, relaxed and talkative, pairing a heavy, settled body with an upbeat, chatty and cheerful head, so it is best suited to the evening and the end of the day. Because the THC can run high, it is worth dosing with a little respect.
That happy, relaxed, talkative profile makes it a natural evening and social strain, ideal for winding down with friends while enjoying its earthy-and-sweet flavor. The combination of a compact, high-yielding indoor grow, a classic heavy indica effect and a colorful, resinous finish is exactly why it stands out.
Common Problems and Pro Tips
The biggest thing to get right with Purple Kush is managing its dense, chunky buds in late flower. Those tight colas can trap moisture, even in a dry climate, so keep the air moving, hold humidity down as the flowers fill out, and defoliate a few of the largest fan leaves in mid-flower so light and air reach the lower buds. A clean, dry finish is what protects such a resinous indica in the final weeks.
Because it stays short and compact with very little stretch, Purple Kush is a natural fit for a Sea of Green: run several small plants, flip them early, and let the even canopy fill the space rather than pushing one plant tall. Outdoors, plan for several plants since each one stays small, and remember that cooler nights late in flower are what bring out the deep purple color.
As a pro tip, feed it steadily but do not overdo the nutrients, and push bloom feed once the buds set to make the most of its heavy indoor yield. Finish with a plain-water flush and a full three to four week cure, and harvest when most trichomes are cloudy for a deeply relaxing, high-strength result with a clean, earthy-and-sweet flavor.
FAQ
Is Purple Kush a feminized strain?
Yes. Purple Kush is a feminized photoperiod strain, so every seed grows into a flowering female and there is no sexing and no males to remove. Because it flowers on the light cycle rather than on age, you veg it under long 18/6 days for as long as you like, then switch to 12/12 to start flowering, which lets you control its final size and yield.
How much THC does Purple Kush have?
Purple Kush is a high-THC strain, testing anywhere from around 17% up to 27%, which places it firmly at the potent end of the scale. Combined with its indica-leaning 70/30 genetics, the result is a deep, relaxing experience with a happy, talkative lift. Because the potency can run high, it is worth dosing with a little respect, especially if you are newer to strong indicas.
How long does Purple Kush take to flower?
Purple Kush flowers in about 8 to 10 weeks once you switch it to a 12/12 light cycle indoors. Outdoors in the Northern Hemisphere it is ready to harvest around October, after a full season of sun. Giving it cooler nights toward the end of flower is what helps bring out the deep purple tones the strain is famous for.
What does Purple Kush taste like?
Purple Kush has a deep, earthy base lifted by a sweet, fruity note, with a soft, woody finish. Myrcene drives the earthy-sweet character, caryophyllene a warm peppery spice, humulene a woody depth, and alpha-pinene a fresh herbal lift. A proper three to four week cure really brings that earthy-and-sweet kush flavor forward on the inhale and smooths the smoke.
How much does Purple Kush yield?
Purple Kush is a heavy producer indoors for such a small plant, giving around 450-500 g/m² in a well-run Sea of Green. Outdoors each compact plant gives a more modest 120-140 g, so it rewards growing several plants rather than one. Keep an open canopy and feed it steadily through flower so the dense buds develop fully.
Is Purple Kush good for beginners?
Yes. Purple Kush is a beginner-friendly plant: it is feminized so there is no sexing, it stays short and compact so it is easy to manage, and its hardy kush genetics are forgiving. The main thing to watch is airflow around its dense buds in late flower, which a little canopy management and a dry finish take care of.
