Cannabis that isn’t bright green but instead looks pale, light, or white is called “white weed.” But is pure white weed real, or is it just a myth? Let’s find out.
What Causes White Weed: Albinism, Light Bleach, Mildew, or Strains?
So what causes white weed? Is it real albinism, mold, or intentional breeding? Let’s look at the possible causes of white cannabis.
Albino Weed – Fact or Fiction?
-
Albinism causes a loss of pigmentation and chlorophyll in plants. Since chlorophyll is essential for photosynthesis and nutrient absorption, albinism is often fatal for cannabis.
-
True albino weed with absolutely no chlorophyll would likely die before producing much bud.
-
While vibrant albino weed photos circulate online, 100% albino cannabis surviving to maturity is practically impossible. Any all-white “albino” buds you see likely had some chlorophyll and green leaves to sustain growth.
-
So purely albino white weed is basically a myth. But certain growing conditions can produce mostly white buds on otherwise normal green plants.
Light Bleach – When White Weed Goes Too Bright
-
Intense direct light can bleach cannabis buds to a lighter hue, especially with hot temperatures. This “light bleach” typically impacts top colas under strong indoor grow lights. Outdoors, shading usually prevents bleaching.
-
Light-bleached weed isn’t really albino white, but it does make some parts of the plant lighter. Excess light intensity is the culprit, not albinism.
Powdery Mildew – A Fuzzy White Mold
-
Powdery mildew is a common cannabis pest – a white fuzzy mold that covers leaves, buds, and stems. To the naked eye, mildew can resemble white weed buds. But its unpleasant odor gives it away.
-
White mold isn’t caused by albino genes; it’s a disease caused by fungi. Mildewy weed shouldn’t be smoked due to health risks.
White Strains – Intentionally Bred White Buds
-
While true albino weed is rare, breeders have selectively cultivated strains with a white appearance. The legendary White Widow strain produces frosty white crystals and hairs on green buds. Other white hybrids like White Russian, White Rhino, and The White also exist.
-
These strains aren’t albino – they have green leaves and chlorophyll. But selective breeding isolates the white traits over generations, resulting in light buds covered in white trichomes and pistils. So white weed is possible with intentional hybridization.
Real-Life Cases of White Weed – Albino, Bleached, or Molded?
Let’s examine some real-world examples of white cannabis to deduce their true origins.
All-White Outdoor Plant – True Albinism?
-
Photos circulate of entirely white pot plants growing outdoors. Since outdoor light isn’t intense enough to cause bleaching, could these be real albino specimens?
-
Probably not – a genuine albino would lack the nutrients and energy to grow that large. Partial green leaves are likely hidden or cropped out. An all-white mature plant is virtually impossible in nature.
Bright White Top Colas – Light Bleach
-
Indoor colas directly under LEDs sometimes appear glowing white. With no green or other pigments visible, it resembles albino buds.
-
But the cause is likely intense light bleaching the tops. Lower buds remain naturally green with chlorophyll. So it’s not genetic albinism.
Fuzzy Grayish Mold – Powdery Mildew
-
Leaf surfaces coated in a fuzzy grayish-white substance point to powdery mildew, not natural white coloration. The mold penetrates buds too, leaving a pale cheese-like appearance.
-
No question here – fuzzy mold is clearly not albino genetics. Do not consume moldy weed.
Snow-White Crystals on Green Buds – White Strains
-
Vibrant green buds stacked with snow-white crystals are a trademark of White Widow and other white strains. The green shows they aren’t albino.
-
Selective breeding over generations yields genetics predisposed to developing white trichomes, hairs, and resin heads on budding sites.
-
This distinct white-on-green contrast defines quality bred white strains.
How to Grow White Weed Strains for Dazzling Trichome Cover
If you want eye-catching white weed colas, growing purpose-bred white strains is the solution. Here are some tips.
-
Choose renowned white strains like White Widow, White Russian, The White, and White Rhino.
-
Give plants 18+ hours daily light in bloom phase to swell white trichome heads.
-
Lower temps to around 70°F late in bloom to maximize white crystals.
-
Gently flush 2 weeks pre-harvest to fade leaves and highlight white trichomes.
-
Harvest when most trichome heads turn milky white and a few amber.
-
Wet or dry trim depending on your preference to preserve trichomes.
-
Dry slowly around 60-65°F to retain terpenes and white resin heads.
With the right genetics and environment, you can cultivate cannabis as white as the driven snow.
The Verdict – Does Real Natural White Weed Exist?
After analyzing the possibilities – albinism, light, mold, and breeds – what’s the final verdict on legit white cannabis?
-
True albino weed is extremely rare. Any all-white pot plants likely have some underlying chlorophyll keeping them alive. While possible in theory, 100% albino white weed surviving is practically a myth.
-
Light bleach and powdery mildew can also generate white coloration. But this is abnormal, not natural genetics.
-
In reality, the only reliable way to grow true white weed is purposefully bred white strains. By isolating and stabilizing white trichome traits over generations, breeders have created dazzling legal hybrids that naturally develop covered in white crystals.
So while pure albino white weed is more legend than reality, anyone can legally cultivate stunning white buds using select specialty strains. With the proper genetics and grow techniques, you can harness cannabis in its highest crystalline form – as white as the driven snow.
Reasons for albinism in cannabis plants
Albinism can occur for various reasons, from genetic factors to environmental conditions. , raising the question: can weed be white? Among the environmental conditions, the culture substrate, light, and temperature stand out, raising the question: what does it mean when weed is white? Genetic factors are undoubtedly the most interesting and important. Albinism has been known to be a recessive trait.
In other words, this defect that causes the plant to not develop chlorophyll is not expressed in the first generation of a cross, but rather a back cross must be made with the plant that shows albino traits for it to be expressed. Even so, white marijuana, la marijuana albina, or albino marijuana plants are still very rare. The most common are variegated cannabis plants, which show a mix of green and white coloring due to irregular chlorophyll production.
Variegation is very common in many plant species. This process consists of a change in the color pattern of the green areas. It might be because of different things, and you can only see it in the plant’s green parts. There are some genes that control the production of chlorophyll in marijuana and, as you already know, it is these pigments that are responsible for giving your plants that greenish color, distinguishing them from all white bud. This causes plants to have leaf edges that are white and spots of different colors in the middle. This is sometimes called “White Weed” when it happens to cannabis plants.
There is also the kind that is caused by the environment, which is also known as lacking albinism or forced albinism. An albino marijuana plant may owe its color to lighting. Overexposure to very high light intensity can cause whitening in the most exposed areas. It is usually common indoors when plants grow excessively and get too close to the lighting system. In these cases, both buds and leaves usually take on a whitish appearance, which can contribute to the development of White Weed traits.
Differences between albino plants and discolored cannabis plants
Of course, we must bear in mind that an albino or white marijuana plant is not the same as a discolored plant. What is the difference between them? Well, it’s very simple. A discolored marijuana plant, as its name suggests, is one that has lost its color because it has been too close to the focus or exposed to too much light intensity. In these cases, the grower is responsible for the paleness of the plant which has caused it to lose its chlorophyll photopigments and its quality. Of course, as a decorative plant, it has a really striking color effect, but when it comes to smoking it, it will have lost a lot of value.
The secret of an albino plant is not in the little skill of the grower, but hidden in the plant’s own genetics. Far from being plants whitened by excess light, what we find is a disconcerting natural phenomenon called variegation. Variegation is a rare, but absolutely real genetic abnormality.
There are some genes that control the production of chlorophyll in marijuana and, as you already know, it is these pigments that are responsible for giving your plants that greenish color. Variegation is a mutation that decompensates the presence of chlorophyll in the plant, giving rise to those markedly albino traits that can basically manifest in two ways:
In a single area of the plant (such as just the buds) or in various areas of the plant, interspersed with pigmented areas (as if the green and albino patterns were intertwined). This mutation can result in what is commonly referred to as White Weed, where parts of the plant, or in extreme cases the entire plant, take on a white appearance due to a lack of chlorophyll. There is an extreme case in which the origin of the white color of the plant would be in the so-called double albino gene. In these cases, the entire marijuana plant would be white and would not have any option to perform photosynthesis (chlorophyll is what allows them to synthesize light), so it would die in a very short time. Therefore, it would be very difficult for you to find a plant of these characteristics that has managed to develop.
White ash vs Black ash ** THE TRUTH **
FAQ
What kind of weed is white?
White widow is regarded as head of the “White” family. It often has been used to form other ‘white strains’ or shares genetic material with other ‘white’varieties. Other denominators are that white strains are covered in trichomes, have a high THC level resulting in a powerful high.
Is it bad to smoke white weed?
PSA: Check Your Cannabis for Mold. Moldy cannabis usually has a grayish-white powdery coating and a musty or mildewy smell. Smoking moldy weed probably won’t kill you, but it’s still not recommended.
Is white weed stronger?
A common misconception is that strains with bold color are more potent. The truth is that color has nothing to do with potency. Oct 16, 2020.
What does it mean when weed has white on it?
Identifying Powdery Mildew on Cannabis Plants Powdery mildew first appears as spots or patches of white to gray powder. On the plant’s leaves (both top and bottom), as well as on the flower, it often looks like a light pinch of powdered sugar.
What is the whitest weed strain?
White Widows is ideal for relieving headaches and migraines. This strain is probably the whitest weed strain. White Widow is frequently used to breed other white cannabis strains. Off White Cake is an Indica-dominant hybrid strain. It is a cross between Wedding Cake and an unknown strain, possibly Off White.
Why does my cannabis plant turn white?
Instead, it can occur due to many other factors such as light bleach, powdery mildew, or as a side-effect of cross-breeding strains. If you notice parts of your cannabis plant turning shades of white, this could be due to light bleach. Light bleach occurs when your plants are overexposed to direct, constant light at high temperatures.
Are white weed buds albinism?
There are many strains of cannabis that are bred to grow white weed buds. These strains are not carriers of the albinism trait, but are bred to have prominent white-colored crystals of resin form on their surface.
Does cannabis flower burn to white ash?
Leafly asked the experts Joints burn to white ash easier than cannabis flowers smoked in a pipe. (Leafly) We’re probably all familiar with the belief that cannabis flower burning to “white ash” indicates it was grown right or is otherwise good bud.
Why is albino Weed green?
Plants have a pigment called chlorophyll that absorbs the sun’s ultraviolet rays. This is what makes plants green. Chlorophyll is an important part of photosynthesis; without it, plants can’t take in sunlight or get the nutrients they need. So, Is Albino Weed Real?.
What is albinism in cannabis?
Albinism in cannabis is, essentially, a genetic defect that will hinder the growth of your plant. Even if an albino cannabis plant could survive and produce flowers, the buds in question would have very low THC due to the lack of nutrients it received during its growth. White Cannabis: How Is It Possible?