Purple Punch
Breeder: Supernova Gardens (Hawaii)
Purple Punch is one of the most influential dessert-style cultivars of the modern era, prized for its grape candy aroma, dense resinous flowers, and heavy sedating effects. Its higher-than-average myrcene concentration is commonly cited as why it feels more sedating than its THC percentage suggests. It became one of the most prolific breeding parents in modern cannabis, with over 360 documented descendants. Purple Punch was created in 2012 by Supernova Gardens, a breeding group from Hawaii who crossed a Larry OG female (from Cali Connection seeds) with a Granddaddy Purple male sourced from Ken Estes during a trip to Washington state. In 2013, Supernova shared the clone with a grower named Budologist during a visit to Southern California, who subsequently passed it to cannabis breeder The Village with Supernova's blessing. The Village brought Purple Punch to full-scale commercial production, making it widely available for the first time. On April 20, 2017, Budologist and The Village released F2 seeds through their collaboration Symbiotic Genetics, and within eight months every major U.S. cannabis publication had named Purple Punch their strain of the year. The strain has been described as "the next Blue Dream" for its combination of ease of growth, heavy yields, and overwhelming consumer popularity. Its terpene profile is dominated by caryophyllene, myrcene, and limonene, producing the signature grape candy, blueberry muffin, and tart Kool-Aid aroma. THC typically tests 18-25%, with premium batches reaching 26%.
Lineage & Genetics
Cross: Larry OG x Granddaddy Purple
Larry OG (Lemon Larry) descends from OG Kush (Lemon Larry pheno) x Sour Diesel IBL, carrying citrus-pine aromatics. Granddaddy Purple descends from Purple Urkle x Big Bud, contributing purple coloration and grape sweetness. The original cross used a female Larry OG from a Cali Connection seed pack and a male GDP from Ken Estes sourced in Washington state.
Terpene Profile
Caryophyllene — Spicy, peppery warmth
Myrcene — Earthy, musky; drives heavy sedation; ~0.8–1.5%
Limonene — Citrus brightness balancing the sweetness
Linalool — Soft floral/lavender undertone
Aroma: Grape candy, blueberry muffins, tart Kool-Aid. Mid-flower scent described as 'blue Gatorade.'
Flavor: Sweet grape and berry on inhale, vanilla and baked pastry on exhale. Some phenotypes lean more citrusy from the Larry OG side.
Effects & Experience
Onset: Fast-acting, hitting between the eyes within minutes.
Initial wave of cerebral euphoria settles quickly into deep full-body relaxation and physical heaviness. Higher doses associated with couch-lock and sleepiness.
Duration: Long-lasting relative to other indicas
Commonly Reported Uses
Grower's Notes
Purple Punch is one of the most forgiving indica-dominant cultivars available, combining beginner accessibility with rewards that satisfy experienced growers. Bred by Supernova Gardens in Hawaii circa 2012 from a Larry OG female crossed with a Granddaddy Purple male sourced from Ken Estes, the strain gained explosive commercial popularity after Symbiotic Genetics released F2 seeds on April 20, 2017. The Village, who helped bring it to scale production, described the plant plainly: "It's quite vigorous. It's not prone to powdery mildew, and it's not too dense. It doesn't stretch too much during flowering, and it does not need special nutrition."
Growth Structure and Training
The plant exhibits classic indica architecture—compact, bushy, with short internode spacing and sturdy lateral branching. Indoor heights typically stay between 60-90 cm, rarely exceeding 90 cm without extended veg periods. Outdoors, plants may reach 90-150 cm. The moderate flowering stretch (roughly doubling vegetative height) makes it highly predictable for space planning. Thick, durable stems provide natural support, though late-flower colas can become heavy enough to benefit from staking or netting.
Growth Structure and Training
Purple Punch excels in both SOG and SCROG configurations. For SOG, pack 16 plants per square meter in 11-liter pots, vegging only until 25 cm before flipping to 12/12. For SCROG, fewer plants with extended veg and topping above the 4th node creates an even, productive canopy. Lollipopping lower branches improves airflow and redirects energy to top colas. LST is effective and low-risk given the strain's sturdy branch structure.
Nutrient Management
Nutrition requirements are moderate—this is not a heavy feeder. Over-fertilization dulls the signature grape candy terpene profile. A balanced organic program or terpene-supportive feeding schedule works well. Target EC of 1.2-1.8 mS in soil, pH 6.2-6.6. Increase potassium slightly around week 8 of flower to support bud density. Add supplemental calcium and magnesium before flower onset, especially in coco or soilless media. Flush with plain water for 7-10 days before harvest—grower reports consistently note that flushed Purple Punch produces noticeably better grape and vanilla flavor expression.
Environmental parameters during flower
daytime temperatures of 68-78°F (20-26°C), humidity at 40-50% RH with strong oscillating airflow. The dense bud structure makes this strain susceptible to bud rot if humidity exceeds 50% in late flower. To trigger maximum purple anthocyanin expression, introduce a 5-8°C nighttime temperature drop (to 15-18°C / 60-65°F) during the final 2-3 weeks. Notably, the Alpha Cut phenotype produces deep purple coloration even at standard indoor temperatures due to elevated genetic anthocyanin potential.
Flowering Time and Harvest
Flowering completes in 7-9 weeks (49-63 days), with most phenotypes finishing around 56-60 days. Outdoor harvest falls in mid-to-late September in the Northern Hemisphere. Monitor trichomes carefully: mostly cloudy with 10-20% amber delivers the full sedating indica effect; harvesting earlier (all cloudy, minimal amber) produces a cleaner, more cerebral high. The buds cure into dense, rock-hard nuggets with exceptional trichome coverage extending even onto fan leaves—a characteristic that makes this strain popular with extract producers.
Yield
Indoor yields of 500-700 g/m² are achievable under optimized conditions (600-700 g/m² reported by Barney's Farm at 1680W over canopy). Outdoor plants in Mediterranean climates can produce 1-2 kg per plant while staying under 1.5 meters tall. The strain demonstrates strong mold resistance outdoors but benefits from preventive measures against caterpillars and dense-canopy moisture issues. Proper dry and cure are critical—a rushed cure flattens the distinctive grape and berry aromatics that define the strain's bag appeal.
History & Origin
Created around 2012 by Supernova Gardens in Hawaii. Remained obscure until 2013 when a clone was shared with Budologist in Southern California, who passed it to The Village for commercial-scale growing. On April 20, 2017, Symbiotic Genetics released the first F2 seeds. Named 'Strain of the Year' by multiple publications in 2017 and became Leaflink's Best-Selling Flower in California in 2019.
Awards & Recognition
- ●2x High Times Cannabis Cup Winner
- ●High Times Medical Cannabis Cup Winner (2021)
- ●Strain of the Year — Major U.S. Cannabis Publications (2017)
- ●8x Farmers Cup Award Winner
- ●1st Place Indoor Flower — Farmers Cup
- ●Best of Secret Sesh Winner
- ●Blazer's Cup Winner
- ●LeafLink Best-Selling Flower in California (2019)
- ●Best Pre-Roll in California — LA Weekly (2022)
- ●Best Pre-Roll in California — Weedmaps (2023)
- ●1st Place Best Sungrown Indica — Santa Cruz Cup (2018)
- ●2nd Place Best Sungrown Hybrid — Santa Cruz Cup (2018)
- ●3rd Place Best Indica Flower — Alaska Cannabis Competition (2018)
- ●Dutch Flowers Cup Winner (2020)
- ●1st Place Non-Infused Pre-Roll (Unicornz cut) — Farmers Cup
Notable Crosses
Strains bred using Purple Punch as a parent:
Frequently Asked Questions
8 common questions about Purple Punch
What is Purple Punch and what are its genetics?
Purple Punch is a indica cannabis strain (80% Indica / 20% Sativa) bred by Supernova Gardens (Hawaii). It is a cross of Larry OG x Granddaddy Purple, testing at 18–25% THC. Purple Punch is one of the most influential dessert-style cultivars of the modern era, prized for its grape candy aroma, dense resinous flowers, and heavy sedating effects. Its higher-than-average myrcene concentration is commonly cited as why it feels more sedating than its THC percentage suggests.
What does Purple Punch smell and taste like?
Purple Punch's dominant terpenes are Caryophyllene, Myrcene. The aroma is described as grape candy, blueberry muffins, tart kool-aid. mid-flower scent described as 'blue gatorade.'. The flavor profile features sweet grape and berry on inhale, vanilla and baked pastry on exhale. some phenotypes lean more citrusy from the larry og side..
What are the effects of Purple Punch?
Fast-acting, hitting between the eyes within minutes. Initial wave of cerebral euphoria settles quickly into deep full-body relaxation and physical heaviness. Higher doses associated with couch-lock and sleepiness.. Duration is typically long-lasting relative to other indicas. Commonly reported uses include Sleep aid, Stress relief, Pain management, Appetite stimulation.
How hard is Purple Punch to grow?
Purple Punch is rated easy difficulty. It flowers in 7-9 weeks, reaches short (60-90 cm indoor) in height, and yields 500-700 g/m² indoors. Best suited for indoor, outdoor, greenhouse environments.
What are the parent strains of Purple Punch?
Purple Punch is a cross of Larry OG and Granddaddy Purple. Larry OG (Lemon Larry) descends from OG Kush (Lemon Larry pheno) x Sour Diesel IBL, carrying citrus-pine aromatics. Granddaddy Purple descends from Purple Urkle x Big Bud, contributing purple coloration and grape sweetness.
Does Purple Punch turn purple?
Yes. Purple Punch is known to express purple coloration, with reported colors including green, purple, blue. Cooler nighttime temperatures during late flowering typically intensify anthocyanin expression.
What strains were bred from Purple Punch?
Purple Punch has been used as a parent in several notable crosses, including Mimosa, Slurricane, Tropicana Punch, Wedding Crashers. Its genetics contribute to a wide range of modern cultivars.
Has Purple Punch won any cannabis awards?
Yes. Purple Punch has received recognition including 2x High Times Cannabis Cup Winner; High Times Medical Cannabis Cup Winner (2021); Strain of the Year — Major U.S. Cannabis Publications (2017).
Sources & References (45)
- *Sources used:**
- Greenpoint Seeds (breeder-attributed history of Supernova Gardens)
- Cannabis Now interview with The Village (first-hand origin story)
- Carter's Cannabis (detailed genetics history article)
- Seedfinder.eu (genealogy database, Barney's Farm and Unknown/Legendary entries)
- Leafly (aggregated THC data, terpene profile, community reviews)
- Strain Guide / Hollyweed / STIIIZY / Kush21 (secondary databases, terpene cross-reference)
- GrowDiaries (grow characteristics, user-reported data)
- Barney's Farm grow report and Weed World Magazine (real-world grow journal data)
- Herbies Seeds grow diary (real-world yield and structure data)
- THC Design (award verification)
- PhenoDB (descendant strain catalog)
- *Conflicts found:**
- *Lineage:** Tastebudz Genetics lists "Grape Ape × OG Kush" as the parentage. This is contradicted by all other sources including the breeder (Supernova Gardens) and is almost certainly incorrect.
- *Indica ratio:** Most sources say 80/20 indica-dominant. Barney's Farm markets their version as 90/10. This likely reflects phenotypic variation between seed bank versions rather than a factual dispute about the original.
- *Creation date:** Some sources say "early 2000s," while Greenpoint Seeds specifically says 2012. The 2012 date refers to the specific cross event; "early 2000s" may refer to when Supernova began working with the parent genetics.
- *THC range:** Leafly's listed average is 18%, while aggregated lab data across multiple sources shows 18–25%. The 18% figure likely reflects Leafly's median across all tested batches including lower-quality commercial product.
- Key facts verified across multiple sources:
- Supernova Gardens from Hawaii created this strain by crossing Larry OG with Granddaddy Purple, producing an indica-dominant hybrid that typically tests between 18-25% THC. The strain emerged in the early 2000s, became a shared clone by 2013, and Symbiotic Genetics released F2 seeds on April 20, 2017. The dominant terpene profile centers on caryophyllene with supporting notes of myrcene and limonene.
- The strain has an impressive competition record, winning the High Times Cannabis Cup twice and earning Strain of the Year recognition in 2017 across multiple publications, plus numerous other cup wins and accolades. It flowers in 7-9 weeks and has spawned several notable crosses including Mimosa, Slurricane, Tropicana Punch, and Wedding Crashers. There's one incorrect lineage claim floating around from a minor source attributing it to Grape Ape and OG Kush, but this contradicts what the breeder and all major sources confirm.
- Grower's Notes cultivation sources:
- https://www.barneysfarm.com/blog/purple-punch-grow-report/
- https://hypnoseeds.com/the-blog/how-to-grow-purple-punch-seeds-2025-grow-diary/
- https://www.strainpedia.com/purple-punch/
- https://strainelite.com/blog/purple-punch-strain-complete-guide
- https://www.cannaconnection.com/strains/purple-punch
- https://2fast4buds.com/news/purple-punch-auto-cannabis-strain-week-by-week-guide
- https://conceptionnurseries.com/library/purple-punch/
- https://greenpointseeds.com/cannabis-seed-traits/supernova-gardens/
- https://www.carterscannabis.com/blog/genetics-blog-1/cannabis-genetics-explained-history-and-story-of-purple-punch-larry-og-x-grand-daddy-purple-66
- https://www.alchimiaweb.com/blogen/history-purple-punch-alpha-cut/
- https://cannabisnow.com/strain-review-purple-punch-swings-for-the-fences/
- https://thehighestcritic.com/reviews/strain-review-purple-punch-by-supernova-gardens/
- https://www.leafly.com/strains/purple-punch
- https://strainguide.app/blog/purple-punch-strain-effects-terpenes-thc-grow-guide/
- https://www.allbud.com/marijuana-strains/indica-dominant-hybrid/purple-punch
- https://thisiswhyimhigh.com/strains/purple-punch
- https://www.breederscollective.com/post/strain-profile-purple-punch-genetics-thc-terpenes-effects-yield-more
- https://thcdesign.com/strains/purple-punch/
- https://www.segra-intl.com/cultivars-old/purple-punch
- https://hyperwolf.com/shop/strain/purple-punch
- https://pevgrow.com/blog/en/purple-punch-history-genetics-growing-and-characteristics/
- https://dutch-passion.com/en/cannabis-seeds/purple-og-punch
- https://hightimes.com/news/norcal-cannabis-cup-preview-everything-you-need-to-smoke-score-see-and-do-in-santa-rosa/
- https://www.leafly.com/strains/lists/curated/leafly-strain-of-year-winners
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