Stoners of a certain age may associate “Deep Purple” with the 1970s proto-metal band of the same name -- and with the ubiquitous intro guitar riff to their hit Smoke on the Water. Many other cannabis enthusiasts, however, hear Deep Purple and thinking of dense, colorful buds bursting with grape and berry flavor. Deep Purple is a cross between Mendocino Purps-descended, Purple Urkle, and fruity indica Querkle. Created by the prolific breeding collective Subcool's The Dank Seeds, Deep Purple is a carefully-curated indica that offers mellow and sedative effects. Cannabis testing lab Analytic 360 has found flowers of this strain to have THC levels between 14% and 19%.

When burnt, Deep Purple gives off a smooth, rich smoke that tastes like sweet grape and berry. This bud is best enjoyed in a joint or a freshly cleaned pipe so its flavor can shine. The stoney, heavy high creeps up slowly -- within minutes, it will either leave you couch-locked or walking around daydreaming. It’s the perfect choice for evening or nighttime use, and it’s as fun to smoke alone as it is to share. Because it’s so sedative, Deep Purple can also be a great way to treat insomnia.

Deep Purple is marked by very large, tapered flowers that adhere in a dense indica bud structure. The bright, almost neon green flowers are threaded through with neon orange hairs -- which are actually pistils, meant to catch pollen from fertilizing male plants. As this strain’s name implies, most phenotypes also boast shades of purple in their leaves, ranging from a pale lavender to a deep violet. These vibrant colors come about when pigments called anthocyanins in the plants’ genes are stimulated by colder than average temperatures during the growing process; this interaction is similar in principle to the changing of foliage in autumn due to depleted chlorophyll levels. Deep Purple’s primary aroma has been described as a combination of grapes and sweet plums. These fruity and refreshing notes are grounded out by the musky and dank scent of freshly-tilled soil. When combusted, Deep Purple burns with a rich, lung-expanding, and surprisingly smooth smoke. On the exhale, it leaves flavors of sugary grape and berry, tinged by some earthy, tobacco-like notes. Notably, this strain’s grape flavor is entirely incidental to its purple appearance: this is because the the flower’s color-determining pigments function independently of the terpenes that dictate the strain’s flavor profile.

Deep Purple can be described as a creeper of a strain, with its high mounting in progressively nuanced layers. Initial effects can be detected as a pressure around the eyes and temples. These disorienting sensations are often accompanied by a trippy sativa edge -- auditory stimuli may feel strangely disconnected from their sources; visual distortions are also commonly reported. As smokers adjust to their altered states, Deep Purple melts into an easygoing and lucid relaxation. Although some productivity and creative output is still possible, Deep Purple often discourages mobility or manual labor as it tapers into heavy couch-lock. This strain is perfectly suited to spending a lazy afternoon or evening with friends or to kicking back alone at home alone after a long day of work. Deep Purple’s long-lasting high has been praised by even seasoned cannabis fans.

Deep Purple’s sedative effects can also have various applications for medical cannabis patients. It can temporarily numb aches and pains, both minor and chronic. Anti-inflammatory properties may also soothe everyday annoyances, from headaches to nausea. Psychologically speaking, Deep Purple can also help those with anxiety, depression, and PTSD by taking the edge off of the more troubling symptoms of these conditions. It may also allow patients with attention deficit disorders to sustain focus on simple tasks. Because of the relative lack of buzzy cerebral effects, Deep Purple can be a good choice for those who are prone to panic or who have a low tolerance for THC.

Breeders TGA Subcool have released seeds of Deep Purple for sale online. The strain can be successfully cultivated indoors or out, although outdoor growing calls for a semi-humid, Mediterranean-like climate. Indoors, the strain’s plants grow short and bushy with strong lateral branches. Growers should be sure to regularly “top off” these small plants by trimming away any broad fan leaves that might block light and air from reaching low-growing flowering nodes. Deep Purple has a short flowering time of about 7 to 8 weeks when grown indoors and offers a moderate yield at harvest time.

A potent indica that only reveals its full sedative potential as the high wears on, Deep Purple is excellent to hoard for solo enjoyment. That said, its dynamic scent and flavor can also be a great way to win over some friends and admirers in more buzzy social situations.