Written by Ad OpsOverview of Mendo Purps
Mendo Purps is a mostly indica cultivar originating from California’s Emerald Triangle and bred by Lempire Farmaseed. Revered for deep purple flowers, dense resin, and a soothing body effect, it embodies the classic “Purps” profile that helped define West Coast cannabis in the 2000s and 2010s. In modern markets, it’s valued both as a standalone smoke and as a breeding parent that imparts color, flavor, and relaxing potency.
In terms of chemical makeup, Mendo Purps typically tests in the mid-to-high THC range with low CBD, aligning with many old-school indica-dominant types. Consumers often describe a layered aroma of grape, berry, plum, and damp forest earth, followed by a sweet, skunky finish. The effect is generally tranquil and mood-lifting at lower doses and sedative at higher doses, making it a popular evening strain.
Commercially and culturally, Mendo Purps holds a unique place because it seeded a family tree of legendary descendants. Granddaddy Purple—popularized in 2003—draws directly from Mendo Purps genetics alongside Skunk and Afghani lines. That lineage, plus close relatives like Purple Urkle, helped set the standard for purple varietals with dessert-like terpenes and restful effects.
Today, Mendo Purps continues to appear in craft flower, hash, and cartridges, and it is sometimes paired with modern flavor champions. Notably, products combining Mendo Purps with Zkittlez have been featured by discerning Bay Area retailers catering to hash enthusiasts. This ongoing presence underscores how the cultivar bridges legacy and contemporary cannabis tastes.
History and Origins in Mendocino County
Mendocino County’s cool nights, maritime influence, and diverse microclimates made it a cradle for colorful, high-terpene cannabis. Within this setting, Lempire Farmaseed worked lines that expressed the hallmark purple pigmentation and rich, fruit-forward aromas now synonymous with Mendo Purps. The name itself is a nod to the area and the broader “Purps” family, which came to signify top-shelf West Coast indica-dominant flowers.
The 1990s and early 2000s saw a surge of purple cultivars capturing consumer attention across California. Mendo Purps thrived in this era thanks to outdoor-friendly traits and the ability to display dramatic anthocyanin coloration when night temperatures dipped. That visual appeal coincided with a sweet, grape-berry aromatic profile that made the flowers instantly recognizable.
By the early 2000s, the Purps family was informing new crosses and shaping the palate of dispensary shelves. Ken Estes popularized Granddaddy Purple in 2003 as a cross of Mendo Purps, Skunk, and Afghan, weaving Mendocino genetics into a blockbuster indica. As legal markets matured, Mendo Purps remained a touchstone for growers and breeders seeking color and comfort-forward effects.
The legacy of Mendo Purps is also reflected in persistent rumors and phenotypic comparisons. Purple Urkle, for example, is widely thought to be related to or a phenotype of Mendo Purps, explaining its grape, berry, and plum bouquet. Even today, the “Urkle vs. Mendo Purps” lineage debate crops up in breeder forums, a testament to how foundational this Mendocino-born line has been.
Genetic Lineage and Influence on Modern Strains
Mendo Purps is a mostly indica line, and breeding houses have leveraged its stable expression of purple color and dessert-like terpenes for decades. While many old Mendocino cultivars drew influence from Afghan and other broadleaf heritage, Mendo Purps’ exact deep ancestry remains part of the region’s oral tradition. What is better documented is how it became a building block in crosses that redefined the purple category.
The most famous descendant is Granddaddy Purple (GDP), a 2003-era staple credited as Mendo Purps × Skunk × Afghan. GDP fused Mendo Purps’ purple and sweet-berry character with Skunk’s productivity and Afghan’s body-heavy stone, creating a consistent, relaxing crowd-favorite. This GDP foundation later fed into hybrids like Purple Punch, where the GDP parent contributed its signature berry-grape sweetness and sedative undertone.
Meanwhile, Purple Urkle—archived in databases since at least 2010—is frequently described as either a phenotype of Mendo Purps or closely related. The resemblance is more than visual; both express dense, grape-forward bouquets with foresty undertones and a calming effect. This shared chemotype hints that numerous purple cuts of the era were interrelated or selected from similar seed pools.
Beyond the classic purple category, Mendo Purps also appears in the lineage of Mendo Breath via Mendo Montage, which itself traces back to Mendo Purps. Mendo Breath’s heavy, dessert-like sedative effect showcases how the Purps family can combine with modern OG lines to produce knockout evening cultivars. Today, breeder menus still list crosses that weave Mendo Purps into newer hype strains, proving its ongoing influence.
The cultivar’s value is not just history—it is a breeder’s tool. When crossed into candy-forward modern varietals like Zkittlez, Mendo Purps can deepen color and dial in a more tranquil finish. This synergy explains why curated shops in San Francisco have highlighted Mendo Purps × Zkittlez products for discerning consumers.
Botanical Appearance and Morphology
Mendo Purps plants typically exhibit indica-leaning morphology with medium height, broad leaflets, and tight internodal spacing. In controlled indoor environments, untrained plants often finish at 80–110 cm, while topped and trained specimens can be maintained at 60–90 cm. Outdoors, given a long season and ample root space, plants can exceed 180 cm and develop robust, candelabra-like branching.
During flowering, the cultivar forms dense, conical colas with high calyx-to-leaf ratios, a trait that streamlines trimming. As nighttime temperatures drop below approximately 65°F (18°C), anthocyanins express, painting bracts and sugar leaves in violet, plum, and near-black tones. The pistils tend to take on a vivid copper to burnt-orange color as maturity approaches, adding visual contrast.
Trichome coverage is heavy and often glassy, with bulbous heads that make Mendo Purps a strong candidate for solventless extraction. Typical resin heads mature uniformly across the canopy, a helpful trait for homogeneous harvests. With skillful feeding and environment, expect a frosty sheen that persists even after cure, signifying robust terpene retention.
Under high-intensity lighting, Mendo Purps tolerates moderate defoliation to improve airflow through dense flowers. The cultivar’s lateral growth can be sculpted for Screen of Green (SCROG) systems, where even canopy development maximizes light interception. Sturdy branches usually obviate the need for heavy trellising, but colas may require light support late in bloom to prevent leaning.
Aroma: From Forest Earth to Grape Candy
The Mendo Purps bouquet opens with grape jam and dark berry overtones anchored by damp forest floor and fresh cedar. Many phenotypes add a plum-skin tartness and a subtle skunk note, creating a layered, nostalgic aroma reminiscent of classic West Coast dispensaries circa 2010. When broken up, flowers often release a pop of sweetness, like grape candy with a hint of herbal tea.
Terpene-wise, users commonly report a myrcene-forward nose, with supporting caryophyllene and limonene. Pinene, linalool, and ocimene frequently appear in trace-to-moderate amounts, modulating the top note toward either floral or woody directions depending on phenotype. The result is an aromatic profile that is both dessert-like and grounded, suitable for evening relaxation and connoisseur sniff tests alike.
After curing, the nose can evolve from juicy grape to stewed fruit with clove and cocoa undertones, especially when caryophyllene content is pronounced. Cold curing at 58–62% relative humidity helps preserve the high notes while allowing the base notes to round out. Over-drying below 55% can thin the bouquet, shifting the balance toward woody and skunky tones.
Flavor and Consumption Characteristics
Combustion tends to deliver sweet grape and berry on the inhale, followed by earthy cedar and a gentle skunk on the exhale. Some cuts layer in a vanilla or pastry-like note, especially when linalool and caryophyllene combine with low-temperature inhalation. The smoke is typically smooth when properly flushed and cured, making it accessible for novice and experienced consumers alike.
In vaporizers, the flavor separation is more pronounced. At 338–356°F (170–180°C), expect a juicy grape-peel top note with citrus-limonene sparkle and a herbal, tea-like mid. Raising temp to 374–392°F (190–200°C) brings out darker cocoa, pepper, and pine, alongside fuller body effects.
Post-session aftertaste is often a clean berry-skin dryness with faint vanilla-clove and cedar. Water-cured or improperly dried flowers may lose the top-end fruit and skew toward hay or cardboard; proper 10–14 day slow drying preserves nuance. Concentrates—especially ice water hash rosin—express candied grape and forest earth with amplified sweetness and a lingering, resinous finish.
Cannabinoid Profile and Potency Metrics
Mendo Purps is commonly assayed with THC in the 16–22% range, aligning with classic indica-dominant heirlooms and many modern craft batches. Top-shelf, dialed-in grows occasionally push to the 23–24% THC mark, though this is not the norm across general markets. CBD typically lands below 1%, often testing at 0.1–0.4%, reinforcing the strain’s reputation as THC-forward with minimal balancing cannabidiol.
Minor cannabinoids frequently reported include CBG at 0.3–1.0% and CBC in trace amounts below 0.2%. THCV rarely exceeds 0.3% in traditional Mendo Purps cuts, keeping appetite suppression modest relative to some African sativa lines. Total cannabinoids commonly aggregate in the 18–26% range when combining THC, minor cannabinoids, and residual acids.
Harvest timing can shift potency and effect contour. Earlier harvests, when trichomes are mostly cloudy with few ambers, often test on the higher side for THC and deliver a slightly brighter, less sedative effect. Later harvests with 15–25% amber heads may test fractionally lower in THC but feel heavier due to oxidized cannabinoids and changes in terpene ratios.
Consumers should consider dose in milligrams of THC to manage the sedative ramp. New users often report a comfortable window at 2.5–5 mg THC, while experienced consumers may step to 10–20 mg for evening use. Very high doses above 25–30 mg can produce pronounced couchlock, dry mouth, and, in sensitive individuals, transient dizziness.
Terpene Profile and Chemical Drivers of Aroma
Total terpene content in well-grown Mendo Purps typically ranges from 1.5–3.0% by dry weight, with elite batches occasionally exceeding 3%. Myrcene is often dominant, frequently composing 20–40% of the total terpene fraction. This aligns with the cultivar’s musky, earthy base and its body-weighted relaxation.
Beta-caryophyllene commonly lands in the 0.2–0.8% range by flower weight, interacting with CB2 receptors and contributing pepper, clove, and cocoa hints. Limonene typically appears at 0.2–0.6%, adding citrus brightness that keeps the grape note lively rather than flat. Alpha- and beta-pinene often register at 0.1–0.4% combined, providing woody and pine highlights and potentially countering excessive cognitive fog.
Linalool and ocimene, while variable, are key to the floral-grape dimension. Linalool in the 0.05–0.3% band can round the bouquet with lavender and vanilla accents, while ocimene at similar trace-to-moderate levels injects juicy, candy-like sweetness. Terpinolene is usually minimal, keeping the profile anchored in the dessert-indica camp rather than the bright, Jack-like spectrum.
These ratios help explain Mendo Purps’ reputation for tranquil happiness without sharp edges. Myrcene and caryophyllene tilt effects toward body ease and mood smoothing, while limonene and pinene keep the headspace clear enough for conversation. This chemical harmony carries forward into descendants like Granddaddy Purple and appears in related cultivars such as Purple Urkle, which are known for grape, berry, and plum signatures.
Experiential Effects, Onset, and Duration
Most users describe a gentle onset within 5–10 minutes when smoked or vaped, peaking by the 30–45 minute mark. The initial effect tends to be a warm, chest-centered calm paired with uplifted mood and sensory softening. As the session deepens, muscle relaxation and heaviness in the limbs become more pronounced.
At moderate doses, Mendo Purps is social and easygoing, suitable for low-key gatherings, music listening, or winding down after work. At higher doses, the experience can become decidedly sedative, promoting couchlock and early bedtime. Many report enhanced tactile comfort and a reduction in restlessness, aligning with the indica-leaning lineage.
Duration typically runs 2–3 hours with inhalation, with residual relaxation lasting longer. Edible forms extend effects to 4–8 hours depending on dose and metabolism, and the strain’s terpene mix tends to skew the edible experience toward body comfort over racy mental stimulation. Users who are sensitive to strong indicas should start low to gauge sedation.
Common side effects include dry mouth and eyes, lightheadedness upon standing, and occasional short-term memory lapses, especially at high doses. Anxiety is less commonly reported than with limonene-dominant sativas, but can still occur if dose exceeds personal tolerance. Hydration, snacks, and a comfortable environment mitigate most adverse experiences.
Potential Medical Applications and Dosing Considerations
While not an FDA-approved therapy, Mendo Purps’ chemistry aligns with common patient goals for evening symptom relief. THC-dominant cultivars have moderate-quality evidence supporting use in chronic pain, and many patients report Mendo Purps easing neuropathic discomfort and musculoskeletal tension. The cultivar’s myrcene and caryophyllene content may contribute to perceived body relief via relaxation and CB2-mediated pathways.
Insomnia is a frequent indication for indica-leaning strains, and Mendo Purps’ sedative arc is well-suited for sleep onset. Patients often take 2.5–10 mg THC 1–2 hours before bed when using edibles, or 1–2 inhalations 30–60 minutes before lights out for inhaled routes. Later-harvested flower, with slightly more amber trichomes, can feel heavier and may be preferred for sleep initiation.
Appetite stimulation is another potential use case, as THC has a well-documented orexigenic effect. Patients managing cachexia, post-chemotherapy nausea, or appetite loss may find modest benefit with Mendo Purps, particularly in lower, frequent inhaled doses. That said, individuals sensitive to hypotension should use caution due to occasional dizziness upon standing.
For anxiety and stress relief, the cultivar often performs best at micro to moderate dosing. Limonene and pinene content can keep mental space clear while myrcene smooths edges, but excessive THC may provoke paradoxical anxiety in susceptible patients. A starting dose of 1–2.5 mg THC with careful titration is prudent for anxious individuals.
As always, patient responses vary, and interactions with other medications should be discussed with a healthcare professional. Those new to THC should start with low doses and increase only after observing effects across multiple sessions. Avoid mixing with alcohol or other depressants due to additive sedation.
Comprehensive Cultivation Guide for Mendo Purps
Environment and climate. Mendo Purps thrives in temperate to warm climates with cool nights, which catalyze its purple coloration. Ideal daytime temperatures range 72–78°F (22–26°C) in veg and 68–75°F (20–24°C) in flower, with nighttime drops to 60–65°F (15–18°C) in late bloom for color. Target relative humidity at 55–65% in veg and 40–50% in flower; aim for VPD around 0.8–1.2 kPa for steady transpiration without undue stress.
Lighting and PPFD. In veg, 18 hours of light at 300–500 µmol/m²/s PPFD builds sturdy structure without excessive stretch. In flower, 12 hours of light at 700–900 µmol/m²/s PPFD maximizes density and resin. CO2 supplementation at 800–1,100 ppm can add 10–20% yield in dialed-in rooms, assuming adequate nutrients and irrigation.
Medium and pH. Mendo Purps performs well in living soil, coco, or hydro with a slight preference for soil/coco mixes that buffer pH. Maintain pH at 6.0–6.5 for soil and 5.8–6.0 for coco/hydro. In coco/hydro, keep EC at 1.2–1.6 mS/cm in veg and 1.6–2.2 mS/cm in flower, tapering in the final 10–14 days for a cleaner burn.
Nutrition. Provide balanced NPK with ample calcium and magnesium to support dense flowers. A common baseline is 120–160 ppm N in veg, tapering to 80–120 ppm N in early flower, with K ramped to 200–300 ppm by mid bloom. Supplemental sulfur improves terpene synthesis; silicon fortifies cell walls and helps mitigate powdery mildew pressure.
Plant training. Topping at the 5th or 6th node followed by low-stress training encourages an even canopy. Mendo Purps responds well to SCROG setups, filling a 2×2 ft (0.6×0.6 m) space per plant indoors with 4–6 weeks of veg. Defoliate lightly at week 3 of flower to improve airflow through dense colas, but avoid stripping too aggressively to preserve photosynthetic capacity.
Flowering time and harvest window. Indoors, expect 8–9 weeks of flowering with many phenotypes finishing around day 56–63. Outdoors in Mediterranean climates, harvest often falls from late September to mid-October depending on latitude and weather. Aim to harvest when trichomes are mostly cloudy with 10–20% amber for a balanced effect; increase amber for heavier sedation.
Yield potential. Indoors, skilled growers commonly achieve 350–500 g/m² under LED, with elite runs topping 550 g/m² under CO2. Outdoors, single plants in 50–100 gallon containers can yield 400–900 g depending on season length, training, and pest pressure. Calyx-to-leaf ratios are favorable, reducing trimming labor and improving bag appeal.
Color expression. To coax the signature purple, lower night temps to 60–65°F (15–18°C) during the final 2–3 weeks of flower. Avoid drastic swings exceeding 20°F (11°C) in 24 hours, which can stress plants and reduce aroma. Anthocyanin expression also benefits from adequate phosphorus and potassium in late bloom and strong, healthy leaves to carry pigment.
Pest and disease management. Dense, sweet flowers can invite botrytis in humid conditions; prune for airflow and maintain RH targets. Powdery mildew can be managed preventively with good VPD, canopy spacing, and weekly IPM such as potassium bicarbonate or biologicals in veg; discontinue foliar sprays by week 3 of flower. Watch for spider mites and thrips on indoor runs; introduce beneficials early and maintain clean intakes and quarantine protocols.
Irrigation strategy. In soil, allow a moderate dry-back between waterings to around 50–60% container saturation for strong root oxygenation. In coco, aim for frequent, smaller irrigations with 10–20% runoff to manage salt accumulation. Track runoff EC to keep feed in range and adjust as needed to avoid lockouts, especially with calcium and magnesium.
Clonal propagation. Mendo Purps clones readily from 4–6 inch cuttings taken below the apical meristem. Use a mild 0.3–0.5 EC rooting solution with 0.2–0.4% IBA gel or powder, and maintain 75–80°F (24–27°C) with high humidity (75–85%) until callus and roots form, typically in 7–14 days. Harden off gradually to reduce transplant shock and maintain compact internodes with strong, blue-leaning light.
Outdoor considerations. Choose a site with full sun and good airflow; raise beds or mounds to enhance drainage in coastal climates. Mendocino-style swings of warm days and cool nights suit this cultivar perfectly and help color while preserving terpenes. In rainy falls, consider light dep to finish by late September, minimizing botrytis risk in dense colas.
Drying and curing. For maximum terp retention, dry at 60°F (16°C) and 60% RH for 10–14 days with gentle circulation. Target a final water activity of 0.55–0.62 and then cure in airtight containers burped daily for 10–14 days before shifting to weekly burps for another 2–4 weeks. Properly cured Mendo Purps retains a brilliant grape-berry nose and a clean, slow burn.
Extraction suitability. The cultivar’s trichome density and head size translate well to solventless methods; 4–6% hash yield from fresh frozen is common, with elite washes surpassing 6%. Hydrocarbon extractions can accentuate the candy-grape top notes and forest base while delivering high potency. For live rosin, harvest at peak terpene expression—usually a few days before the flowers are fully “ripe” for smoking—to optimize flavor.
Quality control and metrics. Track Brix to monitor plant health; readings of 10–14 in late flower often correlate with robust aroma and resin. Maintain leaf tissue analysis mid-grow to fine-tune calcium, magnesium, and micronutrients, as deficiencies can crash yield and increase disease susceptibility. Keep logs of VPD, PPFD, EC, and runoff to tighten run-to-run consistency.
Troubleshooting. If flowers lack purple, verify night temperatures, phenotypic potential, and overall plant health; stressed plants may fail to color. If aroma seems muted, review dry/cure conditions and consider sulfur and magnesium supplementation earlier in bloom. If buds fox-tail under LEDs, reduce PPFD and tighten temperature differential to prevent heat stacking at the bud surface.
Genetic sourcing and consistency. Because “Purps” naming has been used broadly, source cuts or seeds from reputable breeders—Lempire Farmaseed maintains the authentic line referenced here. Phenotype selection remains crucial; choose plants with dense flowers, rich grape-berry aroma, and manageable internodal spacing. Keep a mother of your best plant and re-test across seasons to confirm stability under varying conditions.
Market positioning. Mendo Purps offers classic appeal that still moves in modern craft markets, especially when paired with complementary flavor lines. As seen in curated Bay Area shelves, combinations like Mendo Purps × Zkittlez emphasize candy-fruit while preserving a calm, luxuriant stone. For growers, this makes Mendo Purps both a standalone brand and a reliable “color and comfort” donor in breeding projects.
