Are White Weed Seeds Good Or Bad?

Many growers wonder if white weed seeds are good or bad. You’re probably used to seeing golden, green, or brown cannabis seeds, but what about the pale ones?

For years, white cannabis was seen as being inferior, sick, or dead, but the stigma ends today. Read on to learn the true reasons why some seeds are white and their differences compared to normal colored ones. We also discuss how to spot high-quality seeds. 

Let’s dive in.

What causes white weed seeds? Is it bad?

It’s important to check if you have healthy marijuana seeds, but white-colored ones aren’t necessarily a bad thing. There are three main reasons why they might have an ivory hue. Let’s unpack the causes below.

Genetics 

Some marijuana seeds could turn white naturally due to a lack of chlorophyll or certain genes, which create the plant’s light pigment. 

These rare seeds have a double recessive gene that affects the entire structure, leaving you with whole white cannabis plants. With other genetics, only certain parts of the structure, like the branches, change color. 

Lack of chlorophyll 

Rarely, the nuclear and chloroplast genomes don’t work together, resulting in a lack of chlorophyll. This pigment is found in most plants and gives a green, yellow hue. Weed phytochemicals also give cannabis crops their unique hues and effects. 

Chlorophyll isn’t just responsible for giving cannabis its color, it’s also crucial for photosynthesis. It helps plants absorb sunlight and convert carbon dioxide into energy. These white cannabis seeds could need extra TLC and are likely to come from unstable genetics. 

Side effects of crossbreeding 

A fairly common side effect of crossbreeding strains is the cannabis seeds turning white. Some think it might signal cannabis albinism, which is rare, because this greenery typically doesn’t survive long enough to make buds.

Crossbred white weed seeds are still healthy and stable, they’re just a lighter color. They develop normally, and the hue doesn’t affect their harvest. 

White cannabis seeds vs dark: which is better?

A common myth is that pale seeds aren’t as fresh as green or brown seeds. The truth is, they’re typically just as healthy as other regular seeds. 

Unless the white weed seeds are caused by mold, mildew, or other diseases, there’s no difference between how white and dark seeds grow.

The shell color doesn’t share much on genetics and quality. The hues won’t reveal if they’re male or female seeds, the potency, or yield possibilities. Variances in appearance are common in all plant seeds and don’t typically signal anything of importance. 

The seeds hold the genetic material, which influences the sex, potency, strength, and size. The plant’s genes, nutrition, and growing techniques influence its growth, not the seed’s color. 

A common assumption is that white cannabis seeds don’t germinate as effectively. This belief is ironically false. They tend to pop sooner than their other colored counterparts, but that doesn’t necessarily make them better or worse. 

White shells are usually thinner than darker ones. They also break easier, while dark seeds take longer to crack. The key difference is the thickness and germination period.

How to check the quality of cannabis seeds

There are many different types of weed seeds, each one varying in appearance. Even those from the same strain can have stark differences, which makes it hard to tell their standard based on looks alone.

Here are some telltale signs of bad ones so you can check the quality: 

• Flat seeds have trouble sprouting

• Dull or scratched shells may be damaged or old

• Seeds covered in a white powdery substance could be infected by fungi

• A fragile or soft shell that crumbles easily 

• Very little or no waxy coating indicates very old or poorly packaged seeds

What cannabis seeds look like naturally differs. The most important factor in buying good quality ones is choosing the right supplier. Pick a retailer with a good reputation and ensure the seeds are produced by talented cultivators.

Good quality cannabis seeds typically have several telltale signs: 

• A hard and firm outer shell that doesn’t break if you hold it between your fingers

• A dewdrop-like shape that narrows on one end and is bulbous on the other

• A slight, waxy shine indicates younger seeds

Let’s explore other ways of determining the quality of weed seeds below.

The float test 

If you have white marijuana seeds and are unsure about the quality after scanning their appearance, perform this easy experiment. The float test is a method that separates the healthy seeds from the immature or poor-quality ones. 

Fill a glass with lukewarm, distilled water. Ensure it’s not hot, as this will cook your seeds. 

Pour the seeds into the glass and leave them to sit for an hour. When the time lapses, check on them. Those that float to the top are of poor quality, while the ones that sink are healthy. 

This test should only be done if you’re ready to germinate them immediately. The seeds soak up the water and can’t be dried and reused. It’s best to set up the equipment for germination ahead of time so you can easily transfer them from the glass. 

The germination test

Speed things up by skipping the experiments and fast forward to germinating the seeds. Once they sprout, it’s easy to spot the duds from the healthy ones. 

The best germination technique is the paper towel method. It involves sandwiching cannabis seeds between two damp paper towels and placing them onto a plate. 

They should pop after five days in a warm, dry place. You may notice that white marijuana seeds sprout faster than others. 

Note: If you purchase cannabis seeds from us and use the paper towel technique, you qualify for our germination guarantee. Send us proof you followed this method, and we’ll send you replacements for any cannabis seeds that don’t pop after about ten days.

Don’t judge: White weed seeds are normal 

Discriminating against white weed seeds is a common practice, but it doesn’t have to be. The reason is mainly cosmetic, and the color doesn’t affect the plants’ health unless it’s due to a disease or genetic complication. 

The most important factor in finding good quality cannabis seeds is to buy from a reputable store. At Homegrown Cannabis Co., we’re dedicated to delivering top-shelf seeds with stable genetics. Shop our selection of the finest cannabis seeds today.