A cannabis calyx is the small, teardrop-shaped structure that forms the base of each female flower, protects the reproductive parts and carries a heavy load of resin glands. Stacked together, calyxes are what build a bud. Knowing your plant's anatomy, calyx included, makes it easier to grow a spectacular crop that really thrives.

When you're growing, understanding plant anatomy is huge. Every part of the cannabis plant has a job, and knowing each one can change how you grow and how much you appreciate what you're smoking.

Today we're zooming in on the cannabis calyx.

What is a calyx on a weed plant?

Calyxes are the building blocks of cannabis flowers. They're the first part of the flower to form on the plant, and they basically make up the base that holds the flowers together as they grow.

Calyxes form right where the flower meets the stem. They're made of tiny leaves (botanists would technically call them bracts) designed to protect the female plant's reproductive parts, the pistils. The calyx is home to tons of trichomes, the resin glands that hold the highest concentrations of terpenes and cannabinoids on the plant.

Every flowering plant has to make sure its flowers are protected, stable and able to grow big enough to attract pollinators. On cannabis, calyxes are the part of the flower that forms first and eventually becomes the base that supports the rest of it.

The calyx on a female cannabis plant

Female calyxes look like tiny seeds that, once they're ready to be pollinated, pop open to release milky-white pistils. Male plants, on the other hand, form small pollen sacs. Once the plants mature, those sacs burst open to release pollen into the air and pollinate the females, which then make seeds.

Inside the cannabis calyx you'll find all the important reproductive organs, including the pistil and stigmas. There are also resin glands, which are responsible for producing cannabinoids, THC included.

What is calyx-to-leaf ratio?

When you harvest your cannabis, you'll need to trim away the leaves so the buds are exposed and can dry and cure properly.

Knowing how the plant is built matters if you want those buds. Here's why.

You'll notice your plants have big leaves that grow lower down and between the budding sites, but not on the buds or colas themselves. These are fan leaves, the plant's solar panels. Their job is to give the plant the energy it needs to grow and form buds. After defoliating during flowering, indoor plants will only have a few fan leaves left to trim at harvest. But when you grow cannabis flowers outdoors, plenty of fan leaves will still be attached at the end of flowering, and you can strip them off when it's time to harvest.

You'll also see small leaves poking out of the buds. These are sugar leaves, named for the trichomes that coat them in a sugary white frost. They're a pain to trim because all that resin makes them super sticky. Sugar leaves are a type of cannabis leaf that grows between the flowers and around the buds.

So, where does the calyx come in?

Calyx-to-leaf ratio is basically a measure of how annoying trimming those sugar leaves will be at harvest. Plants with a high calyx-to-leaf ratio have fewer sugar leaves, which makes the buds or colas much easier to trim.

Still, don't hate on sugar leaves, because they're far from useless. You can use them for edibles or cannabutter, tinctures, extracts, topicals or even hash. You can smoke them too, but because leaves burn hotter, the flavor can take a hit.

5 strains with a high calyx-to-leaf ratio

Skunk XL:

A balanced hybrid with 50% indica and 50% sativa genetics. It packs big, dense buds with calyxes that look snowed-in with glandular trichomes. The strain has a rich lineage drawing on Colombian, Mexican and Afghan genetics. The high starts out stimulating and gradually turns heavier and more sedating. Indoor plants yield around 625 g/m², while outdoor plants put out up to 675 g per plant.

Critical Kush:

Born from crossing two legendary strains, Critical and OG Kush. This indica-dominant flower tests around 20% THC and delivers a fast body high that's known for bringing on the munchies and deep, restful sleep. It grows small, chunky flowers with an outrageous calyx-to-leaf ratio. Indoors, Critical Kush yields roughly 525 g/m². Outdoors, single plants can produce up to 550 g.

Lemon Shining Silver Haze:

A sativa-dominant strain that's stimulating and motivating. Its energizing, creative effects make it a popular pick. It was created by combining two strains, Lemon Skunk and Shining Silver Haze. The buds are short and compact, with calyxes everywhere and a strong citrus aroma. It yields up to 475 g/m² indoors, and outdoors these plants deliver around 500 g each.

Northern Lights:

Another legendary cannabis strain you could fairly call a classic. It's known for its pure indica genetics and a deep, couch-friendly body stone. Its cone-shaped colas are loaded with calyxes, with THC around 18% and moderate CBD. Sweet, fruity and spicy on the palate, it yields around 525 g/m² indoors and can produce 625 g per plant outdoors.

OG Kush:

Famous worldwide for its indica stone and its delicious fruit-and-pine flavor, it's one of the most popular cannabis strains on the planet. Born in the US, OG Kush descends from Chemdawg, Lemon Thai and Pakistani Kush. It produces big, narrow colas covered in sticky resin and loaded with calyxes. It yields about 450 g/m² indoors and 525 g per plant outdoors.

Stoner pro tip: if you put in the work to separate the calyxes from the rest of the flower and roll a pure-calyx joint, get ready for a unique and seriously potent experience.

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