Why Do Plants Make Terpenes? What They Do for Cannabis

In plants, terpenes work as a chemical defense and a signal: they repel insects and pests and attract pollinators, and in cannabis they also give each strain its aroma and help shape its effects. Cannabis terpenes are aromatic compounds that play a key role in a plant's survival and in how it adapts to its environment. They're behind the signature smells and flavors of all sorts of plant species, but they also do essential work protecting the plant and helping it reproduce. Terpenes help plants fend off insects and pests while attracting pollinators, creating a natural barrier against outside threats.

In cannabis, terpenes shape the plant's aroma and the overall experience of consuming it, and they also interact with other compounds like cannabinoids.

Why does cannabis produce terpenes?

Terpenes are aromatic compounds that are essential to the survival of many plants, cannabis included. Beyond giving each strain its signature smell and taste, they act as a natural defense system.

Their pungent aroma helps plants repel unwanted pests while drawing in beneficial insects, like pollinators. That two-way trick is vital in the plant's natural environment, letting it protect itself and secure its reproduction.

Terpenes and growing weed: how does cannabis make them?

How much and what kind of terpenes a cannabis plant produces depends on several factors. The same strain will tend to have a similar terpene profile, but climate, soil type, the fertilizers you use, the plant's age and other variables can all change how much of these aromatic compounds it makes and how concentrated they are.

More than 100 terpenes have been identified in cannabis so far, and each strain carries its own mix of them in different concentrations. That's a big part of why aromas, flavors and effects vary so much between different cannabis strains.

Terpenes and the effects of cannabis

One of the most fascinating things about terpenes is how they may influence the way cannabis hits you. Through what's known as the “entourage effect,” terpenes are thought to work together with cannabinoids like THC and CBD, boosting or tweaking their effects. That's one reason two strains with similar THC and CBD levels can feel noticeably different: their terpene profiles aren't the same.

• How terpenes interact with cannabinoids: Terpenes like limonene, caryophyllene and pinene, when combined with THC, may intensify its effects or bring specific benefits. CBD and linalool also seem to have a special relationship that contributes to a calming, relaxing effect.
• Effects of their own: Terpenes are famous for amplifying cannabinoids, but they also act on their own. Some studies point to individual effects for specific terpenes, like pinene, which is associated with an energizing effect, or myrcene, which is linked to sedation.

Why do terpenes matter in cannabis?

Terpene production in cannabis is a complex survival strategy that goes way beyond smell and flavor. Terpenes are key to protecting the plant and getting it pollinated, and they also directly shape what consumers feel, especially when they team up with cannabinoids.

How to boost terpene production in cannabis

Terpene production in cannabis comes down to both genetics and environment. Genetics sets a strain's terpene profile and potential, while the environment it grows in can push concentrations up or down. Breeders select for terpene combinations to create unique strains, but growers can boost terpene levels with specific grow practices.

Environmental factors that increase terpenes in cannabis

Environmental factors play a huge role in maxing out terpenes. Dialing them in can improve the flavor, aroma and effects of your flower for a richer, more potent smoke. Here are the key ways to raise terpene levels in cannabis:

1. Apply the right amount of stress

A controlled level of stress, such as light and temperature stress, can stimulate terpene production. Go carefully, though: too much stress can do real damage. Techniques like pruning and low-stress training (LST, gently bending and tying branches to open up the canopy) can help the plant develop more terpenes by encouraging sturdier growth.

2. Get the lighting right

UV-B exposure in the final weeks of flowering has been linked to higher terpene levels. High-intensity lights like full-spectrum LEDs are ideal for this. Just keep a close eye on distance and exposure time so you don't burn the plant.

3. Control the temperature

Keeping temperatures between 20 and 26 °C (68 to 79 °F) helps maximize terpenes. Temperatures above 28 °C (82 °F) can evaporate volatile terpenes, dulling your flower's aroma and flavor. A slight drop in nighttime temperatures can also stimulate terpene production, but keep it controlled.

4. Flush the roots before harvest

Flushing the roots in the final stretch of flowering helps clear out leftover nutrients, which growers say improves the plant's natural flavor and lets the terpenes shine. The process takes one to two weeks and is meant to clean the plant up before harvest, intensifying its flavor profile.

5. Dry and cure properly

After harvest, drying and curing are critical for preserving terpenes. Drying your buds in a controlled space (18 to 21 °C / 64 to 70 °F, 45 to 55% relative humidity) keeps the terpenes intact. A slow cure in airtight jars over several weeks lets the terpenes mature and settle in, bringing out even more aroma and flavor.