Do Male Pot Plants Have White Hairs?

When growing marijuana, one of the biggest concerns for aspiring growers is the sex of the plant. This is because male plants do not produce the potent buds that are sought after by many marijuana enthusiasts. Instead, they produce what is commonly referred to as "ditch weed," which is of very low quality and has very little THC, the psychoactive compound that gives this plant its medicinal and recreational uses.

One of the most common questions asked by those growing marijuana is whether male plants have white hairs. The short answer is, no, male plants do not have white hairs.

What Are White Hairs on Marijuana Plants?

Before we dive deeper, let's first understand what white hairs or pistils are. These are the hair-like structures that grow from the buds of female marijuana plants. They are also referred to as stigmas and are typically white, but can also appear in shades of pink or orange. They are important because they play a crucial role in the pollination of the plant.

How to Identify a Male Marijuana Plant

Male marijuana plants are easy to identify once they begin to reveal their sex. They tend to grow taller than female plants and have fewer leaves. Additionally, if you notice small, ball-like structures at the joints where leaves meet the stem, this is an indication that the plant is male. These structures, referred to as pollen sacks, are what the plant uses to pollinate female plants, which in turn leads to seed production.

Why Do Growers Remove Male Plants?

As mentioned earlier, male plants do not produce the high-quality buds that marijuana enthusiasts look for. Instead, they tend to produce lower quality buds, referred to as "ditch weed." Additionally, because these plants are responsible for pollinating female plants, they can significantly reduce the potency of the buds by producing seeds, which takes energy away from producing THC. This is why most growers remove male plants as soon as they are identified.

The Bottom Line

While male marijuana plants do not have white hairs, they are still an unwanted sight for most growers. Instead, growers usually need female plants for their high-quality buds. Therefore, it is important to identify male plants early and remove them from the growing area so they do not harm the growth of the female plants.