Every cannabis strain has a genetic blueprint—its genotype. But how that blueprint is expressed in a specific plant (its phenotype) can vary significantly.

For example, you might grow five seeds of a strain like Gelato, and each plant may show different:

• Bud structure
• Coloration
• Aroma and flavor profile
• THC/CBD content
• Flowering time
• Yield and growth patterns

These differences are phenotypic expressions—how the plant’s genetics interact with your grow environment (light, temperature, nutrients, humidity, etc.).

Pheno-Hunting: Choosing the Best Expression

Growers and breeders often engage in a process called pheno-hunting. This involves growing multiple seeds from the same genetic line and then selecting the plants with the most desirable traits.

Let’s say you’re looking for:

• A strong purple hue
• A unique citrus aroma
• Dense buds with high resin production

You’d grow a batch of seeds, observe the differences in phenotypes, and keep the one that best matches your goals. That plant might become your “keeper pheno” and can be cloned for future grows.

Phenotype vs. Chemotype

While phenotype refers to the physical and sensory traits, chemotype focuses on the chemical profile of the plant—mainly cannabinoids (like THC and CBD) and terpenes.

So, two plants might look similar but have very different effects, depending on their chemotype. This is why lab testing is crucial for medical and commercial cannabis operations.

Why Consumers Should Care

Even if you’re not growing cannabis, phenotypes affect the consumer experience:

• Two different growers offering “Blue Dream” might have totally different phenos.
• One may be more sedating, while another has uplifting, citrusy notes.
• Your favorite version of a strain might be a specific phenotype that only certain cultivators produce.

This is why cannabis can sometimes feel inconsistent between sources or dispensaries—you may be trying different phenotypes of the same strain.

Final Thoughts

In cannabis, phenotype is everything when it comes to the end experience. It explains why plants from the same seeds can vary, and why growing or choosing cannabis is both a science and an art.

Whether you’re hunting for the stickiest buds or the smoothest smoke, understanding phenotypes helps you appreciate just how unique each cannabis plant can be.