Cannabis Trichomes: What Are They & What Do They Do?

Trichomes

Cannabis trichomes are glandular structures on cannabis flowers and leaves that produce a frosty-looking resin coating. Trichomes protect the cannabis plant by producing cannabinoids, terpenes, and other compounds.

Cannabis trichomes are resin glands that decorate the surface of marijuana leaves and flower buds.¹ They’re sticky and shiny, and they usually have a strong aroma that can be pungent, sweet, woodsy, and more. It's difficult to see details on even the largest type of cannabis trichome without a magnifying glass, but they start growing as small spheres and get longer as the plant matures. The more the trichomes grow, the more the secreted resin starts to look milky white, eventually turning to amber.¹

Cannabis trichomes also produce the complex chemical compounds that we all know and love, including THC and CBD.² But why is that?

Plants of all species, including cannabis, have grown in the wild longer than we can even imagine, and a plant that has lived and thrived that long developed a few defense mechanisms along the way–that’s where trichomes come in. They create bitter-tasting compounds and an unappealing scent that drives away the insects or animals that might have thought to make the cannabis plant their meal. Interestingly, some carnivorous plants use their trichomes to detect prey and, in the case of the Venus fly trap, clamp shut.³ 

It just so happens that these protective compounds have a big impact on humans, too! 

• Cannabinoids: Trichomes secrete cannabinoids, including THC and CBD, as well as hundreds of additional compounds like CBN and CBG. Some cannabinoids made and stored in cannabis trichomes can protect the plant from UV radiation, including potential damage to the plant's reproductive organs. 
  
  

• Terpenes: Trichomes also produce terpenes and other flavonoids which are responsible for marijuana’s taste and smell.⁴ Terpenes may protect the plant against insect damage or harmful bacteria. They can even discourage animals from nibbling at the plant.²
  
  

Not surprisingly, not all trichomes are the same. First of all, there are two categories of trichomes:¹ 

• Non-Glandular Trichomes: These types of trichomes are typically seen as defense mechanisms in plants, performing tasks like killing small bugs. 

• Glandular Trichomes: This is where cannabinoids are produced.

But there isn’t just one type of glandular trichome! They can be divided into three different types:⁴

But there isn’t just one type of glandular trichome! They can be divided into three different types:⁴

Don’t go looking for these right away unless you have a microscope. These itty-bitty bulbs are all over the surface of the plant, and they’re the ones responsible for making your marijuana flower a little sticky. While it’s unclear if these do or do not produce cannabinoids, we do know they play an important role in protecting the plant. For example, they help to keep water close to the surface so the plant doesn’t dry out in low humidity or high wind weather.¹

Another microscope-required trichome, capitate-sessile trichomes have a mushroom shape and they’re much more abundant than bulbous trichomes. But that’s a good thing, because these trichomes actually initiate cannabinoid and terpene biosynthesis.¹

If you can see trichomes on your flower, these are the ones you’re looking at. Capitate-stalked trichomes are the only ones viewable with the naked eye, and they look like little mushrooms.⁴ They’re also the most abundant of the three types of trichomes. This is where the majority of terpene and cannabinoid synthesis occurs.³ 

In addition to the types of trichomes, there are also trichome stages, including clear, cloudy, amber, and mixed. Cannabis producers can use the different stages of trichomes as an indicator of when to harvest certain strains.¹ 

Trichomes grow and change as the cannabis plant grows and changes. They provide some of the most important signals growers have to choose when to harvest and process marijuana flower and other parts of the plant.

After cannabis plants have grown for a few weeks, the flowering stage begins and trichomes start growing on the cannabis flowers. The trichomes grow and secrete resin containing cannabinoids, including THC and CBD.⁴

Growers will harvest the plant at different stages, depending on their goals for the ultimate product. When the plants are ready for harvest, the resin in trichomes becomes milky white which indicates when they contain the highest percentage of THC. As the milky tone becomes darker, THC percentage tends to decline. The sweet spot is when the majority of trichomes are milky white, and this is when most growers choose to harvest.¹

Trichomes and the entire topic of cannabis plant anatomy can be confusing! Here are some of the most common trichome questions we see.

Do trichomes have THC?

Yes! In fact, trichomes are where cannabinoids like THC are made in the cannabis plant.
 

Are trichomes the same as terpenes?

There’s a big difference between trichomes and terpenes: trichomes make terpenes. The reason cannabis trichomes can have such a strong aroma is because the terpenes are actually being made inside these resin glands. In fact, trichomes can be harvested for their terpenes, which are then turned into anything from perfumes and scents for cleaning supplies to candles.¹

Are trichomes only found in cannabis?

Nope! While trichomes that produce cannabinoids are exclusive to cannabis, other plants do have trichomes. Research has found them on everything from tomatoes and cucumbers to wormwood, tobacco, and cotton.⁵
 

Do male cannabis plants produce trichomes?

Male cannabis plants can have trichomes, but in much smaller amounts than a female cannabis plant. This is because the male plant doesn’t produce the cannabis flower, the part that is chock full of trichomes.⁶ 
 

Do more trichomes mean better cannabis?

Usually, yes. "Trichomes are the biochemical factories of the cannabis plant," according to botanists from the University of British Columbia.⁷ More trichomes contain more cannabinoids and terpenes, which can mean better cannabis experiences 
 

How can I collect trichomes?

You can collect trichomes from cannabis flower by using a kief catcher, an additional screen added to cannabis grinders. This process requires a four- or five-screen grinder.
 

Are trichomes the same as hash or kief?

No, trichomes aren't the same as hash or kief, they're the starting point for these concentrates. When trichomes are extracted from the plant and collected in a kief catcher, the resulting golden powder is kief. Hash is similar to kief, but it's processed further into small, concentrated brown blocks or cones.⁸
 

THC Trichomes

Trichomes play an important role in many plants, including cannabis, and continue to be studied to better understand both how they work and the potential qualities of the compounds inside of them. Learn more about trichomes at your local dispensary.