Small leaves on the cannabis plant that buds form around as the plant matures and flowers. Sugar leaves are so named because they produce trichomes, which makes them look as if covered in sugar. They can be saved as “trim” during harvest and used for pre-rolls, extracts, and other cannabis products.
“I like to save sugar leaves I trim from colas to make hash.”
“Sugar leaves are harsher and not as strong as buds.”
What are sugar leaves?
Sugar leaves are small, protective leaves that cannabis buds grow around as the plant flowers. Like buds, sugar leaves produce fragrant trichomes which protect the plant and contain the cannabinoids and terpenes that get you high or offer medicinal benefits. Because of the trichomes, they look as if dusted in sugar, hence their name. Sugar leaves aren’t as potent or flavorful as buds and are trimmed off before buds are dried.
Sugar leaves are trimmed off so as not to trap moisture in buds, which can lead to mildew or mold. Trimming off sugar leaves also makes buds look better and taste less harsh. After trimmed off, sugar leaves can also be dried and used to make pre-rolls, extracts, and other cannabis products.
How to use sugar leaves
While sugar leaves are fine to smoke, they produce a much harsher smoke with less flavor, and are less potent than buds. They are best used to make cannabis concentrates, and are commonly used in pre-rolls. Like buds, sugar leaves need to be dried before use to remove moisture.
FAQs
Cannabis sugar leaves can be used for all sorts of purposes, most of which can get you high! Along with the buds, sugar leaves are the only part of the plant that produces trichomes in abundance, so they're certainly worth holding onto.
Is sugar leaf good to smoke? ›
The flavor is not too harsh and you can certainly smoke sugar leaves. Don't try to smoke the sugar leaves individually since there just isn't much THC on each leaf—it's better to collect them together by pruning your buds and using those for another purpose.
Do you remove all sugar leaves? ›
4. Close manicure small leaves after drying. Time to trim the so-called sugar leaves, which are the small leaves that stick out of buds. Again, we recommend removing all of them to make a less-harsh product.
What's the difference between fan leaves and sugar leaves? ›
Sugar leaves are the small leaves that grow out of the buds. Fan leaves are the larger leaves that protrude from the branches. If you're hoping to turn your trim into a psychoactive product, fan leaves are virtually worthless.
Does sugar increase trichomes? ›
Sugar is important here. Many growers add molasses to feed water during crucial times in the growing cycle, usually the flowering stage. Add sugars and probiotics together, and you may see an increase in trichome production.
What kind of leaves get you high? ›
Shake/Trimmed Leaves
Shake and trimmed leaves are other common forms of marijuana that can be smoked. These leaves contain a lower concentration of THC compared to flower buds but still provide users with a mild high when consumed.
What's the healthiest plant to smoke? ›
Mullein is one of the softest, most soothing herbs on Earth. The Mullein leaf has long been used as a medicine for the lungs. Some Native Americans used Mullein to help re-grow lung tissue. As a smoke, Mullein is gentle yet powerful.
Can you leave sugar leaves on buds? ›
If you've grown those plants with so much effort, it's natural to wonder if you can smoke them too. Yes, it is possible to smoke sugar leaves, but remember that it can be harsh on your throat. It doesn't make sense to trim the sugar leaves and then smoke them because you can simply leave them on the buds.
Can I cut off fan leaves during flowering? ›
During the early flowering phase (1-3 weeks), you can prune fan leaves that are overshadowing bud sites or impeding airflow. Mid-flowering (weeks 4-6) is typically a no-trim zone – the plant needs its energy for bud production.
Should you wet or dry trim sugar leaves? ›
Wet trimming can be easier. It is more effortless to remove the large fans and sugar leaves while they are still wet. When those leaves dry, they shrink around the buds making them harder to remove. Since trimming wet can be easier, it also tends to be a quicker process.
Cannabis trimming offers so many benefits. First, it makes the plant look better, providing a more unified appearance. In addition, it increases the plant's potency because removing sugar leaves that contain a lesser concentration of trichomes exposes the parts with much richer trichome concentration.
What days should I defoliate? ›
3 to 5 days before flowering: always leave 3 to 5 days between defoliating/pruning and switching your plant to flower. This way it has a few days to recover from the stress caused by cutting its parts.
What do buds look like when they start to form? ›
During week 2, the first white pistils will grow on the female cannabis plants. These fine, wispy white hairs develop at the locations where the big fan leaves meet the main stem. These white hairs are what later become the buds of the plant, called colas.
Can I cut a bud off my plant? ›
You can harvest your plant by either cutting the entire plant down at once, cutting the stems down one by one while keeping the buds attached to them, or by removing the individual buds from your plant.
Does removing fan leaves increase yield? ›
Removing the leaves can improve light penetration, allowing lower buds to develop properly and resulting in better yields. Cutting off the foliage on the lower branches will improve airflow, helping prevent mold and bugs. Removing fan leaves can redirect a plant's energy to the buds, resulting in better quality buds.
Is it bad to smoke out of a leaf? ›
You probably can. It won't do much except damage your lungs (breathing smoke particles is a good thing to avoid) and buying cigarette papers may be illegal if you are under 16. Leaves from a pocket New Testament produce a particularly vile tasting smoke. They do make a very refreshing drink.
Can you smoke sweet mint leaves? ›
Mint leaves can be smoked in a variety of ways. It is commonly smoked the same way as marijuana, inside a joint of blunt. You will not high but may receive a nice relaxing buzz. Second option is to use some sort of glass piece (pipe, one hitter) and use it the same way as you would marijuana.
Is smoking mint leaves healthy? ›
However, just like many other of life's pleasures, you should always be smoking mint leaves in moderation. Long-term exposure to inhalation of smoke may cause a range of side effects, such as heartburn, nausea, vomiting, dry mouth and even increased risk of heart disease.
