Most cannabis plants are diploid — they have two copies of every chromosome. Polyploid plants carry three (triploid), four (tetraploid), or more. Treating seeds with colchicine or oryzalin can induce polyploidy, and a handful of breeders have built lines around it.

Diploid vs polyploid
Diploid (2n)
  • The default — virtually every commercial seed.
  • Fertile, predictable, and breeds true with the rules in this guide.
  • Normal terpene and resin production.
Polyploid (3n / 4n)
  • Larger leaves and thicker stems.
  • Often sterile (triploids especially) — no seeds, more flower.
  • Resin glands can be larger, but yield gains are modest.

Should you chase polyploid seed?

If you want a sterile, high-resin garden and don't plan to breed from it, polyploid stock can be fun. If you want to preserve a line and pass it on, stick with diploid — polyploid offspring don't always breed true.

Are polyploid plants stronger?+
Sometimes — modestly. Larger glands and leaves don't always translate to dramatically higher potency.
Can I make polyploids at home?+
Colchicine is a serious mutagen. We don't recommend it without lab training and PPE.