Cold Temperature Expression

Cold temperature expression refers to the phenotypic shift in terpene profiles that occurs when cannabis plants are exposed to lower temperatures during flowering or late vegetative stages. Cooler conditions often trigger increased production of certain volatile compounds, particularly myrcene and pinene, while potentially reducing others like limonene. This environmental response is documented across multiple cultivars and appears linked to plant stress adaptation mechanisms. Breeders and cultivators observe these shifts as reproducible patterns rather than fixed traits, making temperature a significant variable in final terpene composition. Understanding cold expression helps explain why identical genetics can yield different aromatic profiles across growing seasons or geographic regions.

Plant geneticists and breeders monitor cold temperature expression as an environmental phenotypic marker to identify cultivars with stable or enhanced terpene production under variable conditions. This trait is particularly relevant for outdoor and greenhouse breeding programs operating in regions with temperature fluctuation.