Storage Temperature Control

Storage temperature control is a preservation practice rather than a terpene itself, but it fundamentally affects terpene retention in cannabis flowers and extracts. Terpenes are volatile organic compounds with varying boiling points—limonene around 176°C, myrcene around 168°C—making them susceptible to degradation when exposed to heat, light, or temperature fluctuations. Breeders and seed banks maintain genetic material at temperatures typically between 2-4°C to slow metabolic activity and preserve viability over extended periods. Consumer-level storage at 15-21°C in dark conditions helps maintain terpene profiles in finished cannabis, while temperatures above 25°C accelerate evaporation and oxidation. Understanding optimal storage ranges is essential for anyone preserving genetics, seeds, or cured material.

Seed banks and breeders rely on temperature-controlled storage to maintain genetic viability and terpene expression across generations. Proper cold storage allows breeding lines to be preserved without losing the aromatic and chemical signatures that define a strain family.