Glow-in-the-dark succulents are here | Popular Science
The planet Earth welcomes a multitude of bioluminescence, from the fish to shimmering blue angler with brilliant green mushrooms in Switzerland. Now scientists have created bright colorful succulent plants. These succulent plants also shine brilliant as a typical night light and can recharge using sunlight. How the South China Agricultural University team did it is detailed in a study published on August 27 in the journal Matter.
“Imagine the world of Avatar, Where the brilliant plants shed light on an entire ecosystem, “said the study co-author, said Liu in a press release.” We wanted to make this vision possible by using materials with which we are already working in the laboratory. Imagine brilliant trees to replace the lampposts. »»
Creating brilliant plants is not necessarily a new idea. In 2024, the Firefly Petunia of the Biotechnology Society Bio marked a major breakthrough in genetically engineering luminescent plants. However, the glow of Petunia is often deaf and is only available in one color. The genetic engineering techniques used to create bioluminescent petunia are also expensive and take time.
Phosphorus spreading through a succulent leaf. Credit: Liu et al., Matter 2025.
For this new study, the team has made succulents luminouss without modifying the genes of the plant. They used compounds called phosphorus particles after remanence. These particles are similar to those that manufacturers use to make shiny toys in darkness. Phosphorus particles after warming absorb the light and then release it slowly with time.
For the particles to move through the plant tissues of the plant, the team had to make sure that the size was (as the Golilocks) just said. They lowered the particles at around 7 micrometers, the width of a red blood cell.
“Smaller and nano-tail particles move easily in the plant but are darker,” explains Liu. “Larger particles shone brighter but could not travel far inside the plant.”
They then injected these tiny particles into several plant species, including succulent pink plants in the genus Fare And non-cannucts, such as golden pothos and Bok Choy. Only succulent plants have produced a strong glow. Their veins of narrow, uniform and uniformly distributed leaves helped to disperse particles more effectively. After being exposed to the sun or an interior LED light, the modified succulent plants remained lit up to two hours.
[ Related: Surprise! These sea cucumbers glow. ]
“It was really unexpected,” explains Liu, noting that she had previously thought that plants with more airy fabric structures worked better in the experience. “The particles were released in a few seconds, and the whole succulent leaf shone.”
To create plants that shine in greens, yolks, reds and bruises, they used different types of phosphores. When the team aligned 56 succulent plants on a brilliant plant wall, its light was shiny enough to light up the objects nearby.
“Each factory takes about 10 minutes to prepare and costs just over 10 yuan (about $ 1.40), without the inclusion of the workforce,” explains Liu.
Over time, the light of the succulent fades and the team always studies long -term security of the particles on plants. However, they believe that this concept could offer a lasting alternative for external lighting with low intensity or inner decor. They also explore how this method could shed light on plants other than succulents.
“I just find an incredible that a micro-scale material of human manufacture can come together so perfectly with the natural structure of a plant,” said Liu. “The way they integrate is almost magical. This creates a special type of functionality. “
More offers, reviews and purchasing guides
