From the enchanting glowing mushrooms that adorn forest floors to the mesmerizing plankton that illuminate the sea, nature has consistently showcased its beauty through the phenomenon of bioluminescence. These natural spectacles not only captivate the human imagination but also inspire innovative ideas, such as glowing gardens and self-illuminating cities. Recent advancements in science are bringing us closer to this visionary concept, as researchers work on creating houseplants that emit their own soft light.
In a groundbreaking study published in the journal Matter, a team of researchers unveiled their creation of glowing succulents that harness sunlight to emit a colorful afterglow. By injecting the leaves with specialized light-storing particles, these plants are capable of radiating light bright enough to rival small night lamps. “Imagine a world similar to that of Avatar, where glowing plants illuminate an entire ecosystem,” stated first author Shuting Liu from South China Agricultural University. “Our aim was to transform that vision into reality using materials already available in our labs, potentially replacing streetlights with glowing trees.”
Previous methods for creating luminescent plants primarily involved genetic engineering, which often resulted in faint green light and faced numerous challenges, including high costs and complex techniques. The new approach developed by the researchers bypasses these obstacles by utilizing inorganic afterglow particles, materials that are already well-known for their applications in glowing toys and safety signs. These particles are not only inexpensive and readily available, but they also store light energy efficiently, making them ideal for transforming ordinary plants into living light sources. Unlike genetic methods, this innovative strategy allows for rapid preparation, reproducibility, and scalability, paving the way for practical applications in sustainable lighting and decorative uses.
The research team focused on using micron-sized afterglow phosphors. While smaller nanoparticles can easily move through leaves, the larger particles shine with greater brightness. Traditionally, the size of these particles limited plant absorption, but they discovered that the succulent Echeveria “Mebina” possessed the right internal structure for carrying them. Its dense yet evenly spaced tissue channels facilitated rapid diffusion, resulting in strong and uniform luminescence. “Smaller, nano-sized particles are easier to transport within the plant but produce dimmer light,” Liu explained. “Conversely, larger particles glow brighter but struggle to travel far inside the plant.”
Interestingly, succulents outperformed non-succulent plants like golden pothos and bok choy in terms of luminescence. Despite having fewer air pockets than leafy plants, the compact and uniform tissue of succulents allowed the particles to distribute evenly without clumping. After just a few minutes of exposure to sunlight or LED light, the leaves glowed brightly, with the luminescence lasting for nearly two hours. “The results were quite unexpected,” Liu remarked. “The particles diffused within seconds, causing the entire succulent leaf to emit light.”
The particles utilized in this innovative process were specially coated with phosphate to enhance water resistance and ensure biocompatibility within plant tissues. Testing revealed that the plants maintained normal levels of chlorophyll, sugars, and proteins even after several days, indicating that they could withstand this modification without sacrificing vitality. This stability underscores the protective role of the phosphate layer, ensuring that the luminescence remains without adverse effects. The findings also demonstrate that material-engineered plants can retain their natural functions and growth patterns under experimental conditions.
By mixing various phosphors, the research team successfully created plants that radiate not only green light but also red, blue, and warm white hues. They showcased a wall of 56 succulents glowing brightly enough to illuminate nearby objects and books. Moreover, patterns, such as letters or images, could be temporarily imprinted on plant leaves using UV light, hinting at their potential applications in decoration and information storage. “Each plant requires about 10 minutes to prepare and costs just over 10 yuan (approximately $1.4), excluding labor,” Liu added.
Although the glow naturally fades over time, repeated exposure to light can recharge it. This low-cost and reproducible method could revolutionize eco-friendly lighting solutions for gardens, pathways, and interior designs. While expanding beyond succulents remains a challenge, this research indicates a promising path forward. The possibilities for future urban planning, sustainable architecture, and artistic applications are vast, as living plants could serve as both functional illumination and captivating decoration. “It is incredible how an entirely human-made, micro-scale material can integrate seamlessly with the natural structure of a plant,” Liu expressed. “The synergy between them is almost magical, resulting in a unique functionality.”
The full study is published in the journal Matter.
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