From mushrooms that cast a soft green glow to plankton that glimmers sparkling blue, glowing plants are nothing new to nature. Now, scientis
From mushrooms that cast a soft green glow to plankton that glimmers sparkling blue, glowing plants are nothing new to nature. Now, scientists are bringing that light to houseplants.
Reporting in the journal Matter, researchers crafted glow-in-the-dark succulents that recharge in sunlight. Injected with light-emitting compounds, the plants can shine in various colors and rival a small night light at their brightest. The simple, low-cost method may help lay the foundation for sustainable, plant-based lighting systems.
"Picture the world of Avatar, where glowing plants light up an entire ecosystem," says first author Shuting Liu of South China Agricultural University. "We wanted to make that vision possible using materials we already work with in the lab. Imagine glowing trees replacing streetlights."
