Plant Instead of Night Lamp? These Glowing Succulents Could Gently Illuminate Your Nights
Imagine switching off your lamp at night and letting a plant light up your room instead. Scientists from South China Agricultural University have created glowing succulents that can shine for hours without electricity.
How Does it Work
The researchers achieved this by injecting ordinary succulents with afterglow phosphor particles, a material known for making objects glow in the dark. Much like the glow-in-the-dark stars many people had in their childhood bedrooms, these plants absorb light during the day and release it slowly at night through phosphorescence.
“This is a proof of concept that a common plant can store and release light,” said Shuting Liu, the lead author of the study published in the journal Matter. The goal is to develop a “living, light-charged plant lamp” that could brighten spaces naturally, reducing the need for artificial lighting.
No Genetic Modification, Just Science
Unlike earlier glowing plants that were genetically modified using firefly genes or bioluminescent bacteria, these succulents rely on a synthetic material. The approach makes them different from previous efforts and highlights a new way of blending science with everyday greenery.
The succulents, developed at the Key Laboratory for Biobased Materials and Energy, can glow in multiple colors and recharge simply by being placed under light. For now, the glow lasts only a few hours, but the study shows how plants could play a role in sustainable lighting and futuristic home décor.
While the technology is still in its early stages, these glowing succulents demonstrate how science can turn ordinary houseplants into functional and eco-friendly light sources.
FAQs
Q1: How do these succulents glow?
A1: The succulents glow because they are injected with strontium aluminate, a material that absorbs light and slowly releases it through phosphorescence.
Q2: Are these genetically modified plants?
A2: No. Unlike some earlier glowing plants, these succulents are not genetically modified. They glow thanks to a synthetic material, not genes from other species.
Q3: How long can the plants glow?
A3: Currently, the glow lasts for a few hours after the plants are exposed to light. They can recharge by being placed under light again.
