Want to replace lamps with your favorite plants? Surprisingly, scientists have created some beautiful glowing succulents.
“Picture the world of Avatar, where glowing plants light up an entire ecosystem,” says author Shuting Liu of South China Agricultural University. Succulents can glow due to their compact microstructure and abundant intercellular spaces, which facilitate the transport of larger particles, resulting in uniform and multicolored luminescence.
The Science Behind It
Experiment
In the past, glowing plants were made through genetic engineering—expensive, complex, and short-lived, with light fading fast and only in green. This time, scientists skipped genetic tweaks and used afterglow phosphor particles, which absorb light and release it slowly.
Smaller particles moved easily inside plants but glowed faintly. Larger ones shone brighter but couldn’t travel far. The ideal size was around 7 micrometers—big enough to glow, small enough to spread.
Scientists injected these particles into both succulents and non-succulents. After just minutes under sunlight or LED light, the plants absorbed energy and glowed for up to two hours. Even better, they could “recharge” after fresh light exposure—just like solar-powered lamps.
Difference in Morphology
Due to leaf morphology, scientists initially believed that non-succulent leaves would be much better at diffusing larger particles and spreading them effectively.
| Non-succulent plant | Succulent plant |
| Dieffenbachia Tropic Marianne | Echeveria Mebina |
| Selected as the 1st photonic substrate | Chosen as the 2nd photonic substrate |
| The leaf morphology structure comprises epidermal cells, mesophyll tissue, and vascular bundles | Leaf has symmetrical internal structures with spherical parenchymal cells |
| Mesophyll tissue comprises dense palisade parenchyma and loosely packed spongy parenchyma, characterized by numerous air spaces. | Mesophyll tissue contains intercellular spaces; it is denser than that of non-succulent leaves. |
Succulents stole the show by glowing brighter and longer. “It was really unexpected,” Liu admitted. “The particles diffused in seconds, and the whole leaf lit up.”
They even experimented with different phosphor types, making succulents glow in red, green, and blue. A wall of 56 glowing succulents lit up nearby objects well enough to read for about two hours—talk about a living light wall!
Researchers now see potential for eco-friendly décor, art installations, or even backup lighting during power cuts.
Why Echeveria Mebina?
Echeveria Mebina turned out to be the star performer.
- Its microstructure leaves have narrow spaces and distributed internal channels, which facilitate the smooth spread of particles.
- The particles diffused easily, producing a bright, even glow across the leaf within seconds, unlike other plants with more complex tissues.
- Compact intercellular spaces allowed the larger particles to transport tax-free throughout the leaf.
- The smaller particles glowed dimly, and the larger ones got stuck in other plants. Mebina struck the golden mean—bright, even, and fast.
Additionally, its hardy, drought-tolerant nature, and Mebina became the top choice for long-term experiments and even household use.
Potential Limitations
There are a few downfalls. Each plant took about 10 minutes to prepare and cost around 10 yuan, or $1.40, not counting labor. There haven’t been any long-term safety studies, and we don’t know what happens when these plants are disposed of. Also, while these succulents give off a cozy glow, they can’t replace strong lamps. For now, they’re more magical than practical.
Still, glowing succulents could be the future of low-intensity, sustainable lighting. Imagine glowing centerpieces at dinner, or living lanterns lighting up a garden path. It’s science with a touch of magic—plants that don’t just sit pretty, but shine bright. What are your thoughts on these glowing wonders? Share them in the comments!
