Glow-in-the-dark plants to replace streetlights? Forget it

image via New Scientist

August 27, 2025, 4:00 PM

• •Researchers created brightly phosphorescent plants by injecting phosphors into succulent leaves.
• •This method is considered a gimmick due to its limitations and potential environmental concerns.
• •The author envisions genetically engineered glowing plants as a more promising approach.

Researchers have created glowing plants by injecting phosphorescent chemicals into the leaves of succulents, resulting in bright, colorful displays. This method, however, is criticized as a superficial gimmick, offering limited benefits and potential environmental drawbacks. The author expresses a preference for genetically engineered glowing plants, which could offer more sustainable and efficient solutions. While the current method might be a novelty, the real potential lies in creating plants that can generate their own light through genetic modification, potentially enhancing photosynthesis.

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