Overview

• Researchers at South China Agricultural University injected ~7 micrometer strontium‑aluminate afterglow particles into Echeveria ‘Mebina’ leaves to produce uniform green, red, blue and white emission.
• After exposure to sunlight or LED light, the succulents glowed for up to about two hours and could be recharged repeatedly over at least 10 days in lab tests.
• A 56‑plant succulent wall produced light sufficient to illuminate nearby objects and read text, with preparation reported at roughly 10 minutes per plant and a little over 10 yuan in materials.
• The approach succeeded in succulents but not in bok choy or golden pothos, underscoring microstructure limits that constrain expansion to other plants.
• The team notes fading over time and ongoing safety evaluations, and outside commentators question practicality and disposal risks despite a patent filing and decorative potential.