Overview

• Published in Matter, the study from South China Agricultural University reports succulents that emit colored light bright enough to rival a small night light at peak.
• Particles tuned to about 7 micrometers moved through leaf tissues effectively in succulents, whereas tested non-succulents like golden pothos and bok choy showed weak results.
• A few minutes of sunlight or indoor LED exposure charged the plants to glow for up to roughly two hours in green, red, blue, and other hues.
• The researchers assembled a 56-plant succulent wall that produced enough light to illuminate nearby objects and allow reading of text in the dark.
• Preparation took about 10 minutes per plant with materials costing a little over 10 yuan (about $1.40), and the team notes the glow fades over time with durability and safety still under study.