an American start-up markets a plant that lights up completely at night

In broad daylight, you won’t see any difference. It’s at night that the magic happens, since the flowers, leaves, stem and even roots will begin to shine, naturally, in more or less intense green tones. This plant was developed by the startup Light Bio. 10,000 people are already on the waiting list to obtain it.

Light Bio’s dream is now to transform all the plane trees in the streets into street lights. If they succeed, it would save a lot of money; 30% of cities’ electricity bills are currently spent on lighting.

>> Photosynthesis begins with a single particle of light

Cautious authorities

They achieved this miracle, en mixing their genes with those of bioluminescent fungi, which create light naturally. As it involves genetic manipulation, marketing authorization was required. And the U.S. Department of Agriculture concluded that these modified petunias were not likely to create more pests or diseases than their natural cousins. They can therefore be cultivated outside of a laboratory.

However, some are concerned about the impact on the behavior of insects and animals. They could be disturbed by trees or flowers that glow at night. But the startup wants to be reassuring: for it, these plants are not intended to be found in the middle of nature. Only in populated areas and in cities, where light pollution is already significant. Now we’ll see what the European authorities think.

Slowed development in Europe

This is actually what is slowing down the French pioneers of organic urban lighting today. Startups are prevented, such as Woodlight, which also develops bioluminescent plants, or Glowee which works on luminous algae aquariums. Regulations are very strict regarding genetically modified organisms and limit their development. This is why their products take longer to arrive. A problem that the Americans clearly don’t have.