Description
Firefly Petunia peh-TEWN-yah
The firefly petunia is a genetically engineered plant that glows in the dark with a soft, greenish white light. The firefly petunia’s bioluminescence is the result of a genetic enhancement that combines genes from a bioluminescent mushroom with a petunia plant. The plant’s genes allow it to convert caffeic acid into luciferin, a molecule that emits light. The plant then recycles the luciferin back into caffeic acid, creating a self-sustaining cycle. During the day, the firefly petunia looks like a regular petunia with white blooms. At night, the plant’s blooms glow, with the newest buds being the brightest. The firefly petunia can grow in pots, baskets, or in the ground, and prefers at least six hours of direct sunlight. To promote a brighter glow, you can fertilize regularly and repot to provide stable soil moisture and room for the roots to grow. The human eye needs to adjust to the dark to best see the firefly petunia’s glow.
