For centuries, petunias have brightened gardens with their colors and resilience. But a new variety is attracting attention for a very different reason—after dark, it glows.
The Firefly™ Petunia is the world’s first bioluminescent plant widely available to the public. Its soft green glow is the result of decades of research and genetic innovation led by Dr. Keith Wood, a molecular biologist and CEO of Light Bio, based in Ketchum, Idaho. Wood and his team found that genes responsible for natural light production in certain mushrooms could be transferred to flowering plants, allowing them to emit light without external energy sources or additives.
The science behind the petunia’s glow is rooted in bioluminescence—a process that occurs naturally in fireflies, jellyfish, and some fungi. Using genetic sequences from luminescent mushrooms, Wood and his team created a system in which the plant produces enzymes that trigger light emission through its normal metabolism. The result is a plant that glows softly in the dark, with its brightness influenced by the amount of sunlight it receives during the day.
“It’s one of those scientific advancements that feels almost surreal,” says Wood. “You’re witnessing a biological process that was once limited to a handful of species now happening in a plant you can grow at home.”
This innovative petunia has already gained national recognition. In 2024, TIME Magazine named it one of its Best Inventions of the year, and TIME for Kids highlighted it as one of the top nine inventions that make “life more fun.” While such honors bring visibility, Wood sees the broader value in how the plant sparks curiosity—particularly in young people.
“Science doesn’t always have to be about solving problems,” Wood explains. “Sometimes it’s about creating wonder and igniting imagination. If this plant makes someone pause and think differently about biology, that’s a meaningful impact.”
Light Bio’s Firefly™ Petunia stood out to TIME editors for its originality and its unique blending of science and daily life. It offers the public a chance to interact with plant biotechnology in a new way—through experience and observation, not just explanation.
In Idaho, Moss Greenhouses in Jerome is one of only two authorized growers of the Firefly™ Petunia. Fourth-generation co-owner and CEO Jennifer Moss says the response to the glowing plant has already exceeded expectations. “This plant is a conversation starter,” says Moss. “It’s not just beautiful—it invites questions, and that’s what makes it so exciting.”
Later this spring, Moss Greenhouses plans to showcase the Firefly™ Petunia during an evening event designed to let community members experience its glow firsthand. “It’s not about a product launch,” Moss says. “It’s about sharing something genuinely new and watching how people respond to it.”
The plant’s appeal goes beyond novelty. For educators, it presents a unique opportunity to demonstrate genetic principles in a living form. For hobby gardeners, it offers a new dimension to landscape design—one that doesn’t rely on artificial light or decorative accessories. For parents, it offers a way to engage kids with science in a tangible and delightful form.
The Firefly™ Petunia also raises broader questions about the role of biotechnology in everyday life. As interest in sustainable design, alternative lighting, and climate-conscious landscaping grows, innovations like this may point to new applications. Wood is cautious not to overstate its implications but believes it represents a step toward more integrative approaches to science and aesthetics.
“Bioluminescence has fascinated people for generations,” he says. “Now, it’s something you can experience in your own backyard. But more importantly, it opens the door to bigger conversations—about how we see plants, what we expect from them, and what’s possible when nature and technology work together.”
While the Firefly™ Petunia may be small in size, its glow carries something bigger: the reminder that scientific wonder can grow in surprising places—even from the soil of an Idaho greenhouse.