Greenhouse containing the Firefly Petunia™. Courtesy LIGHT BIO
For many years home gardeners have enjoyed the impressive rainbow displays of petunia flowers weather planted in pots or hanging baskets. By far the petunia is one of the most common, popular and easy to grow garden plants. A recent petunia variety introduced by Texas A&M University was the richly red colored petunia variety called TIDAL WAVE CHERRY (Photo 2). This petunia was selected as a Texas Superstar variety, because of its intense color that can easily be seen from a distance from a quarter mile away .
Texas Superstar, Tidal Wave Cherry Petunia.
Scientific advancements have made it possible to precisely insert individual genes from one organism to another. Bioluminescent genes are one of the latest and remarkable new traits for the horticultural industry. Bioluminescence is the characteristic seen in some species such as fireflies, fungi, deep sea organisms, jellyfish and bacteria.
These organisms are able to produce light not from electricity but through natural biochemical reactions. Plants do not naturally glow, but recent advances in genetic manipulation have changed this.
The technique inserts individual genes into the plant’s genome that will produce light emitting compounds as part of its normal metabolism. The USDA-APHIS is the federal agency that was responsible for reviewing scientific studies and made the final decision to allow regulatory approvals for breeding and growing plants with this novel trait in the United States. The approval process is always a necessary step in advancing science. It is always an important step to heavily scrutinize the experimental results and be certain that there are no unnecessary risks or negative outcomes to our safety, health and the environment when releasing any new traits.
A company called LIGHT BIO has introduced this remarkable trait into a white-flowering petunia called the FIREFLY PETUNIA™ These petunia plants are new to the horticultural market and production sold out in 2025. This petunia plant produces a continuous soft greenish glow. The brightness is more intense on the younger portions of the plants, including the flowers, leaf tips and leaf veins. Production sold out in 2025, and there is a high demand for spring delivery in 2026. This product clearly has been a commercial success.
A night photo showing the natural bioluminescence of the Firefly Petunia™
Light Bio’s FIREFLY PETUNIA™ has also been chosen for the Time’s Best Inventions List as one of the most impactful new products and groundbreaking inventions for 2024.
Just imagine a future where we may have plants that can light your home and property without using electricity. Who knows how far this technology will take us.
Gary Pastushok
County Extension Agent – Horticulture
Williamson County AgriLife Extension Office
Georgetown, Texas 78626
512-943-3300
https://williamson.agrilife.org
Disclaimer: References to products or treatments are for educational purposes only and do not imply endorsement by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service or constitute medical advice.
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