Sustainable lighting that doesn’t require any energy source might sound utopian, but not to everyone. A group of Stanford trained bio-engineers is determined to bring this concept into our lives by genetically designing luminescent plants.

The Glowing Plant Project uses Genome Compiler software to identify and tweak a plant’s DNA so that it incorporates a gene sequence called luciferase, which is commonly found in fireflies. The team of scientists lead by Anthony Evans has successfully inserted the synthetic gene into an Arabidopsis plant (similar to cabbage and mustard), and they are currently working on glowing roses.

Not surprisingly, this bright idea took off immediately, the Glowing Plant Project almost tripling its $65,000 Kickstarter goal in just a few days. Backers who pledged more than $150 will soon be happy to find a full grown glowing plant at their doorstep.