Researchers Successfully Grow Plants in Lunar Soil for the First Time

Researchers at NASA have successfully grown plants in lunar soil for the first time as part of the preparation for the upcoming Artemis missions to the Moon.

A plant grown during the experiment being placed into a vial. Credit: UF/IFAS photo by Tyler Jones

This research was able to be completed thanks to lunar soil samples collected during the Apollo missions. NASA selected several samples to be put aside and used for future research when better technology could allow us to learn more. Now, 50 years later, scientists have opened the samples for study for a variety of projects, including growing plants in the soil.

“This research is critical to NASA’s long-term human exploration goals as we’ll need to use resources found on the Moon and Mars to develop food sources for future astronauts living and operating in deep space.” — NASA Administrator Bill Nelson

The plant chosen for the experiment was Arabidopsis thaliana, also known as the thale cress. The thale cress is a hardy plant native to Eurasia and Africa. A relative of mustard greens, broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts, the thale cress was chosen because it is easy to grow and can survive a variety of situations.

“We first asked the question of whether plants can grow in regolith [lunar soil]. And second, how they might one day help humans have an extended stay on the Moon.” — Robert…