Ferns naturally make rare-earth crystals—scientists are amazed

Technology Nov 23, 2025

Researchers just found that a fern, Blechnum orientale, can actually grow tiny crystals packed with rare-earth elements inside its tissues.
This is the first time any plant has been caught making these minerals on its own—a huge deal for science.

How do these ferns pull it off?

The fern soaks up rare-earth metals like neodymium and lanthanum from the soil, then turns them into crystals inside its tissues.

Why does this matter?

Rare-earth elements power our phones, laptops, and green tech—but mining them is rough on the planet.
Since these ferns make minerals at room temperature (no volcano required), scientists think "phytomining" could become a cleaner way to get what we need from nature—though it's early days for turning this into real-world tech.