PLoS One May 2015 PMID 25162657

Can plants grow on Mars and the moon: a growth experiment on Mars and moon soil simulants.

G W Wieger Wamelink, Joep Y Frissel, Wilfred H J Krijnen, M Rinie Verwoert, Paul W Goedhart

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Mentions

145
Peak: 5 in Feb 2021
across 6 sources since Jan 2019

Extended reach

1,349,901
potential audience

Total likes

31,455

Video views

1,271,153

Mentions per month

Jan 2019 – May 2025

Where it's discussed

  • News71 articles
  • X / Twitter24 posts
  • Blogs23 articles
  • Facebook21 posts
  • YouTube3 videos
  • Reddit3 posts

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The group shows strong agreement with the experiment's findings, as seen in comments praising the progress of plant growth on Mars simulants, and they are highly interested in the topic, demonstrated by sharing specific articles, data, and potential applications such as greenhouse cultivation. The tone is generally positive and inquisitive, with some users expressing curiosity about long-term viability and comparison between different types of soil simulants, reflecting their investment in understanding the implications for space farming.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions recognize the positive results of the growth experiment, indicating consensus that plants show promising growth on simulants, especially Mars soil.

InterestHigh interest

The conversations demonstrate a high level of curiosity and engagement with the topic, referencing detailed findings and potential implications for space agriculture.

EngagementHigh engagement

Participants actively discuss methodologies, challenge assumptions, and share articles, reflecting deep involvement in the subject matter.

ImpactModerate impact

While the topic is inspiring and relevant to future space missions, the discussions mostly highlight scientific interest rather than immediate practical impacts, resulting in a moderate impact score.

Abstract in brief

  • Plants can germinate and grow in Mars and Moon soil simulants for at least 50 days without added nutrients, indicating potential for space agriculture.
  • Growth was generally better in Mars regolith simulant compared to Moon simulant, with some plants flowering and producing seeds.
  • While promising, further research is needed to understand the water retention and physical properties of these simulants to determine if they truly represent actual Martian and lunar soils for long-term cultivation.]

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Nature Plants
@NaturePlants · X

Yes! Congratulations Perseverance. Now the question is: can we grow plants on Mars? https://t.co/W7UBPWuv9M https://t.co/vxrGL0TRC9 https://t.co/VjWnACEkgy

Feb 18, 2021 · 44 likes · 3 shares · 38,963 followers View post →
Wieger Wamelink
@wamelink_wieger · X

Our first article about the growth of #plant species on #Mars and #Moon soil simulants in @PLOSONE now reached over 100.000 views and open access

Jan 7, 2022 · 14 likes · 2 shares · 867 followers View post →
Dana En
@danaen803 · X

7/ After some preparation Mars regolith can be used to grow food on Mars in a sufficient number of greenhouses along with composted waste. Can Plants Grow on Mars and the Moon: A Growth Experiment on Mars and Moon Soil Simulants https://t.co/g6rWz9onjU

Apr 7, 2024 · 9 likes · 1,971 followers View post →
Dana En
@danaen803 · X

@peterrhague @dpfrank07 Not really much of a problem. Can Plants Grow on Mars and the Moon: A Growth Experiment on Mars and Moon Soil Simulants - Wamelink et al - 2014 https://t.co/g6rWz9onjU

Mar 14, 2024 · 6 likes · 1,971 followers View post →
Wieger Wamelink
@wamelink_wieger · X

#PLOSONE: Can Plants Grow on Mars and the Moon: A Growth Experiment on Mars and Moon Soil Simulants https://t.co/RC8w5U7U2D our first aricle has gone through the 75.000 vieuws, amazing! @WURenvironment @WUR

Jan 18, 2019 · 6 likes · 867 followers View post →
L M Jones-Walters
@JONESWALTERS · X

Congratulations @wamelink_wieger! 75,000 views for 'Can Plants Grow on Mars and the Moon: A Growth Experiment on Mars and Moon Soil Simulants' https://t.co/IU3v8CGD3i

Jan 21, 2019 · 5 likes · 144 followers View post →

All mentions

Hendrik Rietman
@soyshadow · X

If we would have asked this researcher to redo his study with Mars air composition he would be freaking lost https://t.co/D3Nwc5oVdn

May 2, 2025 · 2,020 followers View post →
Dana En
@danaen803 · X

RT @DanaEn803: @deltaIV9250 3/ "Growth and flowering on Mars regolith simulant was much better than on moon regolith simulant and even slig…

Jun 10, 2024 · 1 share · 1,971 followers View post →
Dana En
@danaen803 · X

@deltaIV9250 3/ "Growth and flowering on Mars regolith simulant was much better than on moon regolith simulant and even slightly better than on our control nutrient poor river soil." Can Plants Grow on Mars and the Moon: https://t.co/g6rWz9oV9s

Jun 10, 2024 · 1 like · 1 share · 1,971 followers View post →
Dana En
@danaen803 · X

7/ After some preparation Mars regolith can be used to grow food on Mars in a sufficient number of greenhouses along with composted waste. Can Plants Grow on Mars and the Moon: A Growth Experiment on Mars and Moon Soil Simulants https://t.co/g6rWz9onjU

Apr 7, 2024 · 9 likes · 1,971 followers View post →
Dana En
@danaen803 · X

@peterrhague @dpfrank07 Not really much of a problem. Can Plants Grow on Mars and the Moon: A Growth Experiment on Mars and Moon Soil Simulants - Wamelink et al - 2014 https://t.co/g6rWz9onjU

Mar 14, 2024 · 6 likes · 1,971 followers View post →
Artemis Space
@SpaceArtemis · X

RT @wamelink_wieger: Our first article about the growth of #plant species on #Mars and #Moon soil simulants in @PLOSONE now reached over 10…

Jan 7, 2022 · 2 shares · 862 followers View post →
Julio Rezende, PhD
@JulioFDRezende · X

RT @wamelink_wieger: Our first article about the growth of #plant species on #Mars and #Moon soil simulants in @PLOSONE now reached over 10…

Jan 7, 2022 · 2 shares · 7,837 followers View post →
Wieger Wamelink
@wamelink_wieger · X

Our first article about the growth of #plant species on #Mars and #Moon soil simulants in @PLOSONE now reached over 100.000 views and open access

Jan 7, 2022 · 14 likes · 2 shares · 867 followers View post →
Wieger Wamelink
@wamelink_wieger · X

@HoreShambo @OrbitalGardens @WUR @WURplant @WURenvironment A start could be our articles, https://t.co/Ew2IFghATC https://t.co/XUqEf97Sfx or https://t.co/o23JM6WYnH all open acces

Jan 1, 2022 · 1 like · 867 followers View post →
Alex Rose
@AlexRoseGames · X

@NovaFrankly also just read this. there have been several papers which show you can grow vegetables on mars soil https://t.co/CtHBsVeFrw

Mar 22, 2021 · 4,322 followers View post →
Noor Shakfeh / نور شقفة
@NShakfeh · X

@ianbremmer Unless you really like vegetables. Just kidding. But here’s a scientific study on the vegetables which are most likely to grow best on Mars. https://t.co/AEtLHI3dbq

Feb 26, 2021 · 1 like · 663 followers View post →
Diana Moreira
@diana_moreira8 · X

RT @NaturePlants: Yes! Congratulations Perseverance. Now the question is: can we grow plants on Mars? https://t.co/W7UBPWuv9M https://t.c…

Feb 19, 2021 · 3 shares · 333 followers View post →
José M. Pérez-Pérez
@jmperez_lab · X

RT @NaturePlants: Yes! Congratulations Perseverance. Now the question is: can we grow plants on Mars? https://t.co/W7UBPWuv9M https://t.c…

Feb 19, 2021 · 3 shares · 466 followers View post →
Kato
@oxkawaka · X

RT @NaturePlants: Yes! Congratulations Perseverance. Now the question is: can we grow plants on Mars? https://t.co/W7UBPWuv9M https://t.c…

Feb 18, 2021 · 3 shares · 5,830 followers View post →
Nature Plants
@NaturePlants · X

Yes! Congratulations Perseverance. Now the question is: can we grow plants on Mars? https://t.co/W7UBPWuv9M https://t.co/vxrGL0TRC9 https://t.co/VjWnACEkgy

Feb 18, 2021 · 44 likes · 3 shares · 38,963 followers View post →
david doll
@justAfanDavid · X

RT @Tom_Ruen: I've been intrigued by idea that plant seeds may not germinate on Mars because something ubiquitous on Earth isn't on Mars.…

Oct 17, 2020 · 1 share · 2,015 followers View post →
Pyritohedral hypergon in blue and gold
@Tom_Ruen · X

I've been intrigued by idea that plant seeds may not germinate on Mars because something ubiquitous on Earth isn't on Mars. Maybe only one way to find out! https://t.co/YhztvtDciI Can Plants Grow on Mars and the Moon: A Growth Experiment on Mars and Moon Soil Simulants

Oct 17, 2020 · 4 likes · 1 share · 2,458 followers View post →
Shawn Moondez
@iamalunartic · X

@t_minotaur @physicsJ @NASA 2/ Nothing's been grown in lunar soil yet, but they've created artificial lunar soil on Earth and grown tomatoes, wheat, and cress (more info here: https://t.co/nwMBZMQ7uJ)

Aug 15, 2020 · 1 like · 446 followers View post →
Wieger Wamelink
@wamelink_wieger · X

@JonathonH18 @WURenvironment @WURplant @WUR @MWgardendesign Two articles are published https://t.co/g2ZL07SPYO and https://t.co/4M7JJHRlTc more to follow, I am way behind in publishing

Jun 7, 2020 · 2 likes · 867 followers View post →
Zeller Douglas
@zeller_douglas · X

@FuckerTrader @givetrumpareal1 @elonmusk https://t.co/1FrC7cFBCo

Mar 11, 2020 · 87 followers View post →
cyber wolf35
@cyber_wolf35 · X

@BonaireVolt @Stealthwater @osoverflow @Nobody_Really7 @Insertnameplea @elonmusk @vicentes @neiltyson Also has been studied extensively. https://t.co/Ac4Ean959x Take my advice, look into stuff

Dec 7, 2019 · 508 followers View post →
L M Jones-Walters
@JONESWALTERS · X

Congratulations @wamelink_wieger! 75,000 views for 'Can Plants Grow on Mars and the Moon: A Growth Experiment on Mars and Moon Soil Simulants' https://t.co/IU3v8CGD3i

Jan 21, 2019 · 5 likes · 144 followers View post →
Wieger Wamelink
@wamelink_wieger · X

#PLOSONE: Can Plants Grow on Mars and the Moon: A Growth Experiment on Mars and Moon Soil Simulants https://t.co/RC8w5U7U2D our first aricle has gone through the 75.000 vieuws, amazing! @WURenvironment @WUR

Jan 18, 2019 · 6 likes · 867 followers View post →
Marek Gierlinski
@MarekGierlinski · X

@nickschurch Apparently it can. Though Martian soil is better. https://t.co/PjNIMqql4X

Jan 15, 2019 · 1 like · 399 followers View post →