Resurrection Plants Offer Hope for Drought Farming

The ‘Resurrection Plants’ That Could Revolutionize Agriculture Amid Climate Change

In the face of escalating drought conditions worldwide, scientists are looking to nature for answers—particularly to rare plants that can survive months without water and spring back to life within hours of rehydration.

These extraordinary organisms, known as "resurrection plants," exhibit a remarkable ability to dry out completely and then reanimate once exposed to moisture. Among them is Selaginella lepidophylla, which curls up into a brown, desiccated ball during drought, only to unfurl and turn green again soon after receiving water.

Of the 352,000 known flowering plant species, a mere 240 possess this rare trait. They are primarily found in regions such as South Africa, Australia, and South America.

A Discovery Decades in the Making

The phenomenon first drew attention in the 1970s when Jill Farrant, now a professor at the University of Cape Town, began documenting these plants in South Africa. Her research over more than three decades has helped illuminate the genetic and biochemical mechanisms behind their drought resistance—a breakthrough with profound implications for the future of agriculture.

Farrant and her colleagues believe the survival strategies of resurrection plants could be used to engineer crop species that can better withstand prolonged dry spells, a pressing concern in the era of climate change.

While most plants perish after losing just 10-30% of their water content, resurrection plants can survive even after losing more than 95%. Their ability to not only endure such extreme dehydration but also recover fully is what sets them apart.

Carlos Messina, a maize scientist at the University of Florida, underscores this difference. While crops like maize can endure drought to some degree, they often suffer irreversible damage even when rain returns. In contrast, resurrection plants appear to resume normal function almost instantly after rehydration.

“If we could breed maize that behaves like a resurrection plant, it would be a game-changer,” says Messina.

Biological Engineering at its Finest

One of the key survival tactics of these plants is a process known as vitrification. As they dry, the plants replace lost water with sugars, transforming their internal cell structure into a glass-like substance that halts damaging chemical reactions.

This survival mode closely mirrors techniques used by some drought-resistant animals like tardigrades and brine shrimp eggs. During this state, the plant also halts photosynthesis—its main food-producing process—and produces protective proteins called "chaperones," which shield vital structures and aid in cellular recovery.

“The way these plants preserve their tissues is nothing short of miraculous,” says Farrant.

This ability is reminiscent of seeds, which can remain viable for years, even centuries, in cold, dark conditions. However, once germinated, the plant loses much of its drought resilience.

Climate Crisis and the Call for Innovation

Droughts, wildfires, and extreme heat—intensified by global warming—caused an estimated $16.6 billion in crop losses in the United States alone in 2023. This crisis is especially dire in regions like the Mediterranean and western North America.

By 2100, vast swaths of land in Sub-Saharan Africa and South America are projected to become unsuitable for traditional food production due to desertification.

Farrant warns of looming food insecurity unless radical innovations in agriculture take place. “We won’t have enough food unless we innovate,” she emphasizes.

Some strides have already been made. Crops like wheat, maize, and soybeans are being bred for deeper roots or quicker flowering, helping them better cope with dry conditions. But researchers believe much more can be done.

Farrant and other scientists are now exploring ways to harness the genetic secrets of resurrection plants. By isolating drought-tolerance genes and integrating them into staple crops such as rice, wheat, and maize, they hope to create a new generation of climate-resilient agriculture.

Julia Buitink, a seed biologist at the French National Institute for Agricultural Research in Paris, agrees that this gene-editing approach holds significant promise.