1 hour ago
Last Updated:February 19, 2026, 15:03 IST
An aeroponic cultivation system developed by a research team at the China Astronaut Research and Training Centre nurtures these plants.
Tomatoes are being grown in the China Space Station.
Amid the 2026 Spring Festival celebrations in China, the crew of the Shenzhou-21 mission aboard the Tiangong space station received a harvest of tomatoes grown in orbit.
A video from the China Media Group (CMG) on Wednesday, February 18, showcased the “space vegetable garden," highlighting the potential for sustained plant life the atmosphere on Earth, Xinhua news agency reported.
In the clip, astronaut Zhang Hongzhang gave a tour of what he described as the “healing corner" of the Tiangong. It features the tomato plants growing in the orbit.
Aeroponic Cultivation System
A research team at the China Astronaut Research and Training Center has developed a special device, called an aeroponic cultivation system, that nutures these plants. Under this, water is vaporised into a fine mist. Zhang shared that this can significantly improve the efficiency of water usage.
This aeroponic device arrived at the space station in July last year. It wa delivered by the Tianzhou-9 cargo spacecraft. As per CMG, the primary mission is to analyse various technologies to carry out cultivation of plants in a microgravity environment effectively and efficiently.
The system utilised a “specially designed LED light spectrum" that further enhances energy efficiency. “The result is this thriving scene of space-grown tomatoes we have before us," Xinhua quoted Zhang as saying.
Results will help upcoming long-duration space missions where bioregenerative life support systems can prove to be essential.
“Look at these tomatoes. They are so enticing, with a faint, fresh scent. Every time I pass by this area, I want to take a deep breath and enjoy the fragrance," Xinhua quoted astronaut Wu Fei as saying.
The astronaut added that they look after the tomatoes on a daily basis and record their growth data. “This precious data on plant growth in orbit will serve as an excellent reference for cultivating crops in space in the future," Wu added.
What Happens Next?
The latest research onboard the Tiangong space station goes beyond mere observation.
On the planet, several scientists and researchers are utilising the facility to look into various aspects of space agriculture, such as productivity of fruits and vegetables, efficient cultivation methods, protocols for plant care and the atmospheric regeneration capacity of plants.
Besides this, there are a few future plans as well for the “space garden".
Scientists are looking forward to aeroponic cultivation trials of wheat, carrots and medicinal plant species.
Amid their busy schedules, tending to this little garden on the space station provides astronauts a profound psychological boost.
“To see such a vibrant splash of green in the vastness of space is incredibly healing," astronaut Zhang Lu said and added that this gives them “greater confidence to complete our subsequent experimental tasks."
The Shenzhou-21 crew was launched on October 31 last year and have already completed 100 days in space.
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Location :
Delhi, India, India
First Published:
February 19, 2026, 15:01 IST
News viral Can You Grow Tomatoes In Space? China Space Station’s Spring Festival Celebration Video Has The Answer
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