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When Mother Nature came up with photosynthesis, she likely wasn’t expecting any USB cords to be involved. Alas, there’s no stopping progress.

Power output from the Bioo Lite system is equivalent to a USB charge from a laptop or desktop computer

A European startup company is currently developing an intriguing gizmo that will let you charge your phone with your potted plant. The system, called Bioo Lite, harnesses the power of photosynthesis and generates electricity using only water, soil and any common house plant. (We might have suggested the name Power Plant, but hey — nobody asked us.)

Power output from the Bioo Lite system is equivalent to a USB charge from a laptop or desktop computer, designers say, and can deliver up to three complete recharges in 24 hours to most smart phones or tablets.

Bioo Lite is actually a scaled-down version of the company’s core Bioo technology, which uses panels placed beneath the soil to draw energy from the natural process of photosynthesis. Larger panels can be placed beneath garden plots, or smaller panels can be used with potted plants.

The technical details on the Indiegogo page are a little fuzzy, but similar technologies are already in circulation. Diagrams suggest that the Bioo system generates energy by processing microorganisms expelled by the plant’s root system. The process does not impact the process of photosynthesis or the health of the plant itself, according to developers.

In any case, the team guarantees that the Bioo Lite system will be able to recharge a standard smartphone two to three times per day for at least five years. The USB jack is designed to be compatible with most mobile devices. Pretty much any kind of house plant should do the trick, although the team notes that some plants produce more power than others. The cactus, for instance, is not recommended. Seriously.

Arkyne Technologies, the company behind the Bioo Lite system, is aiming for first deliveries by December. Early bird specials are already sold out on the Indiegogo page, but it looks like a pledge of around $135 will get you a single Bioo Lite pot in time for holiday shopping. Plant not included.

[H/T Ubergizmo]