How to make Glow Lichen in Minecraft

This Minecraft tutorial explains how to craft glow lichen with screenshots and step-by-step instructions.

In Minecraft, glow lichen is a new item that was introduced in the Caves & Cliffs Update: Part I. It looks like glowing vines, acts as a light source, and is found underground in the new caves systems. Similar to sculk vein, glow lichen can be placed in any orientation.

Glow lichen is an item that you can not make with a crafting table or furnace. Instead, you need to find and gather this item in the game.

glow lichen

Let's explore how to add glow lichen to your inventory.

Supported Platforms

Glow Lichen is available in the following versions of Minecraft:

Platform	Supported (Version*)
Java Edition (PC/Mac)	Yes (1.17)
Pocket Edition (PE)	Yes (1.17.0)
Xbox 360	No
Xbox One	Yes (1.17.0)
PS3	No
PS4	Yes (1.17.0)
Wii U	No
Nintendo Switch	Yes (1.17.0)
Windows 10 Edition	Yes (1.17.0)
Education Edition	Yes (1.17.30)

* The version that it was added or removed, if applicable.
NOTE: Pocket Edition (PE), Xbox One, PS4, Nintendo Switch, and Windows 10 Edition are now called Bedrock Edition. We will continue to show them individually for version history.

Where to find Glow Lichen in Creative Mode

Minecraft Java Edition (PC/Mac)

Here is where you can find glow lichen in the Creative Inventory menu:

Platform	Version(s)	Creative Menu Location
Java Edition (PC/Mac)	1.17 - 1.19	Decoration Blocks
Java Edition (PC/Mac)	1.19.3 - 1.20	Natural Blocks
Java Edition (PC/Mac)	1.19.3 - 1.20	Functional Blocks

Minecraft Pocket Edition (PE)

Here is where you can find glow lichen in the Creative Inventory menu:

Platform	Version(s)	Creative Menu Location
Pocket Edition (PE)	1.17.0 - 1.20.0	Nature

Minecraft Xbox Editions

Here is where you can find glow lichen in the Creative Inventory menu:

Platform	Version(s)	Creative Menu Location
Xbox One	1.17.0 - 1.20.0	Nature

Minecraft PS Editions

Here is where you can find glow lichen in the Creative Inventory menu:

Platform	Version(s)	Creative Menu Location
PS4	1.17.0 - 1.20.0	Nature

Minecraft Nintendo

Here is where you can find glow lichen in the Creative Inventory menu:

Platform	Version(s)	Creative Menu Location
Nintendo Switch	1.17.0 - 1.20.0	Nature

Minecraft Windows 10 Edition

Here is where you can find glow lichen in the Creative Inventory menu:

Platform	Version(s)	Creative Menu Location
Windows 10 Edition	1.17.0 - 1.20.0	Nature

Minecraft Education Edition

Here is where you can find glow lichen in the Creative Inventory menu:

Platform	Version(s)	Creative Menu Location
Education Edition	1.17.30	Nature

Definitions

Platform is the platform that applies.
Version(s) is the Minecraft version numbers where the item can be found in the menu location listed (we have tested and confirmed this version number).
Creative Menu Location is the location of the item in the Creative Inventory menu.

How to get Glow Lichen in Survival Mode

You can add glow lichen to your inventory in Survival mode by clipping glow lichen from a block using a pair of shears. So, let's get started!

1. Find Glow Lichen Growing

First, you need to find glow lichen in your Minecraft world. Glow Lichen looks like a glowing vine that gives off light and can be found underground in the new caves systems. It can be found growing on the side of blocks such as stone, diorite, or deepslate. In this example, there is glow lichen growing on the side of this diorite block.

glow lichen and shears

2. Hold your Shears

Next, place your shears in your hand by selecting them in the hotbar.

3. Use the Shears

The game control to use the shears to clip the glow lichen from the block depends on the version of Minecraft:

For Java Edition (PC/Mac), left click and hold on the glow lichen.
For Pocket Edition (PE), you tap and hold on the glow lichen.
For Xbox One, press and hold the RT button on the Xbox controller.
For PS4, press and hold the R2 button on the PS controller.
For Nintendo Switch, press and hold the ZR button on the controller.
For Windows 10 Edition, left click and hold on the glow lichen.
For Education Edition, left click and hold on the glow lichen.

glow lichen dropped

You will need to continue to clip with the shears until the glow lichen falls from the block.

4. Pick up the Glow Lichen

Make sure you pick up the glow lichen before it disappears.

glow lichen gathered

Once you pick up the glow lichen, it will appear in your hotbar.

glow lichen