With the Blood Moon event shaking things up in Grow a Garden, one of the most talked-about features has been the Bloodlit Mutation. While this eerie red-tinted transformation might sound spooky, it’s actually one of the best ways to rake in massive profits in-game. In this guide, we’ll walk you through exactly how to get the Bloodlit Mutation on your plants, what it looks like, and how to maximize its value while the event is live.
What Is the Bloodlit Mutation?
The Bloodlit Mutation is a temporary but high-value mutation introduced during the Blood Moon variation of the Nightfall event. Crops that mutate into Bloodlit will appear as though they are dripping in blood, glowing with a vivid red hue. Besides their visual appeal, they sell for 4x their usual price, making this a go-to strategy for anyone looking to boost their income fast.
Unlike other mutations that rely on gear, weather, or pets, the Bloodlit Mutation is tied exclusively to the Blood Moon event, which only occurs under specific conditions.
How to Trigger the Blood Moon Event
To get a Bloodlit fruit, the Blood Moon needs to be active. Here’s how it works:
-
Nightfall happens at the start of every hour in real-world time.
-
Each Nightfall has a 33% chance of transforming into a Blood Moon.
-
When a Blood Moon occurs, the sky turns crimson red, and a unique notification appears.
-
This window lasts 15 minutes, during which you can earn Bloodlit mutations on your crops.
Tip:
If you want to know when the Blood Moon is coming, keep an eye on the in-game clock and coordinate your farming around hourly resets.
How to Get the Bloodlit Mutation on Your Plants
Once the Blood Moon begins, simply having crops growing in your plot gives them a small chance of receiving the Bloodlit mutation. However, this chance is fairly low on its own — but you can increase your odds significantly using specific tools:
1. Use the Night Staff
The Night Staff is a gear item you can equip to force Moonlit or Bloodlit mutations during Nightfall and Blood Moon phases.
-
To use it:
-
Equip the Night Staff from your backpack.
-
Place it on your farm before or during the Blood Moon.
-
It will increase the chance of your plants getting the Bloodlit mutation while the event is active.
-
Note: The Night Staff works similarly to the Lightning Rod but is tuned for lunar events like Nightfall and Blood Moon.
What Does Bloodlit Mutation Look Like?
You’ll know a plant is Bloodlit when it:
-
Glows with a deep red aura.
-
Emits a dripping blood effect.
-
Triggers an in-game ping/notification confirming the mutation.
These visual cues make it easy to track which of your plants are ready for premium harvests. Just remember — once the Blood Moon ends, your chances disappear until the next one.
Profit Potential of Bloodlit Fruits
Bloodlit plants are worth 4x their original sell value, making them incredibly profitable, especially if you mutate high-value crops like:
-
Moon Melons
-
Ember Lilies
-
Sunflowers
-
Celestial Plants
If you’re trying to farm efficiently, aim to stack multiple high-value plants just before a Blood Moon begins. This way, if the mutation lands, you’ll multiply your profits significantly.
Can You Get Bloodlit Mutations Outside of Blood Moon?
Unfortunately, no. The Bloodlit Mutation is exclusive to the Blood Moon event and cannot be obtained outside of it. That said, other mutations — like Moonlit, Celestial, or Zombified — are available through other means and persist beyond the event’s duration.
Tips to Maximize Bloodlit Mutation Chances
Here are a few ways to boost your odds of securing Bloodlit plants:
-
Use Multiple Night Staffs
Stack multiple staffs in different sections of your garden — the more coverage you have, the better your odds. -
Plant High-Value Crops Right Before the Hour
Since Blood Moon only has a 33% chance to trigger at the start of each hour, be ready. Replant 5-10 minutes beforehand so your crops are in mid-growth when the event kicks off. -
Coordinate with Friends or Server Mates
Let others in your server know when a Blood Moon happens. Communication increases your awareness and gives you a better window to act fast. -
Don’t Skip the Event Shop
During Blood Moons, the Blood Moon Shop appears near the Wise Owl NPC. Grab tools like the Star Caller (for Celestial mutations) or rare seeds that also have high base values, which work great with Bloodlit.
What Happens If You Miss the Blood Moon?
Missed the event? Don’t worry — Blood Moon happens regularly. With Nightfall occurring every hour and a 33% trigger rate, you’re likely to see a Blood Moon at least once every 2–3 hours of gameplay. That’s frequent enough to farm effectively if you’re paying attention.
