Complete microviscosity maps of living plant cells and tissues with a toolbox of targeting mechanoprobes

Significance Spatial variations in microviscosity are triggered throughout plant cells, and these provide insight into local mechanobiological processes. However, it has so far been challenging to visualize such variations in living plant cells. Here we report an imaging microviscosity toolbox of chemically modified molecular rotors that yield complete microviscosity maps of several key plant cell structures. This toolbox opens up new ways to understand the role of mechanical stress in the regulation of biological processes.