Growing Luffa, also Loofah, plant sponge

Cucurbitcaea : Cucurbitaceae / the gourd family

Apr	May	Jun
S	S
		T
		P

(Best months for growing Luffa in USA - Zone 5a regions)

S = Plant undercover in seed trays
T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
P = Sow seed

Grow in seed trays, and plant out in 4-6 weeks. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 20°C and 30°C. (Show °F/in)
Space plants: 45 - 75 cm apart
Harvest in 11-12 weeks. Use as a back scratcher.
Compatible with (can grow beside): Peas, Beans, Onions, Sweetcorn
Avoid growing close to: Potatoes

Your comments and tips

24 Jun 19, Linda (USA - Zone 8b climate): I also have 3 luffa plants. First year growing in north Florida. I put one in full sun, one in part sun and one in complete shade. They are all growing at the same pace but with one exception: the one in full shade has zero luffa. The other two each have 5 very large ones.
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09 Jun 19, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate): Luffa belong to the curcubit family, so you can follow advice for growing zucchini or pumpkins
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26 May 19, Sue Giles (Australia - temperate climate): I got seeds from the hills seed company in Perth.
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21 May 19, Gina (Australia - sub-tropical climate): Just found this link on growing luffa for anyone interested. Cheers. https://www.abc.net.au/gardening/factsheets/smooth-luffa/9426690
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08 May 19, Naasera (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate): I've seen YouTube videos with 2 types of loofah. The one with ridges, and a much larger one without ridges. I live in Natal and want seeds for the much larger type. Please advise where I can get these seeds.
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28 May 19, Maruschka (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate): I just managed to buy some on livingseeds.co.za
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23 Mar 19, Can you ripen or dry luffah off the vine (Canada - Zone 6b Temperate Warm Summer climate): At the end of last summer I had luffa's that were over a foot long but didn't know how to dry them. We were coming into frost season and I thought they would rot of the vine if not picked. Well they rotted off the vine also.
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24 Mar 19, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate): Try an online search for 'drying luffa sponges'.
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12 Feb 19, Dawn (USA - Zone 9a climate): How do I know what zone I am in? I am so new to this.
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12 Feb 19, Liz at Gardenate (New Zealand - temperate climate): Go to the tab 'Climate zones' and scroll down to find your zone. Gardenate zones for USA are based on USDA Hardiness zones. Find your USDA Plant Hardiness Zone by entering your ZIP code at the USDA Plant Hardiness website.
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Many places online will have them.... Google search "Luffa Gourd Seeds"

- Mindi

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Growing Luffa, also Loofah, plant sponge

Cucurbitcaea : Cucurbitaceae / the gourd family

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