Growing Luffa, also Loofah, plant sponge

Cucurbitcaea : Cucurbitaceae / the gourd family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
S S           S S S S S
T T T           T T T T
P P             P P P P

(Best months for growing Luffa in Australia - temperate 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 68°F and 86°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 18 - 30 inches 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

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09 Feb 20, Lura (USA - Zone 8a climate)
check your electric company you can find crates free the ones from the electric company have frames on top perfect for cold frame lid, most have plastic wrapped around them and a pallet bottom. They are a little tall for a cold frame but there are only 4 studs ( in corners) and a few thin cross boards to stabilize the container. We remove the nice frames from the tops, cut the studs to the right height, use the cross boards to frame the bottom. Two boxes will make one 4 x 4 cold frame. every bit free except screws or nails to reassemble.
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13 Aug 20, Ilonka (USA - Zone 7b climate)
Can you post a picture of those crates? I searched online for them but can’t find any. Thank you in advance ! (Or give a link to a picture - Editor)
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09 Jul 20, Shemainee Carranza (USA - Zone 10a climate)
When is the lates to plant Luffa for zone 10?
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09 Jul 20, Liz (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Check this page www.gardenate.com/plant/Luffa?zone=15
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23 Jul 20, Dan (USA - Zone 5a climate)
How much sun do they need
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07 Aug 20, Liz (USA - Zone 8a climate)
An internet search might help, try 'loofah' as an alternative to 'luffa'
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23 Sep 20, Vicki (USA - Zone 9b climate)
Can I plant loofa seeds in Oct.
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23 Sep 20, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Check on this page www.gardenate.com/plant/Luffa?zone=116
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13 Aug 21, Faye Johnson (USA - Zone 4a climate)
How can I get seeds from my Lofa plant to start new ones for next year?
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29 Aug 21, anon (USA - Zone 7b climate)
Let the fruit dry right out then collect the seeds.
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Showing 31 - 40 of 46 comments
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If I plant a seed, preferably 2 and put it out doors in June, will it have enough time to produce a vegetable by the first frost in November? It is August and I just got my first vegetable to start to grow. It took along time for nature to do the cross pollination. Thank you, Linda from Virginia Beeach

- Linda Joy Smith

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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
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