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              
      T T T T          
      P P P            

(Best months for growing Luffa in Australia - tropical 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

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23 Jan 23, Lisa Cologna (USA - Zone 9a climate)
I live in Las Vegas Nevada. It gets very hot during the summer months (100 to 120°). Will the loofahs grow here?
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01 Feb 23, Elaine (USA - Zone 9b climate)
Yes! I live in south Spain which is zone 9b/10a and grew loofah plants successfully in 2021. We had a couple of weeks over 40c (105f) and it grew like crazy! Use straw mulch and water well twice a week.
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10 Nov 23, Rosalind gayles (USA - Zone 8b climate)
I'm in charlotte nc....when is best time to start loofah seeds?
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25 Nov 23, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
April May if you live Zone 8a. Go to luffa page set climate to 8b and it will tell you when to plant.
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17 Aug 24, Rebecca (USA - Zone 7a climate)
Im in 7a & planted luffa in mid-April. They look great & are all over the trellis. Lots of clusters of male & female flowers. Zero established gourds yet & it's mid-August. I planted w/ the expectation of a harvest around late September mid-October. Should I be concerned by the lack of gourds at this point? It is the only thing i planted & i have a lot of time in on them. Everything looks totally healthy (this is in an organic community garden) but i'm feeling worried that this is going to end up being a race against the weather and i wont have any gourds at all? Any input, guidance, or thoughts are welcome!
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03 Sep 24, Jim Wolff (USA - Zone 10b climate)
I love to eat the young fruit when they are about 1" to 1.5" in diameter. But after that, let them grow until they turn completely brown on the vine. Then pick the brown (dried) fruit and soak in water a couple of minutes. The skin will peel off very easily after it has been soaked. If you do not soak them first, the skin will be more difficult to get off.
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Showing 41 - 46 of 46 comments
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Loofas wow - grow like crazy with just a fence to run along - eat them when they are like zuchinni size. The vine took off up a tree nearby - a bit hard to pick then. I have seeds coming out my ears. great for getting the dirt off in the bath room.

- Paula

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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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