Luffa aegyptiaca. 100 days. Open-pollinated.
Luffa (or loofha) is an open-pollinated, heirloom gourd variety in the cucumber family.
Vines are vigorous and can grow up 10 to 12 feet long, so planting near a fence or trellis is recommended.
Fruits are light green and cylindrical. They are often grown for use as a natural bath or cleaning sponge, but they're also great for eating!
Harvest the gourds at about 2 inches in length for use as a vegetable. Can be used similar to zucchini, and are particularly good in stir-fry.
If growing for use as a sponge, allow the gourd to mature on the vine about 90 to 100 days. Harvest and cure. Once the gourd is dried, peel off the skin, remove the seeds, and use the sponge for bathing, washing dishes, or other household cleaning.
Luffa Gourd
Growth Chart
Hardiness Zones: 4 to 12 Light Requirement: Full sun Soil Type: Average, loamy, well-drained Sow Depth: 1 inch Plant Spacing: 3 feet in rows that are 6 feet apart Germination Temp: 70ºF or higher Germination Time: 10 to 14 days Maturation: 100 days Growing Tips
Start seeds 3 to 4 weeks before the last spring frost. Soak seeds overnight, then sow in peat pots, 2 to 3 seeds per pot. Use a heat mat to maintain a soil temperature above 70°F and thin to the strongest plants once the seedlings have obtained their first set of true leaves. Transplant outdoors once soil temperatures have warmed to at least 70°F.
If direct sowing, wait until outdoor soil temperatures are 70°F or warmer, then plant seeds 1 inch deep in hills, 5 seeds per hill with 5 feet between hills. Thin to the strongest plants once the seedlings have obtained their first set of true leaves.