How to grow Sponge Luffa

Luffa aegyptiaca

This plant requires a tall trellis to climb.
It can be raised in pots or grow bags in cooler climates under protection. A good way of doing this is to allow it to take over the cold frame or small plastic greenhouse, the shelving providing support

Growing Sponge luffa from seed

In cool areas start indoors 2 weeks before planting out. Outdoors sow three seeds per hill in hills 1m/3’ apart.

Requires soil temp of between 19-22C and moisture to sprout. Keep moist until true leaves appear.

Try to aim for a seed spacing of at least 3.9 inches (10.0 cm) and sow at a depth of around 0.78 inches (2.0 cm). Soil temperature should be kept higher than 20°C / 68°F to ensure good germination.

By our calculations*, you should look at sowing Sponge luffa about 28 days before your last frost date .

Transplanting Sponge luffa

Direct sowing is better. Otherwise pot up when seedling has three true leaves. In cooler climates it is possible to raise Luffa with the protection of a cold frame, cloche or greenhouse

As Sponge luffa is tender, ensure temperatures are mild enough to plant out (around 19°C / 66°F as a guideline) - wait until after your last frost date to be on the safe side.

Harvesting Sponge luffa

For a soft sponge harvest luffas when they are green, for a tougher sponge wait until the outer skin is yellow and dry. You can harvest anytime after a space can be felt between the skin and the sponge inside, and the luffa is lighter in weight. You should also be able to hear seeds rattling around inside.

To prepare the luffa for use as a sponge, peel off the skin and wash under running water. Leave the luffa to dry in the sun. 2

Seed Saving Sponge luffa

The seeds are released as the luffa is prepared to be a sponge

How long does Sponge luffa take to grow?

These estimates for how long Sponge luffa takes to sprout, grow and harvest are from real observations from real gardeners, right around the world.

Days to Germination How long does it take Sponge luffa to germinate?
6 days

Average 6 days | Min 3 days | Max 18 days (11)

Days to Transplant How long until I can plant out Sponge luffa?
+ 20 days

Average 20 days | Min 15 days | Max 59 days (4)

Days to Maturity How long until Sponge luffa is ready for harvest / bloom?
+ 140 days

Average 140 days | Min 140 days | Max 140 days (1)

Total Growing Days How long does it take to grow Sponge luffa?
= 166 days

When should I plant Sponge luffa?

Our when to plant Sponge luffa estimates are relative to your last frost date.

When to sow The number of days to sow Sponge luffa before or after your last frost date.
28 days before Last Frost Date

Other names for Sponge luffa

Loofah, Smooth luffa, Sponge gourd, Vegetable sponge, Dishcloth gourd, Cee Gwa, Sze Gwa, Luffa gourd

Luffa cylindrica, Luffa aegyptiaca Mill.

Footnotes

1 Floridata

2 Dick Raymond, Joy of Gardening (Storey Publishing, 1982), 309.

3 Suzanne Ashworth, Seed to Seed (Decorah, Iowa: Seed Savers Exchange, 2002), 122.


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