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

10 Mar 21, Anonymous (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate): Internet search where to buy luffa, or seed suppliers on-line
Reply or Post a new comment
30 Oct 20, Amanda Fitzgerald (Australia - sub-tropical climate): Although im in sub-tropic, northern rivers NSW i still get heavy frosts, can i still grow luffas and is november too late to plant out seedlings
Reply or Post a new comment
02 Nov 20, (Australia - sub-tropical climate): Although it is a summer crop, they say to plant seeds Sept onwards. Maybe best to wait until after the last frosts. If you feel your climate is more like temperate use temperate climate zone
Reply or Post a new comment
23 Sep 20, Vicki (USA - Zone 9b climate): Can I plant loofa seeds in Oct.
Reply or Post a new comment
23 Sep 20, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate): Check on this page www.gardenate.com/plant/Luffa?zone=116
Reply or Post a new comment
23 Jul 20, Dan (USA - Zone 5a climate): How much sun do they need
Reply or Post a new comment
07 Aug 20, Liz (USA - Zone 8a climate): An internet search might help, try 'loofah' as an alternative to 'luffa'
Reply or Post a new comment
20 Jul 20, Martin Dale (Canada - Zone 8a Mild Temperate climate): Hello from Vancouver! Thank you for this wonderful site. I wonder if you could tell me if Loofahs can be grown in this part of the country? It would be great if so. Would they need a greenhouse? Thank you! Martin
Reply or Post a new comment
23 Jul 20, colleen (USA - Zone 10b climate): You could, with two caveats: they take forever to mature (like 200+ days), and they take a lot of space (like 6-9 meters). So I think it's too late for you to grow them outside this year, but you could still grow them in a LARGE greenhouse...they set fruit during short days so time your lighting accordingly. Your best bet is probably to start them indoors in peat-type pots in late winter for next year.
Reply or Post a new comment
14 Mar 22, Martin Dale (Canada - Zone 5a Temperate Warm Summer climate): Thank you so much! I had forgotten that I had posted this question two years ago . . . . I may give it a try this summer!
Reply or Post a new comment

Showing 31 - 40 of 194 comments

See comments for all plants

Ask a question or post a comment or advice about Luffa

Your name

Where are you?

Email address

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply

Your question, comment or advice

All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate

Keep your garden growing - see what to plant right now

Growing Luffa, also Loofah, plant sponge

Cucurbitcaea : Cucurbitaceae / the gourd family

Your comments and tips

Ask a question or post a comment or advice about Luffa

Gardenate

Keep your garden growing - see what to plant right now

Growing Luffa, also Loofah, plant sponge

Cucurbitcaea : Cucurbitaceae / the gourd family

Your comments and tips

Ask a question or post a comment or advice about Luffa

Become A Supporter!

Planting Reminders