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 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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10 Aug 13, Rati (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Eva, if you have spare luffa seeds an you send me some please. thanks
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05 Apr 12, eddie (Australia - temperate climate)
I was wondering if anyone has any luffa seeds i could have. I am having trouble locating them is south australia. Please email if you have any spare. Thank you.
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02 Sep 12, xandra (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi, I'm in S.A. & I have ordered some luffa seeds from eBay, $2.50 a pack. Hope this helps.
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07 Apr 12, Kim (Australia - tropical climate)
I think I have some (planted luffa but have to make sure it is definitely not just one of the varieties of cucumber I planted). I would be interested in doing a swap with you Eddie. What do you have that would be good in the tropics?
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28 Jan 12, Stu (Australia - temperate climate)
Eden seeds have luffa seeds. I got about 100% germination rate, and now have too many vines. Can buy the seeds online
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10 Sep 11, Rebecca (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi, I have been looking everywhere to buy some loofah seeds but have not found any in Sydney. Hope you can help me. Beckx P.O.Box 1A, Palm Beach. N.S.W. 2108
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06 May 11, Annette (Australia - temperate climate)
You can purchase luffa seeds from www.greenpatchseeds.com.au. Mine have grown extremely well - I only planted seeds in a few separate places and now I have more luffas than I can use! Fantastic plant!
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23 Feb 11, Rex (Australia - temperate climate)
I have a very big luffa in green house with a lot of leaves but have no flower. Does anyone know why it is not flowering?
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19 Feb 11, (Australia - temperate climate)
would someone tell me where I can buy loofa seeds please desparaetly want to grow them Thanks Louise
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20 Feb 11, Melissa (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi there, The first lot of luffa seeds I bought, I got from ebay and had very poor results. Not even a sprout But I got some from 4seasonsseeds.com.au and they are currently vines over 3m long! They are flowering too, hope I get a luffa!
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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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