Growing Luffa, also Loofah, plant sponge

Cucurbitcaea : Cucurbitaceae / the gourd family

Jan	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
	S	S	S	S	S
T		T	T	T	T
P		P	P	P	P

(Best months for growing Luffa in Australia - sub-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

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!
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09 Jul 20, Shemainee Carranza (USA - Zone 10a climate): When is the lates to plant Luffa for zone 10?
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09 Jul 20, Liz (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate): Check this page www.gardenate.com/plant/Luffa?zone=15
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11 Mar 20, Karen (Australia - tropical climate): Will these grow in Darwin .its wet season now
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12 Aug 20, Mary-Anne (Australia - temperate climate): I’m in Palmerston & my Luffa is growing beautifully. The gourds are impressive too!
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11 Mar 20, Anon (Australia - tropical climate): Go to the Luffa page again and read, it is all there.
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02 Feb 20, Hanmelie (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate): We're can I buy loofah seeds in Gauteng?
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17 Feb 21, Gladwin (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate): send me your address and I'll post a few for you to plant.
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03 Feb 20, anon (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate): Look up seed selling companies on the internet in SA.
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02 Feb 20, Kristina Fischer (USA - Zone 9a climate): I was just given a huge jar of very healthy looking loofah seeds. Our cold frame just collapsed after six years of heavy use and we don't have funds for another one. Would it be possible to plant the loofah seeds in peat pots in April and still harvest loofah by fall?
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Replying to:

I grew Luffa's in ACT, hoping maybe to get some loofahs from them. They took a while to really get going (after a good rain) then the vine took off, but wasn't til towards the end of Summer that any flowers finally came on. I was surprised they actually formed fruit, and thought it was too late by then anyway, but then they grew & grew, and even into Autumn, the vine & fruit were still green and growing well. I didn't do anything particular to help them grow, but perhaps will try pinching the tips to encourage more female flowers next year! I was going to leave them on the vine to dry, but a few mornings of frost put an end to that. I took off the large fruit, and the next day, the frost had killed the vine anyway. I am trying to dry the fruit out on the sunny laundry windowsill, and hope that does the trick!

- dixiebelle

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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

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

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