More Information
| Botanical Name |
Luffa cylindrica |
| Seeds Per Pack |
10 |
| Life Cycle |
Annual |
| Min. Time to Germinate |
3 Days |
| Max. Time to Germinate |
21 Days |
| Depth to Sow Seeds |
1/2 in. |
| When to Sow |
Indoors 2-4 weeks before last spring frost |
| Growing Height |
6-8 ft. (1.8-2.4 m) |
| Plant Spacing |
12-15 in. (30-38 cm) |
| Hardiness |
N/A |
| Sun Exposure |
Full Sun |
| Danger |
Parts of plant are poisonous if ingested |
| Bloom Color |
Bright Yellow |
| Bloom Time |
Late Summer/Early Fall, Mid-Summer |
| Other Details |
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater |
| Soil pH Requirements |
5.6 to 6.0 (acidic), 6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic), 6.6 to 7.5 (neutral) |
| Days to Harvest |
90-100, 100-110, 110-120, 120-130 |
| Propagation Methods |
From seed; direct sow after last frost, From seed; sow indoors before last frost |
| Seed Collecting |
Unblemished fruit must be significantly overripe before harvesting seed; clean and dry seeds |
Make your own bath sponge! The fibrous internal structure of the gourd converts into sponges after 12” long. They climb or spread just like cucumbers and need a very similar growing environment. When ripe at 12” or when the skin feels loose, cut them from the vine and leave in a dry place with good air circulation. The outer skin will come away revealing the luffa beneath. Wash them in mild disinfectant and place in a warm place to dry completely.
You can also grow these to eat as a vegetable. Luffas are known in Asian Cuisine as “Cee Gwa.” Harvest them for eating when they are 2-6″ long. They can be eaten like a cucumber, or chop and stir-fry with chicken, bamboo shoots, or cashews.
