Loofah – 5 Seeds

Loofah (Luffa cylindrica) is a very fast growing climber. Its leaves are 7 – 20 cm across and have three lobes. Flowers are bright yellow. The fruits which grow to about 60 cm in length are oblong or cylindrical, smooth and contain many seeds. The dry fruit of Luffa cylindrica can be used as a sponge. Young green fruits can be boiled and eaten as a vegetable.
Common names: Smooth luffa, sponge luffa, vegetable sponge gourd, climbing okra, dishcloth gourd, Chinese okra

Growing Loofah

• The vines can grow to around 30 feet long and need a strong trellis to grow on.
• Start seeds indoors. Sow seeds five to six weeks before you intend to transplant them outdoors.
• Scarify the seeds and then soak the seeds in warm water for 24 hours prior to seeding.
• Plant the seeds half inch deep in moist seed starting mix. Sow them a half inch deep.
• Cover with plastic wrap or a seeding dome.
• Average germination time is 7 to 14 days.
• Once the seeds have germinated remove the plastic wrap or dome to promote good air flow. Keep the soil lightly moist but not wet.
• In Spring after the risk of frost has passed, it’s time to harden off loofah seedlings.  After a week of hardening off, plant the seedlings in an area that gets full sun.
• Loofah plants need regular watering.
• Can also be grown in large containers.