Growing Luffa, also Loofah, plant sponge

Cucurbitcaea : Cucurbitaceae / the gourd family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
                S      
T                   T T

(Best months for growing Luffa in New Zealand - cool/mountain regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • 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 68°F and 86°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 18 - 30 inches 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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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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09 Feb 20, Lura (USA - Zone 8a climate)
check your electric company you can find crates free the ones from the electric company have frames on top perfect for cold frame lid, most have plastic wrapped around them and a pallet bottom. They are a little tall for a cold frame but there are only 4 studs ( in corners) and a few thin cross boards to stabilize the container. We remove the nice frames from the tops, cut the studs to the right height, use the cross boards to frame the bottom. Two boxes will make one 4 x 4 cold frame. every bit free except screws or nails to reassemble.
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Showing 41 - 50 of 194 comments
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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

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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. GardenGrow 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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