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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31 Jan 19, Yvette Cogswell (Canada - Zone 5a Temperate Warm Summer climate)
Richters Goodwood Ontario www.richters.com They have excellent seeds and service.
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31 Jan 19, Zac Ezzy (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Boondie Seeds, Armidale NSW. that's where I got mine :)
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02 Jan 19, Steve (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Where can I buy luffa seed in New Zealand. Cheers Steve
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06 Jan 19, Marilyn (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Kings seeds
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02 Jan 19, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Try a search for "luffa seeds NZ"
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31 Dec 18, Betty (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi I bought some loofah seeds on eBay and want to know if I can plant them now. From what I read it would be possible and have fruit by April. Could you please confirm Many thanks Betty
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02 Jan 19, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Loofah are cold and frost tender, so if you have a suitable micro-climate that will provide warm weather and enough water until April, it's worth trying.
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17 Dec 18, Jean Mutch (Canada - Zone 3b Temperate Warm Summer climate)
Never tried lookups before. Need hints Where to get good seeds. Thanks
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17 Dec 18, Mike (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
The best way to find where to buy something is to google it - buy luffa seeds inNZ -
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18 Dec 18, Mike (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Kings seeds sell a lot of seed in NZ by the look of it.
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Showing 81 - 90 of 194 comments
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I have been growing luffah for a few years now, and each season it doesn't fruit until the beginning of the fall and the last couple years I have lost all the fruit to the early freezes!

- Cyrus

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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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