Loofah plants produce the natural sponges used in baths and showers around the world. Growing your own loofahs is an eco-friendly and cost effective way to enjoy these versatile plants. But first you need to get your hands on some seeds or starter plants. Here are the best places to buy loofah plants so you can grow your own.
What Are Loofah Plants?
Loofah plants belong to the gourd family Cucurbitaceae. The fruit of the loofah vine resembles a cucumber. Inside the outer skin is a spongy fiber that serves as the skeleton of the fruit. When dried, this internal fiber makes an excellent natural sponge or scrubber.
There are a few different plants that produce loofahs:
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Luffa aegyptiaca The most common loofah grown. Produces smooth, cylindrical shaped fruits
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Luffa acutangula: Fruits have pronounced ridges running their length.
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Luffa cylindrica Makes very long, snake-like loofah fruits
While the fruits can be eaten when immature, loofahs are grown mainly for their fibrous interior sponges These sustainable scrubs work just as well or better than synthetic options
Where to Purchase Loofah Seeds
The most economical way to acquire loofah plants is to start them yourself from seed. Here are some good seed sources:
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Online seed companies: Retail seed stores like Survival Garden Seeds offer several types of loofah seeds for sale. This allows you to easily buy seeds and have them shipped to your door.
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Local garden centers: Many independent garden centers sell vegetable seeds, including loofah varieties. Visit garden shops in your area to check availability.
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Seed swaps: Getting free seeds from other local gardeners is a budget-friendly option. Check for seed swap events in your community.
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Seed saving: If you or a friend already grow loofahs, save seeds from mature fruits to plant for free.
When purchasing seeds, choose an appropriate variety for your growing region. Look for disease-resistant strains if possible.
Where to Buy Started Loofah Plants
For the earliest harvest, some gardeners opt to purchase loofah seedlings instead of starting from seed. Here are places to find pre-started plants:
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Greenhouses: Many local greenhouses and nurseries sell vegetable starter plants, including loofah seedlings, in spring. These are best obtained locally to avoid shipping delicate plants.
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Farmer’s markets: It’s sometimes possible to source loofah transplants from vendors at farmer’s markets and swap meets. Again, local is best.
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Online plant retailers: A few online nurseries sell loofah starter plants that can be shipped directly to you. Be prepared to plant them as soon as they arrive.
If buying starter loofah plants, inspect them closely before purchasing. Look for signs of pests, disease, or stresses like root-binding. Go for stocky, healthy plants.
Growing Conditions for Loofah Plants
Loofahs require warm conditions to thrive. They perform best in zones 8-10, but some varieties can grow in cooler zones with a long summer season. Loofahs need:
- Full sun
- Fertile, well-draining soil
- Consistent moisture
- Temperatures above 70°F
- A long growing season (at least 90 days frost-free)
- Plenty of space to spread. Vines can reach 15 feet long or more!
Provide loofah plants support by training them up a sturdy trellis, fence, or arbor. Amend soil with compost or manure before planting. Mulch around plants to retain moisture. Water regularly, especially when fruits are developing.
How to Plant Loofah Seeds
Loofahs are quick and easy to start from seed. Follow these steps for success:
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Start seeds indoors 3-4 weeks before your last expected frost date. Plant two seeds in each pot, 1 inch deep.
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Keep soil consistently moist and warm, around 70°F. Loofah seeds germinate in 5-10 days when happy.
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Thin seedlings to the strongest plant per container once they emerge.
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Harden off before transplanting outdoors after all danger of frost.
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Plant seedlings in the garden 12-18 inches apart in rows 5 feet apart.
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Protect young plants from wind and cold. Use cloches, cold frames, or fabric row covers if needed.
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Water and fertilize regularly once established. Side-dress with compost or manure monthly.
Caring for Loofah Plants
Give loofah vines room to ramble and provide good growing conditions. They require little care beyond the following:
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Water 1-2 inches per week. Avoid wet leaves.
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Fertilize monthly with a balanced organic option.
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Mulch plants to retain moisture and reduce weeds.
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Train vines up supports or allow to meander over the ground.
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Prune unwanted growth to encourage fruit production.
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Scout for pests like cucumber beetles and eliminate squash bugs.
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Harvest loofah fruits when they turn yellow or brown and peel easily.
With the right care, each loofah plant produces 15 or more fruits in a season. Get your hands on seeds or transplants and enjoy an abundant harvest of all-natural sponges.
100 Sun / Shade
Days to Maturity: 90 to 100 from direct sow
Grow your own Luffa gourds, the natural and luxurious sponge gourd, and bypass boutique prices. These loofah sponge gourds, which are related to gourds, are a green way to clean and look great in your garden. Growing gourd luffa vines is easy, and the fruits they produce are between 6 inches and 2 ½ feet long and 4 to 7 inches across. In late summer, these gourd luffas are fully grown. They turn a deep green color, and when their skin starts to wrinkle, it’s time to pick them.
To get to the loofah gourd sponge inside a fully matured gourd luffa, the outer layer must be peeled off. This reveals a dense, tan network that is great for exfoliating or scrubbing skin. After removing the seeds, your loofah gourd sponge is prepared for numerous uses. The seeds can be reserved for future planting, ensuring a continuous supply of loofah sponge gourds.
Loofah gourd seeds should be planted directly into warm, sunny soil for the best growth. The vines should be supported on a trellis or fence to make the best use of space and ensure even fruit development. With their bright yellow flowers, the vines turn into useful luffa dishrag gourds that can be used as eco-friendly sponges or eaten young as a treat in Asian cuisine (known as Chinese okra).
Get important information from our article Know Before You Grow: Squash and Pumpkins before you till the soil or plant a seed. It will walk you through the details of growing these useful plants. Additionally, in todays digital age, technology offers a helping hand in our gardening endeavors. Check out Apps to Help You Grow and Answer Gardening Questions to learn how mobile apps can change the way you garden by giving you access to expert advice and making it easier to find plants, pests, and answers to common gardening problems. These sources, which include both old-fashioned advice and new technology, give you a complete picture of how to improve your gardening.
| Genus | Cucurbita |
|---|---|
| Species | cylindrica |
| Variety | Luffa |
| Product Classification | Annuals, Seeds |
| Sun / Shade | Full Sun |
| Bloom Season Start | Early Summer |
| Bloom Season End | Late Summer |
| Bloom Color | Yellow |
| Foliage Color | Dark Green |
| Habit | Vining |
| Days To Maturity | 100.00 |
| Harvest Season | Early Fall, Late Summer |
| Resistance | Disease Resistant, Heat Tolerant, Humidity Tolerant, Pest Resistant |
| Characteristics | Bloom First Year, Direct Sow, Easy Care Plants, Trellises |
| Uses | Beds, Ornamental, Outdoor, Vines and Climbers |
Seed Starting & Indoor Growing
Subtotal:
HOW to PLANT and GROW LUFFA (LOOFAH), plus WHEN to HARVEST and HOW to PEEL
FAQ
What month do you plant luffa?
Are loofah plants easy to grow?
Where is the best place to plant luffa?
How many loofahs do you get from one plant?
How do you plant a loofah plant?
Loofah plants prefer rich, well-draining soil. Adding compost to the soil before you begin planting is a great idea, especially if you have poor soil. When planting, be sure to space the seeds 8 to 12 inches apart. Loofahs grow on vines, so they need plenty of room to grow and spread.
Can you grow loofah at home?
Growing loofah plant at home is easy and then you can enjoy homegrown sponges throughout the year. Follow our simple steps on how to grow loofah (luffa gourd). Growing loofah takes some time, so I highly recommend getting a jump start on your planting. Here I will share with you my experience in growing luffa and how you can, too.
When should you plant a loofah plant?
Start planting loofahs in mid-spring or early summer. However, they can grow out of season if you have a greenhouse. Loofah plants prefer rich, well-draining soil. Adding compost to the soil before you begin planting is a great idea, especially if you have poor soil. When planting, be sure to space the seeds 8 to 12 inches apart.
What does a loofah plant look like?
The loofah, also spelled luffa, is plant that’s part of the gourd family and looks a little like a cucumber. So if you’re interested in how to grow loofah plants, this article is right up your alley! A little information about the loofah plant before we dive into our guide: The loofah plant grows to about 30 inches in length.
