Welcome to Modern Agriculture!
So, you want to start growing luffa sponges? You’re in the right place!
Luffa sponge (also spelled luffah or loofah) is a cucurbit vegetable gourd. They actually can grow right in your back yard! I always thought they were sponges from the ocean! These gourds are most used as scrubbing sponge due to their porous fibers that soften when wet.
Also known as the dishrag or rag gourd, sponge gourd or luffa aegyptiaca, these multi-use sponges are useful for the whole family.
Although some folks eat luffas as young fruits like squash or cucumber would, I won’t be doing that. Instead, I’ll be hanging them to dry to use as sponges and will teach you to do the same! Are you ready to grow these gourds?
Table of contents
When growing loofah sponge, it doesn’t have to be hard. Many folks find it easy, super fun and rewarding! Harvesting them can sometimes be a challenge, but I’ll walk you through that, too! I’ll take you through my process and we’ll find yours as well.
Don’t forget to read the comments for other folks’ quick tips and experiences!
I learned about growing loofah plants from someone writing about how challenging it was. Well, a challenge sounded good so I bought some seeds.
I remembered reading the luffa seeds would take a very long time to germinate, but mine only took tops two weeks! Once I bought the seeds, put them in the ground and they popped up almost immediately. No soaking or chilling required!
You should use rich, well-draining soil so that’s what I put them in. We have sandy soil here in West Central Florida so I was sure to mix in some quality, home-made compost.
We have a well-draining form of sand in our yard. Paired with the rich humus and nutrients from the compost, I had the perfect ratio of sand: soil.
For the location, your vines need lots of sun exposure! My luffa vines get sun all day long and they love it. You want to make sure your sponges grow on a sturdy loofah trellis so the 1-2 foot (Yes, you read that right!) gourds don’t rest on the ground to rot.
I set mine up by a fence and they took off and took over! Here’s a picture of how they started out. (This picture was taken June 27, 2018, and the seeds were planted May 17, 2018!):