Did you know that you can grow your own all natural, luxurious bath sponges, right in your backyard garden? You don’t need to spend a lot of money to buy them from a high end boutique.
If you wonder how to grow luffa gourds, I’m here to tell you it’s not that hard. You WILL need a good amount of space, as the luffa plant grows several feet tall and it likes to spread.
What You Need to Grow Luffa (loofah) Sponges
Luffa gourds take a long time to mature. Because of this, you should start your seeds inside at least 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost. Here’s what you’ll need:
- loofah gourd seeds
- seeding heat mat (optional, but will help a LOT!)
- biodegradable pots
- quality potting soil
How To Grow Luffa Gourds
Luffa plants need between 120 and 200 days of heat, so if you live in cooler climates you’ll need to start seeds inside, or in a greenhouse.
Germination might take anywhere from 10 days to a month, depending on the seeds. Soaking the seeds for 24-48 hours will speed up the germination.
If you plant them in biodegradable pots, you’ll save the plants some of the shock of transplanting (loofah plats are finicky).
Once the last frost has past for your area, start hardening your plants off for a few days and then transplant on the hottest, and sunniest spot in your garden.
Make sure you plant the luffa next to a sturdy fence or trellis, as it needs to climb and have enough support.
If you have a small garden, luffa gourds can grow in large containers 😉
Once your plants are established, make sure you water your luffa plants: they need lots of water to grow. Mulch the plants well, so they retain moisture.
One more thing you can do to ensure a healthy plant is to remove the first couple lateral branches and the first few flowers.
Luffa Gourd Seeds
Luffa gourd seeds are black when mature. To remove the seeds from the gourd, cut off the larger side and shake the seeds out on a paper towel. Let them dry for a week or so, and then store then in a tightly closed container in a dry, dark place.
The best place to get luffa seeds is your own garden, once you grow your first crop of luffa gourds. But if you’re new to growing luffa gourds, you can get seeds from a neighbor, from a seed exchange, or, Amazon. Burpee has good seeds.
Harvesting Luffa Gourds
Luffa gourds are ready to harvest when they turn yellow or brown. If there’s a chance of frost, pick your gourds even if they’re still green.
They’ll be harder to peel, but will still be good. If they freeze, they’ll get damaged.
Watch Jake Mace peel his gourds and listen to him talk about the benefits of using a natural sponge for your daily shower routine.
Can You Eat Luffa?
Absolutely! You’ll just have to harvest it really young, as they become fibrous when maturing (forming the loofah sponge).
Cook luffas just as you do any squash: fried, sauteed with onions and garlic, soup, etc.
This luffa curry looks delicious!
It’s time to grow some luffa gourds yourself and enjoy some healthy luffa squash and the luffa sponges.
Adriana Copaceanu is a passionate nature lover living in the country on her dream property where she grows vegetables, lavender, and wildflowers that she shares with the wildlife they attract. When she's not in the garden, she loves spending time with her chickens and planning her next nature project. Check out her books below:
How to Grow Lavender for Fun and Profit: Lessons Learned from Planting Three Hundred Lavender Plants
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Sunday 16th of January 2022
[…] Learn more about growing luffa. […]
Lynne Clark
Monday 8th of March 2021
I've gotten a luffa from the store but don't use it because it is WAY too firm and scratchy for me. Is there any way around that?
Adriana
Tuesday 9th of March 2021
Try to soak it in warm water for a few minutes before using it, and see if that helps.
The 10 Most Ordered Amazon Gardening Products in 2020
Monday 30th of March 2020
[…] The third most ordered Amazon product is this pack of Luffa Gourd Seeds. I planted some last year and enjoyed growing my own luffa sponges. […]
Carol elsberry
Wednesday 10th of April 2019
How can I get some of your luffa seeds or any seed?
ILoveGardening
Wednesday 10th of April 2019
Carol, I don't sell any seeds, but you can get them form Amazon here: https://amzn.to/2UOcvmJ
How To Grow Your Own Vegetables | Backyard Garden Lover
Wednesday 17th of January 2018
[…] Grow luffa gourds […]