First off, congratulations on realizing that you can grow your own loofah sponge. Most people think they grow in the ocean alongside other sponges, like Mr. SquarePants. Growing loofah is easy in warm climates, but with this guide I'll show you that you can grow your own luffa sponge almost anywhere.
As a matter of fact, no they do not grow in the ocean. Or the sea. Or any other body of water.
The fact that loofah aka luffa is actually a vegetable is always the biggest shock to people when you tell them they can grow their own luffa sponges; the fact that they grow on land, not in the water.
Table of Contents
What IS a Loofah Plant
A loofah plant is a member of the Cucurbitaceae family like squash or cucumber. They have long growing vines that have fruit growing off of them. The plant produces edible fruit which become gourds when left on the vine to mature.
Those gourds dry as they get older, losing all their moisture. When cracked open all that is left inside are the fibres you recognize as a luffa sponge.
There are 2 species of this sponge producing plant.
- Luffa aegyptiaca (this is a smooth luffa, also known as Cylindra, Dishrag Gourd, Sponge Gourd, or Egyptian Cucumber)
- Luffa acutangula (this is a ridged luffa also known as Ridged Gourd, Angled Loofah or Chinese Okra)
They're all the same thing (edible vegetables that grow into fibrous sponges) with different names or a sightly different shape.
- Loofah plants are part of the gourd family and grow on vines that can get to be 30' long or more. Trust me on this.
- The part you're used to seeing is actually the inside fibres of the gourd, which lay beneath the green skin. That's the loofah sponge.
- Immature luffas look like a cucumber or zucchini and are edible when they're very young (4-8" long). They're traditionally eaten with eggs in Asian countries, like in this Serious Eats luffa recipe.
- They are annual vines and need to be replanted every year.
- Luffas are shitheads.
For the past decade I've been growing loofah in my Zone 6 climate. Each year more successfully than the previous year as I figure things out. They need a longggg growing season of 150-200 days. They are also easily frightened. Like you can frighten a Loofah to death.
More on that in a few moments.
To figure out how to successfully grow a loofah sponge, you have to know how to very, very unsuccessfully grow a loofah sponge.
Luckily for you, I have all kinds of experience in that particular area. In fact, I spent the better part of a decade being exceptionally unsuccessful at growing luffa.
Not to brag.
I now have it down to a science and you will now learn from my years of mistakes in this step-by-step guide.
Growing loofah
In colder zones you need to start your plant from seed, grow it indoors until temperatures warm up and then plant it outside on a sturdy structure where the vines can do their thing and the heavy luffa fruit will have support.
Potential Problems
There are 3 main areas where things can go horribly wrong with growing the plant.
- Your seeds won't germinate. Because they're little asshead seeds that hate you.
- Your little luffa seedling goes into shock when you transplant it outside and it dies of fright or at least goes into a month long coma.
- Your vine grows but you never get to the point of seeing fruit before the frost kills it.
I'm going to show you how to overcome all of those issues so you can grow your own organic luffa sponge this summer.
Handy for showers, scrubbing pots and whacking people on the head with.
Planting luffa seeds
STEP 1 - If you're in a cooler zone, start your Luffa seeds early, indoors, 6 - 8 weeks before the last frost date.
STEP 2 - Use new Luffa seeds and soak them in water for 24 hours prior to planting. Seeds that have been hanging around for years won't germinate well.
STEP 3 - Sow seeds in a 4" pot of moistened soil. Plant ½" deep. Cover with plastic wrap, or a humidity dome just until the seeds sprout. Once sprouted you can remove the dome.
STEP 4 - Germinating luffa seeds on a seed heat pad will increase your success. Sow seeds and then place their pots or tray on the warmth heat pad to germinate.
STEP 5 - For an even BETTER chance of reducing transplant shock, grow in soil blocks instead of pots.
FINAL THOUGHT - Using this method your seeds should germinate within 3-10 days from planting.
TIP - I'm a soil block convert and you can read all about how they work and how to make them in my post on making soil blocks with a soil blocker.
Seed Heat mats
I can't overstate how much a seed heating mat improves germination and growth of your loofah seeds.
It's also working GREAT for my Sweet Potato slips using my updated sweet potato growing method, tomatoes and just about any other heat loving crop.
Planting out in the garden
- When the weather is right ( air is consistently around 70 F or 21 C) start hardening off your seedlings. This is more important than with most other plants because Luffa are so prone to transplant shock.
- After a week or so of hardening off, plant your seedlings in an area that gets FULL sun. As much sun as possible. Anything less and you won't get any Luffas.
TIP - If you're unsure of what it is or how to do it, read these steps on how to harden off plants.
- Plant your loofah seedlings at the base of a strong structure that its vines can climb on and cling to. Chain link fence or something similar is perfect.
- If after planting out, a cold snap threatens, cover the seedlings with a vented cloche. Or you can cut the bottom off of a plastic pop bottle and place it over the plant (with the cap removed to allow venting). A few days of cold weather will STOP a luffa from growing and it could take a month before they get over the shock.
- Luffa will produce fruit 3 months after direct seeding, and 4 months after starting seeds inside. They are ready to harvest 6-7 months after seeding.
Alright then, you've started them from seed and planted them out. Now what do you do for the rest of the summer?
Growing Luffa in Containers
- You'll need a 25 - 30 gallon pot or grow bag. If you don't speak "gallons", just look for pots or grow bags that are about 20 - 24" across the top. This will ensure you don't have to water every 30 seconds, and it will hold enough soil to provide enough nutrients to the VERY large luffa.
- Grow one plant per bag. No more than that.
These are GREAT 30 gallon felt-like grow bags.
Growing on & summer care
Luffa take 6 - 7 months before they're mature and ready to harvest. That's how long you have to pay attention and take care of them.
Luckily it's mainly just a matter of watering, fertilizoing and keeping an eye out for pests.
Watering
Keep the soil consistently moist. Don't let it dry out or get oversaturated. Luffa doesn't like surprises. It likes everything to stay the same.
Like I've mentioned before, luffa are shitheads that are plotting against you. If you let them dry out or overwater them, they will rebel against you.
Fertilizing
Before planting, apply 3" of compost over your bed or container.
You can also spring dress your beds with this organic 4-4-4 all purpose fertilizer from Gaia Green. (it's what I use)
Pollination
Like winter squash, luffa have male and female flowers. You can hand pollinate the female flowers using this hand pollination technique to increase your luffa harvest. This is especially helpful if you don't have a lot of pollinators in your garden.
Pinching
2 months before your first frost date (by the middle of August for me in zone 6) you need to pinch away all the flowers and any small luffa on the vine. Continue to do this for the rest of the season.
This is important because it will direct all the plant's remaining energy to growing the luffas that are on the vine now instead wasting it ones that have no chance of becoming harvest size. THIS IS CRUCIAL.
Pests & Diseases
Cucumber Beetle (which cause cucumber wilt)
Aphids
Squash Bug ← link to treatment
Vine Borers ← link to treatment
Powdery Mildew ← link to treatment
Blight
I have never lost a luffa plant to pests or disease, but these are the ones to watch out for. Where indicated I have a link to successful treatments I use.
Harvesting
- By October you should have big Luffas. If you live in or above zone 7 your luffas will probably dry on the vine and be brown and light as a feather by October. For zone 6 and below they'll probably still be green. That's O.K.
- Pick your Luffa gourds BEFORE they're hit by frost even if they're still green.
Dry gourds vs Green gourds
Over and over you'll hear that you have to wait until the gourd is dry to pick it. And yes, that's the best time to pick it but it's not the only time.
If you live in zone 6 or below chances are you'll be harvesting them green. The lighter they feel in your hand, the greater chance they'll have fibres inside.
Some green luffas you pick will not have matured enough and when you peel them they'll be fleshy and gooey inside.
But OTHERS will indeed have developed enough to have the coveted fibres.
- 1st luffa is immature with spongey flesh inside.
- 2nd luffa is lighter in colour and weight which helps you know it may have developed fibres.
- 3rd luffa is well on its way to drying out and will definitely have a luffa sponge inside.
- 4th luffa is the ideal time to pick. When it's completely dry and you can hear seeds rattling inside.
Like I said, it isn't easy and definitely not for the half assed gardener in colder climates, but if you really want to grow loofahs you can.
Peeling, Processing & Preparing
How to process immature (green) luffa
- Lay the gourd on a hard surface like a table. Press down hard on it with the palms of your hands to crack the skin. Do this many times until much of the skin is cracked.
- Press your thumb into the skin by a crack pushing down until you can worm your thumb under the skin. This will separate the skin from the sponge fibres. Kind of like how you would peel an orange that doesn't want to be peeled.
- Rinse the sponge under water once it's released. Squish any wet gooey parts out while you rinse. You want the sponge to be perfectly clean.
- While you rinse and squish, many of the seeds will come out. When it feels and looks clean, let it sit on the counter overnight to dry.
- Once dried you can shake and bat your luffa around to get the remaining seeds out. They'll come out much more easily once it's dried.
- If you'd like a brighter looking sponge you can soak it in a solution of 1 part bleach and 10 parts water. After bleaching, rinse it with clean water and let it dry again.
note: I have quite literally never measured my bleach solution. I just fill the sink with water and glug some bleach into it. But rules are rules and the rule is 1 part bleach to 10 parts water.
Peel green loofah as soon as you pick them. Don't wait for them to dry out - they could rot and discolour.
Saving Loofah Seeds
Each luffa will be FULL of seeds that you can use to grow more luffa next year.
- ONLY the black seeds are viable. White or light coloured seeds will not germinate or grow.
- Once you've set your black seeds aside, feel them. Some will be fat and some will be flat. Fat seeds have been properly pollinated. Flat seeds have not been pollinated.
- Only the FAT luffa seeds will germinate, so those are the ones you need to save for planting.
What is a Luffa Sponge Used For?
- In the shower. Either soap up yourself and slough away dirt and dead skin with the Luffa or cut a bar of soap so it fits into one of the luffa channels and it will lather as you scrub with it!
- Pot scrubber. I keep a bowl of these cut into 3 or 4" lengths and use them to scrub pots. When they get dirty they go into the dishwasher. If there's no hope of them getting clean because there are so many bits stuck in them, they go into the compost bin.
- Removing gummy glue from removing stickers off of plastic or glass. Just dab the sticker with oil then scrub with a luffa. Although truly, the best way to remove any sticker is with a hairdryer.
- Anything that needs cleaning by scrubbing.
- Vegetables! Luffas are the BEST vegetable scrubbers.
How to Clean Them
- With bleach in the sink.
- In the washing machine.
- In the dishwasher.
- To maintain the luffa make sure after using them you allow them to stand on end so they can dry properly. Otherwise they'll get musty and gross.
Luffa sponges NEED to be cleaned, especially if you're using them in the shower. Once a week throw your luffa into the wash or soak it in a bleach solution. 1 part bleach-10 parts water. Let it soak for a few minutes and then rinse it.
Where to buy seeds
I got my original seeds from William Dam Seeds in Canada. In the US Baker Creek would be a good place to get them.
Start to finish you're looking at around 6 months or 180 days. The length of time it takes depends on the variety of loofah, but generally it's about 6 months from the day you start your seed to the day you're picking the loofah.
In warm climates you can expect to get 6 sponges from 1 luffa plant. But in colder zones you may only get 3 or 4.
In climates with long growing seasons and in full sun. But they can be grown in cool climates if you use this guide.
If you're a soap maker, you can slice a sponge and put it in the mould before pouring your soap solution. Once it cures you'll have the absolute BEST shower buddy. If you don't count Idris Elba, who of course would be an even better shower buddy.
Yup. But not only are the luffa fruit edible, but the leaves are as well. Just make sure you pick them as a leafy green when they're young. As they get bigger and older they get tough.
If after all of this you've decided you'd rather grow something a little more reasonable, but still fun, I'd recommend growing Buzz Buttons™️ aka toothache plant.
So there. Now I've told you how to do it. Yes I know this post was long, but consider yourself lucky it wasn't a decade.
→Follow me on Instagram where I often make a fool of myself←
Linda from Illinois
Sounds like something fun to try. I'm game to try
Nancy Blue Moon
Well..since I opened my big mouth I can tell you I have wanted to try growing these since way back whenever that time was...what I'm trying to say is..yeah...I would try it...
Penley
I love reading about climates where you have to get heat pads and worry about frost. I live in a subtropical region, and it can be really hard when you're first starting out with gardening here as almost all our commercial advice is geared towards the southern (Australian) states - temperate climates and places where summer is the main growing season. Here in the subtropics, summer is basically the dead zone for the usual kitchen garden stuff. Autumn, winter and spring are the ideal growing times. Anyway, I hope that one day in the future I'll be able to experience your sort of growing conditions. Mostly potatoes really - they just do not do well in the subtropics.
Jennifer Lee
This may be something everyone knows already, but I have found that using pure water, like home-filtered or bottled, instead of fluoridated/chlorinated/etc. city water can make a big difference in the rate of seeds that germinate. Later, they're not so picky, but germinating is apparently quite a challenge, sometimes.
Speckhen
You can also use city water if you let the chlorine evaporate for a day or so...for my houseplants and my seeds, I fill up my copper watering can and let it sit for a day or so - this allows the chlorine to dissipate and the water to get to same temperature as the plants. Cheap but effective!
Leanne
Thanks for the post. I would love some seeds to grow. I am in Ontario.
Gayle M
I saw the link to growing quinoa. Was there a follow up on your quinoa growing venture?
Nicole
Holy canolli! Like everyone else, I figured it was a sea thing, not the innards of a gourd. The ones with the seeds look like some sort of alien pod. Also, how weird that the "starter leaves" are such different shapes from the regular ones! I've got a black thumb, so I'm not sure: is that a normal plant thing or is this kind of unique?
Karen
That's a very normal thing Nicole. All plants first two leaves that emerge are cotyledons. The rest of the leaves are the "true" leaves. ~ karen!
Nicole
Cotyledons sounds like a kind of dinosaur. Rawr!
jill
Or a fancy kind of coming-out dance in the South.
Teri
or, perhaps, a slightly unsavory skin rash....
Gayle M
Whoa! Maybe there could be a generational luffa seed exchange and agricultural conglomerate experiment, planting seeds of luffa (and hope) all ove! It will be fun to hear how others fare with your luffa seeds.
Patti
I luv you but just buy a cheap loofah. Life is short and there are so many better things to do...
Karen
You're RIGHT Patti! I probably shouldn't grow my own potatoes either. They're REALLY cheap. And I'm starting to rethink why I make my own yogourt. Or paint my own walls, or build my own pizza oven or make homemade jam. I have to be perfectly honest with you, I'm beginning to rethink my entire life! Holy shit! I could be spending my whole life staring at my toes! I don't know wtf I was thinking! ~ karen p.s. blog is shutting down tomorrow, I no longer do stuff. There are better things to do. Er ... not do. ;)
Gayle M
Sacrilege! Shut up, Patti! WTH are you trying to Do?
LOL JK I can't imagine Karen not taking on a challenge and not sharing her infinite wisdom. Love it.
Vicki Geho
Saving a lot of moola by doing things rather than just going shopping.
I CAN get "satisfaction" all by myself.
Nannette Chambers
I just happened on your website, looking for info on planting luffa seeds...what a fun, joyful site!! Maybe I'll be able to put some luffa sponges in baskets for a Christmas boutique :)
Thank you!
Nannette
Nancy Blue Moon
Dear Patti...Obviously you are on the longer side of life...me...being on the shorter side will now offer you some advice (cause us old people are full of it..advice)...The rest of your life will be much more interesting if you listen and learn a few things along the way..even if it's something you don't care to do...there are people out here who actually think planting and growing stuff is fun!..just imagine it... so give it a try...who knows..you might end up having some fun...besides...at the end of this short trip we are all on they'll need something to put in your obituary...LOL..
Teri
I love the idea of doing things in order to have an interesting obituary. should get working on that! Laughing. Out. Loud.
MindyK
I'm with you, Patti. I completely believe in the superiority of homegrown tomatoes, avoiding the ridiculous cost of paying painters, and trying something like building a pizza oven for the sheer fun of it, but if loofah are that finicky, I'll just buy 'em and put the effort into something else. But I'm glad Karen wrote about 'em regardless, because learning what I don't want to do is just as valuable as learning a great way to do something I do want to do. And I'm gobsmacked that loofah come from the garden, not the ocean--I woulda bet money on that!
nancy
Yeah, my grandmother would only use a loofah to scrub dishes. They don't last long for that. And she nearly cried (with joy) when my uncle brought her about 10 of them .......... from the store.
Potatoes and yogurt, now that's different. And in a million years I would not pay somebody to paint anything.
Gayle M
I grew some back in the 80s. Fun, til you have to peel them. I'll have to try them again. I know I'll have a better success rate with all the tips you've given us. I'm in zone 6a in Michigan, and my luffas were tiny compared to yours. Great job!
Kristina
So much fun. What do you figure the days to harvest on these? We've got a very long growing season where I live (approx. Mar-Nov), and typically direct seed squashes and gourds and melons and other fussy-transplanters. I wonder if I could get away with it with gourds?
Kristina
Loofah, rather. (Time for bed.)
Karen
I plant out seedlings June 1st Kristina (because they're so shell shocked by cool temps) and harvested this year in the middle of October just before the first frost. ~ karen!
Tina
Loufa seeds are available on amazon! Since I never win anything, I figured I'd look!
Maureen
I wonder if they would do well in California? Judging by your article they just might. First frost? :) Watering would probably be my challenge. Hope I win some seeds so I can give it a try
Grammy
Yes! I live in Sacramento and I've grown luffa many, many times -- our long, hot summers are excellent for this crop. I got my first seeds from a friend who had been growing them for years. This is the first time ever that I haven't had to be jealous of the beautiful things Karen grows in her gardens, and I can't even be smug because I have nothing to do with the climate.
Amy
When do you start to seed your luffa if you live in Oakland CA? and when should you move them outdoor?
I have never grown anything in my entire life. I would like luffa to be my 1st plant.
Grammy
I'm in Sacramento, so you in the East Bay have pretty different growing conditions than we do -- near the ocean, none of that Central Valley summer that we do -- so I'm not sure I'll be that much help. But I'm pretty sure you should plant them directly in the ground just like we do. I plant mine sometime in late March, but you should ask someone near where you live when they plant cucumbers -- it will be the same. If you have a local nursery (a real one, not just the plant section of some other store) ask them for advice. Plant in full sun, and if you don't have a veggie garden already, plant them near a fence or something that they can climb. Good luck! Luffa's are loads of fun.
Punkie
I am from ca. They do grow here. Did you ever get any seeds? I just found this site.
MrsChris SA
I was just wondering how to get hold of some of those seeds!!
Now to get them to SA!! I really really would like to give that a bash to grow!
Gertie kotze
I have lots of loofah seeds send me you address
MrsChrisSA
PO Box 784
Saxonwold 2132
Thank You!!
MrsChrisSA
Gertie Kotze my loofah seeds have just arrived. You have just made my day!! Thank you so very much - will post pics once they are harvested xx
Chad
2729 South 17 Street
Sheboygan WI 53081
I would be interested in loofah seeds if you have any left.
Thank you!!
Mandie
Would you have a few to send to me in California? Please & Thank you?!
Mandie Wood-Donaldson
2150 Fogg Ave. #13
Oroville, CA 95965
Gertie Kotze
i have lots of seeds, but not sure if I am allowed to send them overseas.
email me .
Larry J Fenn
Hi Gertie... I would be interested in trading you Moringa seeds for Loofa. Shall we?
gertie Kotze
sorry there is too much red tape and the cost to send it with permits etc. is to costly
Larry J Fenn
Hi Gertie.... BTW, I had an Aunt Gertie.... Id be happy to trade Moringa seeds for loofa.
205 Clear Creek Meadows
League City, Texas 77573
Send me your address and I will forward.
Roxanne
Hi! So happy to read your post.
If you still have seeds to share, I would very much appreciate some. Thanks!
Roxanne Czewski
22137 Cross Keys rd, Newsoms, Va 23874
gertie Kotze
not sure if I am allowed to send them overseas.
email me.
Larry
Gertie, there is no prohibition to sending seeds by mail as long as the plant isn't illegal to own. the only thing that cannot be shipped into Texas is Citrus plants from other states. Would love to have some seeds if any are available. My address is above. Thank you!
gertie Kotze
I will send some to you as soon as I go into town.
Mariann
I would love loofah seeds please!!!
Mariann
PO Box 830
Jonesboro, IL 62952
sabrina Parrish
Hi Gertie!
I can see how generous you have already been but I thought there is no harm in reaching out to you to see if you were still offering a few seeds?
If so this is my mailing address :
Sabrina Parrish
510 Maple Street
Collingwood ON
Canada
L9Y2S5
...Thank you and happy gardening :)
Melody Wright
I am growing y very first crop of loofah sponges and its going great. I kept one and have shared 5. have 21 more growing and have seeds to spare. For free. Are you still interested?
sabrina Parrish
That would be amazing Melody Wright! Congrats on your success with loofas so far!
Sabrina Parrish
510 Maple Street
Collingwood ON
Canada
L9Y2S5
Thank you! :)
Alicia LaPorte
Hi Gertie and Melody!
If either of you have seeds to spread the loofah love, I would love some to plant for next year! My address is:
Alicia LaPorte
6100 44th Place
Riverdale, MD 20737
Happy to pay it forward to someone else in the future :)
Thank you!!
Mary Shea
Hello Gertie, may I have some lovely loofah seeds please? I can send you a SASE. Thanks for considering. Mary
Tracy Cade
Hello Gertie. This is Tracy Cade. I am currenly growing "birdhouse gourds" here in Mississippi. Would love some of your Luffa seeds if possible. Here is my address:
11246 Jason Drive
Pass Christian, MS 39571
Matt Tamasi
Hey Gertie,
Not sure if it would be too much of an ask but I'd gladly reimburse you the cost of shipping me some seeds to get the party started?
14136 hurricane drive
Weeki Wachee, FL 34614
Valerie
I don't know if this will assist anyone else who was experiencing the site 'freezing' as it was doing a few nights ago but I was able to eliminate this by closing the site on my email posting notification that there was a new entry and going to the main internet and typing in "The Art of Doing Stuff." I was directed to the site and I then had no trouble navigating.
Karen
Ha! I've spent the past 2 days not writing posts, but going over my entire site and all of its guts to improve the load time. :) So that is probably what's helping. I hope to get it even faster in the next week or so. ~ karen!
Gayle M
Just too many of us typing in sharing in the fun. Love your work, Karen. But seeing as some were left all aghast at Brazilian waxing, might help... lol
Laura
Whoa! Who knew??
Valerie
YES, where does one procure Luffa seeds?
Gayle M
I purchased mine from a Burpee catalog many years ago, when I experimented planting one unusual crop each year. But...alas, they've cut back and I haven't seen them lately. Gotta be a catalog with luffa seeds available out there somewhere.
Kelly
Baker Creek catalogue has all the rare and heirloom seeds you can possibly think of. I buy all of my odd ball seeds through them and they’re very reasonably priced as well.
Alli Bennett
Burpees website is where I got mine this year they’ve just sprouted and getting their first set of true leaves 😱😬😁
Louise
Go to Karen's link above, 2nd paragraph under the 2nd photo. It says "Luffa sponge" and it will take you to Amazon, where they have the seeds for sale.
Lisa
In Canada try Osc seed company Waterloo ont
Got mine for this year or on line at migardeners as well
Edward
Amazon. I ordered some Maluungay Tree Seeds; and the shipper included 10 FREE Luffa seeds
Troy L Callaway
Go on FaceBook to Deb Terrel’s “Luv a Luffa” page in Aurora, Tx.
She was sending seeds out for free. I said yes to her offer and she mailed me 40-50 seeds.
Paula
I would like a couple of Luffa seeds pleases! It might be a contest but I figured I would through my comment in there :)
Troy L Callaway
Go on FaceBook to Deb Terrel’s “Luv a Luffa” page in Aurora, Tx.
She was sending seeds out for free. I said yes to her offer and she mailed me 40-50 seeds.
Jerri Hope Rodriguez-Cruz
How do I get seeds or where LOL
Lisa
Wow! I've never thought of growing them myself. You are amazing Karen - lots of new facts and ideas. We get lots and lots and lots of sun (and no frost...or rain lately sadly) so it would be perfect growing them here. I suppose they could also be used as "little wigs" in relation to your previous posts.
Julie
Mind BLOWN! I had no idea these were a grown-in-the-dirt thing! Which leads me to my next question...what were they actually used for? Are they edible? Can you make soup with them? Or are they purely for making me super soft? Craziness!
Gayle M
All of the above, Julie.