The Luffa Sponge Gourd is a beautiful vine that matures in just around 100 days. The luffa gourdes grow 12 to 18 inches long, and can be dried and seeded to make durable sponges. The Gourd seeds do well in moist soil, and can be harvested off the vine when ready.
Luffa Gourd seeds can be sown indoors 2-4 weeks before the last frost, and transplanted after 4 weeks. When sowing outside, plant the Luffa Gourd seeds 1 inch deep in moist soil, 6 feet between seeds. While growing, be sure not to overwater, as doing so can cause rot and mildew to spread throughout the vine. When the gourds are ready to be harvested, the stems will turn yellow and can be cut off the vine.
Growing Luffa Sponge Gourds Garden Seeds
- Latin Name: Luffa aegyptica syn l. cylindrica
- Days to Maturity: 100+ days
- Hardiness Zone: 3-12
- Planting Depth: 1/4 inch
- Plant Spacing: 6 feet
- Row Spacing: 8 feet
- Growth Habit: Vine
- Soil Preference: Rich, organic soil with a pH between 5 and 7
- Temp Preference: Warmer
- Light Preference: Full Sun
- Diseases/pests: Susceptible to rot and mildew
- Color: Green
