Luffa Gourd — Growing reference
| Scientific name | Luffa cylindrica |
|---|---|
| Seed germination (days) | 7–14 |
| Soil temperature for germination (°C) | 21.1–32.2 |
| First harvest or flowering (days) | 90–120 |
| Measured from | Seed |
| Plant spacing (cm) | 61–91.4 |
| Mature height (cm) | 304.8–457.2 |
| Mature spread (cm) | 61–121.9 |
| USDA hardiness zones | 6–11 |
| Light | Full sun |
| Water | Moderate |
| Sowing method | indoor-start |
Growing directions
Grow on a strong trellis, arbor, or fence — luffa vines are extremely vigorous and can cover a large structure in a single season. The large yellow flowers are showy and attract bees and pollinators. Young fruits at 4–6 inches long are eaten as a tender vegetable in Asian cuisines (similar to zucchini but with a silkier texture); for sponge production, allow fruits to mature fully on the vine until the skin turns brown and papery, then soak in water to loosen and remove the outer skin, revealing the fibrous interior skeleton. Dry the sponge in the sun and rinse several times until the fiber is clean and pale yellow. Each vine can produce dozens of sponges.
Source and local conditions
Typical planning ranges from OpenPlantDB (CC0). Cultivar, climate, season and growing method can change these values. Confirm the seed label and local guidance before planting.
Source & verification
OpenPlantDB · CC0