Luffa cylindrica ( Sponge Gourd ) is a fast growing edible vine that is native to southern Asia. Sponge Gourd is a popular vegetable when picked unripe and a backyard sponge when left to mature on the vine. They are easy to grow in warmer climates or during spring and summer in colder regions. This is the plant that grows sponges that can be used at home for cleaning.
Suitable for all climates but needs at least five months of warm temperatures to grow.
Also commonly known as the Egyptian cucumber, Smooth Luffa, Loofah or the Vietnamese Luffa. As it is also a scrubbing sponge the plant is also called Dishrag Gourd, Rag Gourd and Vegetable Sponge.
The young fruit of a Sponge Gourd is eaten as a vegetable and is popular in Asian cultures. When picked unripe (about 3-4 months) the vegetable is tender and is used the same as a Squash or Zucchini. When left to ripen on the vine (4-5 months), the Gourd becomes tough and bitter and is better used as a sponge.
Growth
Luffa cylindrica is a fast growing annual vine that climbs to height of around 6 metres (20 feet) but rarely reaches that size in its first season. In anywhere other than the tropical conditions, the Sponge Gourd is an annual and is often cut down after harvesting. The remaining debris is a high quality green mature and seeds kept from the vegetables are saved for the following growing season.
Sponge Gourd leaves grow alternate and palmate to lengths of up to 30 cm (1 foot) and has an acute-end lobe. The flowers are yellow and occur roughly 2-3 months after seeds germinate. In composted soil or nutrient-rich gardens, the plants grow quickly with lots of moisture as long as the roots don’t sit in water for long periods.
As a vine, they require a trellis or support structure to climb upon and may need this as early as a month after sprouting. When the fruiting begins around three months (or after flowers have been pollinated) finding a way to keep the growing vegetables off the moist soil yields a better quality product. Adding a fertiliser high in Phosphorous and Potassium as flowering begins also improves the results.
Note: Germination instructions can be found in the ‘Germination Instructions Tab’ below. Upon purchase you will receive these detailed instructions via email so that you have a permanent record.
FAMILY:
Cucurbitaceae
CLIMATE:
Cold to Warm Temperate.
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
10°C to 35°C / 50 to 95°F
SOIL TYPE:
Well draining, moist nutritious soil.
LOCATION:
Full Sun – Part Shade. May require a trellis or support.
HEIGHT:
Up to 6 metres (20 feet)
WIDTH:
Up to 50 cm (2 feet)
pH:
6.0-7.0
GROWTH TYPE:
Annual.
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Low-Medium.
POLLINATION:
Pollinated by Bees
MATURITY:
4-5 months
GERMINATION RATES:
75-85%
GERMINATION TIME:
2-3 weeks at 25°C / 77°F
SEEDS PER GRAM:
Approximately 8-9
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
Yes.
WEED POTENTIAL:
Yes
EDIBLE:
Yes.
SEED STORAGE & VIABILITY:
Cold Storage at 4°C (Fridge) up to 3 years.
FACTS ABOUT LUFFA CYLINDRICA (Sponge Gourd)
The dried fruits are used as abrasive sponges in skin care to remove dead skin and stimulate the peripheral circulation.
Luffa fruit are similar in taste to zucchinis and cucumbers, with some varieties exhibiting a sweeter taste than others. A simple Luffa recipe is to cook with olive oil and season the vegetable with soy sauce and cayenne pepper.
