Loofah Seeds

Plant Information: 

Luffa cylindrica

Sow: April to May
Harvest: July to September
Height: 1.5m+
Difficulty: Intermediate/Experienced 

Young fruits can be eaten, but the main reason for growing this variety is to produce Luffa Sponges. Just leave the fruits to dry on the plant and then harvest.

Sowing instructions: 

Soaking seeds for at least 12 hours prior to sowing will aid germination. Once soaked place the seeds in moist kitchen roll inside a tupperware tub with the lid placed loosly on top and place in an airing cupboard. Check the seeds daily for growth (they should take a week or so) then place either into a small pot or individual cell modules and grow on somewhere warm and bright.

Once the roots have filled the container pot them on, grow them on, then plant out when all risk of frost has passed - ideally mid-June when the nights are warmer.

Growing instructions:

Ideally the plants need something like a trellis or arch to grow up so that the plant can create lots of growth and the fruits have somthing to hang from.

Harvesting instructions:

Young fruits are edible and can be used like courgettes.

To harvest for use as Loofah Sponges allow the fruits to ripen fully and harvest as the skin turns to a yellow/brown. Remove the seeds and allow to dry. Check out YouTube for some excellent videos.

Notes:

Ideally, you're best growing Loofah plants in a greenhouse or polytunnel as the plants need lots of warmth to grow.

Images @Gardeninginwales