Seeds Ireland
Luffa Organic Seed
- Regular price
- €3,25 EUR
- Regular price
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- Sale price
- €3,25 EUR
- Unit price
- per
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10 Organic Luffa Seeds [approx]
Name: Luffa or Loofah
Latin Name: Luffa cylindrica
Description: Luffa gourd plants grow in a similar way as cucumbers. It forms long fruits that can grow up to 30cm in length. It is also commonly called Loofah or Loofa. The fruit from the plant can be eaten when it is immature.
If it is left to grow to full maturity the fruits can be dried and peeled for the sponge that is inside! The sponge has many uses such as an exfoliating skin sponge! If allowed, Luffa can grow 3 to 4 metres high.
Seed Origin: Austria
Sowing: February to April
Harvesting: July to September
How To Grow Luffa From Seed: Luffa seeds can be started indoors from February. Using small pots or a seedling module, sow one seed per cell/pot and leave to germinate inside at room temperature. Germination can take up to 3 weeks.
When the seedlings are established and frost risk has passed, transplant them to their final spot in a greenhouse/polytunnel, or a warm area of the garden that gets full sun.
Luffa will need to be supported by a fence or something similar. Support by strings or wire in the polytunnel, so the fruits can hang is also an option.
For edible fruits, pick them when they are approx 15cm in length. For sponges, let the fruits turn yellow and get lighter in weight. Peel the skin to reveal the sponge.
Seed count is approximate.
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Customer Reviews
I purchased these seeds mainly out of curiosity - I have no experience with Luffa. I found it fascinating I could grow both food, and a sponge!
I presume that the seeds are best planted in the spring but I couldn't wait - I wanted to see what the heck this Luffa is. And perhaps with my climate in the location I'm in, I'll get a start on at least getting one or two to grown now, and I'll save the remaining seeds for next summer.
So I did plant two of the seeds on August 18th, 2024 and by August 24th, one has germinated.
Update December 21st 2024:
Well, both germinated but one died. The other however, got to a point where I could transplant into the garden and if by chance it continued to grow in the cool months, it could climb. It has not, as expected, grown much as it is been consistently very cool here with temps down to 8C at night. However, I was pleased to see the other day, about two flowers in bloom on this Luffa! Who knows how it will make out over the winter here. But I will definitely be planting more of these in the spring when they will have a much better chance of thriving in the warmer months. Attaching a photo of the Luffa flower in bloom.
