Luffa cylindrica
Luffa cylindrica
Luffa cylindrica
Luffa cylindrica
Luffa cylindrica
Luffa cylindrica
Sponge Gourd, Smooth Loofah, Vegetable sponge, Egyptian Cucumber, Vietnamese Luffa
Several seeds were sown and only one germinated, unfortunately it did not survive the planting.
Françoise, 22/08/2025
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Description
The Luffa Cylindrica belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family without being a Cucurbita.
This gourd is not edible, except when very young, but it has a somewhat bitter taste. It is mainly used dried as a loofah, where it makes an excellent exfoliant, or as a vegetable sponge. Native to Southeast Asia or Africa, this tropical plant particularly enjoys heat and sunny locations.
It is a climbing plant that produces large yellow flowers and then fruits that resemble zucchini. They typically measure 25 to 55 cm (9.8 to 21.7 in). The Sponge Gourd then adorns pergolas or trellises. Each plant produces 3 to 6 fruits. Sow your seeds in April to harvest from October to November.
Harvest: To obtain beautiful sponges, it is necessary to let the fruit dry as long as possible (until October or even November). If there is too much humidity, drying can be done indoors in a dry and well-ventilated place. Then, it is a matter of peeling it and gently removing the seeds.
Storage: Once dried, it can be stored indefinitely.
Luffa cylindrica in pictures
Harvest
Plant habit
Foliage
Botanical data
Luffa
cylindrica
Cucurbitaceae
Sponge Gourd, Smooth Loofah, Vegetable sponge, Egyptian Cucumber, Vietnamese Luffa
Southeast Asia
Annual
Planting and care
Sowing description: Sowing squash and zucchini seeds is very rewarding both for the quick growth of the young plants and for the ease of cultivation. They require well-drained soil rich in organic matter. They also require lots of sunlight and plenty of water for beautiful fruits.
Early cultivation: In March or April, sow your seeds in holes of two or three in trays or pots with soil rich in organic matter. Then lightly cover the seeds and water to maintain a slight humidity. The germination is quite fast: after about ten days, it is already time to thin out by choosing the strongest plants and transplanting them into well-prepared soil. Each plant requires a lot of space. If possible, space them 1 m (3 ft 4 in) apart. Dig holes about 20 to 25 cm (7.9 to 9.8 in) in all directions and fill them two-thirds with compost. Then position the plant and put back the soil, then firm it down firmly.
Seasonal cultivation: Once the risk of frost has passed, which is usually the end of April or May depending on the region, sow two to three seeds in holes 2 to 3 cm (0.8 to 1.2 in) deep. Lightly firm the soil, then wait about ten days for the first shoots to appear. When they reach a few centimeters, thin out by keeping only the strongest plants.
Seedlings
Care
Intended location
Planting & care advice
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Hardiness is the lowest winter temperature a plant can endure without suffering serious damage or even dying. However, hardiness is affected by location (a sheltered area, such as a patio), protection (winter cover) and soil type (hardiness is improved by well-drained soil).
In temperate climates, pruning of spring-flowering shrubs (forsythia, spireas, etc.) should be done just after flowering.
Pruning of summer-flowering shrubs (Indian Lilac, Perovskia, etc.) can be done in winter or spring.
In cold regions as well as with frost-sensitive plants, avoid pruning too early when severe frosts may still occur.
The harvesting period indicated on our website applies to countries and regions in USDA zone 8 (France, England, Ireland, the Netherlands).
In colder areas (Scandinavia, Poland, Austria...) fruit and vegetable harvests are likely to be delayed by 3-4 weeks.
In warmer areas (Italy, Spain, Greece, etc.), harvesting will probably take place earlier, depending on weather conditions.
The sowing periods indicated on our website apply to countries and regions within USDA Zone 8 (France, UK, Ireland, Netherlands).
In colder areas (Scandinavia, Poland, Austria...), delay any outdoor sowing by 3-4 weeks, or sow under glass.
In warmer climes (Italy, Spain, Greece, etc.), bring outdoor sowing forward by a few weeks.
The planting period indicated on our website applies to regions in USDA Zone 9a (East Coast and Midlands: Dublin, Wexford, Waterford, Kilkenny, Portlaoise). It will vary depending on where you live:
- On the west coast and in the north-west (Galway, Limerick, Sligo, Donegal, Westport), delay planting by 1 to 2 weeks in spring and bring it forward by 1 to 2 weeks in autumn compared to the dates given, preferably choosing periods without strong winds.
- In the inland hills and plateaus (Wicklow Mountains, Macgillycuddy’s Reeks, Connemara, Killarney), it is best to plant in spring (April–May) or autumn (September–October), avoiding periods of waterlogged soil in winter and strong winds, which pose the main risk to newly planted trees in these areas.
The flowering period indicated on our website applies to regions in USDA Zone 9a, such as the East Coast and Midlands, including Dublin, Wexford, Waterford, Kilkenny and Portlaoise.
This will vary depending on where you live:
- On the west coast and in the northwest (Galway, Limerick, Sligo, Donegal and Westport), it will be delayed by one to two weeks compared to the given dates, due to stronger Atlantic winds and less spring sunshine.
- In the inland hills and plateaus (the Wicklow Mountains, the Macgillycuddy's Reeks, Connemara and Killarney), flowering will be delayed by two to three weeks. Flowering mainly occurs between May and July, with the limiting factors being less frost and more of the excessive humidity, strong winds and lack of sunshine that are characteristic of these areas.
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