Loofah plant (Luffa cylindrica) is a vigorous, frost-tender climber grown for its edible, cucumber-like fruit that doubles up as an exfoliating sponge when dry and mature. Other names for it include luffa, vegetable sponge, washing gourd and sponge gourd.
Growing loofah plant is possible in the UK when given a warm sheltered site and plenty of space. Its long, twining and self-clinging stems are clothed with large, lobed, green leaves up to 25cm across. In summer, yellow flowers to 5cm are followed by long, slender, green fruits. Loofah plant is annual and lasts for only one growing season – it dies in autumn as the days shorten and the frosts arrive.
How to grow a loofah plant
Sow seed indoors from late winter to early spring and grow on in a warm well-lit place under cover. Harden off before planting outdoors after all danger of frosts has passed, or plant in a greenhouse or polytunnel. Water regularly and feed weekly to boost fruiting. To harvest loofah fruit to use as sponges, you’ll need a long, warm, growing season for the fruit to mature fully. Harvest young fruits for eating or leave to mature into ‘loofahs’.
Where to grow loofah plant
Either grow loofah plant in a greenhouse, polytunnel, or conservatory, or outdoors against a sunny, sheltered wall or fence. Plant in rich, fertile soil with good drainage. A loofah plant can grow 3-4m in height so it must have a large sturdy support such as trellis or strong galvanised wires.
How to plant loofah plant
Harden off plants growing under cover to acclimatise them to the outside for 10-14 days before planting out in early summer once frosts have passed. Water in immediately after planting.
How to care for loofah plant
Water regularly to keep the soil evenly moist. Throughout summer, apply a high potash liquid fertiliser weekly to boost flower and fruit production. If growing fruit for sponges, allow no more than six fruits to develop and mature, so the plant can concentrate its energy on developing good-sized fruits.
How to prune loofah plant
No pruning is required but train and tie in the vigorous shoots at least weekly. If growth is too abundant for the site, trim back stems as required.
How to harvest loofahs
In autumn, once fruits are mature, the colour of the loofah fruits turns from green to brown. Leave the fruits on the plant for as long as possible, ideally until late autumn when the weather turns wet and cool. If you can’t do this, harvest them sooner and leave them in a sunny, airy place to fully dry. Once dry, peel off the skin and shake out the seeds, which sometimes need encouragement by tapping the fruit on a hard surface. You can store these in a paper bag in a cool, dry place for sowing next year.
Before using your loofah sponge for the first time, rinse thoroughly in warm water and allow to dry. A teaspoon of bleach in the water can help to preserve it for longer. Then use as you would a shop-bought loofah, either whole or cut into slices to make sponge pads.
How to propagate loofah plant
Unlike other cucurbits like courgettes and squashes, loofah plants don’t cross pollinate. This means you can save the seed from the fruits to sow again the following year. When you remove the seeds from the dried fruit, simply keep them in an envelope and store in a cool, dry place. Sow them indoors from late winter to early spring, into small pots of moist seed compost. Keep at a temperature of 20-24°C for seed to germinate reliably. Once seedlings are large enough to handle, transplant them into individual pots and grow on. Don’t plant outside until all risk of frost has passed.
Pests and diseases of loofah plant
Loofah plant is mainly free of pests and diseases. During hot weather if plants get too dry, powdery mildew may appear as a grey coating on the leaves. Avoid by keeping the compost evenly moist.
Advice on buying loofah plant
- Raising your own loofah plants from seed is usually the only option as ready-grown plants are rarely sold
- Seed is available from some seed companies
Where to buy loofah seeds
from BBC Gardeners World Magazine https://ift.tt/6fJxBit
