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Genus: Luffa
Species: cylindrica
Family Name: Cucurbitaceae
Seed Catalogue No.: 826A
English Name(s): Loofah
Hardiness: Half Hardy
Lifecycle: Annual
Type: Climber
Colour: White Cream, Green, Pink/Rose, Yellow/Orange, Purple/Lavender, Blue, Red/Maroon, Mixed
Lighting Conditions: Full Sun
Soil Type: Chalk, Sand, Loam
Soil Acidity: Alkaline, Neutral, Acid
Moisture: Well-drained
Average Rating: (4 of 5 based on 5 reviews)
Reviewed by Stephanie on 30th June 2023
This is my 4th year attempting luffas, with seeds purchased from elsewhere without success. I planted 8 seeds: 4 in March indoors and in 4 in the greenhouse in April, to overcompensate for previous losses, and have since potted on only losing 2 I planted in March. They are rampaging through my greenhouse already in June, so am hopeful for successful luffas for once!
Rating: 5
Chiltern Seeds Responded on 30th June 2023
Thank you for your review. We are pleased you have had such success with our seeds and hope you will soon be harvesting. The Chiltern Seeds Team.
Reviewed by Rebecca Kendall on 18th October 2021
I really struggled with this Luffa but I currently have three small Luffas starting to dry and I am definitely going to try again! I struggled to get the seeds to germinate but had some success with the snipping method celebrated by several blogs. Once germinated I lost a few to scorching on a hot day and a further few did not take well to being potted. Next time I will germinate later and only repot once – im looking forward to how this years gourds turn out!
Rating: 4
Chiltern Seeds Responded on 21st October 2021
Thank you for your review. We hope you have success next time. The Chiltern Seeds Team!
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Germination Instructions
Prefers a warm, humid environment. Sow indoors. Sow 3 seeds on their sides, 10mm deep, into 8cm pots of free draining moist seed compost. Propagate 21-24°C. Germination takes 7-10 days. Protect seedlings from direct sunlight to prevent scorching. Thin to strongest seedling asap. Grow plants on until they are large enough to handle. Reduce temp. to minimum 15°C and grow on, keep compost moist not wet. If keeping in greenhouse allow 2 plants per growbag or individually in large pots. Prefers rich soil with plenty of organic matter.
Growing Instructions
Water regularly and thoroughly. This plant can be pinched out at the mainstem after 4 sets of leaves have formed to encourage sideshoots. Requires pollination by insects. Train up supports with 45 cm spacing. For ground maturing lay straw or plastic to keep fruit clean with 90cm spacing.
Cultivation Instructions
As the fruit matures it will lose moisture and become light and the skin will turn brown. Harvest and remove the thin outer skin, remove the seeds also. A fibrous core should remain which should be washed and dried prior to use as a abrasive sponge.
When to Sow
Approximate number of seeds per packet: 15
Please note we pack the majority of our seeds by volume so the number of seeds indicated is only an approximation.
Luffa cylindrica
