This year was a first for many things in the garden. Probably the most dramatic new addition was the luffa gourds.
They got off to a bad start. Soon after sprouting, they disappeared entirely one night. Chipmunks? Alien abduction?
So I planted more. They soon sprouted and whatever got them the first time decided to give them a pass. And they grew and grew, nearly taking over an entire side of the house.
But then, I despaired they would produce luffas. They finally bloomed, and bloomed great, but I couldn’t find any fruit. The bumblebees had fits over the blossoms, and I was happy for them, but where were my luffas?
Then one day I saw them. Tiny luffas, but getting bigger every day. Would they have time to get big enough before it got too cold?
Yes! Nine big ol’ luffa gourds, and a couple of runts. Then came more waiting, waiting for them to begin to yellow–the sign they were ready to peel and begin the conversion into “sponges.”
Luffas are a real patience-tester. It’s December, and most of my luffas are still lovely green specimens. A few, however, have turned color and were ready for their transformation.
I dug in and started to peel. The more brown the skin, the easier it was to peel. The still-green comes off, just not without a fight.
It looked a bit like a very odd ear of corn at one point.
Once all the skin was off, I rinsed the luffa under a sprayer until the water ran more or less clear, and set it in a sunny window to dry.
The seeds came out easier once the gourd was dry, although some seeds came out while it is being washed. The bag of seeds pictured here is from ONE gourd, about a cupful. Looks like I will have enough for my very own luffa revolution.
Stay tuned: I’ll be making luffa soap soon!
Yes! I have been growing loofahs for several years now and love them. They cover and vine up on anything near them. They love lots of water and sun. And bumble bees! Boy, do they love them! If you need bees in your garden, plant some loofahs.
I have found that letting them dry on the vine and then peeling them is much easier than trying to peel the green ones. Also, as you said the seeds are much easier to drop out and save.
Every year my family each get a new loofah, and the old ones become scrubbers for the tile and grout, or whatever else needs scrubbing. They are completely safe for non-stick pans too.
Wow! I am fascinated! I never knew this is what a luffa sponge is! I’d love to try grow one.
I’ve been wanting to grow luffas for years now and I always forget to order seeds! Any chance of selling/bartering your extras? =)
Would you be interested in selling the seeds for your luffa plant?
Wow that’s so awesome! I had no idea where loofah came from! And loofah soap! How awesome! I need to know about that! Love this site, gives me the motivation to get up and actually do it! And I want a seed or 2! If you have enough to share!
Wow! I guess I never really thought about where luffas came from. How cool!
I really had no idea that luffas came from gourds. How cool!
Aha! A reminder of the luffa seeds in my basket — originally meant to be planted this past spring, but since not, I will see if they will still work next spring! I’ve already put it in my calendar…
I am excited to see how your luffa soap comes out. I will be planting luffa gourds this coming spring for the first time . Plan on growing them and using them for baths, kitchen washing and house work as well. I’ll then be set free from having to pay 3.50 for a store bought pink sponge !
-Ginger
Where did you purchase your seeds? Also will you be selling they seeds you got from your gourds this year?
I tried doing this a few years ago (and by a few I mean like 8 lol) and after I grew them I had zero idea what to do with it! hehehe Thanks for the detailed how to! I’m excited to try again!
Now, that is cool. I doubt I could get them to grow in Phoenix.
That is just way too cool!
This is so cool! I also had never heard of a luffa LOL!
These are beautiful! I love the way the vine climbed your house! And I would love to make my own luffa also. I want to fill them with homemade soap. I wonder if I could grow these in containers on my tiny townhouse deck?
Thanks for the great article. I love the start-to-finish story and the step-by-step pictures. We usually grow squash vines along the fences in our gardens, and I’m now planning to grow luffas too. I’m glad I found your garden blog!
Lucky you! I’ve tried to grow luffa gourds the past couple of years and they just hate our clay soil. Boo! I wanted to grow my own to put in my goat milk/luffa soaps!
I WOULD REALLY REALLY REALLY LOVE some Luffa seeds… PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!
I would buy them… really would like some luffa seeds!!!!!!
Every year I try to plant luffa. Every year they crap out. You have made me want to plant again!
Thank you for posting this. (Off to find seeds!)
I live in ohio can I grow them here? Plus where can eeds rchased from? And, would you share recipe for luffa soap? Thanks
Linda–You can get them here: http://www.fedcoseeds.com/seeds/search.php?item=1962&search=luffa
As the catalog says, start them early indoors.
I plan to make luffa soap soon. It is just cold process soap poured over luffa. I’ll show how in the post.
I am shocked! I never new this is where a loofah came from! How interesting. How long does it last?
Thank you so much for sharing.
Just Me–The soap lasts just like regular soap, the loofah lasts a long time after the soap is gone. You’re welcome and thank you!
I’ve. Been growing them for years, I love them. Let them dry on the vine. Don’t try to peel them green.
Thank you for posting about this! I tried to grow luffas this past season also, but they all completely failed and I didn’t try again. Seems like I should have! Going to give it another go again this year for sure, since now I know!
Corinne–Good luck! It’s worth it!
This is my first time so I don’t know how the will turn out. Wish me luck!!
Natalie–I’m sure you’ll do great!
My Grandma grew these and I have always wanted to. I have 4 plants sprouting now 🙂 Nice to see your interesting posts.
Ooo…I got some luffa seeds this spring on a whim! I didn’t know to start them indoors first. I’ll do it tonight right when I get home! Thanks for the info too. I’ve never grown them before. 🙂
I thought they came from the sea. Didn’t know they grew hanging off a vine.
I have not been able to find and luffa plants or seeds . If anyone has any extra please set me an e-mail. I had seeds at one time any years ago my mom & I enjoyd watching the grow.
My girlfriend just harvested her first loofah. She planted seeds in a large pot and surrounded the pot with chicken wire. (Last year it was ruined by a critter). She has several more ready to harvest. She started them early indoors, since we live in South central PA. I will be using some of her seeds and planting my own loofah next spring.
I grew my first luffas this year! I have 3 big ones. I plan on making slices of them too, for facial scrubbings, pans etc. Do all of them turn yellow eventually?
Rebecca–Yay!
Not a bad yellow, if that’s what you mean. They are a sort of straw color.
After your Luffas have turned brown and dried put them a bath of water and let them soften. They peel so easy and it doesn’t tear the outer part of the luffa.
This is my 1st year growing luffas but i have lots of them but none are turning yet.
Did you know you can eat the immature luffas? In this case they are called singua or chinese okra. I did not know this until this year when we got them in the produce box. Treat like you would zucchini.
I have fried them and uesd them in soup. I picked my 1st ripe luffa today. It peeled so much easyer than the green ones.
Well all done growing luffas now 1st frost killed them just before chirstmas. I wound up with about 90 luffas WOW!!! just off of 4 plants. Most very nice large (12-16 in) and a few small or deformed ones. Every one recieved a luffa on a stick dipped in soap for chirstmas. LOL
Hope everyone is having a great new year.
Andy–90! Amazing. Well done!
I grew luffa’s for many years, until I moved to NC mountains where they don’t mature in time. I use a piece for bath time & also as scrubbers in the kitchen. When wet they’re not hard & scratchy. Let them stay on the vine till they’re completely dry & skin is brown. Cut a small piece off stem end & shake out seeds. Soak them in a bucket of water which will loosen the skin & it peels off easily. :~)
I harvested my first loofa today in southern CA, Im so excited. This time of year every thing is brown and dry in CA and my loofa in my back yard has beautiful green vines, lots of yellow blooms and big ole fat loofas ready to harvest by next month. I agree this process does take patience but I’m waiting for your loofa soap recipes just in time for the holidays. Thanks for the info. I think they are ready to use once they are cleaned and dry right? They don’t need to season I assume. Linda
Linda–Love it. No, no seasoning. Let them get browner and drier than I did to make it a lot easier to work with.
Oh, and here it is: https://littlehouseinthesuburbs.com2012/01/making-homemade-luffa-soap.html
Yay!
Hi, would love to buy some seeds from you. Will you be selling them?
Can you grow them in michigan
Heather– Luffa can be grown from plants in zone 6 or warmer and from seed in zone 7 or warmer. Any further north would probably require a greenhouse or a very early start indoors.
Hello, Where would I get seeds? What soil does this vine like? Thanks.Gottie
Gottie–Try fedcoseeds.com. They have good seeds at a good price. Most ordinary garden soil with some good organic matter worked in will do. Keep well watered while they get established.
Wow where do I buy luffa seeds?
Cathy Gifford–Fedco Seeds has them (fedcoseeds.com). I like them for several reasons but one of the main ones is they have small, inexpensive packet sizes so you can try out lots of new things (like luffa!).
I grew luffas, fun and pretty plant. I let mine turn completely on the vine. They will turn almost black and be very light in weight. The moisture in the plant actually gets sucked back up into the plant for use on other gourds on the vine. Found the peeling to be a lot of work. Perhaps if I picked them not so “done” they would peel easier. I see parts of yours were still green. Mine were completely dry inside and seeds fell out with a little shake.
Sharleen–That would have been easier. It was tough getting the skin off so early. Next time.
Where do I find the seeds/plants? Will they be happy in a sunroom?
Anna–Try Horizon Herbs or Fedco Seeds. Luffa is a huge vine that will climb from the ground up the side of my house and onto my roof. Probably would take over your sunroom and head down the hall to the living room!
Beautiful work! I thought your information about critical steps was very helpful. How did you plant and train or trellis the plant up the side of the house? Thanks.
Okay, I’ll bite! How do I start to grow Luffa? What season can start in summer? Where do I purchase the seeds or does come in as a plant? In Nebraska, I don’t see this around our State here. I need more information where buy at.
Thank you,
Carol Hawkins
Carol Hawkins–Plant seeds in the spring. Most comprehensive online seed companies have luffa seeds, especially those which specialize in off-the-beaten path seeds and heritage seeds. They easy to grow here. I’m not familiar with how they do in Nebraska, check with your local garden enthusiasts/agricultural extension services/botanic gardens.
Good luck!
I live in Lagoa de Pau off the coast of Brazil. I would love to grow Loofah plants. The weather is 80 +- 7* do you know if the Loofah plant would grow here and would they ship the seeds to this country? The sponges are horrible here and I truly miss having loofah sponges.
Thank you Kindly
Kathy ????????
Kathy Corbett–If you can grow other types of squash/gourds where you live, it is very likely you can grow luffa. I don’t know what the regulations are in Lagoa de Pau, but I would be surprised if you couldn’t have loofah seeds shipped to your locale.
Someone gave me some luffa gourds that have not been pealed , and left in her barn for a long time . How do I get the skin off now ? They are as hard as rock. Should I soak them in water or something ?
Gina–Hm. Do not know. I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to give that a try. Let us know what happens.
If you soak the loffa when it is dryer out when it still have the outer shell I find it easyer to peal.
I’ve just picked my loofa. All were at different stages. Some completely ripe and others still green. Do I save both the black and the white seeds or just the black seeds. Ive peeled all the loofah do I just lay them you to continue to dry and how do I get all the fruit out of the middle? Will it come out easier once they dry more?
Thank You
Shannon
Shannon–Once they’re completely dry, the seeds will shake out easily. I’ve never done a germination test on the seeds to see, but I would say, if I had to guess, that the black seeds are more fully mature. I’m not sure what you mean by the getting the fruit out of the middle, do you mean the seeds?
Hi, was so excited that I might be able to grow these near Chicago. My son ordered a pack of 10 seeds for $10 from Amazon. Good kid! They have been in water and then soil for about 3 weeks. As I went to pour my morning coffee (6am) there were 4 little sprouts! Yeah. Woke my son to let him know. Oops, his only day to sleep late. I am so excited to see what happens. Instead of a lemonade stand I wonder how many folks will stop by a luffa stand run by a 61 year old woman?
Jayne–I wish you great success with your luffas and that your luffa stand makes the national news ;).