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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!
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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!
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