loofah

Also known as: vegetable sponge

A tender, tendril-climbing vine with rough-textured, maple-shaped leaves to 25cm across. From summer to autumn it produces male flowers in short clusters, and female flowers individually; all are bright yellow to 5cm across. From mid-summer fruits begin to form; these are green and cyclindrical, to 30cm long. Young fruits can be eaten as a vegetable. If left to mature the skin can be picked off, the seeds removed, and the fibrous body used as an abrasive sponge

Scientific classification

Species: loofah (Luffa aegyptiaca)
Genus: Luffa
Family: Cucurbitaceae

Harmful if eaten, except young fruit, don't eat if bitter. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling]
Toxicity: Annual Biennial
Plant type: 2.5-4 metres
Height: 0.5-1 metres
Spread: Information to be completed
Foliage: Climbing
Habit: Spring · Summer · Autumn
Season of interest: Full sun
Sunlight: Information to be completed
Ideal temperature

loofah pictures

Distribution of loofah

Distribution map

Southern Asia

Information to be completed

Culture

Information to be completed

Toxicity

Harmful if eaten, except young fruit, don't eat if bitter. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling]

Quick identification of loofah

Information to be completed

loofah care guide

Moderate regular watering, allowing brief slight drying between soakings
Watering: Full sun
Sunlight: Information to be completed
Ideal temperature

Watering

Moderate regular watering, allowing brief slight drying between soakings

Fertilizing

Balanced perennial feed every four weeks from spring through summer

Pruning

No pruning required

Propagation

Sow seeds at 21-24°C in early spring

Growing

Under glass, plant in large pots or direct into the greenhouse border with support for the climbing tendrils; provide high humidity and shade from hot summer sun. Outdoors plant out in early summer against a sunny fence with climbing support. Luffas need a long growing season for the fruits to mature

More growing and care information →