Flower Specifications
- Season: Annuals
- USDA Zones: 6 - 10
- Height: 4 - 6 feet
- Bloom Season: Summer
- Bloom Color: Yellow
- Environment: Full sun
- Soil Type: Well drained soil, pH 5.6 - 7.5
Planting Directions
- Temperature: 70 - 75F
- Average Germ Time: 10 - 15 days
- Light Required: No
- Depth: 1/2 inch
- Sowing Rate: 3 - 4 seeds per plant
- Moisture: Keep seeds moist until germination
- Plant Spacing: 36 inches
Luffa (Luffa Cylindrica) - Luffas (also spelled loofah or loofa) are part of the same family as cucumbers, squash, pumpkins and other gourds. Luffa cylindrica is native to India and grown in many other parts of the world. It’s been called dishcloth gourd, vegetable sponge or Chinese okra. In fact, when the luffa is less than 7 inches long, it is actually edible if you slice it up in salads or cook it like squash or okra.
Luffas will dry on the vine if you leave them there long enough, but many people like to cut them off when the luffa is as about 2 feet long. As they dry, they’ll turn from dark green to brown, and become lighter in weight. After about two weeks, remove the tough outer skin. Either soak them for a day to help loosen the skin, or shatter the dry, crispy skin and peel it off the luffa in sections.