The information on this page applies to seedlings sold by LEAF Nursery during our 2021 Seedling Sales.
Luffa aegyptiaca (Cucumber family) Luffas are great for scrubbing your back, washing dishes, cleaning the barbeque grill and much, much more! Grow your own supply of sponges and give some as gifts! Long, light green gourd with pale black stripes, thicker at the bottom end, somewhat like a baseball bat. The 12"–24" long gourds are so interesting to watch develop in the garden. Vigorous vines can reach 20'; grow on a trellis or fence. [1]
Seed Type
| Organic | Heirloom | Non-GMO | Hybrid | Open-pollinated | Untreated |
Additional Information
| Container Friendly | Trellis Needed | Easy to Grow | Pollinator Friendly |
Best Time To Plant Your Seedlings
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
Growing Conditions
| Light | Soil Temperature | Soil | Water |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Sun | above 60ºF | Very rich, fertile | Keep moist |
Planting Tips
| Plant Spacing | Row Spacing | Days to Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| 12-18 inches | 12-18 inches | 110 days from seed |
- Additional instructions: When to Sow Outside: 2 to 4 weeks after average last frost, and when soil temperature is above 60°F. When to Start Inside: Recommended for cold climates: 2 to 4 weeks before average last frost. Roots sensitive to disturbance; sow into biodegradable pots that can be directly planted in the ground.
- Harvesting instructions: Hard-shelled gourds should remain in the garden as long as there is any life left in the vines. Some gourd growers leave gourds in the garden during the winter, which adds to their characteristics for craft projects. Use a sharp knife or pruners to cut stem leading to gourd, leaving 1"–3" of stem for a handle. [1]
Common Pests and Diseases
- Pests: Spotted and striped cucumber beetles, bacterial wilt disease, fruit flies [2]
- Disease: Powdery and downy mildew, rusts, rots, watermelon mosaic virus, bacterial wilts [2]
Useful Resources
- https://www.botanicalinterests.com/product/Luffa-Gourd-Seeds (seed source)
- https://harvesttotable.com/how-to-grow-bitter-melon/
If you bought this seedling and have any questions or feedback, let us know in the comment section below.