The information on this page applies to seedlings sold by Fremont LEAF Nursery during our 2021 Seedling Sale.
Luffa aegyptiaca. (Cucumber family) Sponge gourd or luffa is eaten as a vegetable in it's immature stage. The fully ripened fruit is strongly fibrous and inedible and is used to make scrubbing both sponges. The sweet honey sponge gourd is our special selected variety, vigorous and prolific. Fruit is green in color, 2 in wide and 10 in long, weighing up to 8 oz. It has excellent taste. The flowers are a striking yellow. [1] [2]
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 | Temperature | Soil | Water |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Sun | Above 65ยบ F | Keep moist |
Planting Tips
| Plant Spacing | Row Spacing | Days to Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| 4 to 5 feet | 45 days after transplanting |
- Harvesting instructions: The young fruit is eaten as a vegetable. The fully ripened fruit is strongly fibrous and inedible and is used to make scrubbing bath sponges. [2]
- Additional information: An edible oil can be extracted from the seeds and can be fed to rabbits and catfish or used as a fertilizer [2]
Common Pests and Diseases
- Pests: Spotted and striped cucumber beetles, bacterial wilt disease, fruit flies [3]
- Disease: Powdery and downy mildew, rusts, rots, watermelon mosaic virus, bacterial wilts [3]
Useful Resources
- https://www.seedsofindia.com/shop/search/sponge%20gourd
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luffa_aegyptiaca
- 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.