Tags: Certified Organic Heirloom Open Pollinated

Growing Practices: No Pesticides No Herbicides No Fungicides No Synthetic Fertilizers

Latin Name: Luffa aegyptiaca

Days to Maturity: 170

Description:

Grow your own sponges! This is a fun plant to grow if you love projects, and especially with kids. Luffa gourds are very prolific and require a strong trellis to support 15 ft vines and fruits that grow up to 4 ft long. Tender young luffa gourds can be eaten like summer squash. They require a long season to reach sponge maturity, and benefit from growing in a greenhouse or high tunnel if possible. Direct seed after last frost and harvest just before first frost, and allow any fruits that are still green to dry over several weeks before peeling off the loose brown skin to reveal the fibrous luffa sponge, which can then be rinsed and dried for use.