Free Shipping on $50+ orders!

Basket

Luffa Sponge Gourd Seeds

Luffa cylindrica

5.00 (5 reviews)
  • HOW TO GROW
  • FAST FACTS
  • REVIEWS

HOW TO GROW

Sowing: In shorter growing seasons, start gourd seeds indoors in peat pots 3-4 weeks before the last frost. To speed germination, soak the seeds overnight. Plant the seedlings outdoors in rich soil and full sun after the last spring frost. For direct sowing, wait until the soil warms to 70 degrees F, then plant 5 seeds per hill, 1" deep, with 5' spacing; later, thin to the strongest plant.

Growing: Keep the soil evenly moist. When the vines begin to develop, either provide a trellis or lay down mulch to keep the gourds from contact with the soil; too much soil contact can weaken the shell, distort the shape, and cause rotting.

Harvesting: Late in the summer, the gourd will begin to lose its green color and turn brown or slightly yellow; at this stage, the skin will feel loose and easy to peel off, and the gourd will be extremely light. Cut off the gourd and remove the skin. The skin should come off easily, but if it is difficult to remove, slamming the gourd against a hard surface or soaking it in water may help. Wash the sponge in soapy water, then spray it with a stream of water to remove the sap still in the fibers. If dark spots still appear, soak the sponge in a bleach solution. Place the sponge in a warm, dry location to completely dry before storing or using it.

Seed Saving: After the luffa has been peeled, the black seeds will easily fall out. Spread them out to dry; when a seed will snap in two, it has dried sufficiently. If the seed only bends but will not break, further drying time is needed. Store the dry seeds in a cool, dry place for up to six years.

FAST FACTS

Latin Name: Luffa cylindrica

Type: Open Pollinated, Warm Season

USDA Zones: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

Seeds per Ounce: 270

Planting Method: Direct Sow

Sunlight: Full Sun

Height: 12 Inches

Color: Green, Brown

Luffa Sponge Gourd Seeds 5.0
Review By Wavy Gravy

Excellent

Excellent

Luffa Sponge Gourd Seeds 5.0
Review By Jack T Tran

Reliable source for seeds purchase

I planted 10 seeds in a little pot and keep indoors near the room heater and it took only 6 days for all the seedlings to emerge from medium surface Compare to other seeds I sow, your seeds are excellent

Luffa Sponge Gourd Seeds 5.0
Review By Firefly Farm & Mercantile

Seeds arrived fast

Thanks for the help in getting our seeds fast over the holidays. A last minute wedding addition was planned and the customer needed a certain seed in bulk so we could make custom seed packets for the bride and groom! Andre

Luffa Sponge Gourd Seeds 5.0
Review By Teresa Pena

Gourd seeds

Came very well packaged and the shipping was fast. Just waiting to see if they sprout right now.

Luffa Sponge Gourd Seeds 5.0
Review By Fred Lacy

Very satisfied

The availability of unusual product is great. The response and shipping time is excellent.

Size Price Quantity
XL Mylar Packet (~25 Seeds) $3.48 -+
1 Oz Mylar (~270 Seeds) $11.03 -+
1/4 Lb Mylar (113g) $27.47 -+
1 Lb Mylar (454g) $96.00 -+
5 Lb Bulk Bag (2.27kg) $432.00 -+
10 Lb Bulk Bag (4.54kg) $768.00 -+
25 Lb Bulk Bag (11.3kg) $1,824.00 -+
50 Lb Bulk Bag (22.7kg) $3,456.00 -+
Add to Wishlist

DESCRIPTION

This open-pollinated gourd variety is also called Vegetable Sponge and Dishcloth Gourd because the skin can be peeled off after it has been cured, to reveal a usable sponge! Vigorous, rapidly growing vines form gourds that can be harvested over a long time period, with the first harvest at about 60 days.
The origin of gourds has been a subject of debate for decades. Archaelogical findings seem to show that Asia first domesticated the gourd for use as a container, though Africa and several island nations such as Polynesia and New Zealand also have an early history of using gourds as fishing floats, bottles, or musical instruments. Recent research shows that North America's gourds are nearly as old as those of Asia, which seems to suggest that early peoples who settled in the New World brought gourds with them.

HOW TO GROW

Sowing: In shorter growing seasons, start gourd seeds indoors in peat pots 3-4 weeks before the last frost. To speed germination, soak the seeds overnight. Plant the seedlings outdoors in rich soil and full sun after the last spring frost. For direct sowing, wait until the soil warms to 70 degrees F, then plant 5 seeds per hill, 1" deep, with 5' spacing; later, thin to the strongest plant.

Growing: Keep the soil evenly moist. When the vines begin to develop, either provide a trellis or lay down mulch to keep the gourds from contact with the soil; too much soil contact can weaken the shell, distort the shape, and cause rotting.

Harvesting: Late in the summer, the gourd will begin to lose its green color and turn brown or slightly yellow; at this stage, the skin will feel loose and easy to peel off, and the gourd will be extremely light. Cut off the gourd and remove the skin. The skin should come off easily, but if it is difficult to remove, slamming the gourd against a hard surface or soaking it in water may help. Wash the sponge in soapy water, then spray it with a stream of water to remove the sap still in the fibers. If dark spots still appear, soak the sponge in a bleach solution. Place the sponge in a warm, dry location to completely dry before storing or using it.

Seed Saving: After the luffa has been peeled, the black seeds will easily fall out. Spread them out to dry; when a seed will snap in two, it has dried sufficiently. If the seed only bends but will not break, further drying time is needed. Store the dry seeds in a cool, dry place for up to six years.

FAST FACTS

Latin Name: Luffa cylindrica

Type: Open Pollinated, Warm Season

USDA Zones: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

Seeds per Ounce: 270

Planting Method: Direct Sow

Sunlight: Full Sun

Height: 12 Inches

Color: Green, Brown

Reviews

5.00
Global Rating: 5.00 from 5 reviews
5.0

Review By Wavy Gravy

Excellent

Excellent

5.0

Review By Jack T Tran

Reliable source for seeds purchase

I planted 10 seeds in a little pot and keep indoors near the room heater and it took only 6 days for all the seedlings to emerge from medium surface Compare to other seeds I sow, your seeds are excellent

5.0

Review By Firefly Farm & Mercantile

Seeds arrived fast

Thanks for the help in getting our seeds fast over the holidays. A last minute wedding addition was planned and the customer needed a certain seed in bulk so we could make custom seed packets for the bride and groom! Andre

5.0

Review By Teresa Pena

Gourd seeds

Came very well packaged and the shipping was fast. Just waiting to see if they sprout right now.

5.0

Review By Fred Lacy

Very satisfied

The availability of unusual product is great. The response and shipping time is excellent.