Shoot Logo
Take a photoPlans & pricingBook a demoGet started

Luffa cylindrica (Loofah)

Other names: Luffa aegyptiaca, Sponge gourd, Egyptian cucumber, Vietnamese luffa, Cucurbita luffa, Momordica luffa, Momordica cylindrica, Dishcloth gourd, Towel gourd, Washing gourd, Vegetable sponge, Smooth luffa

ShootChecker™

STOP: Make sure you get the “Right Plant, Right Place.”

90% of plants die because they were the wrong plant choice. Shoot helps you to save valuable time and money to get the right plant choices for any garden.

How ShootChecker™ works

Get the Right Plant, Right Place

1

Provide details about your garden or your client's garden conditions

2

ShootChecker™ will help you assess if it is the right plant

3

Save money with Right Plant, Right Place.

Get started Book a demo

Other Shoot features

Laptop, tablet and mobile devices

One-stop planning
Streamlined garden design and record-keeping all in one place

Monthly care advice
Receive tailored monthly care advice for plants in your garden

Present and collaborate
Share designs and care tasks with anyone

Join Shoot today to enjoy…

  • ShootChecker™
  • One-stop garden design
  • Monthly care advice for every plant in your garden
  • Saving money with Right Plant, Right Place

All you need to do is join.

Get started
Book a demo

Already a member? Sign in

Add to plant list
Species
L. cylindrica is tender, tendril-forming, annual climber with rough, rounded, lobed, mid-green leaves and short clusters of yellow flowers in summer and autumn followed by cylindrical, green fruit, edible when young and used as an abrasive sponge when mature and dried.
Add to plant list
ShootChecker™
Season of interest

Flower

Spring Summer Autumn Winter
Flower

Foliage

Spring Summer Autumn Winter
Foliage
Height and spread

Height and spread

Size Max height Max spread To maturity
9 m 2 m 1-2 years
29 ft 6 ft 1-2 years

Where to grow

Soil type
  • Loamy
  • Sandy
Soil drainage
  • Well-drained
Soil pH
  • Acid
  • Neutral
Sunlight
  • Full Sun
Aspect
  • West
  • South
Exposure
  • Sheltered

Check to see if this is the Right Plant, Right Place with ShootChecker™

Open ShootChecker™

Additional plant details

Cultivation

Grow in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun. Requires a growing season with at least four frost-free months. Hand pollinate flowers to increase fruit production.

Suggested uses

Wallside and trellises, Add to salads

UK hardiness

H1c

USDA zones

Zone 10, Zone 11, Zone 12

Sunset zone

WUCOLS

North-Central Coastal = Unknown
Central Valley = Unknown
South Coastal = Unknown
South Inland = Unknown
High and Intermediate Desert = Unknown
Low Desert = Unknown

Foliage

Deciduous

Habit

Climbing

Native to

Southeastern Asia

Drought tolerant

No

Flood tolerant

No

Toxicity

Not toxic

Plant care

Pruning

If growing as a vegetable, harvest fruit when still young and green. If growing for sponges, harvest gourds immediately after the first hard frost. Pull off thin, outer skins and remove seeds. Bleach and dry core prior to using.

Propagation methods

Seed

Propagation

Sow in site in spring after the danger of frost has passed. Sow indoors with bottom heat 6-8 weeks before the last frost date. Soak seed in water for 24 hours prior to sowing. Sow in biodegradable pots to reduce transplant shock.

Pests

Thrips

Aphids

Red spider mite (box and other)

Diseases

Powdery mildew

Leaf spot

Downy mildew

Water regularly through dry periods

Mulch with leaf mould or garden compost in spring (optional)

Plant container grown plants in a sunny sheltered spot

Remove annuals at end of flowering season (optional)

Sow seed in situ

Hoe around crops

Sow seeds in containers with heat (spring)

Other plants

Plants in this Genus (1)

Luffa

Select all Deselect all
0 selected Add to a plant list
0 selected
Luffa cylindrica
View
Select
Luffa cylindrica Loofah
Select all Deselect all Add to a plant list

Companion plants (0)

Related content

Discuss Luffa cylindrica with other Shoot members
Read more
TOP