How to Grow Loofah (Luffa) in a Colder Climate

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Here in Ontario, zone 6a/6b, with just over 100 frost-free days per year, one might think tropical plants like loofah/luffa could only be grown in a greenhouse. Not so! Start your plants inside before your last frost and prepare to perhaps finish ‘ripening’ the sponges inside after the first, and you can enjoy a bumper crop of loofahs every year.
Loofahs will grow well in raised beds, in fertile well-draining ground beds, or in large containers. They need good support for climbing, and as much full sun as you can give them - ideally 8-10 hours per day.
Loofah gourds are amazing. Right before your eyes you can watch your garden grow high quality sponges. You can even interplant a little lavender - for pollinators and for scenting your own soap. Few plants impress garden guests as much as these beauties - and be prepared to hear ‘I thought sponges only came from the ocean’ at least a few times.
#urbangardening #loofah #luffa #gardening #ontario #growingtips #urbanhomesteading

[@editingkinga]

Good info. I'm in Morelia, Michoacan in MX. Hot days year-round. Winter last year, though, was rather mild, so the plant from last year revived. It just had a few leaves. In February, I noticed It was getting green again, so I started watering it. Just crawling up the fence, but it's about 2 meters high so far. Look forward to when it covers more fence!

[@ellseykaygardens]

Love it! So many perennial plants in warmer climates are only annuals for me!

[@fergyjenkins6353]

I'm in PEI zone 5a this is my first time growing luffa. I have a 20 x 20 greenhouse I will be growing them in

[@ellseykaygardens]

It should love that! I’m full sun, PEI has just enough of a season to get good results without a greenhouse, but with a little extra warmth and humidity it’ll be even better!

[@prettyprincess8187]

This is a great guide. I'm in zone 6b in the US and I'm thinking I'll be buying a cheap, smallish greenhouse and start them in the house in February and transplant them to the greenhouse and once we're in the clear (May), I'll take the greenhouse off of them.

[@ellseykaygardens]

Great plan! You may have to pot up a few times - I’ve had good results when potting up even to about a 12 inch pot before transplant!

[@brittanyragon6033]

Im 6a in the US and found a shorter season luffa im going to try it out. I found it on rare seeds (baker creek) Its about 30 days difference from the info on sites.

[@ellseykaygardens]

Nice! That likely means you can get more loofas to mature, and don’t need to start pinching off the babies quite as soon! Maybe late August, depending on your first frost date?

[@handsdirtymindclean2973]

I’m growing for the first time. Also in Ontario. It’s still green on the vine so I’m hoping I can harvest before frost!! 😬

[@ellseykaygardens]

It was a weird year for loofah! Just leave it as long as you can, and just before the first frost harvest it no matter what - then try to keep it in a cool, dry, dark-ish place and see if it goes brown over a few weeks. Even if part of it rots a bit, you can usually save most of it

[@handsdirtymindclean2973]

@@ellseykaygardens awesome, thx for the tips!!! 😊

[@amydagenaissanc]

Hey i really hope you can respond to this message. Thank you for the loofah advice. I noticed those garden beds in the back. I am renovating my garden and those look perfect! Would you be able to tell me how to find them? I live near Ottawa and we are zone 5a-5b. Thank you so much!

[@ellseykaygardens]

I got those ones from raisedgardenbeds.ca!

[@duaneschultz9230]

Hi. I just watched your video on loofah. I had commented on another video. Just yesterday and then again today. Would you be interested in doing a seed swap for some of your loofah seeds? Please let me know. God bless you and your family. Duane.

[@ellseykaygardens]

Sure, send me your address! [e-mail]

[@duaneschultz9230]

@@ellseykaygardens I’m sorry I didn’t see this sooner. I will email you right away. Thank you very much. God bless you and your family. Duane.

[@duaneschultz9230]

@@ellseykaygardens I sent you an email with my address information. Thank you very much. If there’s any seeds you need, please let me know and I may have them. I hope you’re having a great night. God bless you and your family. Duane