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(Best months for planting Luffa in New Zealand - cool/mountain regions)

• Harvest in 80 days
• Grow in seed trays, and plant out in 4-6 weeks. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed.
• Best planted at soil temperatures between 20°C and 30°C.
• Space plants: 45-75cm

This type of squash while not strictly a vegetable can be eaten when young. They are more commonly grown to use when mature and dried.

The plants are frost tender and need warmth to grow successfully. Keep inside until all risk of frost is gone.

They grow on vines similar to cucumbers.

A large loofa makes a great back scratcher. Luffa can be cut into many shapes for scrubbing pads, padding, and other uses.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Luffa

The luffa flowers and fruits are soft and edible when young and are sometimes cooked and eaten like squash or okra. Loofah has been an important food source in many Asian cultures. The leaves and vines should not be eaten.

Your comments and tips

28 Nov 09 sujeewa silva (New Zealand - temperate climate)

I live in South Auckland, Could you please tell me where to buy Luffa seeds or seedlings. Thanks

02 Dec 09 Simon (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)

Hi Try Kings Seeds. I can't post the link at present but it's kingsseds dot co dot nz and search for Luffa.

13 Feb 10 Will (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)

Has anyone had any success growing Loofah outdoors in the south island cool/mountain climate? If so, how? I want to try next year. Thanks

27 Nov 10 Kelly Harvey (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)

I have tried to grow luffa's this year. All germinated indoors, however, 3 wilted and died when I transplanted them outdoors. I still have them in a hot house, as I hear its too cold in Christchurch to grow them. Has anyone else had success in New Zealand?

30 Dec 10 Flori (New Zealand - temperate climate)

Hi there, where to we find loofah seed in Auckland, North Shore? Really keen to cultivate then. Thanks Flori

19 Aug 11 Elfy (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)

growing Luffas for years now, easy to grow up here, FAR NORTH, just harvested my last lot two days ago. They are really nice to eat when little and growing your own sponge is great :-).......don't think it would be a problem growing Luffas in CHCH during summer, mind they need some water like cucumbers.

01 Jan 12 Lyn (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)

It is my first time trying to grow loofah, can somebody tell me please when and HOW they should be picked, stored or dried. Thanks!