How to grow Luffa in Australia
Grow this vigorous climbing gourd in full sun in rich, well-drained soil in a long, warm season. Give it a strong trellis to climb and keep the developing fruit off the ground.
At a glance
- Difficulty: Beginner
- Sun: Full sun
- Water: 6 litres a week, watered every 3 days
- Spacing: 150 cm
- Time to harvest: 120 days
- Time to germinate: 10 days
- Soil pH: 6 to 7
- Frost tolerance: Frost tender
When to sow by region
| Region | When to sow | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| South East Queensland | September to December | |
| Northern Rivers NSW | September to December | |
| Sydney & Coastal NSW | October to December | Needs a long hot season. Sow Oct to Dec in the warmest spot you have, on a strong trellis. Start in pots under cover in September for a head start. |
| Melbourne & Victoria | October to December | Frost-tender; sow Oct to Dec (soil 20°C+). Dies in frost. Narrow season vs SEQ. |
| Adelaide & SA | October and November | Sow Oct to Nov in a hot sheltered spot once the soil is warm. It needs the whole summer and steady water to ripen sponges. |
| Perth & WA | September and October | Sow Sep to Oct so vines are established before summer. Needs a long season, a strong trellis and steady water. |
| Tasmania | Not suited | Unsuitable. Needs a long hot season to mature sponges. Not viable in Tasmania. |
| Canberra & ACT | November | Very marginal. Needs 150 plus warm days, so sow in November once the last frost has passed. Fruit rarely matures fully in Canberra. |
| North Queensland | September to December | Late dry/wet season Sep to Dec. Luffa (sponge gourd) is tropical crop; thrives in heat. |
| Darwin & Top End | September to December | Late dry/wet season Sep to Dec. Luffa (sponge gourd) is tropical crop; thrives in heat. |
Companion planting
Good companions
Harvest and storage
Harvest tip
For eating, pick the gourds young and tender at finger length. For sponges, leave them on the vine until brown and light, then peel off the dried skin.
Storage
Fridge young fruit for up to 4 days. Mature fruits dried as natural sponges.