Vietnamese Luffa - Luffa aegyptiaca - €4 per plant 

Luffa or Loofah is a tropical/sub tropical vine that can be grown as an annual in a temperate climate. The fruit can be eaten as a vegetable and should be harvested young to be edible but it is better known for its fibrous fully developed fruit, the source of the loofah scrubbing sponge which is used in bathrooms and kitchen. To order this plant please contact us [email protected].  

Context

  • native region: E.Asia
  • native habitat:
  • family: Cucurbitaceae

Predators and Pests

  • Slugs can damage the small seedling stems.

Needs, tolerances 

  • Light: Full sun to dappled shade 
  • soil pH:  Acid, neutral -basic alkaline 
  • Hardiness Zone: 9
  • Prefers well drained soil 
  • As a tropical plant, it requires lots of heat and lots of water to thrive.
  • The luffa vines must have a strong trellis system to climb.
  • 150-200 warm days needed for fruit to mature.

Known hazards 

  • none known

Overview

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  • Climbing annual growing up to 10 m. 
  • It is hardy to zone 9 and is not frost tender. 
  • It is in flower from June to October, and the seeds ripen from to October- November. 
  • The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Bees.. 
  • Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. 
  • Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. 
  • It cannot grow in the shade.

Characteristics

  • form: climbing annual
  • layer : Vertical 
  • habit: climbing 
  • height x width (m): 10m
  • years to bearing yield: 0 years  
  • productive life span: annual

Products 

  • Fruit: Luffa are best eaten when small (less than 12 cm) and still green.
  • Old fruit can be used as a scrubbing brush  and bath sponge.   
  • In Paraguay, panels are made out of Luffa combined with other vegetable matter and recycled plastic.
  • Medicinal: Its juice is used as a natural remedy for jaundice.The juice is obtained by pounding the bitter luffa and squeezing it through a cloth. Bitter luffa seeds and dry crusts are also available and can be used for the same purpose.

Functions, behaviours

  • Bees of all types are attracted to the big yellow flowers.
  • Ants also spend a lot of time on luffa vines. There are small triangular leaf-like structures at the base of the flowers that attract ants.
If you would like this plant please send an email to [email protected] with your order. 
Balkan Ecology Project