Grow Loofa in the Garden

Credit: Terry Guscott

Vegetables, fruits and colourful blooms are what you might expect from an organic garden; dishcloths, scrub brushes and natural skin exfoliates are not. But a new trend in gardening is growing organic loofas

Loofa (Luffa aegyptiaca) has been used as a natural kitchen brush or a gentle skin scrubber since 1888 when Burpees first sold the seed and referred to it as “A natural dishcloth, and a most admirable one. Many ladies prefer this dishcloth.”

Now, 120 years later, it’s regaining popularity in home gardens. Loofa, a member of the gourd family, is an annual grown from seed and it requires a long, hot growing season. The ornamental vine reaches up to 3 m (10 ft.) high and boasts lovely yellow blooms. These transform into 30- to 45-cm-long (12- to 18-in.) gourds covered with a delicate, thin, papery green skin resembling a cucumber. A few weeks before last frost, sow gourd seeds indoors in peat or coconut coir pots. After the last frost, transplant the seedling, pot and all, into a sunny, hot area of the garden (peat or coconut coir pots ensure the roots won’t be disturbed and the pot simply breaks down in the soil). Provide the gourd with a loose, loamy soil enriched with worm castings and garden compost, about 125 mL (1⁄2 cup) of each blended in at the root zone.

During transplanting apply 125 mL (1⁄2 cup) of organic granular fertilizer. As the vine develops, supplement with a liquid organic, such as a 4*2*3, every two weeks. Supply a strong support and a trellis, such as bamboo poles, wire, or high-quality nylon pea netting, for the loofa to ramble on. The decorative yellow blooms will transform into gourds that are very heavy at the start of their development, which is why you’ll need a strong framework. As the gourd develops, it dries and its weight decreases. If you notice any damaged or rotten gourds, simply remove them, as they will not recover. Harvest the gourds as late in the season as possible. Pick a sample at the end of September; if the gourd is ready, the skin will easily peel off to reveal the dried fibrous vascular system of the plant. The loofa should have a maximum width of 10 cm (4 in.) and length of 45 cm (18 in.). If the skin does not peel off easily and it’s not ready, leave the gourds on the vine until the day afterthe first fall frost. To harvest, cut the gourd from the vine and peel away the papery skin, shake out any seeds (saving the black seeds to sow next season), and rinse the gourd in a bucket of warm water to remove any dirt or pulp. Allow to dry in the warm autumn sun, keeping the loofas under cover to protect them from dew or rain.

The loofas are grown ready to use, but you can bleach them or dye them for a more dramatic look. To lighten the loofa, soak in a solution of 125 mL (1⁄2 cup) bleach to 1.25 litres (5 cups) water (soak for 5 minutes for a lighter look and up to 15 minutes for a very white look), then rinse and dry. If colours are desired, you can use any dye kit or a favourite natural dye, such as a red cabbage bath for a blue loofa or a coffee bath for a brown loofa. Loofas are perhaps the only vine vegetable that would be a welcome addition to any bathroom. Use them weekly to scuff off old skin cells and encourage rejuvenation; many report that a loofa exfoliate makes their skin glow. In the kitchen this vine sponge is useful for scrubbing pots and sinks – a gentle way to remove stubborn stains. If you’re looking for a beautiful vine to grow, consider planting a loofa. It’s sure to start conversations, and holiday gifts of homegrown loofas are a nice treat to give and receive. The plants are often hard to locate, but loofa seeds are available from many mail-order companies: the botanical name is Luffa aegyptiaca, and it’s commonly called the angled loofa or luffa gourd. If you order from seed companies such as Baker Creek, this is the name you will find.