Harvest Luffa (loofah) and Make Sponges!!

I will grow luffa gourds every year for the rest of my life! Here's why!

[tammytrappe]

We ended up with luffas by mistake! The luffa seeds were mixed in with our watermelon seeds and what a surprise! Ended up with five luffas! Kept two to use on our backs. Taking the others and cutting slices from the smaller end to put in a muffin tin and adding oatmeal soap. I will be giving these as Christmas gifts!

[pleasetrylater]

They LOVE the heat here in Texas too! Wonderful vine foliage as well.

[amytaylor]

I agree with everything you said...they are easy to grow, bees love them, and it adds.
a great beauty to the garden! We did have one problem...we have power lines and a guy line above the garden. One of the vines grew up the wire and I thought it would be fine...but it must have grown 40 feet! Just this one vine. So, be cautious of where they are growing.
But, I will definitely grow these again!

[terrymcbride]

Grew them for the first time this year, thank you for sharing how to harvest, looking forward to using them and also loved the flowers.

[elisabethgaiennie]

I did grow luffa this year on a cattle panel arch. They are beautiful and the bees and wasps love the flowers too! I just harvested a couple and MY, OH MY the SEEDS! You weren’t kidding about the amount of seeds you get from one plant. I will definitely grow these every year. Beautiful addition to any garden.

[blacktuuk]

We have grown loofah for several years in Los Angeles. We let them get a little darker and use the wet method to peel them. We use them as gifts too as a fall back when we don't have live fruit/veg to give people. It is something that we grow that we use every day in our home. They can be used in the shower and kitchen (they have replaced all of our sponges for washing dishes.). We even use them to wash dishes while camping.

[joycreated]

Yep! My first time, beautiful! I had to find if you had a video on how to harvest the loofah sponge! Learned a ton thank you so much I feel confident now! Having access to a sponge type product is a great tool for being self sufficient.

[Catlady]

Yes I did grow the loofah along with you this summer. The plant is beautiful and plan on growing more next summer. I live in southern Nevada extremely hot this summer and the loofah it self really didn't start to produce until the temps dropped. Looks like I will be getting a few large ones off of just one plant. Can't wait to grow more next summer ❤

[vanessajones]

Thanks from Australia. Finally found a channel with great comprehensive information. Just subscribed. Thank you

[simonadunn]

Hi Brian. Thanks for the loofa video. I didn’t plant them this year but bought my seeds from Baker Creek a while back for next year. I hope mine will look as good as yours. 😁

[mtok]

I grew my first loofah sponge plant this year as well! It is so satisfying to harvest them; although I have harvested two of them at the not quite ready stage but didn’t find it too difficult to peel and extract them from their skins. Yes, I had to use my whole hand and work it under the skin, but the slimy feel was kinda fun. Lol I guess I’ll have to wait until they ripen a bit more before I harvest the remaining loofahs. Thanks for the video showing the difference between the ripening process of the loofah sponges.

[susan]

I had no idea that these did not come from the sea. I will definitely be adding them to my garden. Such fun. Thank you

[NewsfromtheGrove]

Thank you that was a very helpful video! This is my first year growing loofah's and I needed some advice! We live in zone 5 so I am very surprised to have such a nice crop!

[terristraub]

Definitely on must have for next year's garden. Can't wait to see the beatiful flowers and the gourds willbe my Christmas craft too!

[scmarih]

Yup, I thought it grew in the sea somewhere too! Growing next year for sure. I'm in So. Cal too and I'm guessing starting them in Spring? I'm going to check out your previous videos and gotta get some seeds! You should sell your seeds. Thanks for sharing.

[courtneyquinn]

I loved growing this and the bees adore it. The big yellow blossoms are so cheery and aren’t hidden by the foliage. I neglected mine and did it as a transplant because of garden succession planting. Life then got busy and it started to die and was very sick in its transplant pot. I eventually planted it anyway. All the starts died except one sickly little guy and that plant took off!!! One plant is still growing strong and has yielded 20 Luffas already. This was Luffa seeds from MIgardener seed store.

[gaycricket]

Great info and useful, my first year growing. They are beautiful vines and the pods are definitely a conversation starter. Im in northern Ca, and may have to bring mine in to complete the drying cycle, with freezing temps just around to corner. (Oct 1st today )

[NewbieNikki]

I definitely want to grow some next year! I also had no idea where Luffa came from before watching your videos and it looks like fun to grow. You've inspired me.

[kennythomas]

Didn't grow them, but may try next year on my outer walls.
When are you doing your luffah seed (and other seed) giveaways? Since you have thousands of them anyway!!
LOL.

[candywalker]

That peeling sounds must be the most satisfying! I have my 1st plants growing. Have a 3” baby loofa. ♥️🤞🏼