LUFFA ‘Angled’ Vegetable Seeds
Common name: Angled Luffa, Ridged Gourd
Scientific name: Luffa acutangula
Family: Cucurbitaceae
Angled Luffa is a fast-growing tropical vine known for its distinctive, ridged fruits, which can be used as a vegetable when young or harvested when mature to create natural sponges. The young fruits have a mild, slightly sweet flavor and are ideal for stir-fries, soups, and curries. Luffa is a prolific plant, producing long, ribbed fruits up to 30-45 cm in length, and thrives in warm, humid climates.
- Also known as ridged gourd or Chinese okra.
- Young fruits are tender and ideal for cooking when 15-20 cm in length.
- Vigorous climbing vine that requires support for optimal growth.
- Mature fruits can be dried and used as natural sponges (loofah).
- Performs well in tropical and subtropical climates.
- Requires consistent moisture and warm temperatures to thrive.
- Not frost-tolerant; best grown in areas with warm, long summers.
- Grows in a wide range of soils but prefers fertile, well-drained conditions.
Plant Type: Annual climber in temperate zones, perennial in tropical climates
Plant Height: Vines can grow up to 3 – 5 m
Sow When:
- Temperate: September – December
- Subtropical: August – March
- Tropical: Year-round in frost-free areas
- Arid: August – March
- Cool: October – December
Germination: 7 – 14 days @ 25-30°C
Depth: 2 – 3 cm deep
Position: Full sun
Sow Where: Directly into garden beds or large containers; thin to the strongest seedlings
Soil Type: Fertile, well-drained soil, pH 6.0 – 7.5
Rows: Space rows 100 – 150 cm apart
Spacing: 60 – 90 cm between plants
Details: Provide a sturdy trellis or support for the climbing vines. Keep soil consistently moist and mulch to retain moisture. Regular feeding with a balanced fertilizer will encourage vigorous growth and high yields. Harvest fruits when young for the best flavor, or allow to mature for sponge production.
Harvest: 60 – 75 days after sowing for young fruits; allow 120+ days for sponge production
