Luffa/loofah

Grow your own sponge! The luffa, also known as loofah, is an intriguing climbing plant with a fibre-like interior. After harvesting, the fruits are dried and cored, and can be used as sponges. In spring, loofas can be propagated indoors, preferably under grow lights. You can either let them grow as a pretty ‘cucumber curtain’ in the window or you can transplant them to a greenhouse when temperatures allow. The night temperature should then be above 5°C. Throughout the summer, you can continue to start seeds so you have fresh plants for the greenhouse when they first wither, or grow them inside next to a window.