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Annual Biennial

Luffa operculata

A tender, tendril-climbing vine with rough-textured, maple-shaped leaves to 15cm across. From summer to autumn it produces bright yellow to 4cm across. From mid-summer ovoid fruits begin to form; these are 10cm long with spiny ridges. Young fruits can be eaten as a vegetable. If left to mature the skin can be picked off, the seeds removed, and the fibrous body used as an abrasive sponge

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Ultimate height

1.5–2.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

1 year

Ultimate spread

0.1–0.5 metres

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun

Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

H1C

Botanical details

Family: Cucurbitaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Climbing
Potentially harmful: Harmful if eaten, except young fruit, don't eat if bitter. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets (dogs, cats): Harmful if eaten, except young fruit, don't eat if bitter - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Genus: Luffa are a genus of tropical and subtropical vines in the cucumber family which can be eaten when young, used as a loofah sponge or in some countries, combined with other materials to make furniture or houses. Leaves are large and dark green and the fruit green with a rough texture like a gourd
Name status: Unresolved

How to grow

Cultivation

Under glass, plant in large pots or direct into the greenhouse border with support for the climbing tendrils; provide high humidity and shade from hot summer sun. Outdoors plant out in early summer against a sunny fence with climbing support. Luffas need a long growing season for the fruits to mature

Propagation

Sow seeds at 21-24°C in early spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Patio and container plants
Sub-tropical
Bedding
Climber and wall shrubs
Conservatory and greenhouse
Edible fruit
Wall side borders

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews

Get involved

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