The fruits typically grow to be 2 feet long and are actually edible when they are small and tender! When mature they can not only be used in the shower, or in soap but they can also be used as a helpful, all-natural dishcloth!
What is a luffa
Luffas or as the science types call them, Luffa cylindrica, are actually a type of gourd. They grow on long vines that can get to about 30 FEET LONG! So be prepared to wrangle them if you decide to try growing them. When they are immature they look pretty much like a cucumber, but as they mature they turn brown and something magical happens on the inside. Fibres are for making inside the gourd which is what you think of when you picture a luffa/loofah that you would use in the shower.
Are luffas easy to grow?
This is a resounding NO! But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try! I am tackling them again this year as I am determined to show off some fancy luffas and luffa soap by the end of the season. So let’s take a look at what makes these plants trickier than some other plants.
1. Short growing season
2. Not germinating
3.Transplant shock
If you are like “Challenge accepted†then here are the steps you are going to need to take to have your best chance of growing some luffas in your backyard.
Step 1 - In most zones you are going to want to start luffas indoors about 6-8 weeks before your last frost date. These guys need a long season to get to maturity so you want to make sure you are giving them enough time to get growing.
Step 2 - It is best to start these guys in biodegradable pots as we don’t want to risk transplant shock when they are moved outside. They will also benefit from being placed on a heating pad to help with germination.
Step 3 - Once the weather is warm enough and all risk of frost has passed, you will want to start the hardening off process. While this is important for all plants it's extra important for luffas, given their delicate nature.
Step 4 - Once they are hardened off you will want to pick a spot for them where they will have full sun, these guys like a lot of heat! Without enough sun you are going to be disappointed in the luffa department. So if you are committed to growing these you will have to give them prime real estate in the full sun growing department.
Step 5 - Give them some support, as I mentioned above they can grow to have vines that are up to 30 feet long! So a trellis is pretty much a must for these guys.
Step 6 - Make sure the soil that you are planting them in is rich and fertile as luffas are heavy feeders. They also require lots of water, so make sure they don’t get dried out.
Step 7 - Wait for what seems like forever.
Step 8 - It is best to harvest the luffas once they have had a chance to fully dry out on the vine. If you are approaching your first frost date then you may want to harvest any decent-sized green ones are well.
Step 9 - Take your harvested luffas and let them dry out indoors, then once the skin is dry you can peel them and voila you have your very own luffas!
If you want to go a step further and make some luffa soaps it is actually pretty easy. Luffas are great for encouraging exfoliation! There are just a few things you are going to need which makes this a nice and easy DIY! You will need a melt and pour soap base, silicone mold, soap colourant (if you want) and some of those luffas you grew! One handy trick you can do is to use silicone baking cups for the molds. If you do this then you should add a muffin tray to the list of things you will need. It will be helpful to make sure the silicone baking cups keep their shape. Also just make sure that your luffas diameter is not bigger than your molds.
Step 1 - Cut your luffa to the desired thickness, I would aim for about 1/2†to 1†thick slices and pop one in each molds.
Step 2 - Next you are going to want to melt the soap base as per the instructions on the brand you have.
Step 3 - If you are using a soap colourant then add it in once the soap base is all melted and mix to the desired colour.
Step 4 - SLOWLY pour it into the molds, making sure to cover the luffa. Pouring slowly is key as the luffas are full of potential air pockets, so you want to give the soap base enough time to get into all the nooks and crannies.
Step 5 - Leave them undisturbed to fully cool and set.
So there you have it. You can grow your own luffas in your backyard AND turn them into soaps! How cool would it be to gift some of these soaps to someone and be able to tell them they are handmade and homegrown!
