The Loofah Gourd is a member of the Cucurbitaceae ( Gourd ) family. The Loofah is spelled several different ways, i.e., Lofah, Luffa or Lufa. It's commonly known as the Washrag Gourd. It is the only plant known that can be raised and used as a sponge.
The sponges are very versatile in that they can be used for bathing, washing dishes or scrubbing. The Loofah is widely used for bathing to invigorate the skin as well as gift giving and crafts.
It is a very fast growing annual that produce vines up to twelve feet or more. I have seen them grow over 20 ft. high in trees and produce dozens of gourds per plant.
When fully matured, you can peel off the dried and crisp outer shell to expose the fibrous sponge. To clean your Loofah you wash it in clean water and then soak it in a solution of bleach and water and allow to dry in the sun. Loofah sponges will last a long time if washed and allowed to dry after each use.
Here are some helpful links on growing and harvesting the loofa sponge:
How to grow natural loofa sponges.
How to harvest your luffa and turn them into sponges.

Loofah Seeds


Loofah Sponge
RGS031 Common Luffa Sponge
Everyone who has a garden, fence or backyard space should grow this amazing plant. The ever popular dishcloth, bath sponge gourd. Should be grown on trellis, fence or allow even to climb small trees.
The Loofah Gourd is a member of the Cucurbitaceae ( Gourd ) family. The Loofah is spelled several different ways, i.e., Lofah, Luffa or Lufa. It's commonly known as the Washrag Gourd. It is the only plant known that can be raised and used as a sponge. The sponges are very versatile in that they can be used for bathing, washing dishes or scrubbing. The Loofah is widely used for bathing to invigorate the skin as well as gift giving and crafts. It is a very fast growing annual that produce vines up to twelve feet or more. I have seen them grow over 20 ft. high in trees and produce dozens of gourds per plant. When fully matured, you can peel off the dried and crisp outer shell to expose the fibrous sponge. To clean your Loofah you wash it in clean water and then soak it in a solution of bleach and water and allow to dry in the sun. Loofah sponges will last a long time if washed and allowed to dry after each use. Here are some helpful links on growing and harvesting the loofa sponge:
How to grow natural loofa sponges.
How to harvest your luffa and turn them into sponges.
  Package of 10 seeds $2.95
 100 Seeds $9.95
3319 Oriental Hybrid Extra Long
Young fruits are eaten, fruit left to mature on the vine can be used for luffa sponges. This unique hybrid luffa produces extra long fruits, 33 inches long and 2-3 inches wide in size and over a pound in weight. Plants are very vigorous and strongly resistant to heat,cold, rain and wind. This variety is very productive, yielding high quality fruits which are good for long distance shipping and marketing. One of the most popular varieties in the Orient.
  Package of 25 seeds $5.95

A note from one of our customers:

"Good morning,
This is the best site I have found in a long time----I try to grow luffa about every year with not much luck--never knew what to fed them---gourd books don't say much about that--but here ----you have luffa gourd food --this is so wonderful---not accounting all the other good stuff you have---yes you bet I will be ordering from you come planting time--------thanks again for being out there!" sincerely Aloma