Growing Luffa in Containers | How to Grow Sponge Gourd

Luffa, Sponge gourd or Chinese okra is a vine from the cucumber family. This fruit is grown and consumed as a vegetable popularly in China, Vietnam, India, and other subcontinent countries. Let’s know everything about Growing Luffa in Containers!

Botanical Name: Luffa cylindrica

Common Names: Sponge Gourd, Egyptian Cucumber, Vietnamese Luffa, Gilki, Dishrag Gourd, Rag Gourd

You can find luffa gourd seeds in a local nursery or garden center easily. Always buy new seeds for propagation. After procuring seeds, take a filer or sandpaper and scratch the outer layer a bit. Soaking them in warm water for 24 hours also helps in germination.

Poke your finger in the soil, making a hole of about an inch, and put the seeds in. Cover them completely and water moderately. Check the moisture every day and don’t let the soil dry out completely. The seeds will germinate in 4-10 days.

For growing luffa in containers pick one that is more than 12 inches deep and wide. It can be of any material, just make sure it has proper drainage holes at the bottom. A large 16-18 inches pot or bucket is right for the growth of one plant if you’re growing it for edible purpose.

Like other gourds and pumpkins, luffa loves warmth and expose to the sun as well. Place your luffa plant at a position, where it gets a minimum of 5-6 hours of direct sunlight daily.

The plant thrives in well-drained, loamy soil with a pH level of 6.0 to 7. When growing sponge gourd in pots, never use ordinary garden soil.

The key is to keep the soil slightly moist all the time without over-watering the plant. The roots may rot if there will be improper drainage and too much water is sitting in the pot.

As it’sa vine plant, you have to provide support to it. Choose a tall trellis that