LUFFA
Luffa (or loofah) is a tropical/ subtropical vine and a member of the cucumber family. It can be used as an alternative dish cloth and it is a fantastic option to use in the kitchen or bathroom- especially if you are interested in plastic free options.
USES
- When young
- Edible vegetable (use like a zucchini; pickle like a gherkin)
- When mature and dried
- When the luffa fully ripens, is dried and peeled, and the seeds shaken out, the fibrous skeleton can be used to clean (scrub pots and pans; exfoliate your skin)
- Summer annual
- Sow the seeds in spring, after all chances of frost have past
- Moist, fertile, free draining soil
- Full sun and a sturdy support
- Unlike many members of the cucumber family, luffa rarely get powdery mildew
Luffa seeds are available to purchase from Permaculture Noosa ($3 per packet)
Hi. If anyone is growing loofahs I would love to buy one (not the plant itself) at the next club night. I find them fabulous for doing the dishes and my old one is worn out. Cheers
Debbi