(Luffa aegyptiaca). Whether you spell it 'loofah,' 'luffa,' or 'loofa,' these gourds are tasty cooked like okra when young, and the mature fruits, when dried, make excellent sponges. Burpee’s 1888 catalog said, “A natural dishcloth, and a most admirable one. Many people prefer this as a dishcloth. The fruit grows about 2 feet, and the vine is very ornamental, producing clusters of yellow blossoms, in pleasing contrast with the silvery-shaded, dark green foliage. In the north, this variety requires starting in a hotbed. The dried interiors of these gourds have already become an article of commerce; grown in Florida, they are sold by Philadelphia and New York druggists.”

• 130 days to maturity

• 8-12 hours of full to partial sun

• Sprouts in 3-10 days

• Seed Depth: 1”

• Plant Spacing: 18-24"

• Ideal Temperature: 75-90 F

• Frost Hardy: No

• Minimum Seed Count: 20