What other plant gives you hardly any hassle, grows quickly even in poor soil, and rewards you with first a beautiful yellow flower, then from the flower grows a loofah gourd that you can either eat (when luffa cylindrica is still small and green you can chop it, fry it; tastes like fried okra-for those with some food allergies, please consult your doctor before consuming), or wait and let it turn brown on the vine, peel it, and then you get a great loofah sponge too?

That would be the Luffa! We now have three different luffas to choose from (UNTIL SUPPLIES LAST). All three, the Luffa Cylindrica (commonly known as the washrag gourd), the Luffa Acutangula (known as the angled luffa gourd), and the Luffa C ucumis Dipsaceus (also known as the hedgehog gourd)   are members of the Cucurbitaceae ( Gourd ) family. The Loofah is spelled several different ways, i.e., Lofah, Luffa or Lufa. These are the only plants 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.

 The washrag gourd is a very fast growing annual that produces 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.

The angled gourd plant is pretty much the same as the other, except the gourds are thinner, and tapered.  Very elegant.

The hedgehog gourd is a different luffa indeed.  Its small body, tapered ends, and spikes make it a formidable looking specimen, but inside you will find a very fine fibered inner sponge. A very interesting conversation piece, and will quickly become a favorite of yours.

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. These seeds are 100% organic, grown by us, using no pesticides or chemicals of any kind, meaning synthetic nitrogen fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides and chemical defoliants never touches our plants.