Full Sun
Moderate care
Moderate watering
Tender
13b
USDA zone
18°C
Minimum temperature
Expected size
Height | Spread | |
|---|---|---|
5m | Max | 5m |
3m | Min | 3m |
Flowering
spring
summer
autumn
winter
This plant has no fragrance
More images of Ridge Gourd
Ridge Gourd Overview
Luffa acutangula is commercially grown for its unripe fruits as a vegetable or mature fruits used as natural cleaning sponges. Its fruit slightly resembles a cucumber or zucchini with ridges. It ranges from central and eastern Asia to southeastern Asia. It is also grown as a houseplant in places with colder climates.
Common problems with Ridge Gourd
Susceptible to beetles, fruit-flies and caterpillars.
How to harvest Ridge Gourd
The fruit must be harvested at a young stage (less than 12 cm in length) if growing for cooking purposes. Harvest the seeds and loofah for a natural sponge when the fruit on the vines dry out completely, then pick, peel and harvest the seedsor use the sponge.
How to propagate Ridge Gourd
Seed
Sow seeds in situ, 3-4 seeds per hole, after 2 weeks keep only 2 seedlings and remove the rest. In tropical and subtropical regions sow all year or before rainy season.
Special features of Ridge Gourd
Hedge plant
Quickly cover a fence or trellis to provide a temporary screen.
Attractive flowers
Attractive fruits
Other uses of Ridge Gourd
Vegetable, culinary, food
Medicinal
Good for reducing skin infections, inflammation, constipation.
Edible
The fruit is eaten when it is young.
