An annual plant with a climbing stem 6-8 ft (2-2.5 m) long. The growing season is 150 to 200 days. Fruits are edible, large, cylindrical, 15-30" (40-70 cm) long, weighing 4-11 lbs (2-5 kg), light green in color. The plant needs support.

Planting instructions:  
Growing luffa is really fun but it definitely takes patience. Luffa is cold sensitive and takes a long time to mature into a dried sponge.   Soak Luffa seeds for 24 hours before planting. Sow luffa seeds 8 to 12 inches (20-30 cm) apart along a fence as soon as the ground is warm enough to work and all danger of frost has passed in spring. In more northern areas of the country most gardeners start seeds in pots (at least 4"/10 cm, but 5"/13 cm or 6"/15 cm are even better, so roots can expand) inside a few weeks before planting time and then transplant them outdoors once the weather is warm and settled. Luffa vines can grow to around 30 feet (9 m) long and need a strong trellis to grow on so be prepared to give them sturdy support such as a fence or trellis.  Increase your success at germination by starting your seeds in coconut coir. When the weather is right (warm soil and air) start hardening off your seedlings.  This is more important than with most other plants because Luffa are so prone to transplant shock. After a week or so of hardening off, plant your seedlings in an area that gets FULL sun.