Try for Free
tab list
PictureThis
English
arrow
English
繁體中文
日本語
Español
Français
Deutsch
Pусский
Português
Italiano
PictureThis
Search
Search Plants
Try for Free
Global
English
English
繁體中文
日本語
Español
Français
Deutsch
Pусский
Português
Italiano
This page looks better in the app
picturethis icon
Instantly identify plants with a snap
Snap a photo for instant plant ID, gaining quick insights on disease prevention, treatment, toxicity, care, uses, and symbolism, etc.
Download the App for Free
Continue Reading
Loofah

How to identify Loofah (Luffa aegyptiaca)

Loofah, also known as Vegetable sponge, Egyptian cucumber, Dishrag gourd, Smooth luffa

Loofah possesses a climbing habit with tendrils that help it to ascend sturdy structures. It has luscious green foliage supported by vines that can stretch over 15 feet (4.5 meters) in length. The leaves are palmate, often 3 to 7 lobed, with a rough-textured surface. The flowers are yellow and have a typical cucurbit appearance. The fruit starts as a smooth, dark green gourd, less than 7 inches (around 18 cm) long when young, and transitions to a fibrous, tan-colored sponge-like texture as it matures. The mature fruit's skin can be removed after soaking, revealing a fibrous interior.

Lifespan

Lifespan: Annual, Biennial, Perennial

Plant Type

Plant Type: Herb, Vine

Leaf Type

Leaf Type: Deciduous

Quickly Identify Loofah

1

Tendrils aiding climbing on structures

2

Dark green, palmate leaves with lobes

3

Vibrant deep-yellow unisexual flowers

4

Subcylindrical fruit, 12-24 inches long

5

Five-angled stem with tendrils, up to 50 feet long

LoofahLoofahLoofahLoofahLoofah

Detailed Traits of Loofah

Leaf Features

The leaves of loofah are dark green and simple, measuring about 10 inches (25 cm) in length. They are palmately-lobed with 5-7 lobes, giving them a star-like appearance. Both the upper and lower surfaces are covered in short white hairs, contributing to a rough texture. The leaves are supported by hairy stalks that are 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) long. The vein pattern is prominent, with a central vein dividing into multiple smaller veins that support each lobe.

Leaf Shape

Circular ,
Deltoid

Leaf Base

Cordate

Learn About the Leaf Glossary
Group
Flower Features

Loofah boasts vibrant deep-yellow, unisexual flowers that bloom during the summer. Each flower is 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) in diameter. Male flowers, carried on racemes, have stalks on unbranched elongated inflorescences, while female flowers are solitary and positioned in the same leaf axils as the male flowers. These flowers are known for opening during the daytime and are a striking feature for identification.

Inflorescence Type

Raceme

Learn About the Flower Glossary
Group
Stem Features

The stem of loofah is five-angled, providing a distinct angular appearance. It can grow up to 50 feet (15 meters) in length, supporting a sprawling growth habit. At each point where tendrils extend, there are typically 2-6 tendrils. The stem is green, robust, with a slightly rough texture, and thicker at the base. Branching occurs along the length, and the stem's angles and tendrils are key identifiers for the plant.

Learn About the Stem Glossary
Group
Fruit Features

The fruit of loofah is subcylindrical, generally measuring 12-24 inches (30-60 cm) in length. Upon reaching maturity, the initially green skin becomes dry and brown, revealing a smooth exterior without prominent ribs. As the fruit dries, a lid-like part, the operculum, forms at the apex, allowing it to split. Inside lies a spongy network acting as a skeleton, surrounding numerous smooth, black seeds, each edged with a wing-like margin. This transformation signifies the transition of the fruit from soft to fibrous.

Learn About the Fruit Glossary
Group
Icon code

Scan QR code to download

More Plants You May Like and How to Identify Them
Img topic
Cape jasmine

Gardenia jasminoides is an evergreen shrub with unique, glossy evergreen leaves and stunning flowers. The sophisticated, matte white flowers are often used in bouquets. The exceptional beauty of this ornamental plant has made it a popular and highly appreciated plant amongst gardeners and horticulturalists.

Img topic
Golden pothos

The golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is a popular houseplant that is commonly seen in Australia, Asia, and the West Indies. It goes by many nicknames, including "devil's ivy", because it is so hard to kill and can even grow in low light conditions. Golden pothos has poisonous sap, so it should be kept away from pets and children.

Img topic
Tomato

Solanum lycopersicum is an annual or perennial herbaceous vine native to Central and South America that produces a large, juicy, edible fruit known as tomato. Today there are over 10000 cultivated varieties. Although tomato is the world’s most popular vegetable, botanically it is a fruit.

Img topic
Pepper

The pepper are commonly used for cooking in places such as the Southern U.S. and Central America. Most are moderately spicy, though because there are so many variants, the spice level can vary dramatically. Cayenne powder is also a popular seasoning product made from pepper plants.

Img topic
Swiss cheese plant

The swiss cheese plant (Monstera deliciosa) produces bright, glossy leaves and makes a popular houseplant. It is originally native to tropical forest regions in Central America. The nickname swiss cheese plant refers to the small holes that develop in the plant's leaves. The long fruits resemble corncobs and smell sweet and fragrant when ripe.

Img topic
Bigleaf hydrangea

The bigleaf hydrangea is a deciduous shrub native to Japan, and is known for its lush, oval, colorful inflorescence. The two types of Hydrangea macrophylla are mopheads - with large, ball-shaped, sterile flower clusters, and lace capes - with small round fertile flowers in the center, and sterile flowers on the outer side of each inflorescence. Depending on soil pH, blooms can change color from pink to blue.

Identify Loofah easily and quickly
We're also capable of identifying over 12,000 types of plants, flowers, succulents, and trees in your surroundings.
Identify a Plant Online

Key Facts About Loofah

Attributes of Loofah
Lifespan
Annual, Biennial, Perennial
Plant Type
Herb, Vine
Plant Height
1.8 m to 9 m
Spread
90 cm to 1.2 m
Leaf Color
Green
Flower Size
8 cm to 15 cm
Leaf type
Deciduous
Identify plants with a snap
Instantly identify plants with AI: Snap a photo, and get accurate results within seconds.
Download the App for Free

Scientific Classification of Loofah

Family
Gourd
Icon allow
Genus
Loofahs
Icon allow
Species
Loofah (Luffa aegyptiaca)
Learn More About the Loofah

Distribution Map of Loofah

Loofah is native to major regions of Africa and South Asia, with its presence well-established from the western coasts of Africa, stretching eastward to South Asia. This species has been introduced and is now found in areas across the Americas, East Asia, Oceania, and parts of the Middle East and Southeast Europe. It is also cultivated in various regions outside its native range.
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
close
close
Your Ultimate Guide to Plants
Identify grow and nurture the better way!
product icon
17,000 local species +400,000 global species studied
product icon
Nearly 5 years of research
product icon
80+ scholars in botany and gardening
ad
ad
Botanist in your pocket
qrcode
PictureThis Ios DownloadPictureThis Android Download
Scan the QR code with your phone camera to download the app