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Sponge Gourd (Nenua / Gilki)

Sponge Gourd (Nenua / Gilki)

Luffa aegyptiaca

Easy difficultySummerKharifFruits & Vegetables
☀️
Sunlight
Full Sun
💧
Watering
Moderate
🪴
Min pot size
15" pot
🌱
Start from
Direct sow seeds 1 inch deep; soak seeds overnight to speed germination

About Sponge Gourd (Nenua / Gilki)

A smooth-skinned climber that is incredibly prolific in the Indian summer and monsoon. Requires a strong trellis and regular harvesting to keep producing.

Climate requirements

Ideal temperature
25–35°C
Heat stress above
38°C
Cold stress below
15°C
Humidity
Moderate to High (50–80%)
Rain sensitivity
Low

Growth stages

Stage 1
Germination
Day 0–10
Stage 2
Vegetative
Day 11–40
Stage 3
Flowering
Day 41–55
Stage 4
Fruiting
Day 56–80
Stage 5
Harvest
Day 81–120

Common pests and diseases

Watch out for these on your Sponge Gourd (Nenua / Gilki). Upload a photo for AI diagnosis →

Treatment solutions for each pest are available on Pro Plus AI — includes AI photo diagnosis, detailed treatment steps, and product recommendations.

Get a personalised schedule for Sponge Gourd (Nenua / Gilki)

Enter your city, pot count, and sowing date — the Crop Planner builds a day-by-day care calendar with watering reminders, fertiliser timing, and harvest windows.

Build my crop schedule — ₹199

New to terrace gardening? Read the complete India terrace farming guide →

Spot a problem?

Photo-based AI diagnosis identifies diseases, pests, and nutrient deficiencies on your Sponge Gourd (Nenua / Gilki) within seconds.

AI Plant Doctor →Pro Plus AI

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