A series of static-compressive tests was conducted to find out the rule of mechanical properties and energy absorption of luffa sponge with different densities. The experiments showed the stress-strain curve of luffa sponge material covered the elasticity region, the yield stage and the densification region. The plateau stress of yield stage ranged from 0.15 to 0.50 MPa, with the densification strain of luffa sponge being about 70 percent. A near constant plateau stress over a long strain range was ideal for energy absorption application. The research indicated the density had a great effect on its mechanical performance. With the increase in density, the yield strength, plateau stress and energy absorption capacity per unit volume of the luffa sponge were increased, while the densi cation strain was reduced. Finally, the empirical formula of energy absorption capacity varying with density was obtained by fitting test data, the theoretic result was proved well by comparison with the experimental results. Through calculation, the specific energy absorption of luffa sponge material was comparable to metallic cellular materials in a similar density range and could be used as the essential data for new ultralight biomimetic materials.