Growing Eggplant, also Aubergine

Solanum sp. : Solanaceae / the nightshade family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
  S S                  
        T              
        P              

(Best months for growing Eggplant in USA - Zone 5a regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed
  • Grow in seed trays, and plant out in 4-6 weeks. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 75°F and 90°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 24 - 30 inches apart
  • Harvest in 12-15 weeks. Cut fruit with scissors or sharp knife.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Beans, capsicum, lettuce, amaranth, thyme
  • Avoid growing close to: Potatoes

Your comments and tips

06 Feb 23, Gene (USA - Zone 9b climate)
Eggplant can be grown here in Florida 9b pretty much all year....at least that is what we do. We keep the same plants growing and producing all year. I would avoid the long Japanese varieties though. We have had better luck with the globe-shaped ones. I put the small plants out under some kind of protection, like a milk carton or such, until they get established. When we get the occasional cold and windy weather, mostly in Jan., I cover the plants with a light blanket, and take it off right away when the weather moderates. Otherwise, they just do fine. Bug-wise, I use insecticidal soap spray, or, Bt. The bugs damage some leaves but not the fruits, usually. Good luck.
01 Jan 23, Goldy (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hello, first time gardener here! ;-) Bought eggplant seedlings from Bunnings and planted all of them (6) in a round pot, approx 10cm apart. I know it requires 45-50cm apart. Will they grow and produce fruit as is or do I have to set them apart further? i.e. re plant in a different pot?
05 Jan 23, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
First time gardener learn a golden rule - when they suggest 45-50cm between plants there is a very good reason. They need that amount of soil area to be able to source enough nutriets to produce a decent crop.
04 Jan 23, Liz (Australia - temperate climate)
Eggplant leaves/plants can spread a bit, so separate pots or beds would be best
08 Jul 22, Bobbi Linn (USA - Zone 8b climate)
I live in zone 8b/9a in Texas, west of San Antonio. Mine die back in winter but come back in spring. I do not remove the dead stalks when they die back, I grow them outside in a raised bed, with plenty of leaf mulch. I trim back the dead stalk after new stalks emerge. Just make sure to water occasionally during winter if it is a dry winter, especially before it drops down below 35 to 40. I begin watering more often as it warms up in spring. The new shoots rise up from the root ball. Then as late spring and summer hit I water regularly. Mine get full sun until about 4 to 5 pm, then are shaded by a nearby tree. So for me, they are like my chile pequins/petins, a perennial..
14 Nov 22, Corena Hur (USA - Zone 8b climate)
Thank you, Bobbi, this information is a great encouragement for leaving my eggplant over winter in Austin area.
23 Jun 22, Nat (Australia - tropical climate)
An eggplant has self seeded in sunny spot, next to my olive tree in Brisbane.. It's now 22/6/2022 so am wondering if I could successfully dig it up and put it elsewhere in the garden. Really healthy stocks (3 of them each about 10ml + wide). Hmmm. Any advice will be appreciated. Thank you
23 Jun 22, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Dig out with a shovel or spade and keep as much soil as possible around the roots. Put into a new hole, pack the soil around it and water well. Plant them about 700mm a part.
07 May 22, Mary (Australia - temperate climate)
First time I’ve planted Egg Plant. (Wicking bed) Enjoying the few fruits now. Do I pull the plant up or is it perennial? I’m guessing the cold winter will knock it. I would like to use the spot for winter veg unless it will grow through till next season.
09 May 22, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
It will produce again next year - maybe not so good as this year. Or plant some new ones next spring and put in some veggies for winter.
Showing 21 - 30 of 345 comments

Egg plant, tomatoes, potatoes and capsicums are in the same family as deadly nightshade and produce an alkaloid called Solanine which can be toxic. An average adult would need to consume 400 mg of Solanine for it to be life threatening and an average eggplant would contain around 11 mg so you would have to eat over 35 egg plants to get to that level. Maybe you have a passion for them! Trust this helps.

- Sean

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