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 T              
      P P              

(Best months for growing Eggplant in USA - Zone 7a 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
  • A seedling
  • Eggplant

A large bushy plant with attractive purple flowers. Different varieties have different colours and sizes of fruit, ranging from the 'classic' large purple to the Thai small white varieties and Brazilian red.

Has spiky stems. Wear gloves to harvest fruit as the spikes on the calyx are sharp enough to break one's skin.

In cold climates grow in heated greenhouse and reduce artificial heat during summer.

Perennial in tropical climates otherwise grown as an annual.

Needs a long season. Start under cover and plant out when frosts have finished. Some varieties with slim, long fruit such as Asian Bride produce their fruit earlier. Mulch well and keep well watered. May need staking.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Eggplant

Cut and use the same day if possible.
Slice, no need to peel, and fry in olive oil.
Brush with oil and grill or bake.
Or microwave, plain, for about 4 minutes on high.
Makes a good substitute for pasta in lasagne or moussaka.
Can be smoked over a gas ring or barbecue, cooled and peeled and used to make dips.

Your comments and tips

18 Mar 24, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Our aubergine never grow more than about 300mm tall and the leaves are purple if they produce fruit it is very small about size of a bantam egg. Any ideas?
25 Mar 24, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Ar4e you growing them in the right season and is your soil fertile.
16 Feb 24, Jimmy (USA - Zone 6a climate)
The guide says for my zone, 6A to start eggplant in Feb and plant out in 4-6 weeks. Absolutely a error here. Right now we are 12 weeks out from our last frost date, May 9th. Unless you have a hot house or hoop house, do not Start seeds yet.
05 Feb 24, Annette James (New Zealand - temperate climate)
I have 2 healthy looking plants of the large purple variety. They are producing flowers ok but no fruit. Any ideas on why this is happening?
12 Feb 24, (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
May be no bees - try hand pollination in the mornings.
21 Nov 23, Samuel Sehloho (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I would like to know about an eggplant. seedlings, after planting them how long are they going to last on the soil?
25 Nov 23, Anonymous (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Do mean how long will they grow - best to read the notes about growing them.
27 Sep 23, Zorbie (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
My Black Beauty eggplants look to be fully grown but have green stripes/tinge on the bottom.Should I wait to see if the green colour disappears or are they ready to harvest now? I'm on the Gold Coast
28 Sep 23, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Eat them - don't let them become old. Better to pick a little smaller rather than really big.
11 Aug 23, Jock Macdonald (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
How to hand pollinate egg plant
Showing 1 - 10 of 345 comments

Jim, if grown outdoors, eggplants are annuals in North Carolina. NC gets some tropical-feeling summer weather, but the winter frost and snow would keep eggplant from being a perennial in that climate. It's an annual here in zone 10b too!

- CAD

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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
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