Growing Eggplant, also Aubergine

Solanum sp. : Solanaceae / the nightshade family

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

(Best months for growing Eggplant in South Africa - Humid sub-tropical 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 24°C and 32°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 60 - 75 cm 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

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.
01 Jun 23, Julie Tasker (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Do I pull the eggplant bush up or cut back over winter?
10 Jun 23, (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I plant new seeds/seedlings each year.
21 Apr 22, Anonymous (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Look in the egg plant section for the planting guide. Just good rich soil. A general all round fertiliser.
18 Jan 22, (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
actually in southern ecuador in the sierras. subtropical humid and rainy now until march then flowing into very dry season. Difference from your other sites in southern hemisphere is the winds. My location is about 5000ft above sea level. the real temps (not with humidity) hover about 27c to 30C and it can drop to 10C overnight in the dry season and everything turns brown, in the rainy season it may cool down if there is cloud cover for two days (we are in the Sierras). . I notice that eggplant can become a perennial but how long might it last in a container. this seems a better option. climate control is easier and digging a pit thru rocky soil to use compost is laborious. I hire people to do that for large bushes and fruit trees and even the roses - which seem to thrive here in this climate pose a learning curve LOL
20 May 21, Rosaline Thomas (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I would love to know when eggplant /ubergine was first farmed in South Africa?
02 Nov 20, Aboo (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
What other veggies can you plant with egg plant tks
03 Nov 20, Anonymous (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Egg plant can grow to 1m wide so you don't want other plants growing close to it. Read the article here for what to grow near egg plant and what not to grow (potatoes).
16 Oct 20, Wilhelmina Warrington (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I want to know if you can plant Aubergines in pots and what size pot you would need, also if you can freeze them
Showing 1 - 10 of 20 comments

We are interested in growing eggplant on our property but need some advise re temp/soil/length of time before fruiting? Taminick Victoria. Near Glenrowan and Wangaratta Would appreciate any advise you have. Thank you in advance, Susan.

- Susan Lockwood-Devlin

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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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