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

Your comments and tips

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for South Africa | for all countries
19 Oct 20, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
When frozen they tend to go bitter
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19 Oct 20, Anonymous (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
The bigger the better, 50-60cm+ diameter. Google about freezing it - I wouldn't think so..
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18 Apr 20, Pastor Dennis Naidoo (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
HI Guys Need some help on my black beauty egg plant. I have planted my egg plant about three months ago and there is no fruit appearing. The leaves are turning yellow and also there is something eating up the leaves. Any help will be appreciated. I;m based in KZN Richards Bay. God BLESS
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20 Apr 20, M (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Check the planting guide - you may have planted too late. Find a spray for them, mix of molasses and water may do it. 1 tablespoon per litre water. Or find natural sprays on the internet. Leaves turning yellow could be deficiencies in nutrients in the soil. Read up on the internet.
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25 Mar 17, Doug (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
Growing Aubergines from seedlings. Strong plants, plenty of flowers. These after a while die back and fall off.NO Fruit. Well fertilised bed, full sun,kept moist. What's wrong ?
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27 Mar 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)
Aubergine need a good supply of water to set fruit. They will self-pollinate as well as insects but if the water supply is not good the first thing to miss out will be the flowers and fruit. This is natures way of keeping the plant alive in anticipation of water to complete its cycle.
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26 Jan 17, Wilma (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Last summer my brinjal harvest was fantastic, didn't know what to do with it all so I made the most delicious chutney. Tomatoes, peppers and chillies as well as some of the herbs were also from my garden So satisfying!
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27 Apr 20, matome (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
may i please be advised on the fertilizer and chemicals used to sustain your eggplant,i want to be prepared when summer come,its 1st time planting eggplant,
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17 Jan 15, Willie Bouma (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
After 15 weeks there are many flowers but no fruit.
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13 Mar 13, maguerite (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
my eggplants are flowering however no fruit are forming. what could be wrong?
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Showing 11 - 20 of 20 comments
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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

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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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