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 T          
      P P              

(Best months for growing Eggplant in Australia - 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 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

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for Australia | for all countries
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.
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02 Apr 22, marco (Australia - tropical climate)
hi i am from the gold coast queensland . i have my seedlings in the ground 3 inch tall now all grown from seed .i have a older plant that has taken off it has flowers and eggplants are growing so it might be a good time to grow if u live in this area ....
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21 Jun 21, Chris Harrison (Australia - temperate climate)
If you pick eggplant while still green, will they ripen in a warm, sunny spot in the house? I have 3 eggplants on 1 plant that seem to have stopped growing for the last 2 weeks and are not ripening. It's too cold now and they're not getting much sun. Thanks
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29 Jun 21, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Pick when they have reached full size, if you wait too long the seeds develop more.
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20 Sep 20, John W Taylor (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
I left my eggplant in the ground over winter in Auckland. It really doesn't get that cold up here even in winter. The leaves dropped off and the stalks are still green in mid Sept. I trimmed the dead wood back. Will it come back?
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24 Aug 20, Kylie (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hello, Can different varieties of eggplant be planted together? Also how long do eggplant plants last? I am located in Tamborine Mountain in QLD. TIA
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25 Aug 20, Anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Should be no problem. They are self pollinating although if bees cross pollinate them you may end up with different eggplant. If you are going to plant a few I would keep the rows apart if possible. They are perennial but most people treat them as annual, reason pest and diseases.
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19 Aug 20, Verna Arts (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
For the last 2 seasons I have planted Eggplant plants in raised beds in my garden north of Auckland. Both years The plants have immediately flowered and produced small fruit but neither the plant or the fruit have grown from then on What am I doing wrong? The raised beds are filled with garden mix and I use a fairly generous amount of fertilizer.
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20 Aug 20, Anonymous (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
The guide here says plant Sept Oct. They are a warm weather crop. You probably need 5-600mm deep soil and the same in width. Good rich soil, deep water 2-3 times a week and give a hit of fert after your first 2-3 weeks of picking. Don't go over board on the fertiliser though.
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19 Aug 20, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Eggplants need plenty of water. Perhaps yours are drying out too quickly in your raised beds.
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Showing 21 - 30 of 269 comments
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The little beetles are flea beetles. Soil born and emerge as the weather warms up and very difficult to control especially organically. I use pyganic and this season I will try Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies israelensis (vectobac) in the soil to try control the larvae when they hatch. It is expensive and a bulk buy however there is an online hydro shop selling in smaller batches. There is also the powdered form. Neem oil should work however I am hopeless at remembering to spray every 10 days. They are usually around in the warmer months and love the Solanaceae family. I also bag my flowers as they can wreck them overnight.

- Tim

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