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
T T             T T T T
                P P P P

(Best months for growing Eggplant in Australia - 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

04 Jan 23, Liz (Australia - temperate climate)
Eggplant leaves/plants can spread a bit, so separate pots or beds would be best
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.
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 ....
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
29 Jun 21, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Pick when they have reached full size, if you wait too long the seeds develop more.
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?
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
Showing 11 - 20 of 263 comments

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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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