Growing Eggplants

Planting, Growing, and Harvesting Eggplants

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Eggplants—also known as aubergine or brinjal—are warm-weather vegetables that are harvested in mid- to late summer. See how to plant, grow, harvest, and cook these lovely deep-purple crops—one of our favorite grilling vegetables!

Eggplant (Solanum melongena) grows wild in its homeland of South Asia as a perennial plant, though these warm-season vegetables are treated by most gardeners as annuals. Given their tropical and subtropical heritage, eggplants do require relatively high temperatures, similar to tomatoes and peppers (which, like eggplants, are in the Nightshade family). They grow fastest when temperatures are between 70 and 85°F (21 and 30°C)—and very slowly during cooler weather.

Like tomatoes and peppers, eggplants develop and hang from the branches of a plant that grows several feet in height.

Because they need warm soil, eggplants are usually purchased as 6- to 8-week-old transplants (or, started indoors about two months in advance) to get a head start. Raised beds enriched with composted manure are an ideal growing place for eggplants because the soil warms more quickly. Eggplants are also great for containers and make lovely ornamental borders. In fact, there are quite a few ornamental eggplant varieties available today, whose inedible fruit have attractive variegated patterns.

Though eggplants are usually a beautiful dark purple color, their color can vary, and so can the size and shape—from small- to large-fruited. Explore eggplants!

Planting

When to Plant Eggplant

Start seeds indoors in flats or peat pots 8–9 weeks prior to the last spring frost date. Seeds germinate quickly at temperatures between 70 to 90°F. Alternatively, buy 6- to 8-week-old nursery transplants just before planting.
Do not plant eggplant transplants into the garden until after the last threat of frost.
If purchasing transplants: Buy high-quality specimens. Do not purchase tall, spindly plants or young plants that have blossoms or you will have a lower yield.

Choosing and Preparing a Planting Site

Choose a very sunny spot.
Eggplant grows best in a well-drained sandy loam or loam soil, fairly high in organic matter. The soil pH should be between 5.8 and 6.5 for best growth.
Use a covering of black plastic mulch to warm heavy clay soils before setting out transplants.
Eggplant requires moderate amounts of fertilizer. Mix 1 inch or so of well-rotted manure or a general fertilizer such as 5-10-10 throughout the planting bed about a week before planting. (Apply 2 to 3 pounds per 100 square feet. Or, apply 1¼ pounds of 5-10-10 per 10 feet of row when the row spacing is 4 feet.)
If you’re growing eggplant in pots, use a dark-colored container. Each plant needs five-gallon (or, larger) pots and should be placed in full sun and outdoors so it can be pollinated. Use a premium potting mix to avoid disease.

How to Plant Eggplant

Stake the plants right away (just an inch or two from the plant) to provide support as they climb and to avoid disturbing the soil later.
If you live in a cold climate, consider using row covers to keep the eggplants warm and sheltered. Open the ends of the row covers on warm days so that the bees may pollinate.
If transplanting, set 3- to 4-inch tall seedlings 2 to 2½ feet apart in rows that are 3 to 4 feet apart.
After planting, water well. Add a layer of mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Eggplant

Care

How to Grow Eggplant

Eggplant will fall over once loaded with fruit! Be sure to stake tall plants or use a cage to keep the plants upright. If growing eggplant in containers, stake the stems before the fruit forms.
For bigger fruits, restrict to five or six per plant.
Pinch out the terminal growing points for a bushier plant.
Water well to moisten the soil to a depth of at least 6 inches so the soil is moist but never soggy. Consistent watering is best, and a soaker hose or drip system at ground level is ideal.
The critical period for moisture is during fruit set and fruit development. Mulching can help to provide uniform moisture, conserve water and reduce weeds.
Apply a balanced fertilizer twice during the growing season. Side-dress when the first fruits are about the size of a quarter, using 3 ounces of calcium nitrate per 10 feet of row. Sidedress again in about two to three weeks.
Note: Too much nitrogen may cause excessive vegetative growth. If you are using plastic mulch, apply fertilizer through drip irrigation, or apply fertilizer to the side of the row.

Pests/Diseases

Here are some of the more common eggplant pests, diseases, and problems.

Flea beetles are probably the most common pest, but a healthy eggplant should be able to withstand damage from their tiny holes. Damage is usually serious only on young seedlings. Grow plants under row covers until they are large enough to tolerate leaf damage. Remove garden debris in the fall to remove any overwintering beetles.
Powdery Mildew can affect eggplant. This appears as white, powdery spots on the leaves which may turn yellow and die. The best method of control is prevention. Planting resistant varieties when available, planting in full sun, and provide good air circulation. Water at the soil level, not on the leaves.
Tomato Hornworms are sometimes an issue as are Colorado potato beetles, lace bugs, and mites.
If the flowers on your eggplants form but then fall off, or if fruit does not develop, the most likely problem is that the temperatures are too cold.
If the fruits are small and not growing, it’s also probably too cold. Eggplants like it hot! Daytime temperatures need to be 80° to 90° F and night time temperatures should not go below 60° to 65° F or their grow is very slow to stalled. Wait for warmer temperatures; you may have to replant, depending on the variety.
Strangely-shaped eggplant are the result of inconsistent watering or low moisture.

Harvest/Storage

How to Harvest Eggplant

Harvest 65 to 80 days after transplanting, depending on the variety. When starting from seed, expect 100 to 120 days to maturity.
The best way to gauge the time to harvest: The skin of the fruit is shiny and unwrinkled and a uniform color. As soon as the skin does not rebound to gentle pressure from your finger, it’s ripe.
Don’t wait too long to harvest! After that, it will become tough and the seeds begin to harden.
Japanese eggplant may be ready to harvest when the size of a finger or hot dog
When harvesting, do not pull the fruit (as it won’t come off). Cut the fruit with a sharp knife or pruning shears close to the stem, leaving about an inch of it attached.

Once ready, eggplants are harvested at least once per week, preferably twice a week.

Eggplant

How to Store Eggplant

Store eggplant in the refrigerator. The optimal conditions for storage are temperatures of 45 to 50 °F and 90-percent relative humidity for one week.
Do not wash or cut in advance to avoid damaging the skin, which will quickly perish if exposed.

Recommended Varieties

The standard eggplant produces egg-shaped, glossy, purple-black fruit 6 to 9 inches long.

‘Black Beauty’ is the traditional eggplant size. One plant produces 4 to 6 large rounded fruit.
Other regular types include ‘Black Magic’, ‘Purple Rain’, and ‘Early Bird’.

The long, slender Japanese eggplant has a thinner skin and more delicate flavor.

‘Ichiban’ eggplant is a slim, long hybrid with thin skin. Expect a dozen or more fruit from one plant.
‘Little Fingers’ are small, finger-sized eggplant. Small-fruited varieties tend to be especially heavy bearers.

White ornamental varieties are edible, but have poor eating quality.

‘Easter Egg’ is an ornamental eggplant, usually white in color. (Not edible.)

Wit & Wisdom

At one time, women in the Orient used a black dye to stain their teeth a gun metal gray. The dye probably came from the same dark purple eggplant we see in the marketplace today.

Recipes

Cooking Notes

Eggplant is excellent grilled, roasted, breaded, fried, or baked! The thinner varieties (‘Ichiban’) are more ideal for grilling and roasting and the traditional varieties (Black Beauty) are great breaded or fried; the round fruit is also good as a “boat” for stuffing.
Use a stainless steel knife (not steel) to cut eggplant or it will discolor.
If your eggplant is oversize, the skin may be too tough to eat. Peel before cooking or bake the eggplant and then scoop out the flesh. If you’re baking eggplant, first pierce the skin a few times to allow steam to escape.
Many Italians will tenderize an eggplant so it’s less bitter. Slice, sprinkle with salt, and allow it to rest for about 30 minutes.

Reader Comments

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white egg plant

i have been given a white eggplant fruit.i have planted the seeds n it grew well.i have given friends n family for eating but now am told its the easter egg type n not edable.i was told that it tastes bitter.it was from mauritius.im a farmer.must i change the variety.thanks

growing vegetables

i like your guideline and technical knowledge

egg plant farmer in THARAKA NITHI COUNTY, KENYA

Eggplant is doing very well in my place but it is being affected by the Bacteria wilt mostly the Black beaty variety.How can solve this,thanks alot for the training

Bacterial Wilt on eggplants

The fungi are soilborn. Unfortunately, Bacterial Wilt is very difficult to control. They infect through the roots. When possible, avoid land with a history of Bacterial Wilt. Commercial eggplant varieties with intermediate resistance to wilt are available. Resistant rootstocks are also available.

The best bet is to ensure good drainage. Plant on raised beds for better drainage away from roots. This will help alleviate disease pressure. Use mulching and furrow irrigation to reduce splashing and excess leaf wetness.

Use field sanitation techniques such as weed control and removal of debris from previous crops to help reduce disease severity. Rotate to non-host crops in order to lower the population of bacteria in the soil. Thoroughly disinfect equipment before moving from infested to clean fields.

Appreciation

Thank you for your well researched findings of vegetable production has motivated me to conduct much more research on water conservation especially for Uganda which still rely on rain fed Agriculture. Thank you.

thanks

The old farmers almanac has been the best resources ever THANK YOU!

help

what color should eggplants be when harvested?
how long does egg plants take to be harvested?

Eggplants

Both depend on the variety you are growing. Generally, eggplants should be a dark purple color (as pictured on this page) when they’re ready to be harvested. They typically take between 2 and 3 months to produce fruit.

growing

how does eggplant perform in Nakuru lanet?

Eggplant

We don’t have expertise growing crops in Kenya but we would think eggplant (known as biringanya or brinjal) would grow quite well in your climate. Here’s a reference page from Kenya: https://farmerstrend.co.ke/plant-biringanya-eggplants/

a 2nd harvest

I have 2 plants and enjoyed many eggplants from both. The plant itself is still alive and has many flowers but no fruit is coming. Are they done for the season?

Eggplant Production

Eggplants are a warm-weather plant, so once temperatures drop below 60°F, they slow or stop production of new fruit. They are actually a perennial, but most people treat them as annuals because they are not frost tolerant. Only in the warmest regions of California and Florida can plants keep up production in the cooler months, so unless that’s where you are growing yours, they are likely done for the season.

Please i want to reference

Please i want to reference/cite this article. How can i do that

Eggplant Not Flowering

I have 2 large Asian eggplants(Solanum ferox or terong asam in Indonesian) in my office that stand about 2 feet tall and are over a year old. They seem healthy enough, with nice large leaves, but I have yet to get a flower or fruit from them. I live in a cold climate in Alberta, Canada so have to have them indoors. The pot size is about a gallon and a half. Would I need a bigger pot? I have re potted them once already. Should I pinch off the tips of young plant stems to get fruit?

growing eggplant indoors

Eggplants like warmth and light. When growing indoors, make sure that they get about 12 to 14 hours of light. Temperatures ideally should be 75 to 85F during the day, and not below 65F at night. A 5-gallon pot is better for the plant–each needs at least about a square foot of growing space in the container for the roots. When flowers do form, you’ll need to shake the plant daily to help the pollen fall from anther to pistil in each flower. You can try pinching the tips of the plant to encourage bushiness; more branches on the plant means more potential for flowers. However, if you are planning to repot, perhaps wait to pinch until later, after the plant has re-established itself.

Sowing egg plant seeds in October

I live in Zone 9b and was wondering if I can sow some eggplant seeds now. My idea being they will grow and establish themselves until Spring next year and be ready to flower and fruit quickly next year.

planting eggplant

In Zone 9, the climate is mild so you do have a long planting season, but the best range for eggplants is February through July.

What varmit might be munching my eggplant and cucs??

I noticed the cuc first so I covered it with a milk crate w which worked out perfectly. But then I noticed tonight many leaves off of my eggplant are missing so I covered over I covered over the Cucumber but now I don't know what to do about the eggplant which is in a separate pot all by itself can someone please help?

varmints or conditions?

If the leaves are falling off of a plant (almost any plant) then it is dying. At least, it is not thriving. It is not getting something: proper soil, including pH and drainage quality? water? sunlight? and heat (not the same as sunlight)? See above for guidance on these points.

You ask in the headline if something is eating your plants…it doesn’t sound like it. Pests seldom go for leaves; like us, they want the good stuff—the produce.

Eggplant

What do you mean by "pinch out the terminal growth point for the plant to become bushy.

Eggplant

Hi Annette,

By the terminal growth point, we mean the central point on a plant from which new shoots and leaves grow. Look for the newest (and usually smallest) leaves at the center of the plant, and pinch the bud forming there. That action should help the plant to grow multiple stems and to use more energy to grow outwards instead of upwards. We hope this helps!

Transplanting Eggplant

helo,i have my eggplants(black beauty) ready for transplanting,what recommended spacing can i make when planting in the main garden?,thanks for ur knowlegde.DENISH from Uganda.

Transplanting Eggplant

Eggplants will do best when planted 2 feet apart within a row, with rows spaced 3 feet apart. Good luck and happy gardening!

What's wrong with my eggplant???

My eggplant bush flowers but non have produced eggplant!!!!! What can I do????? Please help!!!!!

Eggplant without Fruit

Eggplants and their kin (peppers and tomatoes) are quite susceptible to fluctuations in temperature, so if you’ve been having particularly cool nights (below 55°F) or particularly hot days (above 95°F), this could have caused the lack of fruiting. Try covering your plants on cold nights and even setting up a beach umbrella on extremely hot and sunny days. (Don’t use the umbrella for too long, as the plant will not thrive in the shade.) The problem could also be stemming from a lack of water, so if it’s been dry, put down some mulch to hold in moisture. A less likely possibility is a lack of pollination. Have you observed many bees flying around your eggplants? If not, this could be the cause of your fruitlessness. You can pollinate the flowers yourself by simply give the plant a light shake to dislodge and spread the pollen within the flowers.

transplanting

I recently grew a Japanese eggplant in a college class and was able to take the plant home when the semester was over. It has been a week since the transplant and I have it in a 6 gal container. It doesn't look great-- will it recover or should I just start over? It already had some fruits on it.

transplanting eggplant

Eggplant likes to be toasty warm, so make sure it is getting enough sun. If you are still having cool-ish weather, bring the pot inside at night. Be sure that your soil has a pH of 5.8 to 6.5. Give it moderate amounts of 5–10–10 fertilizer, and provide adequate moisture, watering to a depth of 6 inches as needed.

Eggplant

Hi,
How much soil should I put in each pot?
How much water?and How often?
How much Miracle Grow should you should in pot?