Eggplant

Solanum melongena · Vegetable

A heat lover that sulks in cool weather and takes off in midsummer. Glossy fruit forms after the pretty purple flowers, and compact varieties fit nicely in a large pot.

Care at a glance

Light

Full sun, 6–8 hours or more

Water

1–2 in per week, evenly

Soil

Fertile, well-drained, pH 5.8–6.8

Temperature

Best 75–90 °F; suffers below 60 °F

Spacing

18–24 in in the row, 30–36 in between rows

Container

At least 5 gallons, 12 in deep

Harvest

65–80 days after transplanting (estimated)

Lifespan

Annual

When?

Start seeds indoors 8–10 weeks before your last frost. Plant out when nights stay above 60 °F, usually late spring to early summer (estimated).

Step by step

1. Sow 1/4 in deep in warm mix; seeds sprout in 7–14 days at 80 °F.
2. Pot on seedlings when they have true leaves.
3. Harden off for at least a week; cold nights set them back.
4. Plant in warm soil; black mulch or fabric helps warm it.
5. Stake plants before fruit gets heavy.
6. Feed every 3–4 weeks once flowering starts.
7. Harvest while skin is glossy; dull skin means seeds are hardening.

Common problems

Pets

Leaves, stems and unripe fruit are toxic to cats and dogs. If in doubt, ask your vet.

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