🍆 Eggplant: Growing Guide
Eggplant (Solanum melongena) grows best in full sun with moderate watering, and does well at 21–32 °C (70–90 °F) in soil with a pH of 5.5–6.5. Space plants about 60 cm (24 in) apart. Expect 100–120 days.
Quick facts
| Scientific name | Solanum melongena |
|---|---|
| Category | Vegetables |
| Sunlight | Full sun |
| Watering | Moderate |
| Plant spacing | 60 cm (24 in) |
| Soil pH | 5.5–6.5 |
| Comfortable temperature | 21–32 °C (70–90 °F) |
| Time to maturity | 100–120 days |
| Sowing depth | 0.5 cm (0.2 in) |
| Height | 60–120 cm (24–47 in) |
When to sow, plant and harvest
The calendar below shows the best months in each climate zone. Pick the zone closest to your garden.
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mediterranean | Sow | Sow | Plant out | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | ||||
| Continental | Sow | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | ||||||
| Oceanic | Sow | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | ||||||
| Subtropical | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | |||
| Tropical | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Plant out | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | |||
| Cold / Northern | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | |||||||
| Arid / Semi-arid | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest |
- Mediterranean (Greece, Spain, Italy, coastal Turkey): Sow: Feb–Mar · Plant out: Apr–May · Harvest: Jun–Sep.
- Continental (Central/Northern Europe, inland Balkans): Sow: Mar–Apr · Plant out: May · Harvest: Jun–Aug.
- Oceanic (UK, France, Belgium, Netherlands, NW Europe): Sow: Mar–Apr · Plant out: May · Harvest: Jun–Aug.
- Subtropical (Southern US, N. Africa, Middle East): Sow: Jan, Aug · Plant out: Feb, Sep · Harvest: Mar–May, Oct–Nov.
- Tropical (SE Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, Amazon): Plant out: Jan, Jul–Aug · Harvest: Feb–Apr, Sep–Nov.
- Cold / Northern (Scandinavia, Canada, Russia, Alpine): Sow: Apr · Plant out: May · Harvest: Jun–Aug.
- Arid / Semi-arid (Arabian Peninsula, inland Australia): Sow: Jan, Aug · Plant out: Feb, Sep · Harvest: Mar–Apr, Oct–Nov.
Watering
Water about every 2 days in summer and about every 7 days in winter. Regular watering for a good harvest.
Growing tips
Loves heat. Varieties: flask-shaped, round, Black Beauty and Rosa Bianca.
Good companion plants
These plants grow well alongside it:
Common pests and problems
Frequently asked questions
Eggplant: when should I sow and plant it?
Mediterranean (Greece, Spain, Italy, coastal Turkey): Sow: Feb–Mar · Plant out: Apr–May · Harvest: Jun–Sep. Continental (Central/Northern Europe, inland Balkans): Sow: Mar–Apr · Plant out: May · Harvest: Jun–Aug. Oceanic (UK, France, Belgium, Netherlands, NW Europe): Sow: Mar–Apr · Plant out: May · Harvest: Jun–Aug.
Eggplant: how often should I water it?
Water about every 2 days in summer and about every 7 days in winter. Regular watering for a good harvest.
Eggplant: how far apart should I plant it?
Plant about 60 cm (24 in) apart and sow at a depth of about 0.5 cm (0.2 in).
Eggplant: how long does it take to grow?
Plan on 100–120 days.
Eggplant: which plants grow well with it?
Basil, Pepper, Rose.
Eggplant: which pests and problems should I watch for?
Spider mite, Aphids.
Plan your garden
Add Eggplant to your garden design in the free GardenXPro planner: drag plants onto a 2D plan, preview it in 3D, check companions and get watering reminders.
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