How to Grow Eggplant
Get Your Exact Eggplant Planting Dates
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Your Eggplant dates ·
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Supplies You'll Need
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Plant Overview
Growing Requirements
Sun
Full Sun (6-8 hours)
Water
Regular (1 inch/week)
Spacing
24" apart
Depth
0.25" deep
Height
24-36"
Germination
7-14 days
Ready to Grow Eggplant?
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Common Eggplant Varieties
Popular cultivars to look for at your local nursery or seed supplier.
Black Beauty
The classic large-fruited purple-black eggplant; standard variety since 1902.
Fairy Tale
Small, lavender-striped mini eggplants with very tender, sweet flesh; no bitterness.
Ichiban
Long, slender Japanese eggplant with mild, delicate flavor and thin skin.
Listada de Gandia
Striking Italian heirloom with white-and-purple striped skin; mild, creamy flavor.
Days-to-maturity figures are approximate and vary by climate and growing conditions.
Common Eggplant Problems
What to watch for — and how to fix it before it spreads.
Pests
Tiny beetles create dozens of small holes in leaves; seedlings can be badly set back.
Use row covers; apply kaolin clay; strong healthy transplants recover better — don't rush transplanting.
Adults and orange larvae defoliate eggplant rapidly; they prefer eggplant even over potatoes.
Handpick adults and egg masses daily; apply spinosad; rotate crops and till after harvest.
Thrive in hot, dry conditions; cause stippled, yellowing leaves and fine webbing.
Keep plants well-watered; spray neem oil or insecticidal soap on leaf undersides.
Diseases
Soil-borne fungus causing yellowing, wilting, and gradual plant death in mid-season.
Plant resistant varieties; rotate crops; solarize soil before planting in problem beds.
Fruit rot and stem lesions; fruit develops brown, sunken areas that spread rapidly.
Apply copper fungicide; harvest promptly; avoid overhead irrigation.
Common Mistakes
Eggplant is extremely cold-sensitive; chilling injury causes long-term stunting even without frost.
Wait until nighttime temps are reliably above 60°F and soil is at least 65°F before transplanting.
Overripe eggplant becomes seedy, bitter, and spongy; the skin loses its sheen when past peak.
Harvest when skin is glossy and fruit gives slightly to pressure; cut with pruning shears, never twist.
Seed Saving Guide
EasyWhen to Harvest Seed
Leave fruit on the plant well past edible stage — it will turn yellow-brown and overripen.
Processing
Cut overripe fruit, scoop seeds into water, let viable seeds sink, rinse and dry flat.
Seed Viability
Up to 4 years when stored cool, dark, and dry.
Pro Tip
Eggplant can cross-pollinate between varieties. Isolate by 300 feet for pure seed saving.
Seed Storage Supplies
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Raised Bed Planting Guides
A 4×8 bed fits 8 plants of Eggplant. See plant counts, spacing grids, and companion pairings for every bed size →
Eggplant Planting Calendar by Zone
Eggplant Planting Calendar by State
Other Plants
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Eggplant? +
Start Eggplant seeds indoors 8 weeks before your last frost date, then transplant outdoors 2 weeks after the last frost. Use the search on this page to find exact dates for your ZIP code or city.
How long does Eggplant take to grow? +
Eggplant typically matures in about 70 days from planting. Exact timing varies by variety, soil conditions, and local climate.
Should I start Eggplant indoors or direct sow? +
Eggplant should be started indoors 8 weeks before the last frost date. This gives seedlings time to establish before being transplanted outside after frost danger has passed.
How much sun does Eggplant need? +
Eggplant requires full sun (6-8 hours) to thrive.
How far apart should I plant Eggplant? +
Space Eggplant plants 24 inches apart to allow adequate airflow and root development.
How much water does Eggplant need? +
Eggplant has regular (1 inch/week) water needs. Consistent moisture is important especially during germination and early growth.
Can you save seeds from Eggplant? +
Yes — seed saving difficulty for Eggplant is rated easy. Leave fruit on the plant well past edible stage — it will turn yellow-brown and overripen. Cut overripe fruit, scoop seeds into water, let viable seeds sink, rinse and dry flat.
How long do Eggplant seeds last in storage? +
Properly dried and stored Eggplant seeds remain viable for up to 4 years. Store in a cool, dark, dry location in an airtight container with a silica gel packet for best results.
Are Eggplant seeds open-pollinated? +
Yes — Eggplant is open-pollinated, meaning seeds saved from your harvest will grow plants true to the parent variety. This makes it an excellent candidate for building a self-sustaining garden.
About Eggplant
Heat-loving nightshade with glossy purple fruit. Harvest when skin is shiny.
Expect your Eggplant to be ready for harvest in approximately 70 days from planting.
Use the search above or browse by zone or state to find the perfect planting dates for your location.