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

02 Nov 20, Aboo (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
What other veggies can you plant with egg plant tks
03 Nov 20, Anonymous (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Egg plant can grow to 1m wide so you don't want other plants growing close to it. Read the article here for what to grow near egg plant and what not to grow (potatoes).
16 Oct 20, Wilhelmina Warrington (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I want to know if you can plant Aubergines in pots and what size pot you would need, also if you can freeze them
19 Oct 20, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
When frozen they tend to go bitter
19 Oct 20, Anonymous (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
The bigger the better, 50-60cm+ diameter. Google about freezing it - I wouldn't think so..
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?
27 Aug 20, Srini K (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Hi, I have sown seeds in seed trays and its been 20 days, no sign of any seedlings. Understand its still cold in Auckland, Just wanted to check if the seeds will germinate once its get warm or I should considers sowing seeds again when its gets warm?
28 Aug 20, Anonymous (New Zealand - temperate climate)
You need soil temperature of min of 15c and preferably 25-30c to germinate egg plant. The guide recommends planting seeds Sept Oct. Also if you over water the seeds they go rotten. Seeds should germinate in 12-18 days. Have a little dig around and see if they are ok or rotten. I would suggest planting mid Sept at the earliest. Or buy seedlings.
02 Sep 20, Srini K (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Thanks for your response. The guide for sub-tropical climate suggests to plant in Aug, Sep. Great news all seeds germinated in approximately 22 days :) Cant wait to plant these outside.
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
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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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