Growing Eggplant, also Aubergine

Solanum sp. : Solanaceae / the nightshade family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
  S S                  
        T              
        P              

(Best months for growing Eggplant in USA - Zone 5a 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 75°F and 90°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 24 - 30 inches 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

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for USA | for all countries
03 Jul 11, John (Australia - temperate climate)
As this seasons eggplant has concluded can I prune and expect another crop this coming summer?
Reply or Post a new comment
25 Jun 11, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
hi ,I have got the long skinny egg plant variety. was wondering as it is now july in sa could I cut them back and get another season out of them
Reply or Post a new comment
11 May 11, minoli (Australia - temperate climate)
Egg plant grows well in summer....buy small plants and plant one month before the summer sets in small beds..needs good sunlight, water and potty mix is sufficient (every 2 weeks)...we had a good crop... you need 5- 7 plants for a household.
Reply or Post a new comment
09 May 11, rachana (Australia - arid climate)
hi,i live in perth -australia...my eggplant is grown very well but the fruite didnt come yet....has anyone know in that season all fruite comes or in summer...help pls
Reply or Post a new comment
10 May 11, Liz (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Rachana, I didn't have any luck with my eggplants this year either. I'm in Victoria. It's getting too cold here now, they're starting to fade. Hopefully next year's a better one for us both :)
Reply or Post a new comment
01 Apr 11, colin shaw (Australia - temperate climate)
hi all,i just have a simple question really,just want to know when my eggplant are ready to pick,because i havnt keep a record of when they were planted,any information would be good ,thanks
Reply or Post a new comment
02 Apr 11, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Colin, when your eggplants are plump and shiny and feel slightly springy when you gently squeeze, they should be ready to pick.
Reply or Post a new comment
03 Apr 11, colin shaw (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
thanks so much for your reply liz colin
Reply or Post a new comment
20 Mar 11, Dianne (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
How do I know when an eggplant is ripe to pick?
Reply or Post a new comment
05 Mar 11, Aaron (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have a large number of egg plant fruit on the trees, how do you tell when they are ready to harvest ?
Reply or Post a new comment
Showing 201 - 210 of 266 comments
See comments for all plants

Why someone would suggest maybe yours is a male plant and saying "hope this helps" is hilarious. Eggplants do not need separate male and female plants. A quick google search can tell you that. Several reasons your flowers are dropping - lack of pollination or the plant is under stress being - 1) too cold or hot 2)lack of water or nutrients. Try hand pollinating your flowers and lookup the temperature your variety of eggplant will set fruit. I looked up the temperature for Tutukaka coast and the temperature seems too cold for eggplant. I could be wrong. But you will need find out what variety you have first.

- Kristin

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put Gardenate in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use Gardenate and subscribe to the free Gardenate planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About Gardenate | Contact us | Privacy Policy

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.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.