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 T T          
      P P              

(Best months for growing Eggplant in Australia - 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

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for Australia | for all countries
12 Aug 13, bob westport (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
how long a life has an egg plant got or is it just an annual plant
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01 Sep 13, indy (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Eggplant is a semi-tropical perennial that's best treated as an annual in temperate or cooler clmates . Unless you've been able to source reliable heritage varieties the best fruit is most likely going to only be had during the first season
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13 Apr 13, Esantoso (Australia - tropical climate)
I think it is either they are too old, egg plant is better when they are young. Or fungi disease which cause the fruit to go rotten. Both cases fruit is no longer edible.
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30 Mar 13, chris (Australia - temperate climate)
no mater how much we try we always get a worm in our fruit we have sprayed with lebsyd have put lime in the soil we change the patch around do you know what type of worm it is and how to control it
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19 Dec 14, Roy (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
chris, I know this is a long time since your question but something I read a long time ago which works for me and that is to find plants that aren't affected by worms or other insects i.e chillies and either open it up and rub it on or crush, soak and spray. Give it a go
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28 Mar 13, Rosa (Australia - temperate climate)
Some of my eggplants have started off purple but are now starting to turn yellow. Can someone tell me what is causing this and are they still ok to eat? Thanks
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24 Mar 13, kemal (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
once it stops fruiting do I pull out the plant or do i keep it growing for next Year??
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01 Sep 13, indy (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I just saw your comment today s you've probably made your decision! However, given your climate and that eggplants are perennials in semi-tropical areas, you should get a few years of fruit if you look after your plants
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18 Mar 14, Mary H.R. (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hello! I'm growing eggplants in Western Australia. I live in the Hills above Perth - but it has been an extraordinarily hot dry summer. I've watered my aubergines most days since January. But the plants are quite small - less than 1/2 a metre. We have had round fruit about tennis ball size. I have some good horse poo from a neighbour, and some compost I made myself in one of those black plastic compost boxes. It's pretty good stuff! Any advice would be most welcome. Mary
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11 Mar 13, Lisa (Australia - temperate climate)
My eggplants have been growing strong for a while. The latest batch I have have all been drilled into by some bug/worm thing. There are tiny holes in the fruit and when I cut one open there is brown larvae in there. Any ideas? Also can the plants be left for next season or is it best to rip them up and plant new ones?
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Showing 151 - 160 of 269 comments
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I've got three Asian eggplants growing, all from the same source, one in the ground and the other two in a raised garden bed. They all get equal treatment re fertiliser and watering but the two in the raised bed produce smaller fruit that is a very pale purple and tougher while the other has long much bigger deep purple fruit that's perfect. What could the likely cause be? pH or something else?

- Phil Morton

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