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

02 Apr 20, Genevieve (Australia - temperate climate)
Unlike you I bought a plant from Bunnings nursery here in Southern Tasmania, so the plant was probably ahead in growth by a month compare to yours. We had hot and cold weather since I planted in early December. Normally its a prolific plant but I only got 6 fruit off it and there are still flowers forming, guess you would be lucky if you get a few more. I'm not sure of your weather but if you don't get any more in May, the plant is an annual, so would need pulling up unfortunately.
28 Mar 20, Helen (Australia - temperate climate)
Its almost the end of March and i still have eggplant growing with flowers but no fruit. Will they still produce or is it better to remove and use for other veggies? Thank you
30 Mar 20, Lachlan (Australia - temperate climate)
If your eggplant is still growing with flowers, but no fruit, they should still produce, however, don’t wait too long. I would wait until the end of April and then pull them regardless if they have fruit or not since winter crops will thrive in the cold temperatures.
29 Dec 19, Alison TSAO (Australia - temperate climate)
Is it too late to plant Eggplant in Geelong, Victoria? Is Eggplant a climber? Where do I get the seeds or small plants?
04 Jan 20, JOHN CRANE (Australia - tropical climate)
I have them growing now on the Goldcoast, and planted as seedlings, and have several different varieties. The plants are between 30cm and 45cm tall, and started flowering less then 2 weeks after planting, Also have cucumber growing on a trellis adjacent, and getting 2 or 3 mature fruit per day
31 Dec 19, Carmel (Australia - temperate climate)
I think the best answer is it’s not too late if you’re thinking of growing them until April and then overwintering them for fruit for next year. You might even get lucky with fruit this year - but they are very slow growing and being planted quite late
30 Dec 19, Nat (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Eggplants aren't a climber but need to stake and support. You can find seedlings in Bunnings. Probably too late to grow from seed.
30 Dec 19, anon (Australia - temperate climate)
Go to Bunnings or a nursery and buy some seedlings if they have them. Good idea to put a stake (1.4-5m out of the ground) in to support them. If can't get seedlings try some seeds.
30 Dec 19, Greg (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I bought my egglant seedling from Bunnings and it's going well. Two months old and over 1 high (climbing up stake) and fruiting. Give it a whirl...only a few $ for the seedling.
08 Aug 19, Kwaku (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi When is the best time to sow eggplant and chilli seeds in Sydney? Cheers Kwaku
Showing 41 - 50 of 269 comments

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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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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