Updated on December 19, 2024 by Ruth
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Growing eggplant can be a rewarding experience, especially when you harvest those shiny, deep purple fruits from your own garden. Eggplants, also known as aubergines, thrive in warm weather and are relatively easy to grow, making them a great choice for gardeners of all levels. Whether you have a large backyard or just a small patio, you can grow eggplants in containers or in the ground. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about how to grow eggplant successfully, from choosing the right variety to caring for your plants and harvesting bountiful crops.
Table of Contents
When is eggplant season?
Eggplant season in zones 7a-7b is similar to tomato season. Because we have space to start plants in a heated environment with lots of sunshine, we can get our plants in the ground pretty early. Eggplant season for us is mid-June through October.
Varieties
There are dozens of eggplant varieties available to grow! From small to large, skinny to fat, and colors from white, green striped, dark black Italian types to bright purple and all kinds of variations, eggplant is a staple in the summer garden. A native of India, eggplant is now a staple in cuisines from Mediterranean to Asian as well as a versatile vegetable for kitchens around the world.
While eggplant in general is usually undisturbed by pests and diseases, some of the varieties are not as hardy as others. The white eggplant, for instance, has a thinner skin and bruises easily. If you are growing for yourself, this is less of an issue than if you are growing to take to a farmers market.
The small eggplant varieties such as Kermit or Patio Baby will not store as long as the larger varieties. Again, if this is for you to harvest for dinner, it is not an issue.
The smaller varieties are better suited to container growing; more on that in a later section.
The most commonly seen eggplant at supermarkets is a black Italian type, which has a sturdy skin and stores well. There is a variety called Black Beauty. It is a classic for many reasons. However, I invite you to explore some other varieties as they often have superior flavor and are easier to work with in the kitchen. Two of our favorites are Orient Express and Dancer.
Seeds or young plants
Your local farm or garden center most likely has young eggplant plants available in the spring among the vegetable selections. You will see them available after your last frost date in the spring, as eggplant does not like cold weather.
You can also start eggplant from seed. Eggplant is fairly easy to start from seed. You need soil temperature of at least 85F for the seeds to germinate. A germination mat is helpful to get the seeds started. Once the seedlings have sprouted, keep them at an air temperature of 70F. You can reduce the temperature to 60F about a week before planting outside.
Eggplant has the virtue of continuing to produce more fruit for the whole season, so there is no need to have additional plantings. However, once it starts to get cool at nights, the plants will start to drop leaves and will no longer set more fruit.
When to plant outside
The soil temperature needs to be at least 60F for eggplant to thrive. Cool soil can cause transplant shock to the roots and stop growth for a few weeks while the plant adjusts. It is better to wait until the weather has settled into its summer pattern with nighttime temperatures above 60F. You will probably have young seedlings to watch over for 4-6 weeks before you can plant outside.
Eggplant is not tolerant of cool weather, so adding a row cover for a boost in performance and to help keep bugs away from the young plants can help. Remove the row cover as soon as you see any flowers so that the pollinators can get to work.
If you have multiple plants, space them about 12-18 inches apart, depending on the variety.
It takes 60-70 days for the plants to reach maturity, and it always feels like a race to get them into the ground as soon as possible to maximize the season.
Sunlight and Temperature
As a summer loving plant, make sure your eggplant gets full sun, from sunup to sun down, for maximum production. Otherwise, you are likely to have lots of leaves and few eggplants.
Warm air, warm soil. Eggplant can tolerate hot temperatures as long as it has consistent water, but cool weather, temperatures under 60F, cause the plant to stop growing.
Water and soil
Let the soil dry out completely in-between watering the plants. Too much water can cause Verticillium wilt. Rotate your crops, so that you do not plant eggplant in the same location two years in a row.
Soil can be amended with compost at the beginning of the season. Avoid too much nitrogen, as that will cause your plants to grow more leaves and fewer eggplant.
Diseases and pests
While flea beetles and Colorado potato beetles like to eat the leaves of young plants, they do not bother the actual eggplants. The beetles are only a problem when the plants are young, so use a row cover to protect the plants for the first 3-4 weeks after planting outside.
Verticillium wilt is a fungal disease that affects the water conducting tissues of the plant. As you might guess from the name, the primary symptom is that you will see the leaves and the stem wilt. There is no cure; pull out the plant and remove from the area. The disease can remain in the soil for up to 4 years, which is why rotating the types of plants is critical. Verticillium wilt affects cucumbers, watermelon, sunflowers, rosemary, and spinach among others.
Harvest
You can harvest the eggplant at the size you desire. Each plant will provide 1-2 eggplants each week for harvest. The stem is very durable, so you need clippers to cut through the stem for harvest.
The smaller, younger eggplants have tender skin and very small seeds. As the fruit grows larger, the skin thickens and the seeds grow as well.
Can you grow eggplant in a container?
Use a large container to help balance out the top growth, as eggplant can grow 2-3 feet tall. Consider a 5-gallon bucket or a 14-16” diameter pot that is 18” tall. Varieties that produce smaller fruit are well-suited to container growing, as the weight of the eggplants is less likely to topple the plant. A stake to help stabilize the plant is good.
Be sure to place the container where it will get maximum sunlight and where you can water it regularly.
Can you grow eggplant indoors?
This is a trick question. Yes, you can grow eggplant inside BUT it is very hard to get eggplants if they are grown inside.
Remember the growing requirements: lots of sunlight and warm air and warm soil. It’s relatively easy to find a warm spot indoors somewhere—remember it needs to be over 60F, and ideally 75-85F. If you do not have all of these requirements, you will have a bushy plant and no eggplants.
Sunlight is harder. If you have a sunroom or skylight so that the plant can soak up those rays, then that will work very well.
The other option is to add grow lights. Keep the lights positioned about 6 inches above the plant in order for the lights to have an effect.
Our experience with grow lights has been that they help in the early stages of growth, for micro or mini-greens or seedlings, for example, but are less effective for plants that have a longer growing season. Plants that produce a flower and then the flower develops into a fruit, such as eggplant, need at least 10 hours of sunlight in order to produce the flower.
Recipe ideas
Easy Roasted Eggplant Slices
Ingredients:
- 1 large eggplant
- 2-3 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional: garlic powder, smoked paprika, salsa, or other seasonings of your choice
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Wash the eggplant and slice it into rounds, about 1/2 inch thick.
- Place the eggplant slices on the prepared baking sheet.
- Drizzle olive oil over the slices and season with salt, pepper, and any other seasonings you like.
- Roast in the preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes, or until the eggplant is tender and golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before serving. Enjoy as a side dish, in sandwiches, or as a topping for salads!
Eggplant Parmesan
Ingredients:
- 1 large eggplant, sliced into rounds
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 2 cups marinara sauce (spicy or not, as preferred)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Olive oil
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a baking sheet with olive oil.
- In a shallow dish, mix breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper.
- Dip each eggplant slice into the beaten eggs, then coat with the breadcrumb mixture.
- Place the coated eggplant slices on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.
- In a baking dish, spread a thin layer of marinara sauce. Place a layer of baked eggplant slices on top.
- Repeat layers, finishing with a layer of marinara sauce on top.
- Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the top.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve hot, garnished with fresh basil or parsley if desired. Enjoy your eggplant Parmesan!
Conclusion
Growing eggplants can be a rewarding experience for any gardener. From their beautiful purple or green or white fruits to their versatility in the kitchen, eggplants offer a lot to love. By following the tips and techniques outlined in this guide, you can enjoy a bountiful harvest of fresh, homegrown eggplants. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, growing eggplants is a great way to add variety to your garden and enjoy the satisfaction of growing your own food. So, roll up your sleeves, get your hands dirty, and start growing your own eggplants today!
If you are close to our farm near Wilmington, Delaware, I invite you to come visit. We grow in all four seasons (eggplant grows in 2 seasons), and our farm market is open all year. If not, I encourage you to find a farm near you and to support their growing. Thank you for your interest in sustainable agriculture.
Happy growing!
~ Ruth
Additional resources
Delaware: Vegetable Planting Calendar
