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 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

22 Apr 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I believe they will grow again but I wouldn't bother - just grow new plants next year. My old plants are so straggly and fall over so much I just pull them out. Fresh new strong plants next year.
20 Apr 18, Carol (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hi Tracey. This is from the info here on eggplants.. "Perennial in tropical climates otherwise grown as an annual" So, if you're in a temperate climate, I'd pull them out. When I was in Fiji a few years ago, eggplants were used as hedges in one of the villages we stayed in!
09 Mar 18, Heidi (Australia - temperate climate)
I have two Asian eggplant bushes which look like they are coming to an end in terms of producing fruit. Is there any chance I could prune these back and see if they regrow next spring? Also, what to do about the nasty grubs that get in and make tunnels, along with lots of black stuff. Sometimes you don't even know they are there till you cut the eggplant open.
11 Mar 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
A mate of mine has pruned back his egg plant the last 3 years - but I don't think they produce very well. Then he again he isn't a keen gardener.
02 Feb 18, Frances Pegrem (Australia - temperate climate)
I am not sure when to pick my eggplants. They are yellow, some are bigish and others growing. Some of the first ones to go yellow went spotty but some of the later ones are larger.
05 Feb 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
It takes about 15 weeks to grow. Pick one and cut it open - if it has lots of seeds in it, it has gone too far but you can eat it. Keep doing this until you work out when to pick. Try and pick when only a few seeds. Not too big - not too small.
20 Jan 18, Diana (New Zealand - temperate climate)
I live on the Tutukaka coast and have a healthy looking eggplant with lots of flowers which fall off without fruit forming. Why is this happening and what can I do? Thank you.
09 Mar 23, Thumbellina (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
I’ve found “tea” made from banana skins really does help them to flower and set fruit! So easy. I just water them with it a few days in a row, and hey presto. It worked for me. Google it and give it a go!
13 Sep 18, Mike (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
Google about flowers dropping off egg plants.
03 Feb 18, Daisy (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Hi Diana, I have never grown eggplant but perhaps the plant that you have is a male one? I don't really know whether this is even possible. Also, it could be that you need to pollinate the flowers by hand? I hope this helps! xx D
Showing 121 - 130 of 348 comments

Ask a question or post a comment or advice about Eggplant

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.