Eggplant
Solanum melongena
A warm-season vegetable with glossy purple fruit. Eggplant loves heat and produces beautiful plants that double as ornamentals.
medium
Full Sun (6-8 hours)
Regular — consistent moisture
65-80 days from transplant
How to Grow
Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost in very warm soil (25-30°C). Transplant outdoors when nighttime temps stay above 15°C. Plant in rich, well-drained soil 45-60cm apart. Stake plants when they start fruiting.
Growth Phases
Germination (7-14 days)
Seeds need consistent warmth to sprout
Seedling (3-4 weeks)
Fuzzy leaves develop on sturdy stems
Vegetative (3-4 weeks)
Plant grows bushy with large leaves
Flowering (1-2 weeks)
Purple star-shaped flowers bloom
Fruiting (3-5 weeks)
Glossy fruits develop and ripen
Care Tips
- •Needs warm soil — use black plastic mulch
- •Harvest when skin is glossy — dull skin means overripe
- •Support heavy fruit with stakes
- •Flea beetles are a common pest — use row cover
Companion Plants
Community Interest
Real-time — updates when others show interest