Eggplant may not be as common of a garden crop as some of its ever-popular relatives- tomatoes and peppers. That’s a shame; In my opinion, you can’t beat the freshness and flavor of homegrown eggplant. And once you learn how to grow eggplant in the conditions and care it needs, it’s a pretty low-maintenance addition to your garden.

In this post, I’ll share how to choose a good garden spot or container for your eggplant to thrive and how to start seeds or seedlings. You’ll also learn how to care for your plants while they grow, what problems to watch out for, and how to harvest eggplant.

Let’s get started!

Quick Breakdown to Growing Eggplant

If you’re in a hurry, here’s a brief overview of the main points of how to grow eggplant in your garden:

1. Choose the Right Variety: Some varieties of eggplant can get very large- up to 4 feet across. Choose a dwarf variety if you plan to grow eggplant in a container.
2. Timing is Key: Start eggplant seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before the last spring frost. Wait for the soil temperature to reach a minimum of 60°F (15°C) before planting seedlings outdoors.
3. Find the Perfect Spot: Eggplant needs 6+ hours of sun exposure daily and well-draining soil with a pH between 5.5 and 7.0.
4. Prepare the Soil: Remove weeds and work organic matter into the soil to enhance fertility and structure.
5. Planting Process: Once the seedlings are 6 to 8 inches tall, transplant them into the garden, ensuring each seedling is placed in a hole, backfilled with soil, and thoroughly watered.
6. Watering Wisely: Maintain a consistent watering routine and give 1.5 to 2 inches of water weekly. Mulching can help retain moisture and suppress weed growth.
7. Fertilize Your Plants: Apply compost or organic fertilizer every 2 to 3 weeks during the growing season.
8. Pest and Disease Management: Look your eggplants over regularly for early signs of pests and keep the garden free of weeds. If needed, use natural pest control methods.
9. Harvesting Time: Once eggplants have a deep color and glossy skin, use a sharp knife or garden shears to carefully cut them from the plant, leaving a short stem attached.

Eggplant Background

Eggplant, also known as aubergine or brinjal, belongs to the nightshade family, which also includes tomatoes, peppers, and potatoes.

Natural History Museum states that eggplant originally came from northeast Africa before making its way into Asia, where it became a cultivated crop.

There are over a dozen different eggplant varieties, including Italian, Indian, and Japanese varieties. Most well-known eggplant varieties are purple and have a bulbous shape, but they come in various shapes, sizes, and colors.

Some varieties grow to a large size, while others are more compact. And that comes into play when deciding which ones to plant in your garden.

If you choose a small variety, eggplant makes a great container crop in a raised bed or large pot. I personally like the Rosita variety for containers, and Hansel, Gretel, and Fairytale are also good choices.

If you’ve got a larger space for growing eggplant (at least 4 x 4 feet) you can choose any variety you like!

How to Plant Eggplant: 5 Steps

A good beginning is key to successfully growing eggplant- here’s how to get the best start possible.

1. When to Plant

Depending on where you live, you may have to start your eggplant seeds indoors in the late winter or early spring.

I live in the Midwest, so I need to start my seeds well before the warm spring days finally show up. Eggplants are slow to germinate and get established, so 8-10 weeks before your area’s last predicted frost date should be a good timeframe.

If you live in a hot climate with a long growing season, you can direct sow your seeds once the temperature consistently stays above 60 degrees Fahrenheit (15 degrees Celsius).

Another option is to purchase young eggplant seedlings from a local nursery in the spring- they should be ready for planting right away.

Look for ones with lots of healthy branches and leaves. Pass over any that are already flowering- these are premature flowers that happen from stress. If all the seedlings available have flowers or buds, pinch them off to divert your plant’s energy to leaf and root development.

2. Where to Plant

Choose a spot that gets at least 6 hours of direct sun every day.

Containers are easier for this- just move them into whatever sunny spot you have available. For me, that’s a narrow strip of sunlight right in front of my backyard fence. Choose a container that’s at least a 5-gallon capacity, but 7 to 10 gallons is preferable.

For a raised bed or garden plot, trim back overhanging tree branches or shrubs, and be sure not to plant any tall garden plants where they’ll block your eggplant’s light.

Eggplants absolutely must have well-draining soil– they hate sitting in stagnant water. So don’t plant eggplant in areas that are low-lying or where water pools.

3. Soil Preparation

if you want to grow eggplant in a container, use potting soil or a homemade soil blend with drainage-enhancing materials like sand or perlite. For raised beds and in-ground gardens, mix in generous amounts of organic matter like:

• Compost
• Shredded leaves
• Grass clippings (from untreated lawns)
• Aged manure
• Rotted hay/straw

For in-ground gardens or established raised beds, it’s a good idea to do a soil pH test. Eggplant likes soil that’s neutral to a bit on the acidic side- according to The University of Minnesota Extension, that’s about 5.5 to 7.5 on the pH scale.

If a test indicates a problem, bring the soil pH up with garden lime or down with sulfur.

Eggplants are heavy feeders. Before planting, amend the soil with organic matter to increase its fertility. Compost, well-rotted manure, or balanced organic fertilizers are excellent choices. These additions provide essential nutrients and improve the overall health of the soil.

4. Starting Eggplant Seeds Indoors

If starting from seeds, sow them in seed trays or containers filled with a seed-starting mix. Plant the seeds about ¼ to ½ inch deep, and place them in a warm location or use a heating mat to aid germination.

Keep the soil consistently moist until the seeds sprout- typically about 10-14 days.

5. Transplanting Eggplant Seedlings

Once your seedlings have grown to a height of 6-8 inches and have developed several true leaves, they are ready to be transplanted into the garden.

Check the weather forecast and choose the most overcast day to do your transplanting. Moving a plant to a new home in harsh sunlight and high temperatures can cause your plant to go into shock, so avoid it if you can.

But it’s happened to me- sometimes there’s a long stretch of hot days in the forecast. In those situations, I do my transplanting in the evening after the worst of the heat has passed and my plants will have several hours before the next day heats up.

Here’s the process I use for planting eggplant seedlings:

• Dig holes that are slightly larger than the root balls of the seedlings, making sure to space them adequately.
• Carefully remove the seedlings from their containers, handling the delicate roots with care. I always squeeze the sides of the plastic container or cells to loosen the soil from the edges.
• Place each seedling in a hole and backfill with soil, ensuring they are planted at the same depth as they were in their containers. Gently firm the soil around the base of the plants.
• Depending on the variety and growth habit of your eggplants, stakes, trellises, or tomato cages help support the plants as they grow. This helps keep the fruits off the ground, improves air circulation, and prevents breakage. I find it’s best to place supports while transplanting so you can avoid damaging the roots later on.
• After planting, water the seedlings thoroughly to settle the soil and help the roots get established.

How to Care and Harvest Eggplant

Especially if you’re starting from seed, it will be a while before harvest arrives. But eggplant growth stages are easy to keep track of and, in my opinion, really fun to watch.

Here’s how to take good care of your eggplant once you’ve got it in the ground.

1. Watering Eggplant

Eggplants are large plants and their fruits are rich in moisture, so it’s not too surprising that growing eggplant means lots of watering. Here’s what you need to know:

• Moisture Requirements: Eggplants need about 1 1/2 to 2 inches of water every week. Don’t forget to factor rainwater into your totals- a rain gauge near the eggplant patch might be a big help. This video from MIGardener does a great job of explaining what 1 inch of water looks like in real life:

• Watering Technique: Water at the base of the plants rather than overhead to prevent foliar diseases and minimize water waste. If you’d like to automate the process, a drip irrigation system is a fantastic option. If you’re watering by hand, try to do it in the early morning to avoid losing moisture to evaporation in the peak heat hours.
• Mulching: Mulch is key for conserving soil moisture, suppressing weeds, and maintaining a stable soil temperature. Organic mulches like straw or wood chips work well for eggplants; I like to have my mulch be 2-3 inches deep around the base of the plants.

2. Fertilizing Eggplant

In addition to needing lots of water, eggplants also need lots of nutrients to produce large, tasty fruits.

I recommend waiting about 10 days after transplanting to give your eggplants a side dressing of balanced fertilizer or compost. Follow the fertilizer package directions for dosing.

Repeat the application about every 2-3 weeks, making sure to water well after each application.

Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizer formulas once you spot flowers on your eggplant- too much nitrogen can lead to lots of leaves with few fruits.

While I believe organic fertilizers are always a good idea, I think they’re especially important when you grow eggplant or other edible plants. Compost, worm castings, and grass clippings provide a slow-release source of nutrients.

3. Companion Planting

Some plants just get along well together, whether that’s because they like growing in similar conditions, they repel pests or draw in helpful insects. This practice of growing compatible plants near each other is known as companion planting.

Tomatoes, peppers, nasturtium and marigolds are just a few examples of plants that make good neighbors for eggplants. I’ve dedicated an entire post to the topic of companion planting for eggplant, so stop by to get some more ideas.

4. Harvesting Eggplants

Growing eggplant requires some work in planting, watering, and fertilizing, but now it’s time to enjoy the fruits of your labor! Here’s what you need to know about when and how to pick your eggplants.

Maturity Signs

While the timeframe it takes for your eggplants to ripen varies quite a bit between varieties, it should be at least 50 days after seed germination for the fruits to be harvest-ready. Check the seed packet or seedling tag for an estimate of how many days until maturity to get a rough idea.

But signs of maturity are far more important than rigid timelines. And you’re definitely better off harvesting a bit too early than waiting too long- overripe eggplant is often tough, bitter, and very seedy.

I look for these signs when deciding if an eggplant is ripe:

• The fruit is at least 6 inches long.
• The skin has a vibrant color appropriate for the variety.
• The skin is smooth and glossy.
• Gently pushing your fingernail into the skin leaves an indentation instead of springing back.

Harvesting Technique

Wearing a pair of garden gloves may be a good idea- eggplants can have prickly stems. Using a sharp knife or garden shears, cut the eggplants from the plant, leaving a short stem attached. Avoid pulling or twisting the eggplants- this can damage the plant and prevent future harvest.

5. Storing Eggplant

Like any fresh vegetable that lacks a protective outer rind, eggplants are best enjoyed as soon as possible after harvesting. If you can, pick your eggplant moments before you plan to cut it up for dinner. But we all know ideal doesn’t always happen, so here are some tips for storing your eggplant.

Short-Term Storage

If you plan to use the eggplants within a day or two, store them at room temperature in a cool place away from direct sunlight. This allows them to develop their full flavor.

Long-Term Storage

For longer storage, place unwashed eggplants in a perforated plastic bag or a container in the refrigerator’s crisper drawer. They can stay fresh for up to a week.

Freezing Eggplant

To preserve a large harvest, blanch or roast the eggplants before freezing them to help retain their quality for several months. Store the frozen eggplant in airtight containers or freezer bags.

Potential Problems with Growing Eggplant

While eggplants are generally resilient, they can face a few challenges. Here are some common problems you may encounter and how to tackle them:

1. Pests

Flea beetles and aphids are two pests you may spot on your eggplant.

Flea beetles chew holes in eggplant leaves, weakening the plant. Aphids feast on the sap of vegetable and flower plants, literally sucking the life out of your plants. Aphids are one cause for eggplant leaves turning yellow, and they can really short-circuit your harvest.

Monitor your plants regularly to catch any problems early on. Use natural pest control methods like handpicking, insecticidal soap, or introducing beneficial insects.

2. Diseases

Eggplants can be susceptible to plant diseases like verticillium wilt, powdery mildew, and bacterial spot.

Disease-resistant varieties, regular weeding, and crop rotation help minimize the risk. Also, make sure to allow plenty of space between plants for good air circulation.

3. Nutrient Deficiencies

Yellowing leaves, stunted growth, or poor fruit set can indicate nutrient deficiencies. Do a soil test; if it shows nutrient imbalances, adjust your fertilizing routine.

Final Thoughts

I hope this post has given you confidence that you can grow eggplant successfully in many different settings. In my opinion, there’s nothing quite like a homegrown eggplant, so it’s worth learning how to provide the care and conditions it needs.

I’d love to hear from you! Do you have any other questions about growing eggplant? Or maybe you have some helpful tips of your own to share. Either way, we learn best from each other, so please feel free to share your thoughts in the comments!