Eggplant
Solanum melongena
Eggplant is a heat-loving solanum usually grown from transplants set out two to four weeks after the last spring frost. Glossy fruit set stalls in cool weather, so delayed outdoor planting often beats an early start that sits stressed in cold ground. Optional staking can help heavy fruit, and maturity is counted from transplanting.
Plant family Solanaceae · Also called aubergine
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Delay transplant until heat holds.
Start seed indoors 8–10 weeks before the last frost about 0.6 cm deep; germination may take 7–14 days. Transplant outdoors two to four weeks after the frost when nights stay mild.
Tender frost tolerance means any late cold snap can set back growth. Optional staking helps heavy-fruited varieties, but the dataset lists support as optional rather than required.
Use this range as a planning baseline and adjust for local conditions.
Use this range as a planning baseline and adjust for local conditions.
Use this range as a planning baseline and adjust for local conditions.
Use this range as a planning baseline and adjust for local conditions.
Space bushy plants for sun and access.
Allow 45–60 cm between plants and 90 cm between rows. Bush habit still spreads broad leaves that shade the soil and compete for nutrients.
Use containers at least 30 cm deep with about 20 litres of medium. Dark pots heat roots quickly, which can help in marginal climates if moisture keeps up.
Core measurements
Crop-level planning range.
Crop-level planning range.
Crop-level planning range.
Crop-level planning range.
Allow for the mature form of the selected variety.
Install support early when it is required or useful.
Keep warmth and moisture together.
Eight hours of direct sun is preferred. Fruit color and size depend on strong light combined with warm temperatures.
Moderate water at 25–35 mm weekly and pH 5.5–7.0 suit eggplant. The key tip warns that cool soil and nights stall plants even when days look sunny.
Sunlight
Full sun preferred (8+ direct-sun hours/day)
Soil pH
A suitable acidity range for general growth.
Weekly water
Moderate water need.
Aim for even moisture and water deeply when the upper 2-3 cm of soil begins to dry.
Harvest glossy fruit on schedule.
Count 65–90 days from transplanting. Pick fruit while skin is glossy; dull skin and hard seeds indicate overmaturity.
Plants may continue flowering until frost if harvested regularly. There is no succession interval because each transplant occupies the bed for the whole warm season.
Read with the full crop profile.
Read with the full crop profile.
Read with the full crop profile.
Read with the full crop profile.
Delay transplanting until both soil and nights are warm; cool conditions stall growth.
Eggplant growing questions
When should eggplant transplants go outside?
About two to four weeks after the last spring frost, once soil and nights are warm.
Does eggplant need staking?
Support is optional in the dataset. Large fruit loads may benefit from stakes or cages.
Why delay transplanting even after frost passes?
Cool nights and soil stall growth. The key tip emphasizes waiting for warmth.
How is eggplant harvest timing measured?
65–90 days with harvest basis transplanting, not indoor seed sowing.
Profile values are crop-level planning ranges compiled from sources S1,S2,S4. Local climate and variety can change actual results.
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