Growing Eggplants in Containers and Pots

Don’t let limited space keep you from enjoying delicious home-grown eggplants! No matter the size of your garden, we’ll show you how to produce a bountiful eggplant crop in containers all season long.

The Best Container Size for Eggplants

The first thing to consider when growing eggplants in a container is what kind of pot you’re going to use.

Eggplants have a fairly large root system, so it’s important they have ample room to grow. When in doubt, five-gallon buckets (or a container of similar size) are a great option for eggplants. But if you’re looking to get technical, a good rule of thumb is to aim for a container that is roughly 1,155 cubic inches (18,927 cubic centimetres) in size.

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The Best Type of Container for Eggplants

Plastic pots, terracotta, and fabric grow bags all make fine containers for eggplants. When choosing a pot to plant eggplants in, the type of material it’s made out of doesn’t really matter. What does matter, however, is how well that material releases excess water.

Poor drainage is the number one killer of eggplants grown in pots. If your eggplants sit in standing water for too long, their roots will rot and the plants will likely wither away.

If you’re using a plastic container for growing eggplants, it’s crucial there are 2 - 4 holes in the bottom to allow excess water to drain.

Terracotta pots, along with fabric grow bags, are a great container option for eggplants because they are naturally porous. Most terracotta pots also come with a hole in the bottom for additional drainage.

If growing your eggplants in grow bags, be sure to test how well they drain before planting. If water doesn’t leak through the bag quickly, you may want to add one or two holes to the bottom to keep the roots of your eggplant plant healthy and happy.

The Best Soil for Growing Eggplants in Containers

Drainage also plays a key part in the type of soil you choose for eggplant containers.

Traditional soil, such as the type of dirt you can dig up in your backyard, is much too dense for eggplants planted in pots. It will trap moisture in the container to the point where it can cause fungal issues for eggplants as well as root rot.

Instead, opt for potting soil or soil specifically designated as safe for container gardening. Avoid all others.

Final Tips for Growing Eggplants in Pots

Hopefully by now you’ve seen that growing eggplants in pots is pretty easy so long as you have the right container and right soil.

The key, as stated before, is drainage. You will likely notice that eggplants grown in containers are much thirstier than eggplants grown in a traditional garden bed. Be sure to adjust your schedule to water more frequently.

Of course, the same rules apply to container grown eggplants that apply to eggplants grown in a traditional garden, such as the amount of sunlight they need and when to plant them. You can find that information (and more!) in our complete guide on growing eggplants.

Happy planting!