How to Grow Eggplants - The Complete Guide

Eggplants are a rewarding vegetable to grow at home and an excellent addition to any garden. Below we share the basics of growing eggplants in a home garden, as well as common mistakes and considerations.

When to Plant Eggplants

Eggplants are not a frost tolerant vegetable. This means the best time to plant them is mid to late spring, once there is no longer a chance of frost in your area.

If you live in the U.S., check out the Farmer’s Almanac or the USDA’s Plant Hardiness Zones for more help regarding frost and the best dates for planting in your area.

How to Plant Eggplants

Plant your eggplant seeds directly in the soil of your garden or container at a depth of 0.5 inches (1 centimetre). Seeds can be planted outside or you can germinate them indoors and transplant them later. Typically, eggplant seeds take about 1 - 2 weeks to fully germinate.

If transplanting, the best time to move eggplant plants outside is when they reach 3 - 4 inches (7 - 10 centimetres) tall or have at least 3 - 4 true leaves.

When planting eggplants in the garden, it’s best to space them 2 - 3 feet (75 centimetres) away from the nearest plant.

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How to Grow Eggplants in Pots

The key to caring for eggplants in containers is well draining soil and a pot big enough for their root system. Aim for a pot that is roughly 1,155 cubic inches (18,927 cubic centimetres) in size. Five-gallon buckets are a great container option for eggplants. And they’re cheap too!

For more in depth information, check out our full guide on growing eggplants in containers.

How Long do Eggplants Take to Grow

On average, it takes about 80 days for planted eggplant seeds to develop into a fully mature plant.

How Big do Eggplants Get

Typically, eggplant plants reach about 3 - 4 feet (or 1 metre) in height. Though this can fluctuate depending on the variety.

How Much Sunlight do Eggplants Need

Eggplants need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight every day in order to thrive. Be careful to place your plants in an area that receives adequate sunlight. Otherwise, they may not mature properly.

How Much Water do Eggplants Need

Eggplants like well draining soil that is kept consistently moist, but not wet or soggy. The amount of water it takes to achieve this effect will differ depending on the type of soil available to you.

Be sure to water your eggplants on a consistent, steady schedule. This will ensure the plant yields a healthy, uniform crop.

If growing your eggplants in pots, they will need to be watered more frequently than eggplants planted directly in the garden.

You will know your eggplants are in need of more water when their leaves wilt, yellow, and/or the plant begins to droop. But be careful, this can also happen if the plant receives too much water. This is a difficult balance for most novice gardeners. But the more time you spend with your eggplants, the better you’ll be able to gauge how thirsty they are.

How to Harvest Eggplants

You’ll know your eggplants are ready to pick when their skin is slightly glossy. Leaving a short bit of stem attached, cut the eggplant from the plant with a sharp knife or scissors. Be careful to avoid pulling them by hand, as this can cause branches to break.