How to Grow Ichiban Eggplants - The Complete Guide

How to Grow Ichiban Eggplants - The Complete Guide

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

When to Plant Ichiban Eggplants

Ichiban 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 Ichiban Eggplants

Plant your ichiban 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, ichiban eggplant seeds take about 1 - 2 weeks to fully germinate.

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

When planting ichiban 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 Ichiban Eggplants in Pots

The key to caring for ichiban 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 ichiban eggplants. And they’re cheap too!

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

How Long do Ichiban Eggplants Take to Grow

On average, it takes about 50 - 60 days for planted ichiban eggplant seeds to develop into a fully mature plant.

How Big do Ichiban Eggplants Get

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

How Much Sunlight do Ichiban Eggplants Need

Ichiban 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 Ichiban Eggplants Need

Ichiban 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 ichiban eggplants on a consistent, steady schedule. This will ensure the plant yields a healthy, uniform crop.

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

You will know your ichiban 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 ichiban eggplants, the better you’ll be able to gauge how thirsty they are.

How to Harvest Ichiban Eggplants

You’ll know your ichiban 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.

About Me

Hi, I’m Allison! Over the years, I’ve gained a lot of knowledge about growing your own food at home. Now, I want to share that knowledge with others. When I first started gardening, I was overwhelmed by the amount of information available on the subject. It was intimidating! But after years of trial and error, I learned that growing produce at home need not be as technical and complicated as some make it out to be.

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