Eggplant Growing Guide
Eggplant is a great next step in your growing journey. Follow this guide from planting to harvest and you'll do great.
At a Glance
Difficulty
Moderate
Category
Fruit
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Frost Tolerance
Frost Tender
Growing Zones
Zones 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11
Plant Family
Solanaceae
Growing Season
Warm Season
Plant Lifecycle
Annual
Also grows well as
When To Start
First Chance to Plant
10 Days After Last Frost
Last Chance to Plant
60 Days Before First Frost
When should you plant Eggplant?
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Your Eggplant Planting Window
Start planting
May 15, 2026
Last chance
Sep 10, 2026
The Journey Ahead
Eggplant's Lifecycle
Seedling
Mature Plant
Seed Production
Step 1
Prepare Your Space
1 cm
Seeding Depth
45 cm
Plant Spacing
75 cm
Row Spacing
1
Plants / Sq Ft
Vertical Growing
Yes – Trellis.
Method: Trellis.
Succession Planting
Yes.
Good Companions
Bad Companions
Step 2
Planting & Sprouting
Expect sprouts in 7–14 days
Growing Tips
- 1Eggplants thrive in full sunlight, so ensure they receive at least 6-8 hours of direct sun daily.
- 2Water them consistently, keeping the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged, and use mulch to retain moisture.
- 3Plant them in well-draining, nutrient-rich soil, spacing each plant about 18-24 inches apart to allow for proper air circulation and growth.
- 4To manage pests, regularly inspect plants for signs of aphids or flea beetles and use insecticidal soap or neem oil as needed.
Seedling Phase
Step 3
Growth & Maturity
~100
Days to Maturity
90 cm
Mature Height
60 cm
Mature Width
Pests to Watch For
Diseases to Watch For
Mature Plant
Step 4
Harvesting
Harvest Window
45 days
When to Pick
Pick fruits when glossy and firm
How to Harvest
- 1Harvest eggplants when the fruit is firm and glossy, and the skin is slightly resistant to pressure.
- 2Use a sharp knife or pruning shears to cut the fruit from the plant, leaving about an inch of stem attached.
- 3Avoid pulling the fruit to prevent damaging the plant.
Step 5
Saving Seeds
How to Save Seeds
Saving seeds from your eggplant is easy and rewarding! Simply let a few eggplants fully ripen on the plant until their skin turns dull and they feel slightly soft—this means the seeds inside are mature. Cut the eggplant open, scoop out the seeds, and rinse them in a bowl of water to remove any pulp. Spread the clean seeds on a paper towel or plate and let them dry completely in a cool, airy spot for about a week. Once dry, store your seeds in a labeled envelope or jar in a cool, dry place—like a cupboard or refrigerator. You’ve just taken the first step toward growing your own eggplants from seed next season—great job!
Seed Production
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