Growing Eggplant, also Aubergine

Solanum sp. : Solanaceae / the nightshade family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
                S S    
                    T T

(Best months for growing Eggplant in New Zealand - cool/mountain regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings

September: Bring on in pots - need a long growing season

  • Grow in seed trays, and plant out in 4-6 weeks. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 75°F and 90°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 24 - 30 inches apart
  • Harvest in 12-15 weeks. Cut fruit with scissors or sharp knife.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Beans, capsicum, lettuce, amaranth, thyme
  • Avoid growing close to: Potatoes

Your comments and tips

18 Apr 17, Nigel (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Is it possible to grow eggplant from cuttings?
19 Apr 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)
Yes it is. Take short tip cuttings in late Spring and into the Summer. If the leaves are large, reduce them with a pair of scissors. Put your cutting/s into a jar of water in a warm spot (not hot) and they will grow roots. Treat them as ordinary seedlings after planting out.
28 Apr 17, Chris (New Zealand - temperate climate)
A speedier way to propagate is to use an aquarium air pump to add extra oxygen to the water you have your cuttings in
25 Mar 17, Doug (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
Growing Aubergines from seedlings. Strong plants, plenty of flowers. These after a while die back and fall off.NO Fruit. Well fertilised bed, full sun,kept moist. What's wrong ?
27 Mar 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)
Aubergine need a good supply of water to set fruit. They will self-pollinate as well as insects but if the water supply is not good the first thing to miss out will be the flowers and fruit. This is natures way of keeping the plant alive in anticipation of water to complete its cycle.
12 Mar 17, Jill (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
My eggplants are purple but very hard. Now starting to go green and a bit striped. I picked this one and cooked - it was a little bitter. Am I leaving it too late or picking too early. Thanks jill
13 Mar 17, KS (Australia - temperate climate)
Hey Jill, did you slice and salt and rest your eggplant before cooking? this can help flavour, minimise any bitterness. Cut to thickness desired, salt and let sit in a colander for 1-2hrs, then rinse and dry (i use an old tea towel). Then cook for your recipe or just oil on a hot pan a bit more salt to bring out the flavour then cook 'til golden. hope this helps.
13 Mar 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)
When eggplants are ripe they have creamy white flesh. If the flesh is greenish give them a bit more time. They will reward you well if they also have a good, even water supply. Trust this helps.
25 Feb 17, Van (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Hi, for the first time I sowed eggplant saplings this Jan and now am getting the vege. Am so happy abt it. The tip I can suggest is water every day, put them in a good compost and in well sun positioned. If possible try feed them with vege protein liquid, I did just for once. Happy growing- all the best
03 Feb 17, Judy Stephens (New Zealand - temperate climate)
My husband has a number of plants grown from seed planted in a sloping area shadowed by mature natives but gets around 4-5 hrs shady sun. No flowers yet but around 40cm high and been in the ground a at least 6 weeks...any hope?
Showing 161 - 170 of 351 comments

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