How to Grow Eggplants

When to Plant Eggplants

Eggplants are even more sensitive to temperature than peppers! Wait until night temps are consistently above 60 degrees. If there's a chance of temperatures dipping into the 40s, it's better to wait. It's tempting to plant as early as possible, but it will payoff in the long run.

Eggplants are very susceptible to flea beetles, which are most active early in the season. In addition to the temperature benefits, waiting to plant outdoors may help you miss the timing for flea beetles.

EggPlant Spacing

Eggplants need proper air flow, and we recommend 24" between eggplants. Eggplants will likely need a cage or stake, especially for larger fruiting varieties.

What Eggplants will do Best in my Area?

If you have a short growing season, focus on early season varieties. Fertilizing will help increase the fruit quantity and time to yield. See here for our write-up on fertilizing.

How to Water your Eggplants

Eggplants prefer moist soil, but not wet - and not dry like peppers. Be sure to mulch with shredded leaves or undyed wood chips to keep moisture within the soil and prevent drying out.

The morning is the best time to water your Eggplant. Water deeply at the base of the plant and try not to get water on the leaves. If your plant is in a container, water until it flows out of the bottom. Watering in the morning allows the plant to have more available water during the heat of the day, and also allows water on the leaves to evaporate. Water that remains on the leaves is a vector for disease. That is what makes night watering risky, because the water will stay on the leaves with cooler temperatures.