Eggplant originated from South Asia and is a frost/cold-sensitive, warm-season plant. With the right conditions, you can grow eggplant (Solanum melongena) in your summer garden.
- As well as being a staple in the diet, it has also been used for problems like cracked skin, cold sores, burns, abscesses, and hemorrhoids.
- Consult a doctor before using eggplant to treat any health-related issues.
Only the fruit of the eggplant is edible (skin and seeds, too). Eggplant’s leaves, stems, calyces, and flowers are poisonous when ingested, unlike some of its nightshade relatives such as tomatoes, potatoes, and peppers.
- Fun fact: This fruit is also known as an aubergine. ‘Eggplant’ is the newer term for the fruit in reference to the egg-like appearance of a young fruit. It really is quite a strange name for a fruit!
Growing Conditions
Eggplant can be characterized as:
- Producing large, glossy fruits that range in shape and color
- Having large, coarse leaves (poisonous)
- Producing star-shaped purple or white flowers (poisonous)
- Has a ‘hairy’ stem (poisonous)
- Branching growth up to 6 feet tall (may need to be staked)
- Self-pollinating
It requires:
- Full sun (6+ hours of sun a day)
- Prefers well-draining, evenly moist soil between 70-85 degrees Fahrenheit
- Sandy loam soil texture
- Fertile soil (get a soil test from UF/IFAS to determine your fertilizer needs)
- One inch of water weekly that wets the root zone, at a minimum. Do not overwater.
Eggplant is typically an annual but may behave as a perennial in warmer USDA Zones. The best time to plant is in late spring after the last frost. Alternatively, you can plant in late summer between August and September. When the weather is too hot and dry, the fruits can take on a bitter flavor.
Cultural Practices
Mulching will help maintain soil temperature and moisture, while discouraging weed growth. Apply 3-4 inches of mulch (2 inches in size) around eggplant, being careful of placement at the stem (to keep moisture away to prevent pests and diseases). Remember, eggplant likes soil temperatures between 70-85 degrees Fahrenheit. Soil colder in temperature than the ideal temperature can result in less growth and fruit yield.
Wait to harvest until the plant has grown to at least one-third of its full size. Remove ripened fruit promptly because over-ripened fruit can become spongy, develop hard seeds, and lose its vibrant skin. To prevent damage to the plant, prune and harvest with sharp, clean tools. Wear protective gear like gloves and long sleeves when handling and harvesting the plant to avoid irritation from the plants natural hairs.
Eggplants are diverse, with a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors available. You can find them in shades of purple, lavender, black, yellow, red, green, and white, as well as striking striped and maroon varieties. Pick the best varieties for Florida, including:
- Black Beauty
- Cloud Nine
- Dancer
- Dusky
- Ichiban
- Long
- Nitta/Molokai
Other varieties, including Thai and Japanese, are well-suited for Florida, and dwarf types are ideal for smaller gardens.
Pests and Diseases
Eggplant struggles with pests. Some common pests include:
- aphids
- flea beetles
- Colorado potato beetle
- caterpillars
- thrips
- spidermites
- leafminers (insect tunnels between leaf layers)
Eggplant is susceptible to bacterial, fungal, and viral diseases as well, such as:
- seed rot
- root rot (damp/wet conditions kill roots)
- damping-off
- anthracnose
- late blight (causes fruit rot and plant death)
- alternaria leaf spot
- verticillium wilt
Planting before or after the peak summer heat can have a positive impact when growing eggplant. Good cultural practices like rotating crops, using clean tools, and irrigating at the base of the plant without wetting the leaves and stem (and not overwatering) can help prevent these issues. Luckily, there are UF/IFAS-recommended treatment options. When dealing with garden pests, UF/IFAS recommends implementing integrated pest management (IPM).
Disclaimer: The mention of edibility and consumption is for educational purposes only and does not imply an endorsement of safety or consumption for all individuals. Please consult a licensed health professional before using eggplant for food or medicinal purposes.
Are you Florida Friendly?
Remember, always match the growing conditions of the environment you have available to a plant’s specific needs. Plant needs are unique to each species. Consider whether the soil type, season, light, water, and temperature at your planting location are right for your desired plant.
Follow the 9 Principles of Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ and implement IPM to help create a sustainable, low-maintenance garden that will need less water, fertilizer, and pesticides to thrive.
Stay tuned to learn more about growing fruit in Florida.
Resources:
Supervising Agent: Nicole Walker
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