Eggplant [Solanum melongena]

Eggplant

Eggplant is not only a wonderfully international food, it's also versatile. Add it to soups and pasta dishes or use it as the basis for hearty meatless casseroles and other entrees. Vegetarians value its rich, deep flavor as an excellent substitute for meat.

Eggplant originated in India, where it is used in many dishes, such as bengan bartha. The vegetable is also the basis for Greek moussaka, French ratatouille, and Italian caponata. The elegantly shaped, often gorgeously colored, glossy fruits vary from large oval teardrop-shape to small round grape size. And the mature color can range from white to purple, pink, striped, green, or orange. The plant needs heat and humidity to grow well. Fruit fails to set at temperatures below 65 degrees Fahrenheit.

Light:

    Sun

Plant Type:

    Vegetable

Plant Height:

    1-3 feet tall

Plant Width:

    1-2 feet wide

Special Features:

    Flowers

Top Varieties

'Dusky Hybrid' eggplant

is an early-maturing variety (63 days) with dark purple fruits that are 6-7 inches long.

'Ichiban' eggplant

is an Asian-type variety that produces dark purple elongated fruits 60-70 days from transplanting.

'Ping Tung Long' eggplant

is a Taiwanese variety that bears cylindrical violet-purple fruits up to 12 inches long. 62 days

'Purple Rain Hybrid' eggplant

features wine-purple skin streaked with white. The 6- to 7-inch-long fruits mature in 66 days.

'Tango Hybrid' eggplant

bears 7-inch-long white fruits in just 60 days.

'Twinkle Hybrid' eggplant

produces 3-4 inch oval fruits striped purple and white. It grows well in container gardens. 60 days

Garden Plans Asian-Inspired Vegetable Garden Plan

Heritage Vegetable Garden

Planting Plans Inspired by the White House Kitchen Garden

Harvest Tips Ripe eggplants are shiny and firm to the touch. Dull skin and brown seeds mean that the fruit is overripe. Use a sharp knife to cut ripe fruits from the plant leaving the cap and short piece of stem attached to the fruit. Plants of some varieties produce sharp spines. Wear gloves to protect your hands when harvesting those types.

GROW IT YOURSELF