Moisture range
35–55%
Days to maturity
70–90
Light
Full sun
Growing Degree Units
1300 · base 60°F
When to plant eggplant in your zone
Indoor-start, transplant and harvest dates calibrated to your climate.
Growing notes
Eggplant needs warm weather and will not thrive during a cool season. Transplant outdoors after nighttime low temperatures are above 50°F.
Harvest signs
when they have reached mature size; pick when the skins are still shiny and the fruit is firm
▶Planting reference— Depth, spacing, pH, light
▶Pests & diseases— cutworms, flea beetles, colorado potato beetles, spider mites, +1 more
Common pests · 4
Cutworms: chew stems at the soil line, giving plants a snipped appearance ↗
Flea beetles: chew many small, round holes into eggplant leaves ↗
Colorado potato beetles: can destroy eggplants, as they can gather in large numbers and eat leaves ↗
Spider mites: can feed on leaves, giving them a bleached or bronzed appearance (During periods of hot, dry weather) ↗
Common diseases · 1
Verticillium wilt: causes the leaves to turn yellow and curl inward. As the disease progresses, leaves dry out and turn brown ↗
Companions & antagonists
Plant near:BasilMarigold
Keep apart from:Fennel
Tip: Needs warmth — transplant well after frost.
Common questions
How much water does eggplant need?
Eggplant has middle-of-the-road water needs. Aim to keep soil moisture around 35–55%, letting the top inch dry slightly between waterings rather than staying soggy.
Can I grow eggplant in a raised bed or container?
Yes — eggplant does well in raised beds and is happy in a decent-sized container too, as long as drainage is good.
Does eggplant come back every year?
No — eggplant is an annual. It completes its life in one season, so you replant it each year.