Whole plant
Overall shape, height, branching and growth habit.
Solanums
Eggplant growing guide
Glossy purple (or white, striped) fruiting vegetable that loves heat even more than tomatoes. A staple in Mediterranean, Asian and Middle Eastern cooking.
Photo reference
Use this real-world photo as the main plant reference, then compare it with the botanical drawings below for leaf, flower and harvest details.
10-14 daysGermination
65-80 daysHarvest
60 cmSpacing
0.5 cmSow depth
FullSun
TenderFrost
2.5 cm/weekWater
5.8-6.5pH
Planting calendar by climate
Use these windows as a public guide. Plotera can personalise tasks around your saved garden, location and planting dates.
| Climate | Sow | Transplant / Plant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tropical | Jan - Dec | Jan - Dec | Jan - Dec |
| Subtropical | Jul - Oct | Sep - Nov | Nov - Mar |
| Mediterranean | Aug - Oct | Oct - Nov | Dec - Mar |
| Temperate | Sep - Oct | Nov - Dec | Jan - Mar |
| Cool | Oct | Dec | Feb - Mar |
| Arid | Jul - Sep | Sep - Oct | Nov - Feb |
Botanical reference
Compare the whole plant first, then check the leaf, flower and harvest detail to identify what Eggplant should look like as it grows.
Leaf detail
Leaf shape, edges, colour and vein pattern.
Flower detail
Flower colour, structure and where blooms appear.
Harvest / detail
Fruit, root, seed, pod or the strongest identifying feature.
Cooking and eating ideas
A quick garden-to-table guide for using Eggplant after harvest.
Raw / fresh
Use ripe fruit fresh in salads, salsas, sandwiches, dips, mezze, or quick garden snacks where suitable.
Cooked
Roast, grill, saute, stew, stuff, bake, simmer into sauces, or add to curries and casseroles.
Store / preserve
Freeze, dry, pickle, ferment, relish, sauce, or preserve using crop-safe methods.
Try: Fresh salsa, Roasted tray, Garden sauce, Stuffed or grilled.
Good companions
Basil, Marigold, Beans
Avoid near
Fennel
Growing note
Harvest when skin is shiny — dull skin means the fruit is over-mature.
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