How To Grow Eggplant For Beginners (Simple Hacks You Can Implement Immediately)

Are you eager to grow eggplants but unsure about where to begin? If so, then you’ve landed in the right place.

In this article, I’ll share everything you need to know to start your eggplant-growing journey. Whether that's knowing when to plant or when to harvest, I cover it all below.

To start things off, here’s a quick rundown of 6 simple steps to help you get going with growing your eggplants.

1. Make Sure To Understand Eggplant Varieties 

Eggplants are a great option for beginner gardeners, and some varieties are easier to grow. So, before you even start, you may want to make sure you have the right variety. 

Here are some common types of eggplants that are beginner-friendly:

First up is the Globe Eggplant. You’ve probably come across this type before, as it’s the most common variety you will encounter in grocery stores. With its fat structure and deep purple color, it’s perfect for various dishes from casseroles to grilling. It’s like the go-to eggplant for any dish you want to try.

Next up is the Italian Eggplant. These smaller, teardrop-shaped eggplants are famous for their sweet flavor and tender flesh. They’re just perfect for Italian recipes, especially if you’re making something like Pasta alla Norma or Eggplant Parmigiana. 

Another great option is the Chinese Eggplant which is long and slender, with pastel purple skin. Compared to the other varieties, this type has a sweeter taste. I’ve actually enjoyed the taste of this in dishes like “Pinakbet” and “Eggplant Omelette.” 

I remember helping my mom grow these right in our backyard. They’re easy to care for as long as they get plenty of sunlight and water. Just a little love, and they thrive.

In addition to these types is the Japanese Eggplant which is similar to the Chinese variety but this one is a bit shorter. It also has deep purple skin and a creamy texture, which is great for grilling or stir-frying as well. If you’re looking for something tasty, definitely give the Japanese Eggplant a shot.

Lastly, we have the Graffiti Eggplant, sometimes called the Sicilian eggplant. This one stands out with its purple and white stripes, and what's really cool is that those stripes disappear when you cook it. Not only does it look great, but the Graffiti Eggplant is multi-purpose and can be used in any recipe. Whether you're grilling, roasting, or tossing it into a stir-fry, it’s a fantastic addition to your meals. 

Basically, these are just the common types of eggplants that are easy to grow and beginner-friendly. I suggest that you choose a variety that is suitable and readily available in your area.

2. Don't Forget to Prepare Your Garden Soil and Location

Now that you’ve got a better idea of which eggplant to actually grow, it’s time to learn how to cultivate with the best soil and sunlight requirements it needs for a healthy eggplant.

Whenever you go to plant something, you always want to make sure that you have the location ready or that you know it will be ready to plant when the time comes.

While we'll talk more about actually starting your eggplants indoors a little bit later on, I want to quickly mention what type of soil and location you may want to be prepared to have, if you actually do want to grow eggplant.

What is the best soil for eggplants?

Eggplants are best grown in rich, well-drained soil that holds a bit of moisture. Before you plant, mix in some compost or old manure that is higher in nitrogen to create a suitable environment for them, and aim for a pH between 6.0 and 7.0 for healthy eggplants.

How much sunlight and spacing do I need for growing eggplants?

Eggplants love being in the sun for up to 6 to 8 hours of bright sunlight each day, so you must find a spot where you can perfectly plant them.

As for spacing, it’s best if you plant eggplants 24 to 36 inches apart to give them enough room to grow. That will surely help in good air circulation and allow each plant to access plenty of sunlight.

3. Planting Eggplant – Seedlings or Seeds?

When you’re finally ready to plant your eggplants, you actually have two options: starting it from seeds or purchasing seedlings someone else started.

How to start your eggplants from seeds?

Many gardeners will tell you that eggplants can be grown similarly like tomatoes and peppers. While this is often true (meaning that you generally start them around the same time), there are a few differences that you do need to be aware of.

When it comes to eggplants, you should first start your eggplant seeds indoors about 8 to 10 weeks before the last frost in your area, so as to give them plenty of time to grow strong. 

So, go ahead and grab small trays and then fill them with seeds, and plant 2-3 seeds in each cell, about ¼ inch deep. If you can, add some of your own home-grown compost to give them a boost right from the start. 

Then, gently water the soil to keep it moist but not soggy. 

After that, you should place the trays in a warm spot with lots of light, like a sunny window or under grow lights so that your seedlings can thrive and grow strong.

Eggplants also can benefit from heat pads that help maintain the indoor soil at the right temperature. While it isn't needed or necessary, eggplants really love a warm environment.

Depending on what size pot you use, you may want to transition the seedlings to bigger pots before you move them outside.

Once your seedlings grown for those 8-10 weeks, and you're finally past the frost date, then you actually want to check the soil temperature.

Eggplants thrive best when the outside soil temperature is around or over 55 F. If you want to move them earlier, the coldest most gardeners recommend is 50 F. Generally this is when you have nights time temperatures of 60-65 degrees.

Once your soil (and the outside air) is at the correct temperature, then you can transplant your seedlings.

Make sure to follow the proper way to water transplants to help them settle in and thrive.

How do I start if I buy eggplant seedlings? And what is the proper way to transplant them?

If you want to enjoy fresh eggplants but don’t have the time or space to start them from seeds indoors, then using seedlings is a great option.

Basically, you start by buying healthy seedlings from a garden center or nursery. When choosing, you should look for seedlings that are sturdy to make sure that they are ready for planting.

However, make sure that there are garden centers or nursery that will have an eggplant starter variety. Oftentimes, many nurseries won't have any eggplant seedlings. So just double check before you count on it.

When you’re ready to plant your seedlings outdoors, dig holes in your garden about 18 to 24 inches apart, gently remove the seedlings from their pots, and place them in the holes. Ensure as well that the top of the soil is even with the ground. 

Finally, after you plant, give them a good drink of water and keep the soil moist as they settle in.

Just be aware of some common mistakes in growing eggplants that can affect their health.

It's also not a bad idea to give them a sprinkling of bloodmeal or something high in nitrogen when you do transplant them.  

Of course, with proper regular watering and weeding, you will see your seedlings grow quickly, and soon you’ll be ready to harvest delicious eggplants.

4. Give Your Eggplant Proper Care As It Grows

Taking care of your eggplants as they grow is important for a healthy harvest. 

From my experience, I water them whenever the top inch of the soil feels dry, which usually means you will need to water every 2 to 3 days. Just stick your finger in the soil and if it feels dry an inch down, it’s time to water them. 

Once again, while you can follow a lot of tomato and pepper gardening advice for your eggplants, one thing you do want to make sure you do is water them more when your eggplant is fruiting.

Unlike tomatoes, which will split, if there is too much water, eggplants will actually become bitter if they are under watered. Only the skin will usually become bitter, but for the experience, it's worth it to get the watering done correctly.

You should also consider using a balanced fertilizer, like a 5-10-10 mix, which really helps. If you do, start fertilizing when your plants are about 6 inches tall and do it every 4 to 6 weeks. 

Don’t forget to check for pests and diseases by looking at your plants regularly. 

Some gardeners will also give a high phosphorus fertilizer (like bone meal) when the plant starts to fruit. Of course, this isn't necessary, but it can be helpful to boost our plant's overall productivity.

With proper care and attention, your eggplants will surely thrive and reward you with a healthy harvest.

5. Pick Your Eggplant When It Is Shiny, Deep In Color, And Semi-Firm

To tell if your eggplant is ready to pick, here are a few signs you should look for. 

First, the skin should be slightly firm, shiny, and a deep color—that’s a good sign it’s ripe. Just give it a gentle press with your finger; if it leaves a little dent and doesn’t bounce back, it’s time to harvest.

Size can matter too sometimes. For mini eggplants, you want them to be about 3 inches long, while the bigger ones should be around 7 to 10 inches. However, it's always best to go off of how the actual eggplant looks than how long it is.

If the skin starts looking dull or you spot brown seeds inside when you cut it open, that means it’s overripe and could taste bitter.

It’s better to pick them a bit early than to wait too long, as that way they’re tender and flavorful.

6. Enjoy Your Eggplant!

Now that you already know when and how to harvest your eggplants, you might want to know how to properly store them as well so you can use them later on.

To keep your harvested eggplants fresh, store them in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. They’re best used within a week, but if you want to extend their life a bit longer, you can pop them in the fridge for a few extra days. 

Just remember not to wash them until you’re ready to use them, as moisture can cause them to spoil faster.

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