Eggplant Planting Guide

Eggplant is a heat-loving solanaceous crop that produces glossy fruits in purple, white, or striped varieties. It requires long, warm growing seasons for best production.

Solanum melongena · Vegetable · Solanaceae family · 65–85 days to maturity

Get Your Personalized Eggplant Planting Dates

Enter your ZIP code to see exact planting dates, soil compatibility, and growing tips specific to your county.

Where Can You Grow Eggplant?

Zone Compatibility for Eggplant Zones 5a – 11b

1a 1b 2a 2b 3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a 10b 11a 11b 12a 12b 13a 13b

Ideal (data available) Suitable Marginal Not recommended

Planting Dates by Zone

Zone	Start Indoors	Direct Sow	Transplant	Harvest
Zone 5a	Feb 14	May 2	May 9	Jul 18 – Sep 19
Zone 5b	Feb 7	Apr 25	May 2	Jul 11 – Sep 12
Zone 6a	Jan 30	Apr 17	Apr 24	Jul 3 – Sep 4
Zone 6b	Jan 23	Apr 10	Apr 17	Jun 26 – Aug 28
Zone 7a	Jan 21	Apr 1	Apr 8	Jun 17 – Aug 19
Zone 7b	Jan 14	Mar 25	Apr 1	Jun 10 – Aug 12
Zone 8a	Jan 4	Mar 15	Mar 22	May 31 – Aug 2
Zone 8b	Dec 24	Mar 4	Mar 11	May 20 – Jul 22
Zone 9a	Dec 30	Feb 10	Feb 17	Apr 28 – Jun 30
Zone 9b	Dec 14	Jan 25	Feb 1	Apr 12 – Jun 14
Zone 10a	Nov 20	Jan 1	Jan 8	Mar 19 – May 21
Zone 10b	Nov 20	Jan 1	Jan 8	Mar 19 – May 21
Zone 11a	Nov 20	Jan 1	Jan 8	Mar 19 – May 21
Zone 11b	Nov 20	Jan 1	Jan 8	Mar 19 – May 21

How to Plant Eggplant

Planting Depth

30"

Between Plants

42"

Between Rows

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1.1"/week

Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Consistent moisture produces the best results.

🧪 Soil pH

5.5 – 7

Prefers neutral to slightly acidic soil — ideal for most garden beds.

🗺️ Hardiness Zones

Zone 5a – 11b

📅 Days to Maturity

65–85 days

Medium-season crop. Start early for best results in shorter seasons.

👪 Plant Family

Solanaceae

Rotate with other families yearly to prevent soil-borne diseases. Don't plant in the same spot where Solanaceae family crops grew last year.

Succession Planting Eggplant

Eggplant matures in just 65–85 days, making it ideal for succession planting. In a typical 180-day growing season, you can get up to 3 successive plantings by sowing every 7.4 weeks.

Your actual succession count depends on your local frost dates. Enter your ZIP code to get personalized succession planting dates for your area.

Companion Planting for Eggplant

✅ Good Companions

Peppers Basil Spinach

❌ Keep Away From

Fennel Kohlrabi

Check more combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Growing Tips for Eggplant

Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost. Transplant only after nighttime temperatures stay above 55F. Mulch to retain moisture and warmth around roots.

💧 Watering: Eggplant needs approximately 1.1 inches of water per week during active growth. Adjust based on your local rainfall — check your county page for a monthly watering guide specific to your area.

Saving Eggplant Seeds

Recommended for Your Garden

🌱

Seed Starting Trays $8-20

Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.

🧪

Soil Test Kit $12-25

Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.

🏷️

Garden Plant Markers $6-12

Keep your garden organized with durable, weather-resistant plant labels.

Level Up Your Garden

Seed Saving & Storage Guide

Learn when to harvest, how to dry, and how to store seeds from 200 plants. Never buy seeds again.

Learn More →

Eggplant by State

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to grow Eggplant?

Eggplant (Solanum melongena) takes 65 to 85 days from planting to harvest. Exact timing depends on your variety, growing conditions, and USDA zone.

What zones can Eggplant grow in?

Eggplant can be grown in USDA zones 5a through 11b. Use the planting calendar above to find the exact dates for your zone.

How much sun does Eggplant need?

Growing Eggplant requires Full Sun (6-8+ hours), Moderate — regular watering, and soil pH of 5.5 to 7.

Blog