Eggplant
Solanum melongena
Vegetables Difficulty: Moderate
📖 About this plant
A warm-season vegetable producing glossy, pear-shaped fruits in deep purple, white, striped, or lavender varieties. Rich in fiber, potassium, and antioxidants. A staple in Mediterranean, Asian, and Middle Eastern cuisines. Requires consistent heat and full sun for optimal production.
🧑🌾 Care requirements
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Light
Full sun (6-8 hrs)
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Water
Every 2-3 days
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Humidity
Moderate to high (50-70%)
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Temperature
22-30°C
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Soil
Sandy, well-draining loam rich in organic matter; pH 5.5-6.5
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Fertilizer
Balanced NPK fertilizer (5-10-10) at planting; side-dress with nitrogen when first fruits set
📋 Plant facts
- 🌍 Origin
- India, Southeast Asia
- 📏 Max height
- 45-90 cm
- 📐 Spread
- 45-75 cm
- 🕰️ Bloom time
- Summer
- 🎨 Bloom color
- Purple, White
- 🍃 Foliage color
- Green
- ⏳ Lifespan
- Annual
- 📈 Growth rate
- Moderate
- ☠️ Toxicity
- Non-toxic edible fruits; leaves and stems contain solanine — toxic if ingested in large quantities
- 🌱 Propagation
- Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost; transplant when nighttime temps stay above 16°C
🛡️ Health & Safety
🐾 Pet safe
✅ Non-toxic
Non-toxic edible fruits; leaves and stems contain solanine — toxic if ingested in large quantities
Common issues
- Flea beetle damage on young leaves, Blossom end rot from calcium deficiency, Spider mites in hot dry conditions
💡 Care tips
- Requires consistent heat to produce fruit so start indoors in cool climates,Support heavy fruit-laden branches with stakes or cages,HARVEST when skin is glossy and fruit is firm to the touch,Stake plants and prune suckers for larger healthier fruit
🪴 Add to My Plants
One click — added instantly. Watering every 3 days, fertilizing every 30 days.
