Eggplant fruit hanging from trellised vines in a veggie garden.

Eggplant

If you’re looking for a new garden plant to try, consider growing eggplant. Eggplant is an easy-to-grow vegetable that can be used in dishes like ratatouille, baba ghanoush, and many more! These nightshade vegetables need lots of sunlight, heat, and water, so make sure you have plenty of space for them in your garden. Learn how to plant, grow, and harvest this tasty old-world veggie with our detailed instructions down below. If you are new to growing eggplants, start with our basic care guide.

15 of the Best Italian Eggplant Varieties

A close up horizontal image of freshly harvested Italian eggplants in a variety of colors in a plastic tray.

Eggplant is a warm weather crop for USDA Hardiness Zones 4 to 10. When you grow your own, you can provide your family with unique varieties in a range of shapes and colors. Italian eggplants feature thin skins and fewer seeds than the types found in most grocery stores. Discover 15 of the best Italian varieties now.

9 of the Best White Eggplant Varieties

A close up of five harvested aubergines, four white ones of various shapes and one purple one set on a rustic wooden background.

Looking for something unique that will really stand out in your veggie garden this year? These nine white eggplant varieties will glow as they grow. Usually less bitter than purple cultivars, white varieties come in different shapes and sizes. To learn more about these delicious white eggplant cultivars, keep reading.

How to Grow Eggplant in Containers

A close up horizontal image of a row of containers with purple eggplants.

Eggplant is a delicious, nutritious warm-weather crop. If you want to harvest homegrown eggplant for your pasta dishes, curries, and more, but don’t have room in your garden, why not try growing it in containers? Planting in pots saves garden space and helps extend the growing season. Read more now.

Tips for Pollinating Eggplant by Hand

A close up horizontal image of purple eggplants developing on the branch pictured in light filtered sunshine with soil in soft focus in the background.

If you want to hand-pollinate your own eggplants but aren’t sure how, then this is the guide for you. We’ll show you how easy it is to manually pollinate these tasty nightshades for a delicious crop this summer. Have your pick of three simple hand pollination methods to help ensure a savory, meaty harvest. Read more.

Eggplant Spacing: How Far Apart to Plant

A close up horizontal image of small Solanum melongena fruits growing in rows in the garden.

Eggplant spacing might seem straightforward, but once you dive into the world of aubergines you’ll realize the plants come in a few different sizes. Even more intriguing, eggplants can be grown as short-lived perennials and the spacing requirements change accordingly. To find out everything you need to know, read more now.

5 Reasons Your Eggplant Blossoms Are Falling Off

A close up horizontal image of a hand from the bottom of the frame holding a Solanum melongena fruit ready to harvest.

Few things are more rewarding than growing your own eggplant. But what if your plants keep dropping flowers? How will they ever produce fruit? In this guide, you’ll learn the most common reasons that blossoms drop or fail to develop in the first place. A healthy crop of aubergines can still be yours! Read more.

How to Plant and Grow Eggplant in Your Vegetable Garden

A collection of various cultivars of eggplant fruit on a wooden table.

Eggplant will win you over with its array of colors and versatility in the kitchen. Native to Asia and in cultivation for thousands of years, this long-season, heat-loving annual is now enjoyed all over the world. Read more now.

21 of the Best Japanese Eggplant Varieties

A close up of a variety of small purple eggplant fruits set on a dark gray surface.

Japanese eggplant is a delight on the plate and you can grow this veggie right in your own backyard. When choosing seeds, you’ll find an incredible selection, in shades that are dark black, bright purple, lavender, pink, and even green. Read on to discover 21 of the best Japanese and Asian eggplant varieties.