When and How to Grow Eggplants From Seed
Much like their tomato and pepper relatives, eggplants are quick and easy to grow from seed. Former organic farmer Logan Hailey has everything you need to know about sowing and cultivating these tasty nightshade crops.
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From classic, plump Italian style to slender, long Asian varieties, eggplants come in many shapes and forms. As long as the baby eggplants have plenty of sunshine and warmth, these nightshade relatives are just as easy to grow from seed as tomatoes and peppers.
If you want to save money and give your eggplants a head start this season, here’s how to grow them from seed in your home, greenhouse, or garden.
When Do You Plant Eggplant Seeds?
The best time to plant eggplants is six to eight weeks before you’re going to transplant outdoors. These heat-loving crops require more warmth than other summer vegetables, so it’s best to wait until several weeks after your expected last spring frost to set the transplant date, and then count backward eight weeks from that day.
For most gardeners, eggplant is best sown indoors around March or April to plan for a May or June planting date. However, southern growers can get away with starting seeds as early as February if they have heat mats and no worries about outdoor frosts. Eggplants germinate best in soils between 70 and 90°F (21-32°C), so use a soil thermometer probe to check the temperature of your containers or beds before sowing.
How to Grow Eggplants From Seed: 11 Easy Steps
If you’ve ever grown tomatoes from seed, then you can easily grow eggplants. These crops are both members of the Solanaceae or nightshade family. The Latin root sol means “sun,” which provides the best hint to what eggplants love. As long as you give them plenty of light, warmth, and water, your eggplants are sure to yield an abundance of tasty fruits.
Choose the Right Variety
While oblong Italian eggplants are the most commonly known culinary variety, there are actually dozens of other types that offer an abundance of unique flavors, textures, colors, and aesthetics. Choosing the right variety ultimately comes down to your culinary preferences.
Long, slender Asian types like ‘Long Purple’ have a more tender, mild flavor perfect for roasting, stir-fries, and soups. The flesh is softer and less spongey, so they don’t absorb as much moisture. Meanwhile, plump Italian types like ‘Black Beauty’ are dense with a stronger “eggplanty” flavor, best for classic dishes like eggplant parmesan and roasted aubergine.
You can also choose between purple, pink, and white-skinned cultivars. Purple skins offer vibrant color to dishes, while white skins are more amenable to purees and sauces like Mediterranean baba ganoush or eggplant hummus.
Find a Bright, Warm Area
Vegetable seed starting always begins in a bright growing area, and eggplants are no different. If you’re starting indoors (the most recommended method), be sure to choose a south-facing window with lots of sunlight. Alternatively, use grow lights to supplement in shadier conditions. For direct sown eggplant, choose a south-facing garden bed with a minimum of six to eight hours of sunshine per day.
Warmth is also crucial. These heat-loving crops cannot handle cold temperatures. Both the soil and ambient temperature need to be very warm. A germination mat can ensure that the seeds stay heated enough while germinating. Room temperatures above 60°F (16°C) in a bright window or greenhouse nursery are sufficient for supporting young seedlings.
Fill Containers
Cell trays or 5” cube pots are the ideal containers for starting eggplants from seed. Fill them with a well-drained seed-starting blend containing compost, perlite, vermiculite, and/or peat moss. Moisten the medium in advance to ensure that it properly absorbs moisture. Make sure the cells are fully packed with medium, but avoid compressing the mix or it will be too compacted for germination.
Plant ¼” Deep
These seeds are small, flattened, and round, much like tomatoes. They should only be planted at a depth no more than twice their dimensions. In other words, they are only about ⅛” thick, so you should sow them ¼” deep.
Sow just one to two seeds per cell or pot and gently cover with a layer of starter mix or perlite. Avoid covering with too much soil, otherwise there may be issues with germination.
Water and Maintain Soil Temperatures
Consistent moisture is key for proper germination and early growth. Seedlings need to be warm and moist at all times. Water from above using a rain wand or watering can that evenly moisten the medium without dislodging the seeds. If you are using bottom trays, you can also irrigate from the bottom and allow the seedlings to suck up moisture via capillary action from the open drainage holes.
Whatever method you choose, the medium should never be dry nor soggy. Don’t be afraid to stick your finger in to check the water level. The moisture of a wrung-out sponge is ideal.
Thin Seedlings
After germination, remove any extra seedlings to ensure proper spacing. Use needle nose pruners, scissors, or your fingernails to cut out weak or crowded baby plants. It’s OK to sow multiple seeds per cell to ensure germination, but it’s very important to choose the strongest one and weed out the rest. Overcrowding can severely stunt the crop and reduce yields later in the season.
Even if you planted more than one seed per cell, ultimately there should only be one eggplant seedling per cell or container to ensure there is enough space for each plant to grow.
Wait 6-8 Weeks
Remove trays from heat mats after germination and allow them to keep growing in a warm, bright area for six to eight weeks. Once the root balls fully fill their cells, they are ready to transplant into the garden.
Transplant When the Weather is Settled
While many crops can be planted on or immediately after your expected last spring frost date, it’s important to wait until the weather is fully settled before transplanting eggplant seedlings. Often this is two to four weeks after the last frost date.
Ideally, nights should be consistently above 40°F (4°C). You can use row fabric, low tunnels, or cold frames to add more insulation to outdoor beds.
Ensure Proper Spacing
Most varieties require 18-36” of space to grow to their full potential, but it’s important to check your seed packet for variety specifications. Some dwarf varieties can grow in compact containers or closer quarters. When in doubt, space a little bit wider to allow for bushier growth. You don’t want your crops to be overcrowded as this can lead to disease issues and reduced yield.
Weed, Fertilize, and Irrigate
Eggplants have moderately shallow roots, making them susceptible to water stress in drought conditions. Avoid letting them dry out, and irrigate regularly with a hose or drip lines. Use an all-purpose vegetable fertilizer blend at the time of planting to ensure balanced nutrition.
Finally, weed the beds regularly to avoid excess competition. Unlike their tomato cousins, these crops are not extraordinarily vigorous or tall, so they can be overgrown by weeds if you aren’t careful.
Harvest When Mature
Most eggplants begin yielding about 60 days after sowing. The plants should continue producing flowers and fruit as long as the weather is warm and there is sufficient water. You can technically harvest the fruits at any stage, as they are considered ripe once they’re just an inch or two long. However, if you want the highest yields and best flavor, wait until they are six to eight inches long with shiny, brightly-colored skins.
