Eggplant care guide
Solanum melongena
Also known as: Aubergine, Eggplant
Pets and children
Considered toxic
The fruit you eat is not the concern: the leaves and stems carry solanine-type compounds that can make dogs and cats vomit, have diarrhea, or become listless, so keep pets away from the plant and consult a veterinarian (or a doctor, for a child) if any is eaten.
How often to water Eggplant
- Spring–Summer (Mar–Sep)
- Every day
- A thirsty plant: as a guide, water thoroughly every day once the topsoil dries, and in midsummer that can mean morning and evening.
- Autumn (Oct–Nov)
- Every 2 days
- Autumn eggplants are still cropping; the soil dries more slowly, so ease back to watering about when the topsoil dries.
- Winter (Dec–Feb)
- Every 5 days
- Generally out of season; only a plant kept indoors needs a sparing watering about two to three days after the soil dries.
Light and placement for Eggplant
A spot in full sun with good airflow is about right; too little light drops the flowers and dulls the fruit, and since the branches spread and snap, stake the three main stems.
Overwintering Eggplant
Overwintering guide: 10°C (50°F) or above
It is generally grown as an annual and cleared before the first frost; growth stops below about 10°C, and a plant kept indoors rarely crops well the next year.
Fertilizing and repotting Eggplant
Fertilizer
It suffers when fertilizer runs short: from two to three weeks after planting, slow-release about monthly or liquid feed about every two weeks is the usual guide, and a flower whose pistil is shorter than its stamens signals hunger.
When to repot
Spring–Summer (Mar–Sep)
Common problems with Eggplant
- Drought gives dull, tough-skinned fruit.
- When fertilizer runs out, the flowers come with short pistils and no fruit sets.
- Spider mites in hot dry weather leave the leaves speckled and pale.
Tips for growing Eggplant
- Harvest the first fruit small so the plant grows on and crops for longer.
- In late July, cut the branches back by about half, trim the roots, and feed for a crop of autumn eggplants.
- Mulching the base with straw or leaf mold helps hold moisture and deter spider mites.
These are AI-generated general guidelines. They vary with the variety, the placement and the pot size. For effects on pets or children, consult a veterinarian or a doctor.
Keep your plant log going
Greenery is a free app that keeps your plant care going, with watering reminders and photo records. Available on iOS and Android.
