Eggplant

85 Days. This incredibly delicious Iraqi variety comes from our friend Nael Aziz. Satiny, dark purple fruit may mature at 3 pounds or more! Shaped like a squat teardrop, the sweet flesh is perfect for grilling or baking. Abundant producers that are heat tolerant and productive in our trials.

• Full Sun
• Sprouts in 10-15 Days
• Seed Depth: 1/4"
• Ideal Temperature: 75-95 F
• Plant Spacing: 18" 
• Frost Hardy: No
• Solanum melongena

Growing Tips: Start indoors in bright light 8-12 weeks before last frost date. Heat mat helps to warm soil and speed germination. Setting out larger transplants helps to fight pest pressure.

90 days. The standard old type, these large black fruit are of excellent quality. Very tasty! Much later, these need a long season and give lower yields than others. 

• 90 Days
• Full Sun
• Sprouts in 10-15 Days
• Seed Depth: 1/4"
• Ideal Temperature: 75-95 F
• Plant Spacing: 18" 
• Frost Hardy: No
• Solanum melongena

Growing Tips: Start indoors in bright light 8-12 weeks before last frost date. Heat mat helps to warm soil and speed germination. Setting out larger transplants helps to fight pest pressure.

75 Days. Here is a large, round, flat variety from the Kingdom of Cambodia. We collected this variety in 2004, when we were touring this once war-torn Southeast Asian country. Attractive fruit is pale green with dark green stripes. This is a very unique color pattern for a large variety. These are great eating, and have a deep, full-bodied eggplant flavor.

• Full Sun
• Sprouts in 10-15 Days
• Seed Depth: 1/4"
• Ideal Temperature: 75-95 F
• Plant Spacing: 18" 
• Frost Hardy: No
• Solanum melongena

Growing Tips: Start indoors in bright light 8-12 weeks before last frost date. Heat mat helps to warm soil and speed germination. Setting out larger transplants helps to fight pest pressure.

Our favorite eggplant is so long and skinny that the Chinese named it after a piece of string! This is the most slender, tender and best-tasting variety we have grown! This marvelous eggplant is so sweet it is even delicious raw in salads, and this buttery, tender East China variety is our top choice for doing just that! Very high-yielding plants produce profusions of 10-15-inch long fruit with lavender-violet skin and snowy white flesh. A superior choice for sautéing, grilling, and more! Fire up the wok and make the best pan of Chinese eggplant you will ever taste! Eggplant has an ancient history in China, where it is used for food and medicine. This is a masterpiece of thousands of years of eggplant selection from this amazing land. We grow these almost year-round in our greenhouses and outdoors in the warmer months They are super quick to mature. We cook the new baby fruit whole like green beans, only these are better!

• Full Sun
• Sprouts in 10-15 Days
• Seed Depth: 1/4"
• Ideal Temperature: 75-95 F
• Plant Spacing: 18" 
• Frost Hardy: No
• Solanum melongena

Growing Tips: Start indoors in bright light 8-12 weeks before last frost date. Heat mat helps to warm soil and speed germination. Setting out larger transplants helps to fight pest pressure.

A cousin of the eggplant but with densely nutritious edible leaves, this variety hails originally from West Africa. Like any other eggplant, this tropical perennial can also be grown as an annual, reaching 2-4 feet tall and about as wide. A gorgeous edible ornamental, the small leaves and stems, as well as flowers, are edible (best blanched and then sautéed) prepared in a fashion similar to collard greens. It is a popular green throughout West, central and East Africa and in Vietnam as well. The importance of bitter greens in the diet has been well studied, and this heat- and drought-tolerant green is a perfect staple green for anyone looking for a boost of healthful bitter greens. A top-notch tropical permaculture plant! Featured in William Woys Weaver’s 100 Vegetables and Where They Came From. Do not use this plant without cooking. Not for use raw!

Caution: Do not ingest this plant without cooking.

• Full Sun
• Sprouts in 10-15 Days
• Seed Depth: 1/4"
• Ideal Temperature: 75-95 F
• Plant Spacing: 18" 
• Frost Hardy: No
• Solanum macrocarpon

Growing Tips: Start indoors in bright light 8-12 weeks before last frost date. Heat mat helps to warm soil and speed germination. Setting out larger transplants helps to fight pest pressure.

65 Days. With full, rich flavor, the lovely 2- to 3-inch white fruit is perfect for stir frying, soups and curries. The plants give heavy yields all season.

• Full Sun
• Sprouts in 10-15 Days
• Seed Depth: 1/4"
• Ideal Temperature: 75-95 F
• Plant Spacing: 18" 
• Frost Hardy: No
• Solanum melongena

Growing Tips: Start indoors in bright light 8-12 weeks before last frost date. Heat mat helps to warm soil and speed germination. Setting out larger transplants helps to fight pest pressure.

A gourmet eggplant, highly regarded by top chefs in Japan, plants are super heat and humidity tolerant. A Kyo Yasai or traditional vegetable of Kyoto, this variety is specifically from the city of Kamo, Japan. It is considered a regional delicacy of the area thanks to its creamy, dense flesh and sweet flavor. Eggplant began to be cultivated in Japan in the 8th century, and much effort in breeding and refining has been put in since its introduction!

• Full Sun
• Sprouts in 10-15 Days
• Seed Depth: 1/4"
• Ideal Temperature: 75-95 F
• Plant Spacing: 18" 
• Frost Hardy: No
• Solanum melongena

90 days.One of the most popular heirloom types, this one has 7-inch long fruit that is white with lovely bright purple stripes. It is so beautiful and has fabulous flavor with sweet, tender flesh. This excellent variety hails from Spain, a country that is renowned for fine food.

• Full Sun
• Sprouts in 10-15 Days
• Seed Depth: 1/4"
• Ideal Temperature: 75-95 F
• Plant Spacing: 18" 
• Frost Hardy: No
• Solanum melongena

65 days. Small, purple-black fruit cluster on sturdy, compact plants. Blunt fruit may be harvested when finger-sized but may also be allowed to grow larger with no sacrifice of its mild taste and tender texture.

• Full Sun
• Sprouts in 10-15 Days
• Seed Depth: 1/4"
• Ideal Temperature: 75-95 F
• Plant Spacing: 18" 
• Frost Hardy: No
• Solanum melongena

70-80 Days. A truly scrumptious and unique member of the eggplant family, these boast a combination flavors. We taste eggplant, tomatoes, and peppers. This red round fruit is popular in the Italian province of Potenza where it is traditionally made into gourmet caponata or preserved and pickled. Bright orange, round fruit was originally brought to Rotonda, Italy from Ethiopia just before World War II and can often be found in jars of olive oil or spread on crusty Italian bread. Jere Gettle found seeds for this delicacy while traveling Italy in 2009.

• Full Sun
• Sprouts in 10-15 Days
• Seed Depth: 1/4"
• Ideal Temperature: 75-95 F
• Plant Spacing: 18" 
• Frost Hardy: No
• Solanum aethiopicum

90 Days. Large fruit is oval to teardrop shaped and nearly black. Flesh is very tender and sweet. It is even highly recommended for use without cooking! Fruit is also excellent baked or roasted, and is often pickled as well in its native Japan, where the variety was originally collected at a local market. Traditionally grown in the Mitoyo and Kanonji areas, it is one of the best-tasting eggplants we have ever tried.

• Full Sun
• Sprouts in 10-15 Days
• Seed Depth: 1/4"
• Ideal Temperature: 75-95 F
• Plant Spacing: 18" 
• Frost Hardy: No
• Solanum melongena

A dark obsidian eggplant from Niigata Prefecture, Japan, an area famous for rice production. This prefecture is also known for its eggplant varieties, which are raised in the time between the planting and harvest of the region's main crop. Each of the eggplant varieties has their own uses. This variety, known as "Nagaoka purse eggplant," dates back to the middle of the Meiji era (1868-1912).This variety is known to be among the sweetest and is is traditionally steamed with a bit of ginger and soy sauce.

• Full Sun
• Sprouts in 10-15 Days
• Seed Depth: 1/4"
• Ideal Temperature: 75-95 F
• Plant Spacing: 18" 
• Frost Hardy: No
• Solanum melongena

We love the extra-long fruit of this heirloom eggplant from Nagasaki, Japan! Its shape is just one of its charms. The tender, never-bitter fruit is mild and sweet enough to eat raw! Gardeners will appreciate its impressive tolerance to heat and humidity. Chefs and home cooks will adore its velvety texture and nutty flavor.

• Full Sun
• Sprouts in 10-15 Days
• Seed Depth: 1/4"
• Ideal Temperature: 75-95 F
• Plant Spacing: 18" 
• Frost Hardy: No
• Solanum melongena

70 days. A wonderful eggplant from Ping Tung, Taiwan. Fruit is purple and up to 18 inches long and 2 inches in diameter. This variety is so sweet and tender, superbly delicious! One of the best Chinese eggplants on the market.

• Full Sun
• Sprouts in 10-15 Days
• Seed Depth: 1/4"
• Ideal Temperature: 75-95 F
• Plant Spacing: 18" 
• Frost Hardy: No
• Solanum melongena

Growing Tips: Start indoors in bright light 8-12 weeks before last frost date. Heat mat helps to warm soil and speed germination. Setting out larger transplants helps to fight pest pressure.

80 days. A simply elegant eggplant from Sicily. Light pink-lavender fruit has soft white shading and a gently scalloped form. Mild flesh is very popular with chefs and gardeners alike! No bitterness. A great variety for heirloom market growers. Grow the color that sells!

• Full Sun
• Sprouts in 10-15 Days
• Seed Depth: 1/4"
• Ideal Temperature: 75-95 F
• Plant Spacing: 18" 
• Frost Hardy: No
• Solanum melongena

Growing Tips: Start indoors in bright light 8-12 weeks before last frost date. Heat mat helps to warm soil and speed germination. Setting out larger transplants helps to fight pest pressure.

80 Days. Lovely 8-inch x 4-inch neon, lavender-pink fruit has a mild, sweet, white flesh. The skin is tender and not bitter. Produces excellent yields. This incredible heirloom was developed in Puerto Rico in the 1940s by the Puerto Rico Agricultural Experiment Station, Rio Piedras. One of our favorites every season. 

• Full Sun
• Sprouts in 10-15 Days
• Seed Depth: 1/4"
• Ideal Temperature: 75-95 F
• Plant Spacing: 18" 
• Frost Hardy: No
• Solanum melongena

Growing Tips: Start indoors in bright light 8-12 weeks before last frost date. Heat mat helps to warm soil and speed germination. Setting out larger transplants helps to fight pest pressure.

This elegant apple green eggplant is a culinary treasure in Japan. This traditional variety has been grown in Saitama Prefecture since the early Meiji period. A dense and creamy texture make this a highly gourmet choice. Uniquely colored, and globe shaped with a flat bottom.

• Full Sun
• Sprouts in 10-15 Days
• Seed Depth: 1/4"
• Ideal Temperature: 75-95 F
• Plant Spacing: 18" 
• Frost Hardy: No
• Solanum melongena

Growing Tips: Start indoors in bright light 8-12 weeks before last frost date. Heat mat helps to warm soil and speed germination. Setting out larger transplants helps to fight pest pressure.

A super long, Japanese eggplant with minty green skin that has a pretty, matte look. The white flesh is tender but firm and has a superb, sweet and buttery eggplant flavor that is lacking in most eggplants. The impressively long fruit grows to 16 inches while remaining tasty and tender. This heirloom is divine in tempura, curries, pizza, soups, and even salads! The perfect variety for roasting, grilling, pickling, frying, or steaming. A healthy garden treat that is so easy to grow. Gardeners and chefs in the beautiful Kagoshima Prefecture, on Japan’s southern island of Kyushu, have long treasured this heirloom that was known in ancient times as Satsuma. The name of this eggplant implies that it was a local favorite of the region. 

• Full Sun
• Sprouts in 10-15 Days
• Seed Depth: 1/4"
• Ideal Temperature: 75-95 F
• Plant Spacing: 18" 
• Frost Hardy: No
• Solanum melongena

Also known as silk skin, this eggplant was specially bred to eat raw! In Japan, the sweet and buttery soft flesh is commonly made into eggplant sashimi. This gourmet Japanese eggplant is mild and sweet, with no bitterness, and a deep purple, nearly black, skin and ivory flesh. The variety can be traced all the way back to the Muromachi period (1336-1573). Perfect for vegan cooking or any dish calling for a silky, delicious eggplant. 

• Full Sun
• Sprouts in 10-15 Days
• Seed Depth: 1/4"
• Ideal Temperature: 75-95 F
• Plant Spacing: 18" 
• Frost Hardy: No
• Solanum melongena

This variety was not only our earliest in the field but also among the best eating varieties we have ever tried. The tender white flesh stays firm in cooking. Rich flavor is edged with delicious floral notes that make it a unique addition to a myriad of dishes. Green eggplants are famous in Japan for superior flavor and beauty. Fruit remain perfect for eating even when allowed to grow quite large.

• Full Sun
• Sprouts in 10-15 Days
• Seed Depth: 1/4"
• Ideal Temperature: 75-95 F
• Plant Spacing: 18" 
• Frost Hardy: No
• Solanum melongena

An extra sweet, mini eggplant that is shaped like a little finger, hence the name! An electrifying edible ornamental and scrumptious traditional Thai variety. The 2-3" fruits of this adorable little edible ornamental arestriped in mint and forest green tones, and they drip in abundance on tidy plants. The mini fruit can be used whole. Try them tossed into curries and stir fries or slide onto skewers for a perfect bite-sized treat. Jere Gettle found this variety while on a trip to Thailand.

• Full Sun
• Sprouts in 10-15 Days
• Seed Depth: 1/4"
• Ideal Temperature: 75-95 F
• Plant Spacing: 14" 
• Frost Hardy: No
• Solanum melongena

Growing Tips: Start indoors in bright light 8-12 weeks before last frost date. Heat mat helps to warm soil and speed germination. Setting out larger transplants helps to fight pest pressure.

75 Days. A delicious and tiny heirloom that will become a new favorite! The fruit is a marvelous lavender color and just 1 inch across. The fruit can be used whole. Try it tossed into stir fries, in curry and soups, or cooked on a skewer for a perfect bite-sized treat. Jere Gettle found this gorgeous edible ornamental on a trip to Thailand. Productive plants yield lots of flavorful fruit.

• Full Sun
• Sprouts in 10-15 Days
• Seed Depth: 1/4"
• Ideal Temperature: 75-95 F
• Plant Spacing: 18" 
• Frost Hardy: No
• Solanum melongena

85 days. Also known as Green Elephant Tusk Eggplant, these are very mild and sweet. At 10-12" long, the slender fruit are a beautiful light-lime green. One of the best-tasting eggplants with superb flavor. Good yields on 2-3' tall plants. This heirloom from Thailand is becoming popular with gourmet chefs.

• Full Sun
• Sprouts in 10-15 Days
• Seed Depth: 1/4"
• Ideal Temperature: 75-95 F
• Plant Spacing: 18" 
• Frost Hardy: No
• Solanum melongena

Growing Tips: Start indoors in bright light 8-12 weeks before last frost date. Heat mat helps to warm soil and speed germination. Setting out larger transplants helps to fight pest pressure.

An exciting eggplant that we recently collected in Thailand. This variety produces lovely, highly ribbed, plum-purple fruit that has a delicious, strong, rich eggplant flavor. Very productive and unique. Fun to grow and eat!

• Full Sun
• Sprouts in 10-15 Days
• Seed Depth: 1/4"
• Ideal Temperature: 75-95 F
• Plant Spacing: 18" 
• Frost Hardy: No
• Solanum melongena