Growing eggplant in Florida can be easy if the conditions are adequate. Eggplant comes from the nightshade family, Solanaceae — similar to tomatoes, potatoes, and peppers. Botanically speaking, the fruit is actually a berry. A word of caution – eggplant leaves and flowers are poisonous, so stick to eating the fruits.
| Eggplant | Solanum melongena |
| Season (FL) | Fall, Winter, Spring |
| Soil type | Sandy loam |
| Light | Full sun |
| Water | Normal |
| Sprouts in / germination | 7-21 days |
| Mature plant size | Up to 6’ tall |
| Harvest in | 90-100 days |
Growing eggplant in Florida
Eggplant will grow great in Florida at temperatures of 70-85°F. It does not like temperatures too cold or too hot, making it a fall and spring crop in Florida.
Eggplant varieties to grow in Florida
- ‘Black Beauty’
- ‘Dancer’
- ‘Dusky’
- ‘Long’
- ‘Ichiban’
- ‘Cloud Nine’
When to plant eggplant in Florida
North Florida: February-March or August
Central Florida: January-February or August-September
South Florida: Any time from August to February
What you’ll need
Eggplant can be grown from seeds or from seedlings found at a local nursery or garden center.
If starting seeds indoors, consider using trays or peat pots.
How to plant eggplant
Plant seeds in the soil a quarter inch deep.
If planting directly in the garden, space them 2 feet apart and make sure the soil remains at least 60°F. Same goes for transplanting outdoors.
Since plants will need support when fruits weigh them down, set stakes or cages immediately upon planting, so not to disturb the roots later on.
Add mulch to retain water and suppress weeds.
Growing eggplant in containers
Eggplants are a great candidate for containers and balcony gardens, provided they get plenty of sunlight. There are dwarf varieties that will do well in containers. Plan for one plant per 5 gallon container.
Caring for eggplants
I’ve heard that each plant should provide about 4 fruits, but I haven’t had such success just yet. Here are some tips for maximizing fruit production.
- Pinch off terminal buds to form more bushy plant
- Stake plants to keep them upright
- The more sunlight, the better the yield
- Cool nights & hot days affect fruiting. Plan for protection when below 55°F and above 95°F
- Harvesting sooner is better, to stimulate more fruit production
Knowing when to harvest your eggplant
Eggplant tastes best when harvested young. A shiny purple coat indicates readiness. Once the skin becomes dull, the eggplant may be overripe and taste bitter.
Cut fruit from the stem with a knife or clippers to minimize damage.
Suggested recipe for eggplant
Slice it and grill, roast, or bake it. Add a touch of salt. Yum!
Sources
https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/edibles/vegetables/eggplant.html