How to grow Eggplant in Australia
Grow eggplant in full sun in warm, rich, free-draining soil, and plant only once nights are reliably warm. Water deeply and consistently and feed with a balanced then potassium-rich fertiliser.
At a glance
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Sun: Full sun
- Water: 8 litres a week, watered every 2 days
- Spacing: 60 cm
- Time to harvest: 100 days
- Time to germinate: 14 days
- Soil pH: 6 to 6.8
- Frost tolerance: Frost tender
When to sow by region
| Region | When to sow | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| South East Queensland | August to February | |
| Northern Rivers NSW | September to February | Same as capsicum. Wait out the last frost risk inland before spring sowing. |
| Sydney & Coastal NSW | July to November | Sow indoors Jul to Aug; transplant late Oct to Nov once soil passes 20°C (24°C ideal). September transplants stall in cold soil. |
| Melbourne & Victoria | October to December | Start seed indoors Aug to Sep with bottom warmth; transplant from early November (Cup Day) once soil passes 18°C. June to July sowing needs a heated glasshouse. |
| Adelaide & SA | August to October | Sow Aug to Sep indoors with warmth, Oct as seedlings. Transplant Oct to Nov after frost. Loves the hot summer with steady water. |
| Perth & WA | July to September | Mediterranean: sow Jul to Sept indoors; transplant Sept to Oct. Cannot sow Dec to Feb (extreme heat). |
| Tasmania | September and October | Marginal. Sow indoors with heat Sep to Oct and plant out after the last frost in early October. Needs a greenhouse or very hot sheltered corner to fruit in cool Tasmanian summers. |
| Canberra & ACT | October and November | Start seed indoors with warmth in October, then plant out after the last frost in early November. Needs a longer season than tomato, so choose early varieties. |
| North Queensland | April to September | Dry season main window Apr to Sep. Heat tolerant and nearly year-round in FNQ, but wet season pest and disease pressure is severe. |
| Darwin & Top End | April to August | Dry season Apr to Aug. NT Government Darwin calendar grows eggplant through the dry. Wet season humidity brings fungal collapse. |
Companion planting
Good companions
Avoid planting near
Harvest and storage
Harvest tip
Pick when fruit is firm, glossy and full sized, springing back lightly when pressed. Cut the tough stalk with secateurs and the plant keeps setting more.
Storage
Bench at room temperature, up to 4 days. Fridge shortens life. Cook and freeze well.