Eggplant Seeds (Heirloom)

Round and fat, oblong and slender—that beautiful purple color can only be given by eggplants. Grow your heirloom eggplant seeds in a very similar manner as your tomatoes—they will both flourish under the same growing conditions. Impress yourself by growing and cooking your own delicious eggplants.

Growing heirloom eggplant in your garden

  • A wonderfully fresh, warm season annual
  • Delicious, nutritious, and contains antioxidants
  • Considered a nightshade vegetable
  • Prefers full sun exposure

Growing heirloom eggplant in your garden

  • A wonderfully fresh, warm season annual
  • Delicious, nutritious, and contains antioxidants
  • Considered a nightshade vegetable
  • Prefers full sun exposure

Choose the best heirloom eggplant seeds for your garden

In other parts of the world, eggplant is known as aubergine or brinjal. It is a nightshade family plant that is produced for its edible fruit. The spongy and absorbent fruit of the eggplant gained popularity as a result of its capacity to absorb flavors in a range of cuisines. Despite the fact that it is technically a fruit (a berry), it is most usually used in cooking as a vegetable. Not just for the Italian specialty eggplant parmesan, eggplant is used extensively in East Asian, South Asian, French, Mediterranean, and Middle Eastern cuisines. It's interesting to note that eggplants were once thought to cause madness in Italians. The reason for this was that eggplants are nightshades, and some kinds of nightshades are toxic. Don't worry, eggplants are both safe and delicious! In fact, they contain Nasunin, a powerful antioxidant that fights oxidative stress and inflammation.

Heirloom eggplant is easy to grow

Eggplants are a popular tropical perennial plant with a wide range of uses. Although there is no universal agreement on their origins, many people believe they are native to Africa, South Asia, or India, where they are still seen growing wild. If you want to grow eggplant in your garden, all you need is a little planning, the correct conditions, and some care.

Indoors, start your heirloom eggplant seeds in small pots. Place the pots in a warm area after watering them and covering them with plastic. As the seedlings germinate, keep them moist. It normally takes seven to fourteen days for seeds to germinate. Once the seeds have germinated, the plastic can be removed and the pots or trays placed in a strong light or a window. For the next eight to ten weeks, keep the seedlings moist as they grow. After hardening off, the eggplant can be transferred outside whenever the soil temperature outside reaches 60°F.

Harvesting the best eggplant fruit

Heirloom eggplant can be harvested once the skin looks glossy. Once this happens, the fruit is unlikely to grow larger. Typically this is about two to three months after planting, depending on the variety.

For more information about planting, growing, and caring for heirloom eggplant seeds, see the Eggplant Seeds Planting Guide.