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Eggplant — Solanum melongena

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Eggplant — Solanum melongena

layout: base.njk title: Eggplant description: Growing Eggplant in West Virginia (Zone 6b/7a) category: warm-season

Quick Reference: See detailed growing information below

Type: Annual
Family: Solanaceae (Nightshade)
Sun: Full sun (6-8+ hours)
Water: Moderate to High (1-2" per week)
Soil pH: 6.0-6.5
Hardiness: Annual (frost-tender, heat-loving)

🌱 Expected Yield

  • Per plant: 3-6 lbs (4-8 medium fruits)
  • Per 10' row: 20-30 lbs (4-5 plants)
  • Notes: Yield highly dependent on heat and consistent moisture. Container growing reduces yield 20-30%. Black plastic mulch increases yield by warming soil. Harvest regularly to encourage production.

🏺 Heirloom Varieties

'Black Beauty'

  • Source: Seed Savers Exchange (seedsavers.org), Baker Creek (rareseeds.com)
  • Days: 75 days
  • Notes: Classic heirloom from 1902. Deep purple-black, teardrop-shaped fruits, 1-2 lbs. Creamy, mild flavor with few seeds. Reliable producer. The standard by which other eggplants are measured.

'Ichiban'

  • Source: Baker Creek, Johnny's Seeds (johnnyseeds.com)
  • Days: 62 days
  • Notes: Japanese heirloom. Slender purple fruits, 6-8" long. Tender skin, sweet flavor, no bitterness. Early maturing—ideal for shorter seasons. Prolific producer.

'Rosa Bianca'

  • Source: Baker Creek, Seed Savers Exchange
  • Days: 70 days
  • Notes: Italian heirloom from Sicily. Stunning rose-purple streaked with white. Round-oval shape, 8-12 oz. Sweet, creamy flesh. Beautiful in the garden and kitchen.

'Fairy Tale'

  • Source: Baker Creek, Johnny's Seeds
  • Days: 52 days
  • Notes: Miniature variety. Purple fruits with white striping, 3-4" long. Tender skin, no peeling needed. Sweet, never bitter. Perfect for grilling whole. Early and prolific.

'Listada de Gandia'

  • Source: Baker Creek, Southern Exposure (southernexposure.com)
  • Days: 68 days
  • Notes: Spanish heirloom from Valencia. Purple and white striped fruits. Oval shape, 6-8 oz. Sweet, delicate flavor. Beautiful variegation. Traditional in Spanish cuisine.

'White Egg'

  • Source: Seed Savers Exchange, Baker Creek
  • Days: 70 days
  • Notes: Pre-1800s heirloom. White, egg-shaped fruits, 3-4". Mild, delicate flavor. Ornamental and edible. Named for resemblance to eggs (hence "egg-plant"). Good for containers.

'Ping Tung Long'

  • Source: Baker Creek, Asia-specific seed companies
  • Days: 65 days
  • Notes: Taiwanese heirloom. Lavender-pink fruits, 12-18" long. Slender, curved shape. Sweet, tender, no bitterness. High yielding. Excellent for stir-fry and grilling.

'Caspar'

  • Source: Baker Creek, Johnny's Seeds
  • Days: 68 days
  • Notes: White, elongated fruits, 6-8". Creamy white skin and flesh. Mild, sweet flavor. Less seedy than purple varieties. Good for people who think they don't like eggplant.

'Diamond'

  • Source: Multiple seed companies
  • Days: 70 days
  • Notes: Polish heirloom. Deep purple, cylindrical fruits, 6-8". Productive even in cooler conditions. Sweet, mild flavor. All-America Selections winner. Reliable for Zone 6.

'Antigua'

  • Source: Baker Creek, Seed Savers Exchange
  • Days: 78 days
  • Notes: Caribbean heirloom. Green and white striped when young, maturing to golden orange. Round, 3-4". Unique appearance. Sweet, fruity flavor. Heat-loving—best in hot summers.

'Louisiana Long Green'

  • Source: Southern Exposure Seed Exchange, Seed Savers Exchange
  • Days: 80 days
  • Notes: African-American heritage from Louisiana. Pale green fruits, 10-12" long. Mild, sweet flavor. Traditional in Creole cooking. Rare variety worth preserving.

'Mandarin'

  • Source: Baker Creek
  • Days: 70 days
  • Notes: Small, round orange fruits. Ornamental and edible. Mottled green-white foliage. Mild flavor. Beautiful in containers. Children love the unusual color.

🌾 Seed Saving

Method: 1. Choose fully ripe fruit from healthy, vigorous plants—fruit should be dull, overripe, slightly soft 2. Cut eggplant open; spoon seeds and surrounding pulp into bowl 3. Add water; ferment 1-2 days at room temperature 4. Stir daily; viable seeds will sink 5. Pour off pulp, debris, and floating seeds 6. Rinse viable seeds in fine-mesh strainer 7. Spread on glass or paper plate; dry 1-2 weeks in shaded, ventilated area 8. Store in paper envelope in cool, dry, dark place

Isolation Distance: - Self-pollinating: Eggplant flowers are primarily self-pollinating - Minimum: 50 feet between varieties - For seed sale: 150-500 feet or cage flowers - Note: Some crossing occurs via bees; bumblebees particularly effective pollinators

Viability: 4-6 years under proper storage. Germination rates remain good through year 5.

Special Notes: - Allow fruit to overripen on plant—harvest when dull and soft, well past eating stage - One fruit yields hundreds of seeds - Eggplant is self-pollinating but benefits from bee visitation - Save from 5-10 plants for genetic diversity - Select for flavor, productivity, disease resistance, and adaptation to local conditions

Added to WV Planting Guide 26155 — The Loop Farmstead