Annual
Eggplant
Solanum melongena
Varieties We Carry
AntiguaSolanum melongenaStandardSolanum melongena
Sizes & Pricing
4 inFrom$3.50
Seed PackFrom$3.69
Fresh this week. Last restocked Jun 25.
LightFull Sun
WaterHigh
Mature size2-4 feet × 2-3 feet
About Eggplant
Eggplant (Solanum melongena) is a warm-season vegetable in the nightshade family, native to South and Southeast Asia, grown for its smooth, glossy fruits in shades of deep purple, white, green, and striped forms. It produces attractive lavender flowers and fruits ranging from small and round to long and elongated depending on variety. Starting at $3.50.
Plant details
- Bloom Season
- Spring, Summer
- Flower Color
- Purple
- Growth Rate
- Fast
- Foliage
- Annual
- Soil
- Sandy, Loam, Well-drained
Best planting months
Recommended forZone 9b · St. Augustine, FL
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This monthGood windowOther months
Seasonal care
Bloom season. New foliage emerges. Good planting window.
Bloom season. Higher water demand in summer heat.
Foliage may begin to change or drop.
Dormant — drops foliage.
Care essentials
Light
Eggplant requires full sun — a minimum of 8 hours daily — for maximum fruit set; insufficient light results in poor flowering and low yields.
Water
Water consistently and deeply to maintain even soil moisture; irregular watering causes bitter fruit and blossom drop — mulch around plants to conserve moisture and moderate NE Florida's sandy, fast-draining soils.
Soil & Fertilizer
Plant in fertile, well-drained sandy or loam soil amended with compost; apply a balanced vegetable fertilizer at planting and side-dress with nitrogen mid-season — NE Florida plantings go in late January through March or in August for a fall crop.
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Common questions
Is Eggplant a good plant for St. Augustine?
Eggplant is a annual for Zone 9b coastal Florida gardens, reaching 2-4 feet × 2-3 feet.
Care information verified from
Last reviewed February 2026. Our care guidance comes from trusted horticulture sources and decades of helping St. Augustine gardeners. Conditions here can vary dramatically from one area to the next, so come ask us and we'll tailor it to your yard.