Photo: "starr-091108-9418-Solanum_melongena-fruit_Black_Beauty_globe-Olinda-Maui" by Forest and Kim Starr · CC BY 2.0

Vegetable · Eggplant

Black Beauty Eggplant

Solanaceae

Heirloom from 1902, AAS winner. Large (1-3 lbs), dark purple, glossy, 5-8 inches. 6-12 fruits per plant. Thrives 70-85°F. Blossom drop below 55°F or above 95°F. Stake when fruit begins to set. Best harvested at HALF mature size — dull skin = overripe and seedy. Pinch early flowers for bushier growth. Indoor start 8-12 weeks.

At a Glance

Days to Maturity

75–90 days

Sun

6+ hours

Container

Yes

5+ gallon pot

Height

2–2.5 ft

Zone Planting Guide

Your USDA Zone:

Growing Guide

Germination

Germination Time 7–14 days

Optimal Temp 80°F

Seed Depth 0.25"

Watering

Weekly Water 1–2 "

Needs Moderate-high

Soil

pH Range 6–7

Resilience

Heat: High Cold: Low Drought: Medium

Nutrition

Feeding Intensity Heavy feeder

Recommended Recipes Worm castings topdress, Compost tea, Fish emulsion, Kelp foliar

Harvest

Glossy, firm skin. Doesn't rebound when pressed with thumbnail. Best at HALF mature size.

Sources

university NC State Extension seed-catalog High Mowing Seeds university SDSU Extension university UMN Extension

More Vegetables

Black Beauty Eggplant Planting Dates by Zone

Planting dates for Black Beauty Eggplant vary by USDA hardiness zone. Select your zone below for frost dates, start-indoors timing, and a full monthly planting calendar.

Zone 5A Zone 5B Zone 6A Zone 6B Zone 7A Zone 7B Zone 8A Zone 8B Zone 9A Zone 9B

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