Can eggplants thrive in containers?
Written by
Michael Sullivan
Reviewed by
Prof. Charles Hartman, Ph.D.For urban gardeners, the container-growing of eggplants provides exciting new options. There is an abundance of compact hybrids available, including 'Patio Baby', which provides 15 or more fruits per plant when grown in a 5-gallon pot. Last season's performance of my container crop exceeded that of the plants planted in the ground. One factor was that the root zone temperature of containers remained more consistently warm since the soil has a neighbor of 5°F lower than containers.
Soil Mix Formula
- Base: 60% potting soil
- Aeration: 25% perlite/pumice
- Nutrition: 15% worm castings
- pH: 6.0-6.5 with lime adjustments
Water Management
- Frequency: Daily in temperatures above 85°F
- Method: Bottom-watering trays prevent leaf diseases
- Signs: Wilting at noon = urgent hydration needed
- Drainage: 1/2-inch gravel layer under soil
Staking helps avoid disaster at windy sites. I support stems with 48-inch-long bamboo poles that I insert at planting time. I tie stems to the pole with soft twine every 8 inches. If you do not provide support, someday you will walk out and find broken branches or stems. I lost almost 40% of my first crop when summer storms blew in before I started staking.
Pest management is more uncomplicated in containers. To discourage cutworms, make sure that your pots are elevated twelve inches off the ground. A weekly neem oil spray will help you control aphids without harming pollinators. My strategy is to use cinnamon powder mixed in the soil, it is known to inhibit fungus gnats and adds some trace minerals to the mix.
Read the full article: How to Grow Eggplant: Pro Tips for Big Harvests
