What is the typical eggplant growth timeline?
Written by
Benjamin Miller
Reviewed by
Prof. Samuel Fitzgerald, Ph.D.Eggplants follow a predictable timeline requiring careful attention to temperatures and stages. These heat-loving plants crave consistent warmth throughout their development. Success begins with the familiarization of each phase, from seed to harvest. Timing varies slightly between varieties, but the overall outline remains the same.
Start seeds indoors 8 to 10 weeks before your last frost date. Use heating mats to maintain a soil temperature of 70°F to 85°F. Germination usually takes 7-14 days. Grow seedlings under bright lights, ideally 12 hours a day. Wait to transplant outdoors until the soil is consistently at least 60°F to avoid shocking the plants from cold soil.
Germination Phase
- 7-14 days at 70-85°F soil temperature
- First true leaves appear 10 days after sprouting
- Maintain constant moisture without waterlogging
Seedling Development
- 6-8 weeks under grow lights or sunny windows
- Transplant when plants have 4-6 true leaves
- Harden off gradually over 7-10 days before outdoor planting
Flowering Stage
- Begins 4-6 weeks after transplanting
- Requires night temperatures above 65°F for fruit set
- Hand pollinate if growing in greenhouses or screened areas
Faster-growing fruit is the result of day temperatures of 70° to 85°. For most varieties, the fruit is ready to be picked 70 to 85 days after transplanting. Use your judgment and pick each day when they are at their best size, feeling glossy-skinned and firm to the touch. If left to become overripe, the seeds get hard and the fruit tastes bitter.
If you want to extend your season a little further, cover your plants with black plastic mulch to warm up your soil sooner, or use row covers during unusually cool periods that drop below 60 degrees. In frost-free areas, plants may bear for months. Whatever the stage of development, give it thorough attention.
Read the full article: How to Grow Eggplant Successfully at Home
