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Plant care

Eggplant / aubergine (aubergine) care

Solanum melongena

Also called aubergine, brinjal, melongene.

RHS H1c (greenhouse in UK)USDA Grown as an annual in zones 5-12Toxic to petsIndoor 60-100 cm tall

Watering rhythm

Direct sun (at least 4-6 hours)

Deep watering twice a week

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Light

Direct sun (at least 4-6 hours)

Soil

Rich well-drained loam

Humidity

40-70% (outdoor)

Temp

21-29°C

Pet safety

Toxic to pets

Mature size

60-100 cm tall

Care at a glance

Light

Eggplant / aubergine needs sun on the leaves, not just bright ambient room light. 6-8 hours of direct sun; needs warmth as much as sun. A south or west-facing windowsill in the northern hemisphere is the default; anywhere else, expect the plant to stretch and pale out within a season.

Watering

Outdoor eggplant / aubergine crops want deep watering twice a week. The single best habit is a finger-test before watering — push a finger 3-4 cm into the soil. Damp = wait a day; dust-dry = water deeply at the base of the plant. Steady moisture prevents bitter fruit and blossom-end rot.

Soil and pot

Eggplant / aubergine grows best in rich well-drained loam. Compost-rich; pH 6.0-6.8. A pot with a working drainage hole is non-negotiable for this species — even free-draining mix will turn soggy in a closed planter. If you love the look of a decorative pot without a hole, use it as a cachepot around an inner nursery pot you can lift out to water.

Humidity and temperature

Eggplant / aubergine sits happiest at around 40-70% (outdoor) humidity and 21-29°C (70-85°F). Tolerates a range; needs heat more than humidity. If you keep the room above 21 year-round and avoid placing the plant near a cold draught, a hot radiator, or an air-conditioning vent, you have already handled the two biggest indoor stressors.

Fertilising

Feed eggplant / aubergine sparingly. Balanced feed at planting; high-potash feed once flowering. Skip fertiliser entirely on a stressed, recently-repotted, or actively wilting plant — fertiliser salts make damage worse, not better. Wait for a round of healthy new growth before resuming a feeding rhythm.

Common problems

Below are the issues we see most often on eggplant / aubergine in the Growli community. Each is annotated with the most common cause so you know where to start.

  • Flowers drop without fruit — Too cold (<21°C) or too hot (>35°C); fruit set is temperature-sensitive.
  • Flea beetles — Pinprick holes in leaves; row cover when young.
  • Blossom-end rot — Inconsistent watering.
  • Pale undersized fruit — Under-feeding or root-bound in containers.
  • Aphids — Common pest; treat with horticultural soap.

Companion plants

Eggplant / aubergine pairs well with Bean, Pepper, Marigold, and Basil. These are species with similar light and water needs, so you can grow them in the same bed or container without conflict.

Propagation

Start seed indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost; transplant once nights are above 13°C. Propagation is the cheapest, most satisfying way to expand a collection — and it doubles as insurance against losing a mature plant to an accident. Take a backup cutting once the parent is established and healthy.

Toxicity to pets

Eggplant / aubergine is toxic to pets. ASPCA lists Solanum melongena foliage as toxic to cats, dogs, and horses due to solanine. Ripe fruit is safe; green parts and unripe fruit should be avoided. If you keep cats, dogs, or curious children in the house, weigh placement carefully — a high shelf or a hanging planter is enough for casual safety. For severe ingestion incidents, call your local vet and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (in the US, 888-426-4435).

Pet-safety status is sourced from the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, which catalogues the most-asked-about plants for cats, dogs, and horses.

Eggplant / aubergine care — frequently asked questions

What is the common name for Solanum melongena?

Solanum melongena is most commonly called Eggplant / aubergine, but it is also known as aubergine, brinjal, melongene. The names refer to the same species, so care instructions for Eggplant / aubergine apply identically to anything sold as aubergine.

How much light does eggplant / aubergine need?

Eggplant / aubergine grows best in direct sun (at least 4-6 hours). 6-8 hours of direct sun; needs warmth as much as sun.

How often should I water eggplant / aubergine?

Water eggplant / aubergine deep watering twice a week. Steady moisture prevents bitter fruit and blossom-end rot. The finger-test (or lifting the pot to feel its weight) beats a fixed weekly calendar because pot size, light, and season all change how fast the soil dries.

Is eggplant / aubergine toxic to cats and dogs?

Eggplant / aubergine is toxic to pets. ASPCA lists Solanum melongena foliage as toxic to cats, dogs, and horses due to solanine. Ripe fruit is safe; green parts and unripe fruit should be avoided.

What USDA hardiness zone does eggplant / aubergine grow in?

Eggplant / aubergine is rated for USDA zone Grown as an annual in zones 5-12 and RHS hardiness H1c (greenhouse in UK). Outside that range, grow it as a container plant that overwinters indoors before the first hard frost.

Eggplant / aubergine deep-dive guides

Every aspect of eggplant / aubergine care, each with its own calibrated guide:

Related guides

Eggplant / aubergine is also known as aubergine, brinjal, and melongene.