How to prune eggplant / aubergine

At transplant time and again in late summer (6–8 weeks before first frost). Pinch the crown bud at the first main fork early on. Thin excess shoots to keep 3–5 main branches. In late summer, pinch all growing tips and remove flowers that cannot mature before frost.

Light pruning throughout the season; hard pinch once in late summer. Eggplant responds well to pruning for bigger, earlier fruit. Remove the first flower bud ('crown bud') that forms on the main stem fork to encourage branching. Throughout the season, thin to 3–5 main stems, remove suckers, and pinch growing tips in late summer to push energy into fruit already set before frost.

Pinch the crown bud at the first main fork early on. Thin excess shoots to keep 3–5 main branches. In late summer, pinch all growing tips and remove flowers that cannot mature before frost.