The information on this page applies to seedlings sold by LEAF Nursery during our 2021 Seedling Sale.
Solanum melongena. Classic dark purple to black fruits are large with meaty flesh, great for any eggplant dish or the grill. Bushy plants produce multiple fruits. Farm favorite for productivity and taste! [1] A beautiful vegetable with lovely, lavender blossoms pretty enough to grow in the flower garden. 'Black Beauty' has set the standard since 1902 for large, high-quality fruit. Outstanding when harvested at their peak, the skin is tender, so no need to peel it. A widely used international food; there are countless recipes from Italy to China to Russia and beyond.[2]
Seed Type
| Organic | Heirloom | Non-GMO | Hybrid | Open-pollinated | Untreated |
Additional Information
| Container Friendly | Staking Required | Easy to Grow | Pollinator Friendly |
When to Plant Your Seedling
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
Growing Conditions
| Light | Temperature | Soil | Water |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Sun | 70-95 F | Well drained. Sandy – earlier planting; Medium texture - highest yields | Regular but moderate watering |
Planting Tips
| Plant Spacing | Plant Size | Days to Maturity |
|---|---|---|
| 12-24" | 35" | 80 days from seed or 75-90 days after transplant |
- Additional instructions: Usually transplanted in spring using mulches or row covers to protect seedlings.[1] Sensitive to frost at all stages.
- Hand-pollinate by shaking the flowers to improve the fruit set. Stake plants to prevent branches from breaking due to fruit production and to keep the fruit off the soil.[4]
- Harvesting instructions: Hand harvest by cutting stem. Cool by placing immediately in cold water. Eggplant has a short storage and shelf-life, less than 14 days. Harvest when the flesh is glossy and gives slightly under thumb pressure. Use a pruning shears or knife to clip the stem.
- Don't leave mature fruit on the plants because it will suppress new fruit production.[4]
- Storage of ripe fruit is possible for ripe fruit at 50-54oF and 90-95% Relative Humidity. Fruit are very sensitive to chilling injury and to ethylene exposure. [3]
Common Diseases and Pests
- Weeds, insects, nematode, viral/fungal/bacterial diseases
Useful Resources
- https://www.redwoodseeds.net/products/black-beauty-eggplant?_pos=1&_sid=106317d1a&_ss=r (Seed Source)
- https://www.botanicalinterests.com/product/Black-Beauty-Eggplant-Seeds (seed source)
- https://afghanag.ucdavis.edu/fruits-nuts-vegetables/Vegetables/files/eggplant/FS_Veg_Eggplant.pdf
- http://mgsantaclara.ucanr.edu/garden-help/vegetables/eggplant/
- https://sfbaygardening.com/resources/bay-area-planting-calendar/
If you bought this seedling and have any questions or feedback, let us know in the comment section below.