Aubergine
Solanum melongena
Also known as
Eggplant, Brinjal Eggplant, Jew's apple, Brinjal, Mad apple
Solanum-melongena-024 by Danny S. (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Full Sun
Easy care
Moderate watering
Tender
H5-H2
RHS hardiness
-15°C
Minimum temperature
Expected size
Height | Spread | |
---|---|---|
50cm | Max | 50cm |
30cm | Min | 30cm |
6 months to reach maturity
Fruiting
-
spring
-
summer
-
autumn
-
winter
Harvest starts about 3 months after planting. Cut the fruit off the plant, do not twist or pull. Fruits should feel full and heavy.
More images of Aubergine
Aubergine Overview
Solanum melongena is a branching shrub species that typically grows to around 2m high. It produces a long taproot which extends deep underground, anchoring the plant and enabling it to source water from low down below the soil. Leaves are arranged alternately on stems and foliage is densely hairy and sometimes prickly. Flowers are usually produced individually rather than in clusters, these are star-shaped, with wide, spreading petals. They measure 3-4cm wide and are coloured purple, occasionally white, with prominent, stocky yellow stamens in the centre. Aubergine is a fruit in the tomato family, Solanaceae and much like tomatoes, aubergine is a commonly used vegetable in cooking. It is used heavily in vegetarian cuisine as it has a fairly bland flavour and so can be combined with a multitude of flavours. It is also called eggplant because the fruits look egg-shaped when young. There are many different cultivars, showing a range of size and fruit colours. There is even a white aubergine!
Common problems with Aubergine
Aubergine Companion Plants
How to propagate Aubergine
Seed
Best sown in spring and summer. Sow between 6-8 mm deep, germination should occur in 7-14 days.
Special features of Aubergine
Attracts bees
Attractive flowers
Other uses of Aubergine
Fruit, culinary, food. Contains vitamin C and mineral salts. Can be container grown.
Edible
Lovely roasted with other vegetables or used in saucy dishes. The whole Aubergine will keep up to 1 week, but it is best not to refrigerate. Can be frozen or dried.