Long Purple Eggplant Seeds For Planting (Solanum melongena)

100 Seeds

Grow a garden filled with Long Purple Eggplant fruits, from freshly harvested Solanum melongena seeds. Long Purple Eggplant, unlike Black Beauty, will form an oblong, cylindrical fruit. The fruits measure anywhere from 8 to 10 inches in length, and are best harvested young. The outer skin is a deep, purple color, while its inner flesh is white. Long Purple Eggplant is best established in raised beds, or large pots and containers. This will allow the plants to produce their fruits, which hang from the stems. They can also be grown vertically as well. Each plant will grow to a mature height of roughly 24 to 30 inches long.

Long Purple Eggplant is considered to be an annual crop. Annuals such as this will grow quickly from freshly harvested seeds, producing flowers, fruits and seeds all within a single growing season. The fruits typically take anywhere between 70 to 80 days to fully mature. As explained above, Long Purple Eggplant is best harvested when young, before the skin looses its shine. 8 inch fruits are ideal for the best flavor.

Sowing The Seed

Eggplants can be established indoors, 8 weeks prior to the last killing frost. Sow in peat pots, at a shallow depth of about 1/4” under. Transplant entire pots, or direct sow outdoors, when the weather is warm and all danger of frost has passed. Check below for additional information on spacing and growth habits.

Growing Conditions

Eggplants will thrive in an area of full sunlight and prefer temperatures of 75F or higher. The soil should remain moist through the seedling stage, but never saturated. Your sowing medium should also be well drained as well. Adding a light compost to areas that contain hard, compact soil will improve your drainage. Spray with a light mist setting or spray bottle, until sprouts appear.

Germination & Growth

Eggplant seeds typically take anywhere between 14 to 21 days to sprout. The plants will grow to a mature height of roughly 18 to 24 inches tall, and can spread 16 to 18 inches wide. The fruits display a sheen, dark purple, outer skin and a creamy white textured flesh. Harvest in roughly 75 to 80 days after first sprouts appear.

Harvesting Black Beauty Eggplants

When your plants produce large, 5 to 6 inch fruits, harvest before the skin fades to a dull purple. Enjoy fresh or store for up to a week. Keep harvested and well watered to promote growth and the production of new fruits.