A terrific method to enjoy the tasty vegetable without taking up a lot of room is to grow eggplants in containers. Although it takes some work, the benefits are worthwhile! Here are seven suggestions for growing eggplant effectively in pots, from selecting the best type to giving it the correct care. With the appropriate strategy, you may quickly reap a plentiful harvest of eggplant.
1. Start with Healthy Plants
Growing eggplant in containers starts with selecting a healthy, disease-resistant variety that is well suited to your climate.
Look for transplants with bright green leaves and no signs of wilting or discoloration.
You’ll want to choose a variety that is designed to grow in containers, such as ‘Fairy Tale’, ‘Little Fingers’, or ‘Rosa Bianca’.
These varieties can produce good yields even in small containers. If you are planting seeds, opt for those specifically labeled for container growing.
Conversely, you may decide to start your eggplant indoors. Start your seeds eight weeks before your last frost date to provide seeds to grow in an ample amount of time.
Once you have the right variety, you’ll be ready to start growing eggplant in containers.
2. Choose the Right Container
The size and kind of container you employ, together with the soil and lighting conditions, are all crucial factors in producing eggplant in containers.
Although there are many different kinds of containers, those with drainage holes and a depth of at least 12 inches work best for growing eggplant.
Your eggplant will have enough room to grow in this manner without becoming root-bound.
You should also think about the material of your container; excellent options include ceramic, plastic, fabric and terracotta. Terracotta can better help maintain soil temperature and moisture levels, while plastic containers are lighter and less likely to shatter.
Make sure your container has enough space for your eggplant to grow, regardless of the type you choose!
3. Provide Plenty of Sunlight
If you want a great eggplant harvest, make sure your plants are getting adequate sunlight.
Eggplants need 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight each day to thrive.
When growing eggplant in containers, you have the option of moving your containers around your garden with the sun.
The more sun your plants receive, the better harvest you will have.
4. Don't Let the Soil Dry Out
It’s crucial to maintain a continuously moist but not excessively soggy soil when growing eggplant in pots.
To guarantee a good growth, eggplant plants need regular watering, but you don’t want to overwater them. The plants may get stunted and the eggplant will not grow correctly if the soil is too dry.
Make sure to fully water your eggplant until the water is draining from the bottom of the container. This will ensure that the soil is moist in every area.
Moreover, you should avoid allowing the soil get completely dry in between waterings as this might stress the plant and hinder its growth.
Use a little mulch on the soil’s surface to assist moisture retention between waterings.
In warmer times, this will also aid in lowering evaporation and keeping the soil cooler.
Ensure the soil is not getting too dry by checking it frequently, and constantly water when necessary. I like to use a moisture meter like this one to take the guess work out of when to water my potted plants.
5. Fertilize Regularly
Eggplants are heavy feeders and need regular fertilizing to thrive.
Aim to fertilize your eggplant plants every other week with a balanced fertilizer.
Starting your eggplant in a nutrient-rich soil is key. We like to use Foxfarms organic potting soil. Oftentimes, we will amend last year’s soil with compost. This will give your plants the nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium they need to keep producing those tasty fruits.
Keep in mind that too much nitrogen can cause lots of foliage but not much fruit. Too little nitrogen can result in fewer fruits and smaller fruit size.
6. Pinch Off the Blossoms
Growing eggplants in containers can be a great way to enjoy delicious, homegrown veggies. However, it’s important to remember to pinch off blossoms to allow the plant to grow strong fruits.
I know this seems counterintuitive but trust us here. You want to leave around 5-6 blossoms per plant.
Pinching off the blossoms, also known as deadheading, will help ensure that all of the plant’s energy goes towards producing larger fruits.
To do this, simply use your fingers to pinch off the small, yellowish-green flowers at the tips of the stems. Make sure to only pinch off the flowers, and not the stems themselves.
Pinching off the blossoms is especially important if you’re growing a variety of eggplant that produces large fruit. This is because too many flowers can cause the plant to produce smaller fruits instead.
So, by removing some of the blossoms, you’ll be able to ensure that your plants are yielding more sizable and flavorful fruits.
In addition to deadheading your eggplant plants, you should also thin out the fruits once they start to form.
Removing some of the fruits can help prevent overcrowding, which can lead to stunted growth and smaller yields. When thinning out your eggplants, always leave at least two or three fruits on each stem.
By regularly pinching off the blossoms and thinning out the fruits, you’ll be able to ensure that your eggplant plants are producing large, juicy fruits.
7. Watch for Pests and Diseases
Growing vegetables in containers is a great way to have a garden in smaller spaces, but pests and diseases can still be an issue.
Like all vegetables, eggplants are susceptible to garden pests such as aphids, flea beetles, and thrips.
Monitor your plants for signs of pest activity, such as leaves with holes or yellowing. If you see any signs of pests, take action to treat the problem.
Diseases can also be an issue for container-grown eggplants. Bacterial wilt, mosaic virus, and blight are all potential problems.
To prevent disease, keep your containers clean and avoid wetting the foliage when watering.
Rotate your crops every year to help prevent the spread of disease. If you notice any signs of disease, Neem oil and insecticidal soap are good, natural options to help combat the diseased plants.
Taking precautions against pests and diseases is important for keeping your eggplants healthy. With the right care and maintenance, you can grow delicious eggplants in containers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Growing Eggplant in Containers
Can eggplants be grown in containers?
What size container is suitable for growing eggplants?
What type of soil should I use for growing eggplants in containers?
How often should I water eggplants grown in containers?
Do eggplants need full sunlight when grown in containers?
How do I protect container-grown eggplants from pests and diseases?
When is the best time to harvest eggplants grown in containers?
Final Thoughts
A fantastic technique to take advantage of the tasty fruit of this unusual crop is to grow eggplant in containers!
One benefit of growing eggplants in containers is that you may move them around to get more sunlight or to keep pests away.
You can grow eggplants successfully if you use the correct soil, container, and care.
Keep in mind to start with healthy plants, select the appropriate container, provide ample sunlight, maintain wet soil, apply regular fertilizer, pinch off the blossoms, and keep an eye out for pests and diseases.
You’ll be rewarded with a nice crop of tasty eggplants if you adhere to these instructions and take good care of your eggplant!
Let us know in the comments below which variety you will be planting this season!
