Zone 10 · Fruiting Veg Growing Guide

When to Plant Eggplant / Aubergine
in Zone 10

Heat-loving crop that needs a long warm season. Start early indoors with bottom heat — slow to germinate and slow to establish. Rewards patience with beautiful glossy fruit.

Plant outdoors
Feb 1 – Mar 15
Start indoors
Direct sow
Last Frost
~Jan 15
Days to harvest
70–85 days
Difficulty
Medium
Ready to harvest — Zone 10
Harvest window: Apr – Dec

Planting Calendar

In Zone 10, Eggplant / Aubergine should be planted outdoors Feb 1 – Mar 15, after the average last frost date of approximately Jan 15.

Can direct sow in Zone 10. Near year-round production as perennial.

Care Guide

Sunlight
Full sun · 6–8 hrs/day
Watering
Regular
Spacing
18–24 inches
Soil
Rich, well-draining, warm
Days to maturity
70–85 days
Soil pH
5.8–6.5
plant tip · Zone 10

Can direct sow in Zone 10. Near year-round production as perennial.

Feeding Schedule

How often
every 2 weeks
Feed type
balanced then high potassium
Key timing
switch to high-potassium at first flower

Heavy feeder like peppers and tomatoes. Start with balanced feed, switch to high-potassium when flowers appear. Consistent feeding produces larger, more tender fruit.

Companion Planting for Eggplant / Aubergine

What you plant next to eggplant / aubergine makes a real difference — some plants actively help, others compete or attract pests.

Grows well with
  • Beans
  • Peppers
  • Tarragon
  • Marigolds
Keep away from
  • Fennel
  • Corn
  • Brassicas

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Common questions

In Zone 10, direct sow eggplant / aubergine outdoors Feb 1 – Mar 15 after your last frost date of approximately Jan 15. Can direct sow in Zone 10. Near year-round production as perennial.
Zone 10 has an average last spring frost of approximately Jan 15 and a first fall frost around Dec 31. These dates vary by specific location — use your ZIP code in the plant app for precision based on the nearest NOAA weather station.
Good companion crops for eggplant / aubergine include Beans, Peppers, Tarragon, Marigolds. Avoid planting near Fennel, Corn, Brassicas, which can compete for nutrients or attract pests.
Eggplant / Aubergine typically takes 70–85 days from transplant or direct sow to harvest in Zone 10. Expected harvest window: Apr – Dec.

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Eggplant / Aubergine in other zones
Crop Guides