Zone 9 · Fruiting Veg Growing Guide

When to Plant Eggplant / Aubergine
in Zone 9

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 15 – Apr 1
Start indoors
Jan 1 – Feb 1
Last Frost
~Jan 31
Days to harvest
70–85 days
Difficulty
Medium
Growing — Zone 9
Harvest window: May – Dec

Planting Calendar

In Zone 9, Eggplant / Aubergine should be planted outdoors Feb 15 – Apr 1, after the average last frost date of approximately Jan 31. Start seeds indoors around Jan 1 – Feb 1 for a head start.

Perennial in Zone 9. Second-year plants are often the most productive.

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 9

Perennial in Zone 9. Second-year plants are often the most productive.

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

These guides get better when growers like you contribute. If something’s wrong or you’ve learned something worth sharing, we’d love to hear it.

What needs correcting?

What should it say?

Your zone (optional)

Thanks — we'll review this and update the guide if needed.

Your growing tip for Eggplant / Aubergine

Your name (optional)

Your zone (optional)

Tips are reviewed before publishing. Accepted tips earn you a Founding Grower badge when the plant app launches.

Thanks for contributing! We'll review your tip and be in touch before launch.

Common questions

In Zone 9, start eggplant / aubergine seeds indoors around Jan 1 – Feb 1, then transplant outdoors Feb 15 – Apr 1 after your last frost around Jan 31. Perennial in Zone 9. Second-year plants are often the most productive.
Zone 9 has an average last spring frost of approximately Jan 31 and a first fall frost around Dec 15. 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 9. Expected harvest window: May – Dec.

Free app · iOS February 2028

Track your Eggplant / Aubergine in plant

Get a live traffic light for every crop in your garden — zone-aware planting calendar, real-time weather alerts, and a community of growers near you.

Be first to back on Kickstarter and lock in the founding price.

Eggplant / Aubergine in other zones
Crop Guides