How Long Does Eggplant Take to Fruit?

Variety

• Each variety of eggplant bears fruit in its own time. The larger varieties, such as the familiar deep purple, teardrop shaped variety, can take 80 days to mature. Smaller or slimmer varieties take less time. In many parts of the world, eggplants are started from seed planted in containers inside. The six- to eight-week-old seedlings are transplanted outside after all threat of frost is past. Thus, the appearance of fruit can be expected typically between six and eight weeks after transplanting outdoors, or 12 to 16 weeks after seeds germinate.

Temperature

• Eggplant is significantly more temperature sensitive than the other plants in its family, such as tomatoes and peppers. It cannot bear frost, and temperatures that are too cool or too warm can retard fruit production. According to the University of California Cooperative Extension, the optimal temperatures for eggplant production are between 78 degrees and 68 degrees Fahrenheit. Slowdowns in fruit production can occur when temperatures rise above 95 degrees and fall below 62 degrees Fahrenheit.

Water

• Eggplant can grow in a variety of settings, as long as the temperature highs and lows of the region are suitable for the plant. If eggplants do not have sufficient water, fruits may be slow to form and, in cases of serious water deprivation, may not form at all. Eggplants have a shallow root system and require regular irrigation. Too much water can cause root rot and destroy the plant. The amount of water required changes during the different phases of growth, and fruit development will require more water than the earlier stages of seedling growth and plant flowering.

Nutrients

• The quality and quantity of nutrients available to the plant will affect the timing of when the eggplant fruits are produced. A nutrient-starved plant may produce poor quality eggplants, be slow to produce fruits or may fail to produce at all. Nutrients are present in soil, and good quality soil may have sufficient nutrients to support fruit production. Fertilizers are used to increase soil quality and to ensure that the plants have the nutrients necessary to produce quality eggplants. The type and amount of fertilizer depends on the type and quality of soil the plant is grown in.