When to Plant Eggplant (Aubergine) in Brisbane, Subtropical Guide

Sow August to February. Right now in September you can sow.

Also called aubergine, brinjal.

Published · Last reviewed · By Garden Buddy
Growing advice is reviewed by hand. Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.

This Eggplant (Aubergine) guide is written for the Subtropical zone, which takes in Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.

Not your zone? Cairns Sydney Melbourne Canberra Alice Springs Perth

Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.

Eggplant (Aubergine)

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Eggplant is a warm-season Solanaceae that requires more heat than tomatoes to thrive. Originally from India, it loves hot Australian summers. Multiple types are available: classic large purple, long Asian, small Thai, white and striped varieties. As a Solanaceae, it shares crop rotation requirements with tomatoes, capsicum and chillies.

Planting Calendar for Subtropical

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
T T - - - - - S S/T/D S/T/D S/T/D S/T/D

S = Seed Tray   T = Transplant   D = Direct Sow

Want a nudge when it is Eggplant (Aubergine) sowing time in Brisbane?

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Current Growing Conditions

Soil temperature: 20.4°C (optimal range: 21–32°C) ✗ Outside optimal range

That figure is read off my own weather station here at Dayboro in South East Queensland at 18:55 yesterday, not a model. The radar, the rain gauge and the forecasts behind it sit on Dayboro.au.

How to Grow Eggplant (Aubergine) in Subtropical Australia

When to Plant

Transplant September-December. Crops from December to May. Plants can survive mild winters in frost-free SEQ microclimates and reshoot in spring.

Soil
Rich, well-drained soil with generous compost and aged manure. Slightly acidic preferred. Heavy feeders.
pH Range
5.5-6.5
Sunlight
Full sun (minimum 8 hours). More heat-demanding than tomatoes. The warmest, most sheltered position in the garden.
Spacing
60cm apart, 80cm between rows
Watering
Consistent deep watering 2-3 times per week. Irregular watering causes bitter fruit and blossom end rot. Drip irrigation ideal. Avoid wetting foliage.

Companion plants: Basil, Beans, Marigold, Thyme, Capsicum

Avoid planting near: Fennel, Other Solanaceae in same rotation bed

Subtropical Growing Tips for Eggplant (Aubergine)

Recommended Varieties

  • Black Beauty
  • Long Purple
  • Listada de Gandia
  • Rosa Bianca
  • Little Finger

Key Challenges

  • Fruit fly from November
  • Flea beetle on young transplants
  • Cool springs slowing early growth

Pro Tips

  • Start seeds very early (August) as eggplant needs a long warm season
  • North-facing position against a brick wall provides extra warmth
  • Plants can overwinter in frost-free locations. Cut back hard in autumn

Harvesting Eggplant (Aubergine)

When ready: Fruit should be glossy and firm. Press gently. Flesh should spring back. Skin colour at variety-typical stage (deep purple, white, striped etc.). Dull skin and brown seeds inside indicate over-maturity. Fruit will be bitter and seedy.

How to harvest: Cut with sharp secateurs (stems are woody and thorny). Leave 2-3cm of stem. Do not pull. Wear gloves as some varieties have thorns on calyx. Harvest in morning.

Worth growing?

A 2.4 m × 1.2 m bed fits 4 plants, about $84 worth at today’s Aldi and Coles prices, checked today.

That is roughly 10 kg at $8.44 a kilo.

Draw your eggplant (aubergine) bed → No account needed.

Where to next

What eggplant costs in the shops right now, retailer by retailer, updated daily.

Also worth sowing in the subtropical zone this September: Lemongrass, Ginger, Beetroot and Chilli Peppers.

The pest most likely to find your eggplant: Bacterial Wilt.

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Common Questions About Eggplant (Aubergine)

When do you plant eggplant in Australia?

It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:

Does eggplant grow all year round in Brisbane?

No. In the Subtropical zone the planting months are Jan to Feb, Aug to Dec. Outside that window it either bolts, sulks or gets cut down by the weather.

What else is eggplant called?

Eggplant is the usual Australian name. Overseas seed packets and recipes call it aubergine, brinjal. Same plant, same growing advice.

Which zone am I in?

Type your postcode into the box under the heading and the page tells you, and links this crop in your own zone if it differs. Or look it up on the grow zone map. This page is the Subtropical zone, Brisbane is its reference city.