When to Plant Eggplant (Aubergine) in Cairns, Tropical Guide

Sow April to July. Right now in September it is out of season. The next sowing month is April.

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 Tropical zone, which takes in Cairns, Townsville and Darwin. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.

Not your zone? Brisbane 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 Tropical

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

S = Seed Tray   T = Transplant   D = Direct Sow

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

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Current Growing Conditions

Soil temperature: 21.4°C (optimal range: 21–32°C) ✓ Ready to plant

Modelled from Open-Meteo forecast (Cairns), not a live sensor.

How to Grow Eggplant (Aubergine) in Tropical Australia

When to Plant

Year-round production possible. Perennial in the tropics. Plants produce for 2-3 years. Dry season start (March-April) avoids worst wet season disease pressure.

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

Tropical Growing Tips for Eggplant (Aubergine)

Recommended Varieties

  • Black Beauty
  • Long Purple
  • Thai Green
  • Thai Pea Eggplant
  • Listada de Gandia (striped)

Key Challenges

  • Bacterial wilt in wet season
  • Fruit fly year-round
  • Whitefly pressure

Pro Tips

  • This is the ideal eggplant climate. They love tropical heat
  • Plants are perennial here and can produce for years with hard annual pruning
  • Thai and Asian varieties are particularly well-suited to tropical conditions

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 tropical zone this September: Lemongrass, Ginger, Cucumber and Basil.

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 Cairns?

No. In the Tropical zone the planting months are Apr to Jul. 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 Tropical zone, Cairns is its reference city.