About
A variety of aubergine, a tropical perennial grown as an annual, with grey-green, downy foliage. It reaches about 1.2m, has small, pale purple flowers, and produces good quality, large, glossy, deep purple fruit from late summer into autumn.
About the genus
Solanum can be annuals, perennials, evergreen or deciduous shrubs or twining climbers, with simple or pinnnately lobed leaves and star- or bowl-shaped, 5-lobed flowers with prominent stamens, followed by fleshy fruits
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeLoam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH1C
Plant details
Plant typeAnnual Biennial
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height1-1.5 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height1 year
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Patio and container plants, Sub-tropical
Care notes
CultivationCan be grown outdoors in a sunny, sheltered position in mild areas, but is better grown in a greenhouse or tall growing-frame. Start from seed or buy as small plants and grow on in a heated greenhouse or on a warm windowsill. Move to an unheated greenhouse or outside once all risk of frost has passed. Water regularly and feed every 10-14 days with a balanced liquid fertiliser, switching to a high potassium liquid feed once the first fruits have set. See Aubergines (Grow your own)
PruningPinch out the growing tip when the plant has reached about 30cm high to encourage branching
PropagationPropagate by seed. See sowing vegetable seeds or sowing seeds indoors for further advice
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to glasshouse whitefly, aphids and glasshouse red spider mite
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely), tomato leaf mould and tomato viruses