Comprehensive Guide to Eggplant Spacing: How Far Apart to Plant

If you’re diving into the world of growing eggplants for the first time, you likely have an image of bushy plants teeming with dark-purple fruits in your mind. However, the reality is far more varied than that, with eggplant cultivars ranging from petite finger-sized aubergines to large, basketball player-height plants.

With so much diversity in eggplant varieties, the question arises: how far apart should you space them? This becomes even more complex when considering different types of gardening, such as square foot, row, raised beds, and container growing.

Don’t worry, we’re here to break down the rules of spacing in the garden for you. Let’s dive into the details:

How Far Apart Should I Space My Eggplants?

Table of Contents

The Basics
Larger and Smaller Varieties
Annuals
Perennials
Container Growing

The Basics

Eggplants, members of the nightshade family Solanaceae, share a family with peppers and tomatoes. These tall, bushy plants are characterized by broad leaves and star-shaped white or purple flowers that are typically self-pollinated. In some cases, they may require hand-pollination to boost fruit production.

In most growing zones (Zones 4 through 9), eggplants are treated as annuals due to their preference for warm weather and susceptibility to frost. However, in warmer climates (Zones 10 to 12), they can thrive as short-lived perennials, producing bountiful harvests over multiple years.

When planting eggplants in your garden or raised beds, it’s recommended to space them between 18 and 36 inches apart in rows spanning 30 to 36 inches. However, remember that row spacing is crucial for traditional row gardens but can be adjusted for raised beds and square foot gardening.

For container growing, follow specific recommendations based on the variety you’re planting. Eggplants come in various sizes, so tailor your spacing strategy to suit the specific characteristics of each cultivar.

Larger and Smaller Varieties

Let’s explore spacing requirements for both petite and large eggplant varieties:

‘Patio Baby Mini’: This compact cultivar produces miniature fruits and requires spacing of 18 to 22 inches apart. Ideal for containers or raised beds, plant one aubergine per 18-inch container or provide 18 to 22 inches of space around each plant in raised beds.
‘Black Beauty’: A classic heirloom known for glossy, dark-purple fruits, this variety grows up to 24 inches tall and spreads just 16 to 18 inches. Space plants 16 to 18 inches apart and rows 30 inches apart.
‘Shooting Stars’: With distinctive speckled purple and white fruits, this cultivar grows 30 inches tall and spreads 20 inches. Space them 18 to 20 inches apart in rows 30 inches apart.
Asian Varieties: Long and slim-fruited Asian varieties like ‘Long Asian’ make excellent candidates for containers or small gardens. Space them 12 to 18 inches apart in raised beds or square foot gardens.
‘Behold’: A Burpee hybrid growing up to three to four feet tall, this variety requires ample spacing at 30 to 36 inches apart. Rows should be three feet apart to accommodate its spread.
‘Hansel’ and ‘Gretel’: These hybrids, despite their diminutive fruits, grow up to 36 inches tall and wide. Leave at least 24 inches of space between plants and rows spaced 30 to 36 inches apart.

When growing eggplants as annuals, follow general spacing guidelines of 18 to 36 inches apart in rows. For taller varieties (18 inches or more), consider providing support using a tomato cage.

Perennials

Growing eggplants as perennials in warm climates (Zones 10-12) offers long-term benefits with plants reaching impressive heights of up to eight feet. Ensure plants are spaced four to six feet apart to accommodate their significant spread, and provide sturdy support with large tomato cages.

Container Growing

If you’re opting to grow eggplants in containers, tailor your spacing based on the size of the variety:

Space one 18- to 36-inch eggplant per container.
Smaller varieties (18 to 24 inches tall) require 12 to 14-inch wide containers, while larger ones (25 to 36 inches tall) need at least 20 inches wide containers.
For multiple plants in a single container, opt for a larger pot to provide ample space for root development.

With these guidelines on eggplant spacing, you’re well-equipped to cultivate a thriving eggplant garden. Share your eggplant growing experiences and any questions in the comments below.

Explore our other eggplant resources for more insights:
– 9 of the Best White Eggplant Varieties
– 21 of the Best Japanese Eggplant Varieties