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Solanum melongena
Black Beauty is a classic heirloom eggplant that has remained a favourite for generations. The bushy, spreading plants grow to around 80 cm tall and produce smooth, oval fruits up to 16 cm long with glossy purplish-black skin and tender, fine-flavoured flesh. Well suited to a wide range of Australian climates, including cooler southern regions, this reliable variety matures in approximately 72–85 days and is ideal for roasting, grilling, baking, and curries.
Approximately 40 seeds per packet
When to Plant (Australia)
Tropics: March to September
Subtropics: August to December
Mild climates: September to December
Cold climates: After the last frost
Planting / Sowing
Sow seed in trays 5 mm deep in a warm, well drained seed-raising mix. Maintain temperatures between 22–30°C for reliable germination. Transplant seedlings into full sun once the soil has warmed, spacing plants 50–60 cm apart. Harvest fruit while the skin is glossy and firm for the best flavour and texture.
Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.
Solanum melongena
Black Beauty is a classic heirloom eggplant that has remained a favourite for generations. The bushy, spreading plants grow to around 80 cm tall and produce smooth, oval fruits up to 16 cm long with glossy purplish-black skin and tender, fine-flavoured flesh. Well suited to a wide range of Australian climates, including cooler southern regions, this reliable variety matures in approximately 72–85 days and is ideal for roasting, grilling, baking, and curries.
Approximately 60 seeds per packet
When to Plant (Australia)
Tropics: March to September
Subtropics: August to December
Mild climates: September to December
Cold climates: After the last frost
Planting / Sowing
Sow seed in trays 5 mm deep in a warm, well drained seed-raising mix. Maintain temperatures between 22–30°C for reliable germination. Transplant seedlings into full sun once the soil has warmed, spacing plants 50–60 cm apart. Harvest fruit while the skin is glossy and firm for the best flavour and texture.
Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.
Solanum melongena
Casper is a beautiful white-fruited Eggplant producing smooth, elongated fruits approximately 5 cm wide and 15 cm long. The creamy-white skin surrounds tender, pale flesh with a mild flavour and less of the bitterness sometimes associated with older purple eggplant varieties.
Originally developed in France, Casper is valued for both its unusual appearance and excellent eating quality. The fruits have a delicate, almost mushroom-like flavour and creamy texture when cooked, making them excellent roasted, grilled, fried or baked. They can also be used in curries, stews, ratatouille and Mediterranean-style dishes.
Casper is relatively quick to begin producing and crops generously in warm conditions. The striking ivory fruits are best harvested while the skin is still smooth and glossy and before the seeds inside become overly developed.
Eggplants are warm-season plants and need plenty of sun and warmth to perform well. They prefer fertile, well-drained soil enriched with compost or well-rotted organic matter and benefit from consistent moisture throughout flowering and fruit development.
Approximately 40 seeds per packet
When to Plant (Australia)
Tropics: Most of the year, avoiding the coolest period
Subtropics: Late winter to summer
Mild climates: Spring to early summer
Cold climates: Start indoors in late winter to spring and transplant after all danger of frost
Planting / Sowing
Sow approximately 5 mm deep into trays or pots and keep warm and consistently moist. Eggplant germinates best with soil temperatures around 24–30°C.
Transplant seedlings once the weather and soil have warmed and all danger of frost has passed. Space plants approximately 50–60 cm apart in full sun with fertile, well-drained soil.
Water consistently during flowering and fruit development, avoiding prolonged periods of dry soil. Harvest Casper while fruits are approximately 15 cm long and the white skin remains smooth and glossy. Cut fruits from the plant with secateurs rather than pulling them from the stems.
Maturity: approximately 90 days.
Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.
Solanum melongena
Early Long Purple is a historic heirloom Eggplant producing attractive elongated fruits reaching approximately 25 cm long and 8 cm wide. The smooth, glossy skin develops a rich dark purple colour, surrounding tender flesh with a classic eggplant flavour.
An old variety documented as early as 1857, Early Long Purple represents the slender-fruited eggplants that were widely grown before the large, rounded supermarket types became dominant. Its relatively early maturity makes it particularly useful for gardeners wanting a reliable harvest without an exceptionally long growing season.
The tender fruits are wonderfully versatile in the kitchen and can be grilled, roasted, fried or baked, sliced into curries and stir-fries or used in dishes such as ratatouille, parmigiana and moussaka. Harvesting while the skin is still glossy and the seeds are immature gives the best flavour and texture.
Plants thrive in warm weather and full sun, preferring fertile, well-drained soil enriched with compost or well-rotted organic matter. Consistent moisture during flowering and fruit development encourages good yields and tender fruits.
Approximately 80 seeds per packet
When to Plant (Australia)
Tropics: Most of the year, avoiding the coolest period
Subtropics: Late winter to summer
Mild climates: Spring to early summer
Cold climates: Start indoors in late winter to spring and transplant after all danger of frost
Planting / Sowing
Sow approximately 5 mm deep into trays or pots and keep warm and consistently moist. Eggplant germinates best with soil temperatures around 24–30°C.
Transplant seedlings once the weather and soil have warmed and all danger of frost has passed. Space plants approximately 50–60 cm apart in full sun with fertile, well-drained soil.
Water consistently during flowering and fruit development. Harvest fruits while the skin is dark purple, smooth and glossy and the flesh remains tender. Cut fruits from the plant with secateurs rather than pulling them from the stems.
Maturity: approximately 70–78 days.
Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.
Solanum melongena
Japanese Pickling (Nasu) is a traditional Japanese heirloom eggplant producing slender, glossy fruits around 20–25 cm long. The deep purple to almost black fruit is borne on attractive plants with rich purple stems, growing to approximately 75 cm tall. The cream-coloured flesh is almost seedless, becoming tender and creamy when cooked while readily absorbing flavours. With its sweet, mild taste and delicate texture, Nasu is ideal for grilling, stir-fries, curries, roasting, and traditional Japanese pickling.
Approximately 40 seeds per packet
When to Plant (Australia)
Tropics: March to September
Subtropics: August to December
Mild climates: September to December
Cold climates: After the last frost
Planting / Sowing
Sow seed in trays 5 mm deep in a warm, well drained seed-raising mix. Maintain temperatures between 22–30°C for reliable germination. Transplant seedlings into full sun once the soil has warmed, spacing plants 50–60 cm apart. Harvest fruit while young, glossy, and firm to encourage continued production and the best eating quality.
Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.
Solanum melongena
Listada de Gandia is a beautiful Spanish heirloom Eggplant producing pear-shaped fruits dramatically striped in creamy white and pinkish-purple. Its name translates roughly as “striped one from Gandia”, referring both to its distinctive colouring and its origins around Gandia on Spain’s Mediterranean coast in Valencia.
Growing approximately 15–20 cm long, the fruits are as ornamental in the garden as they are useful in the kitchen. The creamy flesh is tender and mild with relatively few seeds, while the thin, unobtrusive skin means there is generally no need to peel the fruit before cooking.
Its excellent texture makes it particularly good for grilling, roasting and frying, as well as for ratatouille, parmigiana, stews and Mediterranean dishes.
With its origins in the warm Mediterranean climate of eastern Spain, Listada de Gandia performs particularly well in warm conditions and handles high humidity well. Plants can continue flowering and producing over a long season when regularly harvested.
For the best flavour and texture, pick fruits while the striped skin remains glossy, smooth and taut. Once the skin becomes dull, the fruit is becoming over-mature and the seeds inside will be more developed.
Approximately 40 seeds per packet
When to Plant (Australia)
Tropics: Most of the year, avoiding the coolest period
Subtropics: Late winter to summer
Mild climates: Spring to early summer
Cold climates: Start indoors in late winter to spring and transplant after all danger of frost
Planting / Sowing
Sow approximately 5 mm deep into trays or pots and keep warm and consistently moist. Eggplant germinates best with soil temperatures around 24–30°C.
Transplant seedlings once the weather and soil have warmed and all danger of frost has passed. Space plants approximately 50–60 cm apart in full sun with fertile, well-drained soil.
Water consistently during flowering and fruit development. Harvest when fruits reach approximately 15–20 cm and the distinctive striped skin is still shiny and taut. Cut fruits from the plant with secateurs rather than pulling them from the stems.
Maturity: approximately 80 days.
Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.
Solanum melongena
Little Fingers is a highly productive heirloom eggplant producing abundant slender purple fruits on medium-sized plants. Harvest the fruit when finger-sized for tender, bite-sized eggplants, or allow them to grow larger without sacrificing flavour or texture. The mild, creamy flesh is excellent for pickling, grilling, roasting, stir-fries, and a wide range of cooked dishes. A reliable and prolific variety for home gardens.
Approximately 40 seeds per packet
When to Plant (Australia)
Tropics: March to September
Subtropics: August to December
Mild climates: September to December
Cold climates: After the last frost
Planting / Sowing
Sow seed in trays 5 mm deep in a warm, well drained seed-raising mix. Maintain temperatures between 22–30°C for reliable germination. Transplant seedlings into full sun once the soil has warmed, spacing plants 50–60 cm apart. Harvest fruit regularly while glossy and firm to encourage continuous production.
Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.
Solanum melongena
Market Supreme is a classic Eggplant producing substantial, glossy black fruits approximately 11 cm wide and 16 cm long. The attractive, deep-coloured fruits have the familiar rounded to slightly elongated shape associated with traditional market eggplants and develop smooth, firm skin when grown well.
The creamy flesh is tender and substantial, making this an excellent all-purpose variety in the kitchen. Fruits can be grilled, roasted, baked or fried, added to curries and stews, or used for classics such as eggplant parmigiana, moussaka, ratatouille and baba ganoush.
Plants appreciate a long, warm growing season and perform best in full sun with fertile, well-drained soil. Consistent moisture and regular feeding during flowering and fruit development will encourage strong growth and good-sized fruits.
Harvest while the skin is glossy, dark and taut. A dulling of the skin generally indicates that the fruit is becoming over-mature and the seeds inside are beginning to harden.
Approximately 60 seeds per packet
When to Plant (Australia)
Tropics: Most of the year, avoiding the coolest period
Subtropics: Late winter to summer
Mild climates: Spring to early summer
Cold climates: Start indoors in late winter to spring and transplant after all danger of frost
Planting / Sowing
Sow approximately 5 mm deep into trays or pots and keep warm and consistently moist. Eggplant germinates best with soil temperatures around 24–30°C.
Transplant seedlings once the weather and soil have warmed and all danger of frost has passed. Space plants approximately 50–60 cm apart in full sun with fertile, well-drained soil.
Water consistently during flowering and fruit development. Harvest when fruits reach a useful size and the black skin remains smooth and glossy. Cut fruits from the plant with secateurs rather than pulling them from the stems.
Maturity: approximately 100–125 days.
Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.
Solanum melongena
Mitoyo is a treasured Japanese heirloom Eggplant producing large, rounded fruits with glossy skin ranging from deep purple to almost black. Individual fruits can reach an impressive 600 g, yet the flesh remains remarkably tender, sweet and mild.
The fine-textured flesh becomes beautifully creamy when cooked and has very little of the bitterness sometimes associated with eggplant. Mitoyo is exceptionally versatile in the kitchen and can be eaten raw when young and tender, grilled, baked, roasted, fried or pickled. Its soft texture is particularly well suited to traditional Japanese preparations where the eggplant readily absorbs sauces and seasonings.
This regional variety has traditionally been cultivated around the Mitoyo and Kanonji areas of Kagawa Prefecture on the Japanese island of Shikoku. Its connection to a particular place and local food culture makes it a wonderful example of the regional vegetable varieties preserved through generations of cultivation in Japan.
Plants grow approximately 90–120 cm tall, with attractive green foliage and purple-tinged new growth. Combined with the large, glossy dark fruits, Mitoyo is handsome enough to earn a place in ornamental edible gardens as well as the vegetable patch.
Approximately 40 seeds per packet
When to Plant (Australia)
Tropics: Most of the year, avoiding the coolest period
Subtropics: Late winter to summer
Mild climates: Spring to summer
Cold climates: Start indoors in late winter to spring and transplant after all danger of frost
Planting / Sowing
Sow approximately 5 mm deep into trays or pots and keep warm and consistently moist. Eggplant germinates best with soil temperatures around 24–30°C.
Transplant seedlings once the weather and soil have warmed and all danger of frost has passed. Space plants approximately 60–75 cm apart in full sun with fertile, well-drained soil. Larger plants may benefit from staking once they begin carrying heavy fruit.
Water consistently during flowering and fruit development. Harvest while fruits are glossy, firm and richly coloured for the sweetest flavour and most tender flesh. Cut fruits from the plant with secateurs rather than pulling them from the stems.
Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.
Solanum melongena
Red Ruffle is an unusual and highly ornamental Eggplant producing small, rounded and distinctly ribbed fruits approximately 5 cm across. Also known as Hmong Red, the fruits begin green before ripening through orange to a brilliant red, giving the plants an almost tomato-like appearance.
The fruits are traditionally used in Asian cooking and are particularly suited to stir-fries, curries and other cooked dishes. They are best harvested while relatively young, as fully mature fruits can develop a stronger, more bitter flavour. Their deeply ruffled shape and vivid colouring also make mature fruits popular for decorative displays and flower arrangements.
This unusual eggplant type has Asian origins, with its ancestry associated with India and later development in Spain from around the 16th century. Its striking appearance reflects the enormous diversity found within eggplants, which have been selected for centuries for everything from flavour and texture to shape and colour.
Plants grow under similar conditions to tomatoes but require a longer period of sustained warmth to produce well. In warm, frost-free climates Eggplants can be maintained as short-lived perennials, while in cooler regions they are generally grown as annuals.
Seed count: approximately 200–250 seeds/g
Approximately 20 seeds per packet
When to Plant (Australia)
Tropics: Most of the year, avoiding the coolest period
Subtropics: Late winter to summer
Mild climates: Spring to summer
Cold climates: Start indoors in late winter to early spring and transplant after all danger of frost
Planting / Sowing
Sow approximately 5 mm deep into trays or pots and keep warm and consistently moist. Eggplant germinates best with soil temperatures around 24–30°C and can be started indoors up to eight weeks before conditions are suitable for planting outside.
Before transplanting, gradually harden seedlings over approximately one week by reducing additional heat and increasing their exposure to outdoor conditions and sunlight.
Space plants approximately 50–60 cm apart in full sun with fertile, well-drained soil. Maintain consistent moisture during flowering and fruit development.
Harvest regularly while fruits are young and tender for culinary use, before they develop excessive bitterness. Allow fruits to mature to their brilliant red colour when grown for ornamental use or seed saving. Frequent harvesting encourages plants to continue flowering and producing.
Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.
Solanum melongena
Rosa Bianca is a vigorous Italian heirloom eggplant renowned for its beautiful rosy lavender and white teardrop-shaped fruit. The large, heavy eggplants have a mild, delicate flavour with creamy flesh and very little bitterness, making them ideal for grilling, roasting, baking, and Mediterranean dishes. Highly productive plants provide abundant harvests throughout the season and mature in approximately 75–90 days.
Approximately 50 seeds per packet
When to Plant (Australia)
Tropics: March to September
Subtropics: August to December
Mild climates: September to December
Cold climates: After the last frost
Planting / Sowing
Sow seed in trays 5 mm deep in a warm, well drained seed-raising mix. Maintain temperatures between 22–30°C for reliable germination. Transplant seedlings into full sun once the soil has warmed, spacing plants 50–60 cm apart. Harvest fruit while the skin is glossy and firm to encourage continued production and the best eating quality.
Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.
Solanum melongena
Rosa Bianca is a vigorous Italian heirloom eggplant renowned for its beautiful rosy lavender and white teardrop-shaped fruit. The large, heavy eggplants have a mild, delicate flavour with creamy flesh and very little bitterness, making them ideal for grilling, roasting, baking, and Mediterranean dishes. Highly productive plants provide abundant harvests throughout the season and mature in approximately 75–90 days.
Approximately 50 seeds per packet
When to Plant (Australia)
Tropics: March to September
Subtropics: August to December
Mild climates: September to December
Cold climates: After the last frost
Planting / Sowing
Sow seed in trays 5 mm deep in a warm, well drained seed-raising mix. Maintain temperatures between 22–30°C for reliable germination. Transplant seedlings into full sun once the soil has warmed, spacing plants 50–60 cm apart. Harvest fruit while the skin is glossy and firm to encourage continued production and the best eating quality.
Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.
Solanum melongena
Tsakoniki is a traditional Greek heirloom Eggplant producing slender, cylindrical fruits approximately 20–22 cm long. The beautiful fruits are streaked and striped in shades of purple and white, with tender flesh and a mild, delicate flavour.
Named for the Tsakonia region of the Peloponnese in Greece, Tsakoniki has a particularly strong connection to place. The eggplant traditionally grown around Leonidio is considered a local speciality and is celebrated in the region for its distinctive appearance and excellent eating quality.
The tender flesh has relatively little bitterness and is wonderfully versatile in the kitchen. It is excellent grilled, roasted, fried or stuffed and particularly well suited to classic Greek dishes such as moussaka, melitzanosalata and imam bayildi. The thin skin can generally be left on during cooking.
Plants thrive in a long, warm growing season and perform best in full sun with fertile, well-drained soil. Regular harvesting while the fruits are glossy and tender encourages continued flowering and production.
Approximately 20 seeds per packet
When to Plant (Australia)
Tropics: Most of the year, avoiding the coolest period
Subtropics: Late winter to summer
Mild climates: Spring to summer
Cold climates: Start indoors in late winter to spring and transplant after all danger of frost
Planting / Sowing
Sow approximately 5 mm deep into trays or pots and keep warm and consistently moist. Eggplant germinates best with soil temperatures around 24–30°C.
Transplant seedlings once the weather and soil have warmed and all danger of frost has passed. Space plants approximately 50–60 cm apart in full sun with fertile, well-drained soil.
Maintain consistent moisture during flowering and fruit development. Harvest when fruits are approximately 20–22 cm long and the purple-striped skin remains smooth, glossy and taut. Cut fruits from the plant with secateurs rather than pulling them from the stems.
Maturity: approximately 75 days.
Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.
Solanum melongena
White Egg is an unusual heirloom Eggplant producing clusters of small, smooth, oval fruits that resemble white hen’s eggs. The ivory fruits are highly ornamental against the green foliage and develop a stronger, slightly spicier flavour than many of the larger, mild-fleshed eggplant varieties.
The compact fruits have firm, tender flesh and are best harvested while the skin is still glossy and the seeds inside are immature. They are excellent stir-fried, grilled, roasted or added whole or halved to curries and other cooked dishes.
White egg-shaped eggplants have a long history in Asia and are also behind the English name “eggplant”. Early European gardeners encountered white, egg-shaped forms grown as ornamental curiosities, whose fruits looked remarkably like eggs hanging from the plant.
White Egg begins setting fruit relatively early and continues producing throughout the warm season when fruits are picked regularly. Its attractive habit and manageable fruit size also make it a good container variety. In warm conditions it can be maintained in a pot beyond a single season, provided it is protected from frost and cold weather.
Approximately 35 seeds per packet
When to Plant (Australia)
Tropics: Most of the year, avoiding the coolest period
Subtropics: Late winter to summer
Mild climates: Spring to summer
Cold climates: Start indoors in late winter to spring and transplant after all danger of frost
Planting / Sowing
Sow approximately 5 mm deep into trays or pots and keep warm and consistently moist. Eggplant germinates best with soil temperatures around 24–30°C.
Transplant seedlings once the weather and soil have warmed and all danger of frost has passed. Space plants approximately 50–60 cm apart in full sun with fertile, well-drained soil. For container growing, choose a generous pot with good drainage.
Maintain consistent moisture during flowering and fruit development. Harvest regularly while fruits are white, firm and glossy for the best flavour and texture. Cut fruits from the plant with secateurs rather than pulling them from the stems.
Maturity: approximately 69–75 days.
Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.
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