Easter Egg Plant

The “Easter Egg” eggplant provides a plant that is as ornamental as it is edible. The small eggplant produces white egg-shaped fruits that resemble hen’s eggs, but later develop into pastel-colored eggs in shades of yellow and orange. “Easter Egg” requires frost-free and warm summer weather. Its small size makes it suitable for smaller gardens and container planting. Grow “Easter Egg” plants from purchased seedlings or seeds started indoors so you have a head start on the growing season and to ensure the plant has time to mature and fruit.

The Solanum ovigerum is the common name the Easter Egg Plant. The Easter egg plant is in the same family as angel trumpet, and the Jerusalem cherry: the night shade family

Family: Solanaceae (so-lan-AY-see-ee)

Genus: Solanum (so-LAN-num)

Species: ovigerum (oh-VEE-ger-um)

Category: Annuals

Water Requirements: Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater

Sun Exposure: Sun to Partial Shade

Foliage Color: Chartreuse/Yellow

Height: 12-18 in. (30-45 cm)

Spacing: 12-15 in. (30-38 cm)

Bloom Color: Lavender

Bloom Time: Mid Spring

Soil pH requirements:

6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)

6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)

7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)

Patent Information: Non-patented

Propagation Methods: From seed; sow indoors before last frost

Seed Collecting:

Allow unblemished fruit to ripen, clean and dry seeds

Unblemished fruit must be significantly overripe before harvesting seed; clean and dry seeds

Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored

The “Easter Egg” eggplant provides a plant that is as ornamental as it is edible. The small eggplant produces white egg-shaped fruits that resemble hen’s eggs, but later develop into pastel-colored eggs in shades of yellow and orange. “Easter Egg” requires frost-free and warm summer weather. Its small size makes it suitable for smaller gardens and container planting. Grow “Easter Egg” plants from purchased seedlings or seeds started indoors so you have a head start on the growing season and to ensure the plant has time to mature and fruit.

1. Grow “Easter Egg” plants in a bed that receives at least six hours of direct daily sunlight to ensure best growth. Work in a 2-inch layer of compost to improve drainage and soil conditions and add 1/3 pound 12-12-12 fertilizer per every 10 square feet of garden before planting.

2.Cover the soil with a 2-inch layer of straw mulch to help insulate the soil and retain moisture. Pull the mulch back slightly so it doesn’t rest against the eggplant stems, which can result in stem-rot problems.

3.Water the eggplant about once weekly, or when the soil begins to dry to a 1-inch depth. Supply each plant with about 1 inch of water or enough to moisten the top 6 to 8 inches of soil.

4.Monitor the plants for slug and snail damage, which shows as chewed leaves and slimy trails on foliage. Set out slug traps or bait, following package instructions, to manage slugs in the garden, or pick them from the plants by hand after the sun has set. A flashlight makes it easier to find the pests.

5.Harvest the fruit when they develop a cream, yellow or orange exterior, approximately 54 days after planting. Cut each mature eggplant from the branch with shears. Pulling on the eggplants may break branches and cause plant damage.

This plant grows best outdoors but because of its small size is well-suited for growing in a container,

The plants form purple flowers in late spring or early summer and then the fruit begin to form during the height of summer.”

When to Plant: In late winter, plant the seeds in an indoor container. The seedlings can be transplanted outdoors into a container, raised bed, or in-ground in spring after the last chance of frost has passed.

Sunlight Requirements: At least six hours of sunlight each day. If growing indoors, place under a grow light or in an area that gets plenty of light.

Soil and Watering Recommendations: To prevent waterlogged roots, use a well-drained soil. Easter egg plant should be watered when the top inch of soil is dry and fed using a slow-release plant food.

Can You Eat the Easter Eggplants?

You can, but you probably don’t want to. The ornamental fruit doesn’t taste much like the eggplant you’re used to cooking with. Stick to traditional globe eggplants when it comes to preparing eggplant recipes.

#eastereggplants #easterflowers