Black Knight

Family: Solanaceae Fruit Vegetable

Velvety, inky-purple fruit hangs like polished lanterns, with a satin skin that catches the light and a rich, pleasantly mild flavor.

Black Knight delivers classic globe-eggplant form—firm, meaty flesh with a tender bite that shines in roasting and grilling, and lends itself beautifully to hearty sauces and savory bakes. Grow it for dependable, full-size harvests and a dramatic garden presence from midsummer into fall.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 80 DaysHabit: Upright

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Feb 28th
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Jun 20th
Harvest Begins	Sep 8th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	80
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Upright
Support Needed	Stake
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	80
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	50
Harden Off (days)	10

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Black Knight’s firm, meaty globe flesh caramelizes instead of collapsing, so it stays sliceable on a grill and turns plush without going waterlogged in a bake. Give it garlic-tomato heat and a good melt of cheese, and it delivers that satin, custard-like interior that scoops cleanly.

Best Uses

char and roast halves for creamy, spoonable interiors
grill thick slices until buckled and custardy in the center
make a glossy baked eggplant parmesan—meaty, not watery
slow-simmer into a hearty tomato-and-garlic sauce or ragù-style bowl

Flavor Profile

velvety, inky-purple skin with a satin bite mild, meaty flesh that turns silky when cooked tender bite that holds up to high heat savory, slightly smoky eggplant character

Kitchen Pairings

garlic tomato olive oil Parmesan mozzarella smoked paprika

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I manage powdery mildew on Black Knight eggplant in a home garden?

Powdery mildew shows up as a white, dusty coating on Black Knight leaves, often starting in warm, humid stretches. Remove and discard badly infected leaves early, improve airflow by spacing plants and keeping foliage as dry as possible, and spray a labeled potassium bicarbonate or horticultural sulfur product according to the label as soon as symptoms appear.

How often should I water Black Knight during peak growth to keep it producing?

During the main growing phase (once plants are flowering), water deeply about 1–2 times per week to keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy. Aim for roughly 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water per week, adjusting for heat—water sooner if the top 1 inch of soil dries out, and slow down if water pools or the soil stays wet.

What are the best signs that Black Knight eggplant is ready to harvest?

Harvest Black Knight eggplant when the fruits are deep purple and glossy, firm to the touch, and about 6–8 inches (15–20 cm) long. If seeds inside are starting to look pale and the fruit feels spongy or develops dull skin, it’s past prime—cut it earlier next time using pruners, leaving a short stem on the plant.