Black Prince

Family: Solanaceae Nightshade

Sink your spoon into the velvety, smoky-sweet allure of Black Prince—an heirloom-style beefsteak tomato with rich, wine-dark shoulders and a deep, rosy interior that tastes as lush as it looks.

The flesh is meaty and juicy with a balanced, slightly tangy finish, ideal for showcasing in bold slices and thick wedges that hold their shape beautifully. Grow this 90-day standout for a dramatic harvest from late summer into early fall, where each fruit becomes a centerpiece-worthy centerpiece in the garden and the bowl.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 90 DaysHabit: Indeterminate

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

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Mar 7th
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Jun 20th
Harvest Begins	Sep 18th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	90
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Indeterminate
Support Needed	Cage
Planting Depth	Deep
Germination Temp (°F)	75
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	50
Harden Off (days)	10

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

This beefsteak heirloom is built for eating like a main event: the meaty interior stays composed in thick wedges and doesn’t turn into watery tomato mush. Its smoky-sweet, wine-dark flavor loves fat and acid—slick it with olive oil and let a little balsamic or char do the loud work.

Best Uses

thick slice platters with flaky salt and a slick of olive oil
hot-off-the-pan tomato toast where the wedges keep their shape
roasted tomato halves for jammy, wine-dark caramelization
spoonable stovetop marinara that stays chunky, not watery

Flavor Profile

smoky-sweet, beefsteak-style richness meaty flesh with a juicy, gel-like center balanced, slightly tangy finish velvety mouthfeel with minimal watery slip

Kitchen Pairings

extra-virgin olive oil aged balsamic vinegar garlic fresh mozzarella charred bread (sourdough) grilled or roasted pork

Frequently Asked Questions

What causes leaf spots on Black Prince (eggplant) and how do I stop it?

Leaf spots are often caused by early blight/cercospora or other fungal leaf diseases that spread quickly in warm, humid conditions. Remove and discard any heavily spotted leaves, then spray the underside of foliage with a labeled fungicide for eggplant/leaf spot and improve airflow by spacing plants and watering at the soil line. Keep leaves as dry as possible—wet foliage and nighttime humidity are what drive new spots.

How often should I water Black Prince eggplant during the main growing phase?

During active growth (after plants start producing), water deeply about 1–2 times per week, aiming for consistently moist but not soggy soil. The best check is the top 1–2 inches: water when it’s drying out but the soil below still feels cool and slightly moist—eggplant quickly drops flowers if it dries out too much. Mulch helps stabilize moisture, reducing stress that leads to poor fruit set.

When is Black Prince eggplant ready to harvest?

Harvest when fruits are fully colored (deep purple-black with a glossy sheen) and reach about 6–8 inches long, typically around 80–90 days from transplanting. Pick fruit as soon as it’s the right size because eggplant becomes seedy and tougher when left on the plant too long. Use pruning shears to cut with a short stem, leaving the plant ready to set the next fruits.