Long Purple

Family: Solanaceae Fruit Vegetable

Plush, ink-purple fruit hangs in graceful, elongated silhouettes—silky-skinned and richly flavored with a gentle, savory depth.

“Long Purple” delivers tender, creamy flesh that stays pleasantly smooth, ideal for high-heat roasting and glossy sauces, and it also shines when sliced fresh for quick pickling-style preparations. A Japanese eggplant favorite for gardeners who want an elegant harvest that looks as striking as it tastes.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 90 DaysHabit: Upright

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	Upright
Support Needed	Stake
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	80
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	50
Harden Off (days)	7

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Long Purple’s elongated Japanese cut keeps a velvety, low-fiber interior, so it turns buttery in the oven without going spongy. Roast hot and don’t overwater it—its mild sweetness and savory savoriness love salty-sour partners like soy, miso, and vinegar.

Best Uses

high-heat roasting until melting and bronzed at the edges
glossy, reduced sauces (miso- or tomato-based) that cling to tender interiors
long, thin slices for quick pickling-style applications (salt–vinegar, overnight)
grilling or broiling for a smoky, custardy bite

Flavor Profile

silky, creamy flesh gentle savory depth minimal bitterness mild sweetness when roasted

Kitchen Pairings

miso garlic soy sauce ginger sesame oil cumin

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most commonly affects eggplant (Solanum melongena) and what should I do?

A common issue is Verticillium wilt, which shows up as wilting and yellowing on one side of the plant even when the soil isn’t dry. Remove and discard affected plants, avoid replanting eggplant/other Solanaceae (tomato, pepper, potato) in the same spot for several years, and keep foliage dry by watering at the base. If you’re seeing early holes/chewed leaves, check underside leaves for Colorado potato beetle larvae and hand-remove or spot-treat promptly while numbers are low.

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

During fruiting (mid-summer to about the last few weeks before harvest), keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged—aim for about 1–2 inches of water per week depending on heat and mulch. Water deeply at the base so the root zone stays evenly damp, then let the top 1 inch of soil dry slightly before watering again. Uneven moisture can trigger blossom drop or cause the fruits to grow poorly and get bitter.

How can I tell when ‘Long Purple’ eggplant (Solanum melongena) is ready to harvest?

Harvest when fruits are fully colored a deep purple, glossy, and still tender—typically around 7–10 inches long for “Long Purple.” Use a thumbnail to test: if the skin dents easily, it’s ready; if it feels tough and resistant, leave it only a short time and check again soon. Cut fruit with a knife or pruners while the plant is still producing, usually starting around 90 days to maturity for this crop.