White Star

Family: Solanaceae Fruit Vegetable

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add White Star to a garden.

Silken, moonlit fruit with a crisp, satin sheen—White Star eggplant brings a luminous presence to the garden and a delicate, refined flavor to the plate.

At maturity, the fruits are firm and pleasantly tender, with a creamy interior that lends itself beautifully to roasting and grilling, as well as silky sauces and hearty casseroles. Grow White Star for its standout white color and starry, showpiece appeal—an elegant choice for gardeners who love both beauty and versatility.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 80 DaysHabit: Indeterminate

Location not set yet

Enter your ZIP for local crop dates

White Star Planting Dates by USDA Zone

Estimated US hardiness-zone windows for sow, transplant, and harvest. Enter a US ZIP above for exact local dates, or open a zone below.

Zone	Start Indoors	Sow / Transplant	Harvest
Zone 1a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 1b	Protected Environment Only
Zone 2a	Apr 6th	Jul 20th	Oct 8th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Mar 27th	Jul 10th	Sep 28th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Mar 27th	Jul 10th	Sep 28th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Mar 31st	Jul 14th	Oct 2nd – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Mar 27th	Jul 10th	Sep 28th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Mar 25th	Jul 8th	Sep 26th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Mar 20th	Jul 3rd	Sep 21st – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Mar 16th	Jun 29th	Sep 17th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Mar 13th	Jun 26th	Sep 14th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Mar 7th	Jun 20th	Sep 8th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Mar 2nd	Jun 15th	Sep 3rd – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Feb 20th	Jun 5th	Aug 24th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Feb 11th	May 27th	Aug 15th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Feb 2nd	May 18th	Aug 6th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Jan 16th	May 1st	Jul 20th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Dec 22nd	Apr 6th	Jun 25th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	Continuous Production
Zone 10b	Continuous Production
Zone 11a	Continuous Production
Zone 11b	Continuous Production
Zone 12a	Continuous Production
Zone 12b	Continuous Production
Zone 13a	Continuous Production
Zone 13b	Continuous Production

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	80
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Indeterminate
Support Needed	Stake
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	85
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	50
Harden Off (days)	10

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

White Star’s pale, creamy interior cooks up silken without tasting bitter, so it’s a dream for hot roasting where you want a browned exterior and a spoonable center. It drinks olive oil like a sponge and balances beautifully with sharp lemon or tangy tomato—no heavy salting theatrics required for flavor.

Best Uses

halved-and-roasted slices (or plank-grilled) for caramelized edges and spoonable centers
smoky grilled eggplant “steaks” dressed with sharp acid (lemon/vinegar)
silken braises and purees where it can thicken and melt down
eggplant-forward casseroles that need a creamy, sliceable, non-slimy texture

Flavor Profile

mild, creamy flesh subtle sweetness with a clean vegetal finish satin-tender bite when cooked hot absorbs fats readily without going greasy

Kitchen Pairings

smoked paprika garlic lemon tahini tomato olive oil

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common pests or diseases for Solanum melongena (eggplant/“White Star”) and how do I treat them?

Look for Colorado potato beetle and aphids on young growth; check the undersides of leaves weekly and remove heavily infested foliage early. For disease, watch for early blight (brown spots with yellow margins) and prevent it by watering at the soil line and avoiding wet leaves; remove infected leaves promptly and improve airflow around plants. If outbreaks are persistent, use a labeled insecticidal soap for aphids and a rotating fungicide label-matched to early blight, following the product directions exactly.

How often should I water eggplant (Solanum melongena) during the main growing phase?

During flowering and fruit set (roughly weeks 4–10), keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged—aim for deep watering about 1–2 times per week, more often during hot spells. The goal is to wet the root zone to a few inches down; if the top 1 inch of soil dries out, water again. Mulch helps stabilize moisture, which reduces fruit drop and blossom end rot.

How can I tell when my “White Star” eggplants are ready to harvest?

Harvest when fruits are glossy and fully colored for the variety, typically around 70–80 days after transplanting, and before seeds toughen. For the best eating quality, pick when fruits are firm and still smaller/younger-looking; if they feel puffy and start to dull, they’re likely past prime. Use pruners to cut the fruit with a short stem so the plant continues producing.