Start indoors or direct sow?

Start eggplant indoors and transplant it outside after the weather has become consistently warm. Direct sowing is usually impractical except in very long, hot growing seasons because the crop matures slowly.

When to start Eggplant seeds

Start seeds indoors 8 to 10 weeks before the last spring frost. Transplant 2 to 3 weeks after the last frost, when nights are generally above 55 F and soil is warm.

How to sow the seeds

Sow 1/4 inch deep in sterile seed-starting mix in individual cells or 2-inch pots, then pot up if roots fill the container before planting time. Use bottom heat and keep the mix evenly moist but never saturated.

Germination

Eggplant commonly takes 7 to 14 days to germinate, sometimes longer in cool conditions. Soil temperatures around 75 to 90 F support the most reliable emergence.

Seedling care

Provide intense light for 14 to 16 hours daily and water only when the surface of the mix begins to dry. Use clean containers, good airflow, and careful watering to prevent damping off, and avoid crowding seedlings.

Transplanting & hardening off

Harden plants off over 7 to 10 days, protecting them from cold nights and strong wind at first. Plant them in full sun at the same depth as in their pots after the soil is thoroughly warm.

Tips

Warmth matters more than an early calendar date, so delay transplanting if spring remains cool. Use a heat mat for germination, then remove it after seedlings emerge unless the growing area is chilly.

General seed-starting guidance for US home gardens; timing depends on your local frost dates and variety. Page updated Aug 4, 2026.