Black Beauty Eggplant: Bountiful Harvest of Glossy Purple Fruits
Discover the classic Black Beauty eggplant, a high-yielding variety that produces large, bell-shaped fruits with a deep purple, glossy skin. This heirloom cultivar matures in just 65 days, offering gardeners a relatively quick turnaround from planting to harvest. Black Beauty’s bushy growth habit and impressive productivity have made it a favorite among home gardeners and market growers alike since its introduction in the early 20th century.
Black Beauty eggplants are versatile in the kitchen, perfect for grilling, roasting, or incorporating into dishes like eggplant parmesan and ratatouille. The fruits boast a tender texture and mild, earthy flavor that absorbs other ingredients beautifully. Their substantial size, typically 4-6 inches in diameter and 6-8 inches long, means a single fruit can often provide enough for a family meal. The plants’ compact nature, reaching about 24 inches in height, makes them suitable for both in-ground gardens and large containers.
These eggplants thrive in warm weather and full sun, producing abundantly throughout the summer season. Plant seedlings 18 inches apart to allow ample space for growth and air circulation. While naturally bushy, the plants can benefit from trellising or staking to support the weight of the developing fruits. Each plant typically yields 4-6 large eggplants, with consistent harvesting encouraging continued production throughout the growing season.
Growing Success Tips:
- Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost date for a head start
- Ensure soil temperature is at least 70°F (21°C) for optimal growth
- Water deeply and consistently, especially during fruit development
- Harvest when fruits are full-sized with glossy skin for best flavor
Black Beauty eggplant offers an excellent combination of productivity, flavor, and ease of growing, making it an ideal choice for gardeners of all experience levels. Whether you’re a seasoned vegetable grower or just starting your garden journey, this variety promises a rewarding harvest of delicious, versatile fruits.
Tip: Pinch off the growing tips when plants reach 12 inches tall to encourage bushier growth and increased fruit production.
Product Features
- Mature in 65 days from transplant
- Plants grow to 24 inches tall
- Fruits are 4-6 inches in diameter, 6-8 inches long
- Deep purple, glossy skin when ripe
- Sold in 3.5-inch pots for easy transplanting
- Full sun exposure required
- Soil pH: 5.5-6.8
- Spacing: 18 inches between plants
- Water regularly, keeping soil consistently moist
- Fertilize every 4-6 weeks during growing season
Key Benefits
- High-yielding variety for abundant harvests
- Compact plants suitable for gardens and containers
- Versatile fruits ideal for various culinary applications
- Classic heirloom variety with proven performance
