10 Eggplant Varieties Fresh for 2019
Compare these varieties characteristics to find the right one for you.
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A1014 (also, Estelal) from Vilmorin and Seedway, LLC
Days to Maturity: 55
Other: ‘A1014’ brings an entirely new level of quality, earliness and yield to the "American" style of eggplant. It is up to 10 days earlier than any other variety and will provide a lot of fruit early. The fruit has a refined look, is firm and glossy, and a "just right" size for most grocery stores. The calyx are totally spineless and won't scratch the fruit, your customers or harvest crew. Fruit separates easily from the plant with a gentle tug. The plant is compact but stays healthy and productive for a full season. Most growers will not need to stake A1014 and plants can be crowded. -
2 of 10
Annina from Enza Zaden
Type: Striped
Other: This gorgeous striped eggplant will not fail to impress growers and eaters alike. This adaptable variety produces well in both high tunnel and open field production systems, and yields halflong, uniform fruit that average 0.7 pounds. (318 grams). Growers will appreciate the spineless calyx, and customers will love the deep purple color striped with fine white lines. -
3 of 10
Hansel from Seminis and Rupp Seeds
Type: Japanese
Days to Maturity: 55
Other: AAS winner. Dark glossy purple fruit with bright green calyx. Very good yields. -
4 of 10
Lucilla from Sativa and Seedway, LLC
Type: Zebra stripe
Days to Maturity: 63
Other: Our favorite feature of ‘Lucilla’ is a small, spineless cap, along with the super glossy skin that is darker than ‘Nubia’ with bright white stripes. Yields are excellent. Fruit can get quite large and still hold quality. -
5 of 10
Night Shadow from Seminis and Stokes Seeds
Type: Teardrop shape
Days to Maturity: 75
Regions: Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Midwest
Other: ‘Night Shadow’ is 9-inches long, with black color. It has a firm fruit at maturity. -
6 of 10
Odyssey F1 from Seeds by Design
Length: 5 to 6 inches
Type: Black beauty
Days to Maturity: 50 days after transplant
Other: ‘Odyssey F1’ is a black teardrop with very shiny skin. -
7 of 10
Shikou from Sakata Seed America
Type: Asian type eggplant
Days to Maturity: 70 to 80 from transplant
Regions: Anywhere in North America
Other: Dark, glossy, 6- to 8-inch-long fruit. Very few seeds with thin, tender skin and a very white interior. Medium sized, semi-spineless and very productive plants. -
8 of 10
Shooting Stars from Terra Organics
Weight: 1 pound
Type: Striped
Days to Maturity: 65
Regions: All U.S. -
9 of 10
Traviata from Enza Zaden
Type: Half-long eggplant
Other: 'Traviata' is a strong growing, well-balanced variety that produces half-long, uniform, black, shiny fruits. A high yielding and early variety recommended for spring and summer open field and unheated greenhouse production. -
10 of 10
White Star from Seeds by Design and Rupp Seeds
Type: Tapered, teardrop shape
Days to Maturity: 75
Other: Smooth fruit when mature. Approximately 5 to 7 inches in length with a diameter of 2 inches at top and 3.5 to 4 inches at bottom.SeedsByDesign.com; RuppSeeds.com
View all
A1014 (also, Estelal) from Vilmorin and Seedway, LLC
Annina from Enza Zaden
Hansel from Seminis and Rupp Seeds
Lucilla from Sativa and Seedway, LLC
Night Shadow from Seminis and Stokes Seeds
Odyssey F1 from Seeds by Design
Shikou from Sakata Seed America
Shooting Stars from Terra Organics
Traviata from Enza Zaden
White Star from Seeds by Design and Rupp Seeds
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Carol Miller is Editor of American Vegetable Grower. See all author stories here.