GardenHow to grow brinjal
बैंगन. When to sow it in each part of India, how deep, how far apart, what size of pot, and what to watch for.
When to sow
North and central plainsFebruary and March, June and July
South and coastal IndiaJanuary and February, May and June, October and November
HillsMarch to May
Green months are the usual sowing or planting time. Dates shift by a few weeks from place to place.
How to sow and grow
- Method
- Raise seedlings in a tray or small pot and move them when they have 4 to 6 leaves, after about 4 to 5 weeks.
- Depth
- 0.5 cm
- Spacing
- 60 cm
- In a pot
- One plant in a pot 30 to 40 cm wide and deep
- Sprouts in
- 7 to 14 days
- Harvest
- 60 to 80 days after transplanting
- Sun
- Full sun: at least 6 hours a day
Tips from the garden
- Brinjal is a hungry plant. Mix plenty of compost into the pot and add a handful more every three weeks once it flowers.
- Pick fruits while the skin is still glossy. Dull skin means the seeds have hardened.
- A healthy plant fruits for many months. Cut it back by half after the first flush and it sprouts again.
What can go wrong
Wilting shoot tips and holes in the fruit are the shoot and fruit borer. Cut off wilted tips a little below the damage and destroy them along with bored fruit.
Sown around the same time
TomatoChilliOkra (bhindi)Bottle gourd (lauki)Bitter gourd (karela)Ridge gourd (tori)CucumberPumpkin (kaddu)
New to growing from seed? Read how to sow seeds and the balcony and terrace garden guide.
Questions people ask
When is brinjal sown in north India?
In the plains of north and central India, the usual sowing or planting months for brinjal are February and March, June and July.
How long does brinjal take to grow?
Usually 60 to 80 days after transplanting.
Can brinjal be grown in a pot?
Yes. One plant in a pot 30 to 40 cm wide and deep.