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Can You Grow Eggplant in North Carolina?

US · USDA Zone 7b · zones 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a

Grows well here

Eggplant grows well here with the warm season your zone provides.

Plant zones

5a–11b

North Carolina last frost

late February

North Carolina first frost

early December

Days to harvest

65–80 days

When to plant Eggplants in North Carolina

Start indoors

Jan 3

Transplant

Feb 28

Harvest

May 4 – May 19

Dates are approximate, based on North Carolina's average frost dates. Your exact yard may vary by microclimate.

About Eggplant

Eggplant needs a long warm season and maximum heat — more demanding than tomatoes but highly productive in the right conditions.

Start indoors 8 weeks before last frost — eggplant needs a long head start. Needs hot conditions to set fruit. Use black plastic mulch to warm soil. Very productive once established in heat.

Full eggplant growing guide →

Gardening in North Carolina

North Carolina spans the mountains (Zone 5b-6a), Piedmont (Zone 7a-7b), and coastal plain (Zone 8a). Long warm seasons support tobacco, sweet potatoes, and a wide range of vegetables.

See what grows well in North Carolina →

Frequently asked questions

Can you grow Eggplant in North Carolina?

Eggplant grows well here with the warm season your zone provides.

What zone is North Carolina?

North Carolina spans USDA Zone 7b (5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a).

When do you plant Eggplants in North Carolina?

Plant Eggplants around late February (start indoors Jan 3), harvest May 4 – May 19.