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Can You Grow Eggplant in Tennessee?

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

Grows well here

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

Plant zones

5a–11b

Tennessee last frost

mid-March

Tennessee first frost

mid-November

Days to harvest

65–80 days

When to plant Eggplants in Tennessee

Start indoors

Jan 17

Transplant

Mar 15

Harvest

May 19 – Jun 3

Dates are approximate, based on Tennessee'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 Tennessee

Tennessee has a humid subtropical climate transitioning to continental in the east. Nashville is Zone 7a; the Appalachians are Zone 6a-6b. Long productive growing seasons.

See what grows well in Tennessee →

Frequently asked questions

Can you grow Eggplant in Tennessee?

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

What zone is Tennessee?

Tennessee spans USDA Zone 6b (6a, 6b, 7a, 7b).

When do you plant Eggplants in Tennessee?

Plant Eggplants around mid-March (start indoors Jan 17), harvest May 19 – Jun 3.