Quick facts
| Arabic name | الباذنجان |
|---|---|
| English name | Eggplant |
| Scientific name | Solanum melongena |
| Family | Nightshade family (Solanaceae) |
| Plant type | Herb (vegetable) |
| Height | Usually 60 to 120 cm |
| Water use | Medium |
Planting and harvest calendar
Best time to plant
February to March, and August to September
Harvest time
May to July, and October to December
Picking starts 70 to 80 days after transplantingJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Planting timeHarvest or flowering
Times are general for the Saudi climate and may shift a few weeks by region: cooler in the highlands and the north, warmer on the coasts and in the south.
Description
An upright plant with big leaves, purple flowers, and usually shiny dark purple fruits.
Where it grows
Grown in Al-Ahsa, Najran, Riyadh and Al-Qassim.
Soil
Rich, well-drained soil.
Water and irrigation
Regular, moderate watering.
Climate and light
Loves heat and sun. No cold.
Propagation
From seeds in a nursery, then planted out.
Benefits and uses
- A vegetable used in many dishes
Drawbacks
- Pests like spider mites and whiteflies
- Some types have small spines on stems
Sources and references
The information was collected and checked from these scientific sources:
- Plants of the World Online (POWO) - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew: Solanum melongena
- Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF): Solanum melongena
- Wikipedia: Eggplant
- FAO Crop Calendar - Food and Agriculture Organization
- Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA)
- Photo source: Wikimedia Commons (free license)