15 best eggplant varieties

*A review of the best according to the editors. About the selection criteria. This material is subjective, is not an advertisement and does not serve as a guide to purchase. Before buying it you should consult with a specialist.

Eggplant is a worthy representative of the nightshade crop. In agriculture or cooking it is commonly referred to as a vegetable, but botanically it is correctly referred to as a berry. Eggplants have roots in Asia, and they spread around the world thanks to the Arabs. Depending on the variety, this vegetable comes in different shapes and colors. Their weight can vary from 30 g to 2 kg.

Many people call eggplants – “blue”, but this is only appropriate in the case of the purple color of the vegetable. Nowadays you can find eggplants white, yellow, dark green, with streaks. Their shape can also be very diverse (with many facets, elongated, shortened). The choice of varieties and species of this vegetable is very large, so it is easy to get confused. In this review we have collected the best purple and variegated eggplant varieties.

Rating of the best varieties of eggplant

The best purple eggplant varieties

Purple eggplants, familiar to many people, have a wide variety of varieties and can be grown both in greenhouses and outdoors.

Albatross

Rating: 5.0

Among eggplants with medium ripening time, Albatross has proven itself well. Takes about 135 days to ripen the fruits. The plant grows to a height of up to 70 cm. Albatross is mostly grown in greenhouses. But in the south it is quite possible to cultivate this plant in the open ground, if sharp, early cold spells are excluded there. This vegetable yields 6-8 kg per 1 m².

Eggplant Albatross has a short pear shape. Vegetables are ready to be removed when they reach 9-14 cm in length and 7-12 cm in width. The average mass of the fruit is 250-350 grams. At this point they turn light purple. And at the moment of biological maturity their color becomes brown. The cutting shows dense white flesh. Seeds are harvested from the mature, large eggplants for planting.

According to reviews, Albatross eggplants are excellent for storage and transportation. Their flesh is firm, without streaks, without bitterness. Skin thin, seeds small. The variety is resistant to most diseases, including cucumber and tobacco mosaic virus. Albatross has good scab resistance, so it can be grown in temperate regions and areas with cold wet spring.

Advantages

• The flesh is fairly dense in texture;
• No bitterness in flavor;
• In a season it is possible to remove a lot of crops;
• good immunity;
• Ideal for preserves.

Disadvantages

• The lowest eggplant reaches all the way down to the ground.

Diamond

Rating: 4.9

Eggplant Diamond is a medium ripening variety. After the first shoots appear, it usually takes 110-150 days to reach technical maturity. The plant looks compact. The height of the bush does not exceed 45-55 cm. It has a large number of branches fairly early, which provides a larger crop. Diamond is most commonly cultivated in greenhouses. Both heated and unheated are used for this purpose.

Eggplant Diamond is shaped like a cylinder. Their length does not exceed 17.5 cm and width – 6 cm. dark purple at technical maturity. And when biologically mature, they turn brownish-brown. The weight of the vegetables averages 100-180 grams. The flesh is greenish at the cut with lots of seeds. Its consistency is dense, with no bitterness. Up to 8 kg per 1 m² can be harvested.

Gardeners say in their reviews that Almaz has superior taste and marketable qualities. They can be stored for a long time, are easy to transport, and are suitable for universal use. Resistant to most common nightshade diseases.

Advantages

• The harvest comes out consistently in large quantities;
• The plant does not require a lot of care;
• Their flavor and processing qualities are very good;
• Feels good when transported.

Disadvantages

• Eggplants are multi seeded.

Valentina F1

Rating: 4.8

The Valentina F1 eggplant is a hybrid. Bush shape is partially spreading. It can be medium to large enough. It can reach a height of 85-90 cm, but when grown in a greenhouse it can grow more than 1 m. The stem is medium in thickness with light pubescence. Fairly tolerant to weather changes. Flowers do not fall off and produce a lot of ovaries.

Eggplant Valentine looks very attractive. They have an elongated pear or teardrop shape. Smooth surface. The length of the vegetables reaches 26 cm, and the diameter – 3 cm. The average weight of the vegetable is not much more than 200 grams. The skin is thin and strong. Its color is dark purple, and sometimes close to black. It shows white or cream flesh when cut. It is quite dense, but tender and absolutely no bitterness. There are practically no seeds, and those that are there are very soft.

According to reviews, it is possible to harvest this variety of eggplant in 12 weeks from the moment of sprouting. The vegetable does not lose its attractive appearance and taste characteristics both during transportation and during storage. In cool conditions they do not spoil for 3-4 weeks. The Valentina variety is disease resistant, especially to tobacco mosaic virus.

Advantages

• Not afraid of bad weather conditions;
• Produces high yields;
• Excellent taste characteristics;
• Tolerates transportation and storage well;
• Resistant to viral diseases.

Disadvantages

• It is necessary to buy seeds every year.

Clorinda F1

Rating: 4.7

Dutch breeders have developed a high-yield hybrid – Clorinda. Bushes grow straight up. They usually reach a medium to large size (sometimes up to 1 m in height). Clorinda has thick stems and short internodes. Looks powerful enough. The green oval leaves are not very large, arranged in alternating. This variety is suitable for growing outdoors as well as indoors.

The shape of the fruit is oval in Clorinda. They are quite fleshy on their own. On average, the vegetables of this variety weigh 300 g, but sometimes there are instances of 1 kg. Their skin is thin, but strong. It has a very glossy, dark purple color. The fruits reach a length of 25 cm and a width of 12 cm. The flesh is practically white. Its texture is firm, without a hint of bitterness. Cut the vegetable for a long time does not oxidize. Virtually no seeds.

According to reviews, the variety Clorinda manages to form fruits in 68 days. This hybrid is quite robust. Even in cold weather or when exposed to other stress factors, wilting appears. However, eggplants of the Clorinda variety require timely, regular care that includes watering and fertilizing. When transported and stored, these vegetables feel quite good.

Advantages

• Ripening in early terms;
• Resistance to adverse conditions;
• The formation of ovaries even in cold weather;
• long fruiting;
• Good taste without bitterness;
• The minimum number of seeds.

Disadvantages

• annual purchase of seeds.

Solomon

Rating: 4.6

Solomon eggplant is an early maturing variety. It begins to fructify on the 100-120th day after sprouting. Eggplant bushes grow strongly. They can reach 1.5 m in spring greenhouses and 2.5 m in winter greenhouses. They must be tied down. In greenhouses with heating, Solomon bushes fruit abundantly. Vegetables of this variety are actively used for cooking seasonal dishes and for making for the winter.

Eggplant Solomon is quite large. They are shaped like an oval or pear. Their flesh is quite thick. The average length of the fruit – 30 cm, and the diameter – 20 cm. By weight, each eggplant can reach 650-1100 g. Skin has a dark purple color, and flesh – greenish-white. The fruiting period of this sort is rather long. The harvest is abundant. Pick up to 16 kg of vegetables per 1m².

In reviews, gardeners note that the Solomon eggplant has excellent taste characteristics. After removal from the bush, the fruits last for 10 weeks. Over this period they lose a bit of their presentation and become a bit dry, but they still have a very good flavour. Not affected by the tobacco mosaic virus. But if the heat or cold lasts long, the ovaries and flowers begin to fall off.

Advantages

• Produces a lot of crops in a short time;
• The taste characteristics of the fruits;
• Good for storing;
• Resistant to viral diseases of nightshades.

Disadvantages

• Needs a garter sprout.

Black Beauty

Rating: 4.5

The Black Beauty variety is a worthy representative of medium-ripening eggplants. Fruiting occurs 110-145 days after the appearance of massive shoots. Bushes with Black Beauty grow up to 80 cm in height. They are half-spread out in shape. Their internodes are short. Stems have light pubescence. Leaflets weakly serrated with barbs.

Eggplant of this variety of elongated pear-shaped. They reach a length of 20 cm, and their diameter is medium. The average mass of the fruit is 100-200 grams. After reaching technical ripeness, the color of their skin becomes dark purple. The flesh is yellowish when cut. It is very tender and without many seeds. There is no bitterness in taste. With 1 m ² can be harvested up to 3-6.5 kg of harvest.

About the variety Black Beauty encountered mostly positive reviews. Gardeners praise these eggplants for their ability to harvest a lot of crops. They also like the good immunity, low maintenance, as well as the taste. Black beauty is suitable for all kinds of processing. However, gardeners note that if not harvested in time, the flesh becomes bitter.

Advantages

• Yields a lot of crops;
• taste characteristics;
• The possibility of prolonged storage;
• Great for preserves.

Disadvantages

• Bitter flesh on late harvested fruits.

Marzipan F1

Rating: 4.4

Eggplant Marzipan belongs to the medium-maturing hybrids. The average growing season is about 130 days. The height of the bush can reach up to 1 m. The plant needs tying, since under the weight of the eggplants the bush can quickly break. Marzipan yields a lot of ovaries. Flowers grow one at a time or in inflorescences.

Eggplants grow quite large. They reach a length of 15 cm and a width of 8 cm. Fruits weigh 1 kg or more. Their skin is glossy and dark purple. Even at the end of the season you can collect quite large vegetables, reaching a weight of 400 g. The flesh of the fruit is very tender, creamy-white. No bitterness in taste. Not many seeds and small in size.

Marzipan variety is famous for its outstanding taste characteristics. It tolerates all stress factors very well. However, gardeners note that if irrigation is uneven against the background of sustained hot weather, cracks can appear on the Marzipan eggplant. And plants can also drop flowers and ovaries if watered with cold water.

Advantages

• neat shape of eggplants;
• There is no bitterness in taste;
• resistance to various stress factors
• high yield.

Disadvantages

• Garden shrubs require tying.

Vacula

Rating: 4.3

Vakula variety is an early maturing eggplant. Bushes grow to 1.5-2 m high. The biggest specimens in heated greenhouses. Eggplants can be harvested 95-100 days after the first shoots appear. Yield per 1m² is up to 12 kg of vegetables. All eggplants on the bush form and ripen at about the same time.

The shape of the eggplant Vakula resembles an ellipse. Its skin has a dark purple color. The flesh is snow-white and without bitterness. And overall flavor characteristics of this variety is very rich and distinguishes it from others. The length of the fruit reaches 17-20 cm and the diameter is 9-10 cm. There are no thorns on the branches, so the plant is much easier to care for.

Gardeners say that the variety of eggplant Vakula is very popular for its high yield with early maturation of fruit. It is also very tasty. The plant shows good resistance to flowering. It has good immunity to viral diseases and adapts well to other adverse conditions. But this variety requires additional tying and shaping.

Advantages

• Eggplant ripening on the same bush at the same time;
• High yield performance;
• tasty vegetable;
• The absence of thorns on the plant;
• resistance to viral diseases.

Disadvantages

• The bush requires tying and shaping.

Vera

Rating: 4.2

The Vera variety of eggplant ripens early. It takes about 120 days from the moment it begins to sprout until it’s ready for the first harvest. Technical ripeness occurs in late summer or early fall. Bushes can be quite compact, not exceeding 75 cm in height. Or they grow quite tall – up to 105 cm. Stems are covered with an average number of leaves. The flower calyx has a large number of rare spikes.

The fruits of the eggplant Vera are very pretty on the outside. Their shape resembles a pear. Their dina is no more than 20 cm. Their average weight is 180 g, but there are examples of 300 g. Skin is smooth and shiny. Its color is purple. The flesh is quite dense, there are no voids in it. The taste is delicate, without any bitter notes.

Advantages

• Stable fruiting;
• Beautiful and tasty fruits;
• Good resistance to cold weather;
• universal use.

Disadvantages

• are not identified.

The best varieties of eggplant in different colors

Cross-breeding has resulted in eggplants of various colors. Varieties with white skins have been bred to get rid of the bitterness contained in the coloring enzyme as much as possible.

Swan

Rating: 5.0

Eggplant variety Swan matures in an average length of time (105-116 days). The bushes are formed quite compact. They reach a height of 50-70 cm. This variety may well be cultivated both in greenhouse conditions and in the open ground. Swan eggplant has high yields. With 1 m ² you can remove up to 18 kg of vegetables.

The shape of the eggplant resembles a slightly elongated cylinder. At technical maturity the skin becomes white. The length of each fruit reaches 18-20 cm and a diameter of 5-7 cm. The mature eggplants weigh on average 200-250 grams. Swan variety has snow-white flesh. Its taste is very delicate, absolutely no bitterness.

Gardeners in their reviews praise this variety for its good resistance to major nightshade diseases. Also Swan has excellent taste and marketable qualities. Its high yields are characteristic of its variety. But experienced gardeners suggest that it is possible to achieve maximum results if you leave no more than 5-6 large inflorescences on the bush. Trouble with Swan is the attack of Colorado potato beetles on the bushes.

Advantages

• The complete absence of bitterness;
• excellent product quality;
• high yield;
• Good immunity to major diseases.

Disadvantages

• They are vulnerable to Colorado potato beetle attack.

Icicle

Rating: 4.9

Eggplants of the Icicle variety ripen in super early terms. The bushes grow half-spread out. Their height reaches 50-60 cm. Culture likes heat, demanding light and moisture. Sort Sosulka can be grown in spring greenhouses without heating and in winter heated. Eggplant bears fruit consistently and retains its properties during transportation.

The fruits of icicles have an elongated cylindrical shape. They reach a length of 25 cm and a width of 2-3 cm. They are white and shiny. The calyxes are free from thorns or have very few. The flesh is ideally white. It is moderately dense, yet very tender. The taste is completely free of bitterness and has a pronounced mushroom flavor. One bush can yield up to 5 kg of harvest.

About the variety Icicle often rave reviews. This eggplant is valued for its high yield, ideal taste characteristics (no bitterness, mushroom flavor), resistance to various diseases, including spider mite. And since the fruits have a small diameter, it is possible to prepare all kinds of culinary delights from them.

Advantages

• interesting shape;
• There is no bitterness in the taste;
• mushroom flavor;
• High yields;
• disease resistance.

Disadvantages

• no spines.

Pink Flamingo

Rating: 4.8

The Pink Flamingo eggplant has a medium maturity date. The bush grows loose, sprawling by half, reaching a height of 80-120 cm. Fruiting begins after 125-135 days from the moment of shoots appearance. Produces fruit consistently, evenly and prolonged. Suitable for cultivation in all types of greenhouses, as well as in the ground without shelter. The plant is not demanding in terms of care.

The eggplants are unusually long, narrow and curved. Their shape is cylindrical. Coloration purplish pink at technical maturity. The length of eggplants reaches an average of 40 cm and width of 4-5 cm. Weight of each fruit is on average 250-450 grams. Eggplant flesh is pure white, the seeds are located only in the upper part. Spikes on the calyxes are completely absent. Fruits are arranged on the branches in bunches of 2-6 pieces.

According to feedback from gardeners, eggplants of this variety are convenient for transportation over long distances. Eggplant is very tasty – there is no need to soak the flesh from bitterness for a long time. Pink Flamingo has fairly good resistance to major diseases of eggplant, and the variety also takes well to adverse environmental conditions. Many people like the versatility of using this vegetable.

Advantages

• bear fruit amicably;
• There are almost no seeds in the fruit;
• absence of thorns;
• Excellent flavor characteristics;
• good immunity.

Disadvantages

• none identified.

Lilac mist

Rating: 4.7

The Lilac Mist eggplant variety has early ripening dates. Grows to 1.5 meters and has many branches. It has an average stem thickness of 60 cm. Leaves are smooth, perfectly shaped, without jagged edges. Lilac fog has a versatile method of cultivation in indoor or outdoor crops.

Eggplant has an oval shape. And the color of the skin has a light purple hue. The vegetable has an exceptionally white flesh, without a hint of bitterness. The average mass of one eggplant reaches about 180 g. The length of the vegetable is on average 18 cm. It yields up to 15 kg of harvest per 1m². Lilac fog is excellent for various winter preparations.

According to reviews, this variety of eggplant is immune to bacterial type rot (apical rot). However, the Lilac fog does not tolerate a sharp drop in temperature, and also requires regular feeding. And yet the high marketable and excellent taste qualities are very attractive to gardeners, so this variety is increasingly popular.

Advantages

• Short ripening period;
• flesh without bitterness;
• High marketable qualities;
• impervious to apex rot.

Disadvantages

• does not tolerate frosts.

Emerald F1

Rating: 4.6

The Emerald F1 Eggplant is an early maturing hybrid. Its vegetation period is 105-110 days. It is suitable for open and closed ground. Bushes reach 60-70 cm in height and have a spreading half structure. Does not require shaping or tying. It bears fruit for a long time. Suitable for all methods of processing.

Eggplants have an elongated cylindrical shape. At the stage of technical maturity they have a light lettuce color. The average weight of these vegetables reaches 300-400 grams. The flesh is light white. It has a delicate consistency and a complete lack of bitterness. Fruits have high taste characteristics, so they are often used in culinary processing.

Gardeners in their reviews praise the Emerald eggplant for its resistance to diseases and all kinds of stress factors. The variety perfectly tolerates low temperatures, bears fruit for a long time and has high technological qualities. Housewives note that such eggplants can be used to quickly prepare any dish without time-consuming cooking.

Advantages

• No bitter taste at all;
• active fruiting;
• Resistance to weather conditions;
• Resistant to various diseases.

Disadvantages

• Annual purchase of seeds.

Bibo F1

Rating: 4.5

Bibo eggplant is a hybrid variety. Bushes are compact but powerful. They can be short or medium sized. Usually up to 85 cm high. The stem is medium-thick, poorly pubescent. Medium sized leaves with green coloration. Up to 15 buds per plant. The flowers are small and violet in color.

Eggplant Bibo has an oval shape, approaching a cone. Can be medium to large in size. All fruits are about the same size and shape. Harvested when they reach 18 cm in length and 8 cm in diameter. The average weight of vegetables is 190-210 g, but some specimens can reach 400 g. The skin is dense but thin. It has a milky color. The flesh is perfectly white. It is dense, yet tender and without bitterness.

Gardeners have noted in their reviews that the variety ripens early. From seedlings to harvesting 100-120 days on average. This will be influenced by the weather. Bibo has good immunity against tobacco mosaic and fusarium. Harvested vegetables can be stored for a long time. The variety is not capricious and does not require complex care. But the seeds collected from the hybrid will not be of the same quality as the original.

Advantages

• stable, high yield;
• excellent flavor characteristics;
• Keeps for a long time;
• Highly resistant to disease.

Disadvantages

• Quality of the seeds of the hybrid.