When to plant eggplants in California
California’s average last spring frost is February 20, and the first fall frost typically arrives around December 1 — about 284 frost-free days (USDA zones 5a, 6b, 7b, 8b, 9b, 10a, 10b). Eggplant needs 65–85 days to mature, which fits comfortably within California's growing season.
California covers a wide range of climates, so your exact frost dates may differ from the state average by two weeks or more. For dates tuned to your town, use the calendar generator.
When to plant eggplants in California: the short answer
For a spring planting, plant out Mar 6 – Mar 23, with seeds started indoors Dec 12 – Dec 26. Wait until the soil is at least 70°F and frost is over.
Windows are ~1–2 week bands around each date. Frost dates are a statewide average from NOAA/NCEI normals; your town may differ by two weeks or more. Calendar year 2026.
How to grow eggplants in California, step by step
- Start seeds indoors (Dec 12 – Dec 26). Sow seeds ¼ inch deep in seed-starting mix under bright light. They take 7-14 days to sprout, fastest in soil around 85°F. Harden seedlings off for a week before they go outside.
- Prepare the bed. They need at least six to eight hours of direct sun a day and loose soil at least 18 inches deep, with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5. Dig in compost before planting.
- Plant out (Mar 6 – Mar 23). Space plants about 20 inches apart in rows 30 inches apart. It is killed by frost, so nothing goes outside until the danger has passed.
- Water and feed. Give it steady, even moisture, about an inch of water a week from rain or the hose.
- Watch for pests and problems. Pests: flea beetle, Colorado potato beetle, aphids, spider mite. Diseases and disorders: verticillium wilt, phomopsis blight, bacterial wilt.
- Harvest (from about May 17 – Jun 6). Eggplant takes 65-85 days to reach harvest. The most heat-demanding common vegetable - do not rush it into cold soil. Flea beetles hammer young plants; a row cover until flowering pays off.
Figures come from our crop data; dates use California’s average frost dates. More in the full eggplant growing guide.
Eggplant planting dates by USDA zone in California
California spans USDA zones 5a, 6b, 7b, 8b, 9b, 10a, 10b. Colder zones, usually higher or further inland, have a later last spring frost and an earlier first fall frost than the state average, so the eggplant dates shift with them.
| Zone | Last frost | First frost | Season | Start indoors | Plant eggplant |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 5 | Apr 30 | Oct 5 | 160 days | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | May 14 – May 31 |
| Zone 6 | Apr 15 | Oct 15 | 185 days | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 29 – May 16 |
| Zone 7 | Apr 5 | Oct 25 | 200 days | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Apr 19 – May 6 |
| Zone 8 | Mar 20 | Nov 5 | 230 days | Jan 9 – Jan 23 | Apr 3 – Apr 20 |
| Zone 9 | Feb 20 | Nov 30 | 280 days | Dec 12 – Dec 26 | Mar 6 – Mar 23 |
| Zone 10 | Jan 30 | Dec 15 | 330 days | Nov 21 – Dec 5 | Feb 13 – Mar 2 |
Questions gardeners in California ask
When is the best time to plant eggplants in California?
Plant eggplant transplants outdoors in California between March 6 and March 23. That timing is set by California's average last spring frost of February 20; California spans several climates, so cooler and higher parts of the state run later.
When should I start eggplant seeds indoors in California?
Start seeds indoors between December 12 and December 26, about 9 weeks before the last frost, so the seedlings are ready to plant out from March 6.
What is the latest I can plant eggplants in California?
About September 27. Eggplants need at least 65 days to mature after transplanting, and frost around December 1 ends the season, so later plantings risk being cut short.
When will eggplants planted in California be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, eggplants are usually ready from about May 17 to June 6, 65-85 days after transplanting.
When is the last frost in California?
On average around February 20, with the first fall frost around December 1 - about 284 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.