When to plant eggplants in Florida
Florida’s average last spring frost is February 12, and the first fall frost typically arrives around December 10 — about 301 frost-free days (USDA zones 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a). Eggplant needs 65–85 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Florida's growing season.
Florida 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 Florida: the short answer
For a spring planting, plant out Feb 26 – Mar 15, with seeds started indoors Dec 4 – Dec 18. 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 Florida, step by step
- Start seeds indoors (Dec 4 – Dec 18). 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 (Feb 26 – Mar 15). 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 9 – May 29). 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 Florida’s average frost dates. More in the full eggplant growing guide.
Eggplant planting dates by USDA zone in Florida
Florida spans USDA zones 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a. 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.
When to plant eggplants in nearby states
| State | Last frost | Plant out |
|---|---|---|
| Florida (this page) | February 12 | Feb 26 – Mar 15 |
| Alabama | March 25 | Apr 8 – Apr 25 |
| Mississippi | March 20 | Apr 3 – Apr 20 |
| Louisiana | March 5 | Mar 19 – Apr 5 |
| Arkansas | April 3 | Apr 17 – May 4 |
Questions gardeners in Florida ask
When is the best time to plant eggplants in Florida?
Plant eggplant transplants outdoors in Florida between February 26 and March 15. That timing is set by Florida's average last spring frost of February 12; Florida spans several climates, so cooler and higher parts of the state run later.
When should I start eggplant seeds indoors in Florida?
Start seeds indoors between December 4 and December 18, about 9 weeks before the last frost, so the seedlings are ready to plant out from February 26.
What is the latest I can plant eggplants in Florida?
About October 6. Eggplants need at least 65 days to mature after transplanting, and frost around December 10 ends the season, so later plantings risk being cut short.
When will eggplants planted in Florida be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, eggplants are usually ready from about May 9 to May 29, 65-85 days after transplanting.
When is the last frost in Florida?
On average around February 12, with the first fall frost around December 10 - about 301 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.