When to plant eggplants in Louisiana
Louisiana’s average last spring frost is March 5, and the first fall frost typically arrives around November 15 — about 255 frost-free days (USDA zones 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b). Eggplant needs 65–85 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Louisiana's growing season.
When to plant eggplants in Louisiana: the short answer
For a spring planting, plant out Mar 19 – Apr 5, with seeds started indoors Dec 25 – Jan 8. 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 Louisiana, step by step
- Start seeds indoors (Dec 25 – Jan 8). 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 19 – Apr 5). 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 30 – Jun 19). 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 Louisiana’s average frost dates. More in the full eggplant growing guide.
Eggplant planting dates by USDA zone in Louisiana
Louisiana spans USDA zones 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana (this page) | March 5 | Mar 19 – Apr 5 |
| Alabama | March 25 | Apr 8 – Apr 25 |
| Mississippi | March 20 | Apr 3 – Apr 20 |
| Florida | February 12 | Feb 26 – Mar 15 |
| Arkansas | April 3 | Apr 17 – May 4 |
Questions gardeners in Louisiana ask
When is the best time to plant eggplants in Louisiana?
Plant eggplant transplants outdoors in Louisiana between March 19 and April 5. That timing is set by Louisiana's average last spring frost of March 5.
When should I start eggplant seeds indoors in Louisiana?
Start seeds indoors between December 25 and January 8, about 9 weeks before the last frost, so the seedlings are ready to plant out from March 19.
What is the latest I can plant eggplants in Louisiana?
About September 11. Eggplants need at least 65 days to mature after transplanting, and frost around November 15 ends the season, so later plantings risk being cut short.
When will eggplants planted in Louisiana be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, eggplants are usually ready from about May 30 to June 19, 65-85 days after transplanting.
When is the last frost in Louisiana?
On average around March 5, with the first fall frost around November 15 - about 255 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.