When to plant eggplants in Missouri
Missouri’s average last spring frost is April 15, and the first fall frost typically arrives around October 18 — about 186 frost-free days (USDA zones 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a). Eggplant needs 65–85 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Missouri's growing season.
When to plant eggplants in Missouri: the short answer
For a spring planting, plant out Apr 29 – May 16, with seeds started indoors Feb 4 – Feb 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 Missouri, step by step
- Start seeds indoors (Feb 4 – Feb 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 (Apr 29 – May 16). 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 Jul 10 – Jul 30). 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 Missouri’s average frost dates. More in the full eggplant growing guide.
Eggplant planting dates by USDA zone in Missouri
Missouri spans USDA zones 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a. 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
Questions gardeners in Missouri ask
When is the best time to plant eggplants in Missouri?
Plant eggplant transplants outdoors in Missouri between April 29 and May 16. That timing is set by Missouri's average last spring frost of April 15.
When should I start eggplant seeds indoors in Missouri?
Start seeds indoors between February 4 and February 18, about 9 weeks before the last frost, so the seedlings are ready to plant out from April 29.
What is the latest I can plant eggplants in Missouri?
About August 14. Eggplants need at least 65 days to mature after transplanting, and frost around October 18 ends the season, so later plantings risk being cut short.
When will eggplants planted in Missouri be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, eggplants are usually ready from about July 10 to July 30, 65-85 days after transplanting.
When is the last frost in Missouri?
On average around April 15, with the first fall frost around October 18 - about 186 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.