How to Grow Chinese Long
Solanum melongena 'Chinese Long'
Chinese Long eggplants are prized for their slender, elongated fruit and mild flavor, making them a favorite in Asian-inspired dishes. Gardeners grow this warm-season variety for its high yield and ability to thrive in full sun once the soil warms up.
📷 Wikipedia: EggplantStarting Chinese Long: indoors or direct sow?
🌾 Sow directly in the garden — Chinese Long is not usually started indoors.
Do not transplant seedlings indoors before the last frost; instead, direct sow seeds outdoors only after the soil has warmed and all danger of frost has passed.
Soil, care & harvest
Prepare loose, fertile soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. As a frost-sensitive warm-season crop, you must wait until after the last spring frost when the ground is thoroughly warm; do not sow indoors or direct seed before this time. Sow seeds about one inch deep in biodegradable pots to avoid root disturbance later.
Space plants 18 to 24 inches apart to ensure good air circulation and fruit development. Provide consistent moisture, as these plants have high water needs, and apply a thick layer of mulch to retain soil humidity. Feed regularly with balanced fertilizer during the growing season to support heavy fruiting.
Watch for flea beetles, aphids, spider mites, and Colorado potato beetles; use row covers or insecticidal soap early in the season. Prevent fungal issues like verticillium wilt by ensuring proper drainage and avoiding overhead watering. Harvest fruits when they reach a glossy sheen, typically 70 to 80 days after planting.
When to Plant Chinese Long
Planting windows vary by USDA hardiness zone. Look up yours by ZIP code.
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | May | — | October – August |
| Zone 2 | April – May | — | September |
| Zone 3 | April | — | September – October |
| Zone 4 | March – April | — | August – October |
| Zone 5 | March | — | August – October |
| Zone 6 | March | — | August – October |
| Zone 7 | February – March | — | July – September |
| Zone 8 | February | — | July – September |
| Zone 9 | January | — | June – August |
| Zone 10 | January | — | May – July |
| Zone 11 | January | — | April – June |
| Zone 12 | January | — | April – June |
| Zone 13 | January | — | April – June |
Companion Plants for Chinese Long
✓ Good companions
Repels aphids, spider mites, and thrips while potentially improving eggplant flavor
Attracts pollinators and beneficial insects while reportedly improving growth
Strong pest deterrent against flea beetles and aphids
Repel nematodes, aphids, and flea beetles while attracting beneficial insects
Act as trap crops for aphids and flea beetles, protecting eggplant
Repels spider mites and provides ground cover to retain soil moisture
Compatible nightshade family members with similar water and nutrient needs
Share similar growing requirements and can help confuse pests that target nightshades
✗ Keep away from
Produces juglone toxin that severely stunts or kills nightshade plants
Attracts corn borers and armyworms that also damage eggplant
Releases allelopathic compounds that inhibit growth of most vegetables
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving (USDA FoodData Central)
