How to Grow Thai Long Green
Solanum melongena 'Thai Long Green'
Thai Long Green is a distinctive Asian eggplant variety prized for its slender shape and mild flavor. Gardeners grow it to enjoy unique fruit that cooks quickly without becoming mushy, making it perfect for stir-fries and curries.
📷 Wikimedia CommonsStarting Thai Long Green: indoors or direct sow?
🌾 Sow directly in the garden — Thai Long Green is not usually started indoors.
Do not transplant seedlings outdoors until all danger of frost has passed and soil temperatures are warm enough for this sensitive warm-season plant.
Soil, care & harvest
Prepare loose, fertile soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. As a warm-season crop, start seeds indoors only after the last frost date has passed or when nighttime temperatures are consistently above 50°F. Sow seeds about one inch deep. Germination typically takes seven to fourteen days in warm conditions.
Space plants eighteen to twenty-four inches apart to ensure good airflow. Provide consistent moisture, as this variety requires high water levels to thrive. Apply a layer of mulch around the base to retain soil warmth and moisture. Feed regularly with a balanced fertilizer during the growing season to support heavy fruit production.
Watch for flea beetles, aphids, spider mites, and whiteflies; use insecticidal soap or neem oil if infestations occur. Prevent bacterial, fusarium, verticillium wilt, and anthracnose by ensuring proper drainage and avoiding overhead watering. Harvest fruits sixty-five to seventy-five days after sowing when they reach full size and deep purple color.
When to Plant Thai Long Green
Planting windows vary by USDA hardiness zone. Look up yours by ZIP code.
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | May | — | September – August |
| Zone 2 | April – May | — | September |
| Zone 3 | April | — | August – October |
| Zone 4 | March – April | — | August – October |
| Zone 5 | March | — | August – October |
| Zone 6 | March | — | July – September |
| Zone 7 | February – March | — | July – September |
| Zone 8 | February | — | June – August |
| Zone 9 | January | — | May – July |
| Zone 10 | January | — | May – July |
| Zone 11 | January | — | April – June |
| Zone 12 | January | — | April – June |
| Zone 13 | January | — | April – June |
Companion Plants for Thai Long Green
✓ Good companions
Repels aphids, spider mites, and thrips while potentially improving eggplant flavor
Attracts pollinators and beneficial insects while reportedly improving growth
Repels ants, aphids, and flea beetles while attracting beneficial predatory insects
Deters nematodes, aphids, and whiteflies with natural compounds
Acts as trap crop for aphids, cucumber beetles, and squash bugs
Deters spider mites, aphids, and cabbage moths with aromatic oils
Similar growing requirements and both benefit from shared pest deterrents
Complementary growth habits and shared beneficial insects for pollination
✗ Keep away from
Produces juglone toxin that causes wilting and stunted growth in nightshades
Compete for similar nutrients and may attract flea beetles that also damage eggplant
Releases allelopathic compounds that inhibit growth of most vegetables
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving (USDA FoodData Central)
