With their mild taste and he althy nutrients, eggplants are particularly popular with hobby gardeners and self-sufficient people. However, cultivation is difficult in Germany. Find out here how much space the eggplant plant requires outdoors and in the pot.
How much space does an eggplant plant need?
Aubergines grow bushy and should be planted at aplant spacing of 60 x 60 centimeters so that the individual plant has enough space and nutrients available. When cultivating in a pot, it should ideally have a volume of 25 liters.
How big do eggplants get and how much space do they need?
Aubergines are also called eggplants because of their fruit shape. The plants grow bushy and, depending on the species, are between60 and 120 centimeters tall When sowing or planting young plants, you should ensure a planting distance of 60 by 60 centimeters to the next plant.
Why is eggplant planting distance so important?
The distance to the next plant should be strictly maintained for eggplants. Eggplant plants are heavy feeders. They require a lot of nutrients and compete with the neighboring plants whenlack of space. This results in a smaller harvest. In addition, the large leaves and sometimes sprawling shoots need space to get enough sunlight. Shadingfrom nearby plants would also lead to less fruit development. The eggplant also loves it airy. The leaves should always be able to dry well to avoidmould formation.
Where is the best place for eggplant plants?
Aubergines originally come from the subtropical regions of India and love it warm. With good care and a warm, long summer, they also thrive outdoors in Germany. Make sure you have enough space in asunny locationand water it several times a week as needed. However, at these latitudes it grows best in a greenhouse.
How big does the pot need to be for an eggplant plant?
If you want to cultivate your eggplant plant in a pot, it should be large enough. It should have a minimum volume of 15 liters, better25 liters. The plant needs this in order to be able to develop a sufficiently large root ball. If it doesn't have enough space, it will wither and only produce limited flowers and then fruit. The result is a lower yield. Also make sure to mix enough additional nutrients into the soil. Compost or an organic fertilizer is suitable for this (€27.00 on Amazon).
Tip
When growing eggplants, pay attention to the right bed neighbors
Aubergines should not be placed near other nightshade plants (tomatoes, potatoes, peppers) or heavy feeders (zucchini, pumpkin). Overgrown vegetable plants in particular rob eggplants of space and nutrients. This hinders their own growth and develops fewer flowers and fruits. Good partners, on the other hand, are types of cabbage (cauliflower, broccoli, kohlrabi), salads (corn lettuce, lettuce) or beans. They are a good addition to the bed.
