When to plant eggplant in Orlando
Eggplant is frost-tender, so every date keys off Orlando's last spring frost of Jan 19.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Dec 26 – Jan 16
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Mar 6 – Mar 27
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
May 15 – May 30
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
70 – 85 d
Orlando's 336-day season leaves this much room.
Eggplant on Orlando's growing year
Frost-bounded season with crops mapped onto the 12-month axis.
Frost risk Growing Harvest
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
JAN 19
DEC 21
Common questions
When will eggplant be ready to harvest in Orlando?
Expect to harvest from around mid May (May 15–May 30) in Orlando, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 72%.
When should I start eggplant seeds indoors in Orlando?
Start seeds indoors around late December (Dec 26–Jan 16) in Orlando, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 76%.
When can I transplant eggplant outdoors in Orlando?
Transplant outdoors around early March (Mar 6–Mar 27) in Orlando, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 80%.
How long is the growing season in Orlando?
Orlando has roughly 336 frost-free days, which is enough time to grow eggplant to maturity outdoors.
The rule of thumb
Sow eggplant 6–8 weeks before your last spring frost; plant out 2–3 weeks after it. Every date on this page is derived from that rule and Orlando's frost dates.
Confidence 80/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.