Beatrice F1
Solanum melongena 'Beatrice F1'
A stunning hybrid that produces beautiful lavender-purple fruits with white streaking, combining ornamental beauty with exceptional eating quality. This vigorous variety is both productive and disease-resistant, making it perfect for gardeners who want both beauty and bounty in their vegetable garden. The mild, creamy flesh has virtually no bitterness and cooks to a wonderful texture.
Harvest
65-75d
Days to harvest
Sun
Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
Zones
9–12
USDA hardiness
Height
2-4 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Beatrice F1 in USDA Zone 7
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Beatrice F1 · Zones 9–12
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | April – April | June – July | — | August – October |
| Zone 4 | March – April | June – June | — | August – October |
| Zone 5 | March – March | May – June | — | August – October |
| Zone 6 | March – March | May – June | — | July – September |
| Zone 7 | February – March | April – May | — | July – September |
| Zone 8 | February – February | April – May | — | June – August |
| Zone 9 | January – January | March – April | — | May – July |
| Zone 10 | January – January | February – March | — | May – July |
Complete Growing Guide
Light: Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in., Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.. Soil: Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 3 feet-6 feet. Growth rate: Medium. Maintenance: Medium. Propagation: Seed.
Harvesting
The fruit is a berry that is egg-shaped, smooth and has glossy skin. The fruit may measure 4 to 8 inches long. It ranges in color from green to white, to purple-black when immature and when it should be eaten. As the fruit matures it gets stringy and bitter. Fruit contains numerous small, flat, pale yellow to brown seeds.
Color: Vegetable Garden at Paul J Ciener Botanical Garden Vegetable Garden with Pollinator Plants in Mt. Pleasant. Type: Berry. Length: > 3 inches.
Garden value: Edible, Showy
Harvest time: Fall, Summer
Edibility: The immature fruit is edible and best used in food preparation. As the fruit matures, it becomes stringy and bitter. The fruits are usually cooked and served as a vegetable. They may be prepared and eaten by frying, steaming, grilling, roasting, or stewing. They may also be stir-fried, pickled, stuffed, and fried with a light breading.
Storage & Preservation
Fresh Beatrice F1 eggplants store best at room temperature for 3-5 days, away from direct sunlight. Unlike many vegetables, refrigeration can cause chilling injury, leading to pitting and accelerated decay. If you must refrigerate, wrap individually in paper towels and use within one week.
For longer storage, slice and salt eggplant pieces for 30 minutes, then pat dry and freeze in single layers on baking sheets. Once frozen, transfer to freezer bags for up to 8 months. This variety's creamy, non-bitter flesh freezes exceptionally well compared to standard eggplants.
Pickling works beautifully with Beatrice F1's mild flavor – cube and quick-pickle in vinegar with herbs for Mediterranean-style preserves. The attractive lavender and white coloring makes these pickles visually stunning. Dehydrating thin slices creates eggplant chips, though the mild flavor may become quite subtle. Roasting and pureeing for freezing works well for future use in baba ganoush or similar dishes where the variety's creamy texture shines.
History & Origin
Origin: Vegetable Garden at Paul J Ciener Botanical Garden Vegetable Garden with Pollinator Plants in Mt. Pleasant
Advantages
- +Disease resistance: Heat
- +Attracts: Bees
- +Wildlife value: The flowers attract bumblebees.
- +Edible: The immature fruit is edible and best used in food preparation. As the fruit matures, it becomes stringy and bitter. The fruits are usually cooked and served as a vegetable. They may be prepared and eaten by frying, steaming, grilling, roasting, or stewing. They may also be stir-fried, pickled, stuffed, and fried with a light breading.
Considerations
- -Toxic (Flowers, Leaves, Roots, Stems): High severity
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Basil
Repels aphids and whiteflies, may improve flavor
Tomatoes
Similar growing requirements and both benefit from shared pest deterrent companions
Peppers
Compatible nightshade family members with similar care needs
Marigolds
Repel aphids, whiteflies, and nematodes that commonly attack eggplant
Nasturtiums
Act as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles
Parsley
Attracts beneficial insects that prey on eggplant pests
Thyme
Repels cabbage worms and other harmful insects
Hot Peppers
Natural pest deterrent that protects nearby eggplant from insects
Keep Apart
Fennel
Inhibits growth of most garden plants through allelopathy
Black Walnut Trees
Produce juglone which is toxic to nightshade family plants
Corn
Can shade eggplant and both attract corn borers that damage crops
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #169228)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Excellent resistance to bacterial wilt and verticillium wilt
Common Pests
Flea beetles, aphids, spider mites, whiteflies
Diseases
Early blight, late blight, mosaic virus, phomopsis blight