Chinese Long
Solanum melongena 'Chinese Long'
A slender Asian heirloom producing gorgeous lavender-purple fruits that can reach up to 20 inches in length. The tender, mild flesh has fewer seeds than globe varieties and never turns bitter, making it perfect for stir-fries and Asian cuisine. This productive variety is beloved by gardeners for its elegant appearance and exceptional eating quality.
Harvest
70-80d
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 Chinese Long in USDA Zone 7
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Chinese Long · Zones 9–12
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | April – April | June – July | — | September – October |
| Zone 4 | March – April | June – June | — | August – October |
| Zone 5 | March – March | May – June | — | August – October |
| Zone 6 | March – March | May – June | — | August – October |
| Zone 7 | February – March | April – May | — | July – September |
| Zone 8 | February – February | April – May | — | July – September |
| Zone 9 | January – January | March – April | — | June – August |
| 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
Store fresh Chinese Long eggplants at room temperature for 2-3 days or refrigerate in the crisper drawer for up to one week. Unlike many vegetables, eggplants are sensitive to cold temperatures below 50°F, which causes pitting and faster deterioration.
For longer storage, slice and salt eggplant pieces, let drain for 30 minutes, then blanch for 3 minutes before freezing in airtight containers for up to 8 months. The tender flesh of Chinese Long makes it excellent for this method.
Dehydrate thin slices at 135°F for 8-12 hours to create eggplant chips, or preserve in oil after grilling. Chinese Long's mild flavor and low seed content also makes it ideal for pickling — slice into rounds and quick-pickle in rice vinegar with ginger and garlic for an authentic Asian condiment that keeps refrigerated for several weeks.
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, spider mites, and thrips while potentially improving eggplant flavor
Tomatoes
Share similar growing requirements and can help confuse pests that target nightshades
Peppers
Compatible nightshade family members with similar water and nutrient needs
Marigolds
Repel nematodes, aphids, and flea beetles while attracting beneficial insects
Nasturtiums
Act as trap crops for aphids and flea beetles, protecting eggplant
Oregano
Repels spider mites and provides ground cover to retain soil moisture
Catnip
Strong pest deterrent against flea beetles and aphids
Borage
Attracts pollinators and beneficial insects while reportedly improving growth
Keep Apart
Black Walnut
Produces juglone toxin that severely stunts or kills nightshade plants
Fennel
Releases allelopathic compounds that inhibit growth of most vegetables
Corn
Attracts corn borers and armyworms that also damage eggplant
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #169228)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Good general vigor, moderate disease tolerance
Common Pests
Flea beetles, aphids, spider mites, Colorado potato beetle
Diseases
Verticillium wilt, bacterial wilt, anthracnose, phomopsis blight