Diamond F1
Solanum melongena 'Diamond F1'
A premium hybrid eggplant that produces large, glossy black fruits with exceptional flavor and texture. This vigorous variety is bred for consistent production and disease resistance, making it an excellent choice for both beginner and experienced gardeners. The fruits maintain their quality longer on the plant and have tender, creamy flesh with minimal seeds.
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 Diamond F1 in USDA Zone 7
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Diamond F1 · 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 freshly harvested Diamond F1 eggplants at room temperature for 2-3 days or refrigerate in the crisper drawer for up to one week. Don't store below 50°F, as cold temperatures cause bitter flavors and brown spots to develop.
For longer storage, slice eggplants into rounds, salt lightly to draw out moisture, then freeze on parchment-lined trays before transferring to freezer bags. This prevents the mushy texture common with whole frozen eggplants. Properly frozen Diamond F1 maintains quality for 6-8 months.
Dehydrate thin slices at 135°F for eggplant chips, or preserve in olive oil after grilling. The creamy texture of Diamond F1 makes it excellent for making and freezing baba ganoush or caponata. Pickled eggplant cubes also preserve well, maintaining the variety's firm texture better than softer cultivars.
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 hornworms while potentially improving eggplant flavor
Marigold
Deters nematodes, aphids, and flea beetles with natural compounds
Pepper
Same growing requirements and helps confuse pests that target nightshades
Tomato
Similar care needs and can share support structures, mutual pest confusion
Parsley
Attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies and parasitic wasps
Oregano
Repels aphids, spider mites, and provides ground cover to retain moisture
Catnip
Strong deterrent against flea beetles, aphids, and squash bugs
Nasturtium
Acts as trap crop for aphids and flea beetles, draws pests away from eggplant
Keep Apart
Fennel
Produces allelopathic compounds that inhibit growth of most vegetables including eggplant
Black Walnut
Releases juglone toxin that causes wilt and stunted growth in nightshade plants
Corn
Competes for nutrients and can harbor corn earworm which also attacks 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 resistance to verticillium wilt and bacterial wilt
Common Pests
Flea beetles, aphids, whiteflies, spider mites
Diseases
Early blight, late blight, mosaic virus, phomopsis blight