Dusky F1
Solanum melongena 'Dusky F1'
An exceptional hybrid that combines the classic teardrop shape of Italian eggplants with outstanding disease resistance and productivity. This compact variety produces glossy, dark purple fruits with creamy white flesh that's perfect for Mediterranean dishes. Dusky is particularly valued for its reliability and consistent performance in challenging growing conditions.
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 Dusky F1 in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 eggplant →Zone Map
Click a state to update dates
Dusky 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
Store fresh Dusky F1 eggplants at room temperature for 2-3 days or refrigerate in the crisper drawer for up to one week. Avoid storing below 50°F, as cold temperatures cause flesh to become bitter and develop brown spots. Don't wash until ready to use, and store in perforated plastic bags to maintain humidity while preventing moisture buildup.
For longer preservation, slice eggplants into ½-inch rounds, salt for 30 minutes to draw out moisture, then blanch for 4 minutes before freezing in airtight containers for up to 8 months. The creamy texture of Dusky F1 also makes it excellent for making baba ganoush or caponata that can be frozen for up to 6 months.
Dehydrate thin slices at 135°F for 8-12 hours to create eggplant chips, or pickle small whole fruits in vinegar brine. The mild flavor of this variety also works well for pressure canning in tomato-based sauces following USDA guidelines.
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
Marigolds
Deter nematodes, aphids, and whiteflies with their natural compounds
Tomatoes
Share similar growing requirements and pest management strategies as fellow nightshades
Peppers
Compatible nightshade family members with similar soil and water needs
Bush Beans
Fix nitrogen in soil and don't compete for space with eggplant's deep roots
Nasturtiums
Act as trap crops for aphids, cucumber beetles, and squash bugs
Oregano
Repels aphids, spider mites, and provides ground cover to retain soil moisture
Catnip
Strongly deters flea beetles, aphids, and ants that can damage eggplant
Keep Apart
Black Walnut Trees
Release juglone toxin that causes wilting and death in nightshade plants
Fennel
Produces allelopathic compounds that inhibit growth and germination of eggplant
Brassicas
Compete heavily for nutrients and may attract flea beetles 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
Excellent resistance to tobacco mosaic virus and bacterial wilt
Common Pests
Flea beetles, aphids, spider mites, thrips
Diseases
Verticillium wilt, early blight, phomopsis blight