Fairy Tale
Solanum melongena
Attractive fruits measuring 2-4" long by 3/4-1 1/4" diameter are borne abundantly on compact 18-24" plants. Wonderful flavor with no bitterness and very few seeds. Some fruits may be harvested in clusters. Green calyx. AAS Winner.
Harvest
65d
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 Fairy Tale in USDA Zone 7
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Fairy Tale · 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 Fairy Tale eggplants at room temperature for 2-3 days or refrigerate in a perforated plastic bag in the crisper drawer for up to one week. Unlike larger varieties, these miniature eggplants are more perishable and should be used quickly for best flavor and texture.
For longer preservation, blanch whole fruits in boiling water for 4 minutes, then freeze in airtight containers for up to 8 months—perfect for winter grilling. The small size makes them ideal for pickling whole; slice lengthwise and pickle in vinegar brine with Mediterranean herbs. You can also roast and puree the flesh for freezing in ice cube trays, creating convenient portions for adding to soups, stews, and sauces. Dehydrating sliced Fairy Tale eggplant creates crispy chips, though the high water content requires 8-12 hours in a dehydrator at 125°F.
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
Tomatoes
Share similar growing conditions and pest management strategies as fellow nightshades
Peppers
Compatible nightshade family members with similar water and nutrient needs
Marigolds
Repel nematodes, aphids, and whiteflies that commonly attack eggplants
Nasturtiums
Act as trap crops for aphids and cucumber beetles while deterring squash bugs
Oregano
Repels aphids and provides ground cover to retain soil moisture
Thyme
Deters hornworms and flea beetles while attracting beneficial predatory insects
Catnip
Repels flea beetles, aphids, and ants that can damage eggplant foliage
Keep Apart
Black Walnut
Produces juglone toxin that causes wilting and stunted growth in nightshade plants
Fennel
Releases allelopathic compounds that inhibit growth of most vegetable plants
Sunflowers
Compete heavily for nutrients and water while potentially harboring stink bugs
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #169228)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Good disease resistance for extended harvest
Common Pests
Flea beetles, aphids, spider mites
Diseases
Verticillium wilt, bacterial wilt, early blight