Graffiti F1
Solanum melongena 'Graffiti F1'
A stunning hybrid that produces eye-catching striped fruits with purple and white markings that look like they've been painted by an artist. Beyond its ornamental appeal, Graffiti offers excellent eating quality with sweet, tender flesh that's perfect for grilling and roasting. This variety is a conversation starter that combines beauty with outstanding culinary performance.
Harvest
75-85d
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 Graffiti F1 in USDA Zone 7
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Graffiti 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
Fresh Graffiti F1 eggplants store best at cool room temperature (55-60°F) and should not be refrigerated unless fully ripe, as cold temperatures below 50°F cause chilling injury and bitter flavors. Properly stored fruits maintain quality for 5-7 days.
For longer storage, slice eggplants into rounds or cubes, salt lightly for 30 minutes to draw out moisture, then blanch for 4 minutes before freezing in airtight containers for up to 8 months. The beautiful striped pattern makes Graffiti F1 excellent for pickle making – slice and quick-pickle in vinegar solution for a decorative condiment that keeps refrigerated for 2-3 months.
Grilled or roasted Graffiti F1 can be pureed and frozen in ice cube trays for easy portion control in winter cooking. The variety's sweet, creamy flesh also dehydrates well when sliced thin and dried at 135°F for 8-12 hours, creating attractive chips that store for months in airtight containers.
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 pest management, mutual protection from some insects
Peppers
Share similar soil and watering needs, compatible nightshade family members
Marigolds
Repel nematodes and aphids, attract beneficial insects
Oregano
Deters aphids and spider mites while attracting beneficial pollinators
Thyme
Repels flea beetles and hornworms, provides ground cover
Hot Peppers
Natural pest deterrent, shares similar growing conditions
Nasturtiums
Trap crop for aphids and whiteflies, edible flowers
Keep Apart
Black Walnut Trees
Produces juglone toxin that inhibits nightshade family growth
Fennel
Inhibits growth of most garden plants through allelopathy
Corn
Competes for nutrients and may harbor corn borers that attack 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 hybrid vigor with moderate disease tolerance
Common Pests
Flea beetles, aphids, spider mites, Colorado potato beetle
Diseases
Verticillium wilt, bacterial wilt, phomopsis blight