Ichiban
Solanum melongena 'Ichiban'
An award-winning Japanese hybrid that's incredibly productive and perfect for beginners, producing dozens of slender 10-inch fruits throughout the season. The tender, non-bitter flesh and thin skin make this variety exceptionally versatile in the kitchen. This reliable performer adapts well to various growing conditions and consistently delivers restaurant-quality eggplants.
Harvest
61-70d
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 Ichiban in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 eggplant →Zone Map
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Ichiban · 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
Fresh Ichiban eggplants store best at room temperature for 2-3 days if you plan to use them quickly, as refrigeration can cause the flesh to become spongy and develop brown spots. For longer storage, keep them in the refrigerator's crisper drawer wrapped loosely in perforated plastic bags for up to one week.
For preservation, Ichiban's tender flesh makes it ideal for freezing after blanching – slice into rounds, blanch for 4 minutes, then freeze on trays before transferring to freezer bags. The thin skin and mild flavor also make this variety excellent for pickling in salt brine or oil preservation. You can also grill thick slices until tender, then freeze in portions for winter use in stews and curries. Avoid traditional canning methods for eggplant, as the low acid content requires pressure canning and often results in mushy texture.
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 whiteflies while potentially improving eggplant flavor
Marigolds
Deters nematodes, aphids, and flea beetles with natural compounds
Peppers
Similar growing requirements and both benefit from shared pest deterrents
Tomatoes
Compatible nightshade family members with similar care needs
Nasturtiums
Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, protecting eggplant
Oregano
Repels aphids, spider mites, and provides ground cover to retain soil moisture
Borage
Attracts beneficial insects and may improve growth and flavor of eggplant
Catnip
Strong insect repellent properties, especially effective against flea beetles
Keep Apart
Fennel
Releases allelopathic compounds that inhibit growth of most vegetables including eggplant
Black Walnut
Produces juglone toxin that causes wilting and death in nightshade family 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 tobacco mosaic virus and other common diseases
Common Pests
Flea beetles, Colorado potato beetle, aphids
Diseases
Verticillium wilt, bacterial wilt, early blight