Listada de Gandia
Solanum melongena 'Listada de Gandia'
This stunning Spanish heirloom showcases purple and white striped fruits that look almost too beautiful to eat. The oval fruits have incredibly creamy flesh with a mild, sweet flavor and the eye-catching striped pattern makes them conversation starters in any garden. A productive variety that brings both beauty and exceptional taste to the kitchen.
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 Listada de Gandia in USDA Zone 7
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Listada de Gandia · 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 Listada de Gandia eggplants store best at room temperature for 2-3 days or refrigerated for up to one week. Wrap individually in paper towels and store in the crisper drawer—plastic bags cause condensation and rapid deterioration. Unlike many vegetables, eggplants are sensitive to cold and develop brown spots when stored below 50°F.
For longer preservation, slice and salt eggplant for 30 minutes to draw out moisture, then freeze the salted, drained slices on baking sheets before transferring to freezer bags. This method preserves texture better than freezing fresh. Alternatively, roast or grill slices until tender, then freeze in portions perfect for adding to winter stews and sauces.
Pickling is excellent for this striped variety—the beautiful pattern remains visible in the jar. Cut into spears, salt briefly, then pack in vinegar brine with garlic and herbs for Mediterranean-style preserved eggplant that keeps for months.
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 nutrient and water requirements
Marigolds
Repel nematodes, aphids, and whiteflies while attracting beneficial insects
Oregano
Deters aphids, spider mites, and cabbage moths with its strong aromatic oils
Thyme
Repels hornworms, whiteflies, and flea beetles while attracting pollinators
Hot Peppers
Natural pest deterrent that repels aphids and other soft-bodied insects
Nasturtiums
Act as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles while repelling whiteflies
Keep Apart
Black Walnut
Produces juglone toxin that severely stunts or kills eggplants and other nightshades
Fennel
Releases allelopathic compounds that inhibit growth of most vegetables including eggplant
Corn
Competes heavily for nutrients and attracts corn earworms 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
Moderate disease resistance typical of heirloom varieties
Common Pests
Flea beetles, spider mites, whiteflies, Colorado potato beetle
Diseases
Bacterial wilt, phomopsis blight, anthracnose