Little Fingers
Solanum melongena 'Little Fingers'
These adorable mini eggplants are perfect for container gardens and small spaces, producing clusters of 3-4 inch finger-sized fruits. The compact plants are incredibly productive and the tiny eggplants are tender, sweet, and cook quickly. Ideal for beginners and perfect for stuffing, grilling whole, or adding to Mediterranean dishes.
Harvest
65-70d
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 Little Fingers in USDA Zone 7
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Little Fingers · 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 Little Fingers eggplants store best at room temperature for 2-3 days if using immediately, or refrigerate in the crisper drawer for up to one week. Wrap individually in paper towels to absorb excess moisture, then place in perforated plastic bags. Avoid storing below 50°F as this causes chilling injury and bitter flavors.
For longer preservation, blanch whole Little Fingers in boiling water for 4 minutes, then freeze in airtight containers for up to 8 months. Their small size makes them perfect for pickling - try a Mediterranean-style pickle with olive oil, vinegar, and herbs. You can also slice and dehydrate them into chips, or grill and preserve in olive oil for antipasto preparations. Unlike large eggplants, Little Fingers' tender skin and minimal seeds make them excellent candidates for whole preservation methods.
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 requirements and can help confuse pests that target nightshades
Peppers
Fellow nightshades with similar care needs, create beneficial microclimate together
Marigolds
Repel nematodes, aphids, and whiteflies while attracting beneficial insects
Nasturtiums
Act as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, protecting eggplant
Oregano
Repels aphids and provides ground cover while attracting beneficial pollinators
Catnip
Strong insect repellent properties, particularly effective against flea beetles
Bush beans
Fix nitrogen in soil and don't compete for space with compact eggplant variety
Keep Apart
Fennel
Produces allelopathic compounds that inhibit growth of most vegetables including eggplant
Black walnut trees
Produce juglone toxin that causes wilting and death in nightshade family plants
Brassicas
Heavy feeders that compete for nutrients and may stunt eggplant growth
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 common eggplant diseases
Common Pests
Flea beetles, aphids, cutworms, hornworms
Diseases
Fusarium wilt, verticillium wilt, early blight