Millionaire
Solanum melongena 'Millionaire'
A premium Japanese hybrid that produces exceptionally long, slender fruits with glossy dark purple skin and absolutely no bitterness. Millionaire is prized by chefs for its tender texture, sweet flavor, and beautiful presentation, living up to its luxurious name. This variety consistently produces picture-perfect eggplants that command top prices at farmers markets.
Harvest
65-75d
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 Millionaire in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 eggplant →Zone Map
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Millionaire · 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 freshly harvested Millionaire eggplants at room temperature for 2-3 days or refrigerate in the crisper drawer for up to one week. Unlike many vegetables, eggplants are sensitive to cold temperatures below 50°F, which can cause pitting and accelerated decay.
For longer storage, slice and salt eggplant for 30 minutes to draw out moisture, then freeze on baking sheets before transferring to freezer bags – this prevents the mushy texture common with frozen eggplant. The tender flesh also excels in pressure canning as part of ratatouille or caponata recipes.
Dehydrating thin slices creates 'eggplant bacon' chips, while fermenting chunks in salt brine produces a tangy condiment popular in Middle Eastern cuisine. The sweet, non-bitter flesh of Millionaire makes it particularly suitable for these preservation methods without requiring extensive pre-treatment.
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, whiteflies, and flea beetles while potentially improving eggplant flavor
Marigolds
Deters nematodes, aphids, and other pests with strong scent compounds
Peppers
Share similar growing requirements and pest resistance strategies
Tomatoes
Compatible nightshade family members with similar soil and care needs
Nasturtiums
Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, draws pests away
Oregano
Repels spider mites and aphids while attracting beneficial insects
Catnip
Natural insect repellent that deters flea beetles and mosquitoes
Borage
Attracts pollinators and beneficial insects while potentially improving growth
Keep Apart
Black Walnut
Releases juglone toxin that stunts growth and can kill eggplants
Fennel
Allelopathic compounds inhibit growth of most vegetable crops including eggplant
Corn
Attracts corn earworm which also feeds on eggplant fruits
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #169228)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Excellent hybrid vigor with good disease tolerance
Common Pests
Flea beetles, aphids, spider mites, thrips
Diseases
Verticillium wilt, bacterial wilt, tobacco mosaic virus