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
Full sun
Zones
9–12
USDA hardiness
Height
2-4 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Millionaire in USDA Zone 7
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Millionaire · Zones 9–12
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | May – May | July – August | — | September – August |
| Zone 2 | April – May | June – July | — | September – September |
| Zone 11 | January – January | January – February | — | April – June |
| Zone 12 | January – January | January – February | — | April – June |
| Zone 13 | January – January | January – February | — | April – June |
| 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 |
Succession Planting
Millionaire keeps producing from first fruit through frost if you stay on top of picking, so you don't succession-sow it the way you would lettuce or radishes. In zone 7, start seeds indoors in late February to early March — expect germination in 7–14 days with soil temps around 80°F — then transplant in April to May after your last frost date. That single planting will carry you through September.
If you want a late-season push after summer heat hammers the first planting, start a second round indoors in late June for an early-September plant-out. Realistically, though, a well-mulched first planting that gets consistent water through August will usually rebound on its own once nighttime temps drop back below 75°F. UGA's vegetable calendar specifically calls out mulching eggplant before dry spells hit, and that one step does more for late-season production than most people expect.
Complete Growing Guide
Millionaire's 65-75 day maturity is notably faster than standard eggplant varieties, so start seeds 8-10 weeks before your last frost to capitalize on this compressed timeline. This Japanese hybrid thrives in consistently warm soil (70-85°F) and demands full sun with well-draining, nutrient-rich soil amended with compost; insufficient warmth or light causes the characteristic stretch that reduces yields on this already-tall 2-4 foot plant. While generally robust, Millionaire shows moderate susceptibility to spider mites in hot, dry conditions—maintain adequate humidity and scout leaves weekly during peak summer. The thin, elongated fruit architecture requires staking or caging to prevent branch breakage under the heavy load of premium-grade eggplants. A practical strategy: pinch off the terminal growing tip when plants reach 18 inches to encourage bushier branching and better fruit distribution, maximizing the picture-perfect yields this variety is bred to deliver.
Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day). 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
Harvest Millionaire eggplants when they reach 8 to 10 inches long with skin that remains glossy and deep purple, as this cultivar loses its prized tenderness and flavor if allowed to grow oversized or dull in appearance. Test readiness by gently pressing the skin—it should yield slightly to pressure, indicating peak maturity, whereas overripe fruits feel soft and spongy. Pick fruits regularly and continuously throughout the season rather than waiting for a single large harvest, as removing mature eggplants encourages the plant to produce additional flowers and extend productivity. For optimal quality, harvest in early morning when temperatures are cool, as this helps the fruits retain their silky texture and prevents stress-induced bitterness from developing.
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: Black, Gold/Yellow, Green, Purple/Lavender, White. 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
This premium Japanese hybrid eggplant emerged from Japan's extensive breeding programs focused on developing superior Asian eggplant varieties, though specific breeder attribution and introduction year remain undocumented in widely accessible sources. Millionaire represents the culmination of decades of Japanese horticultural refinement targeting the exact characteristics prized in Asian markets: elongated fruit shape, glossy skin, and mild flavor profiles. The variety exemplifies Japan's seed company innovation in the late 20th century, when breeders systematically eliminated bitterness compounds while selecting for tender flesh and extended productivity. While the precise lineage and breeding institution remain obscure in English-language documentation, Millionaire's development reflects established Japanese breeding traditions emphasizing quality produce for both domestic and international markets.
Origin: China South-Central, Laos, Malaya, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam
Advantages
- +Exceptionally long, slender fruits with glossy dark purple skin look stunning.
- +Sweet, tender flavor with zero bitterness appeals to chefs and home cooks.
- +Matures quickly in 65-75 days, perfect for shorter growing seasons.
- +Premium quality commands top prices at farmers markets and restaurants.
- +Silky texture makes preparation easier than standard eggplant varieties.
Considerations
- -Susceptible to multiple pests including flea beetles, aphids, spider mites, thrips.
- -Vulnerable to serious diseases like verticillium wilt and bacterial wilt.
- -Moderate difficulty requires consistent care, proper spacing, and disease management.
- -Delicate fruits may require staking and careful handling to prevent bruising.
Companion Plants
Basil and French marigolds (Tagetes patula) are the two companions worth planting within a foot or two of Millionaire. Basil may help deter aphids and thrips through volatile compounds — the research is thinner than the gardening folklore, but around here in the southeast it earns its place on the table either way. French marigolds release thiophenes from their roots across a full growing season, which suppresses root-knot nematode populations in the surrounding soil — a real benefit for a crop that sits in the ground 65–75 days. Nasturtiums pull double duty as a trap crop for aphids, concentrating them on expendable foliage away from the eggplant. Peppers and tomatoes share similar water and fertility needs and make fine spatial neighbors, but they're all nightshades — stacking them in one bed also stacks your exposure to Verticillium and bacterial wilt. NC State Extension recommends diversified plantings specifically to slow that kind of spread.
Fennel is the one to keep on the other side of the garden entirely. It releases allelopathic root compounds that stunt most vegetable crops within a few feet, and eggplant is no exception. Black walnut (Juglans nigra) produces juglone, which is toxic to nightshades — the affected zone can extend well beyond the canopy edge. If either plant borders your plot, solve that problem before Millionaire goes in the ground.
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
Troubleshooting Millionaire
What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.
Tiny, irregular shothole damage on leaves starting at transplant — leaves look like they've been peppered with a BB gun
Likely Causes
- Flea beetles (Epitrix fuscula) — they overwinter in soil and leaf litter and hit young transplants hard in spring
- Transplants set out before they're fully established, making them slower to outgrow the damage
What to Do
- 1.Cover transplants immediately with floating row cover (Agribon AG-19 or similar) and leave it on for the first 3–4 weeks after transplant
- 2.If beetles are already present, apply spinosad or a pyrethrin-based spray in the early morning when beetles are least active
- 3.Side-dress with compost to push vigorous growth — a fast-growing plant at 18 inches tall can usually outpace flea beetle pressure on its own
Plant wilts suddenly and doesn't recover overnight, even with adequate soil moisture — lower stem may look water-soaked or discolored
Likely Causes
- Bacterial wilt (Ralstonia solanacearum) — soil-borne, spreads through contaminated tools and infested soil, and once it's in a bed it stays there indefinitely per NC State Extension
- Verticillium wilt (Verticillium dahliae) — also soil-borne, particularly bad after cool wet springs
What to Do
- 1.Dig up and remove the entire plant including roots; bag it and trash it — do not compost
- 2.Do not replant eggplant, tomatoes, peppers, or potatoes in that bed for at least 3 seasons; NC State Extension notes that Ralstonia solanacearum does not disappear from soil over time, so if bacterial wilt is confirmed, shift that bed to corn or legumes long-term
- 3.Start clean transplants in a different spot next cycle and wipe tools down with a 10% bleach solution between plants
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does Millionaire eggplant take to grow from seed?▼
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What does Millionaire eggplant taste like compared to regular eggplant?▼
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Growing Guides from Wind River Greens
Where to Buy Seeds
Sources & References
External authority sources used in compiling this guide.
See the Methodology page for how this data is sourced, what's AI-assisted, and known limitations.