Patio Baby
Solanum melongena
Bright purple flowers add beauty to this compact edible ornamental. Well-suited for balconies, patios, and gardens and also ideal for pack sales and urban farming operations. Patio Baby is a true mini, maintaining proper proportions of fruit-to-calyx as it grows. The thin-skinned 2-3" long fruits are tender and perfect for grilling or roasting. Continuous set of spineless fruits make harvest pain-free and child-friendly. Space-saving 18-24" plants. AAS Regional (Northeast) Winner. Purple calyx.
Harvest
50d
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 Patio Baby in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 eggplant →Zone Map
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Patio Baby · 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 | — | July – September |
| Zone 5 | March – March | May – June | — | July – September |
| Zone 6 | March – March | May – June | — | July – September |
| Zone 7 | February – March | April – May | — | June – August |
| Zone 8 | February – February | April – May | — | June – August |
| Zone 9 | January – January | March – April | — | May – July |
| Zone 10 | January – January | February – March | — | April – June |
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 fresh Patio Baby 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 and can develop bitter flavors if stored below 50°F for extended periods.
For longer preservation, slice and salt eggplants for 30 minutes to draw out bitterness, then blanch for 4 minutes before freezing. Frozen eggplant works well in cooked dishes but loses its firm texture. Alternatively, roast or grill slices before freezing for better results.
Patio Baby's small size makes it perfect for pickling whole or in halves. Use a standard vegetable pickling brine with added garlic and herbs. You can also dehydrate thin slices to make eggplant chips or grind into powder for seasoning. Avoid water-bath canning fresh eggplant, as its low acidity requires pressure canning for safety.
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 and whiteflies, may improve flavor
Marigolds
Repel nematodes and other soil pests that damage eggplant roots
Peppers
Similar growing requirements and mutual pest deterrence
Tomatoes
Shared nightshade family benefits and similar care needs
Catnip
Deters flea beetles and other insects that commonly attack eggplant
Hot Peppers
Natural pest deterrent that protects nearby eggplants
Nasturtiums
Trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles
Borage
Attracts beneficial insects and may deter hornworms
Keep Apart
Fennel
Inhibits growth of most garden plants through allelopathy
Black Walnut
Produces juglone which is toxic to nightshade family plants
Corn
Creates too much shade and competes for nutrients
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #169228)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Good overall disease resistance for a compact variety
Common Pests
Flea beetles, aphids, spider mites
Diseases
Verticillium wilt, bacterial spot, early blight