Rosa Bianca
Solanum melongena 'Rosa Bianca'
A stunning Italian heirloom that's as beautiful as it is delicious, featuring cream and lavender-streaked skin that looks like painted porcelain. The creamy white flesh is incredibly mild and sweet with absolutely no bitterness, making it perfect for eating raw or in delicate preparations. This productive variety is a true conversation starter that brings Old World elegance to any garden.
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 Rosa Bianca in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 eggplant →Zone Map
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Rosa Bianca · 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 Rosa Bianca eggplants store best at room temperature for 3-5 days, developing optimal flavor as they rest. For longer storage, refrigerate in the crisper drawer wrapped in paper towels for up to one week, though quality declines after day five. Never store below 50°F, as cold damage causes brown spots and off-flavors.
For preservation, Rosa Bianca's mild, sweet flesh excels when grilled and frozen in portions, or roasted and pureed for future use in baba ganoush or caponata. Slice and salt for 30 minutes before cooking to remove excess moisture. This variety also pickles beautifully when cut into strips and preserved in olive oil with herbs. Avoid water-bath canning due to eggplant's low acidity, but pressure canning works well for prepared dishes. Dehydrating Rosa Bianca creates excellent 'eggplant jerky' or chips when sliced thin and seasoned before drying.
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 thrips while potentially improving eggplant flavor
Tomatoes
Share similar growing conditions and can deter each other's specific pests
Peppers
Compatible nightshade family members that share similar care requirements
Marigolds
Repel nematodes, aphids, and whiteflies while attracting beneficial insects
Oregano
Deters spider mites, aphids, and cabbage moths with strong aromatic oils
Hot Peppers
Natural pest deterrent that repels flea beetles and hornworms
Nasturtiums
Act as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles while repelling squash bugs
Catnip
Repels flea beetles, ants, and mosquitoes more effectively than DEET
Keep Apart
Black Walnut
Produces juglone toxin that severely stunts or kills eggplant growth
Fennel
Allelopathic properties inhibit growth and can stunt eggplant development
Geraniums
May attract hornworms and compete for similar soil nutrients
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 heirlooms
Common Pests
Flea beetles, aphids, spider mites, thrips
Diseases
Verticillium wilt, fusarium wilt, bacterial wilt, phomopsis blight