Thai Long Green
Solanum melongena 'Thai Long Green'
An authentic Asian variety prized for its slender, bright green fruits that are essential in Thai and Southeast Asian cooking. These tender eggplants have thin skin, few seeds, and never develop bitterness, making them perfect for curries, stir-fries, and grilled dishes. A must-grow for anyone serious about Asian cuisine.
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 Thai Long Green in USDA Zone 7
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Thai Long Green · 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 Thai Long Green eggplants at room temperature for 2-3 days maximum, as they're best used immediately for optimal flavor and texture. For longer storage, wrap individually in paper towels and refrigerate in the crisper drawer for up to one week — avoid plastic bags which trap moisture and cause rapid deterioration.
For preservation, blanching and freezing works well for cooked dishes. Slice, salt for 30 minutes to draw out moisture, rinse, then blanch in boiling water for 4 minutes before freezing in portions suitable for curries and stir-fries. The texture won't be suitable for fresh eating after freezing, but perfect for cooked applications.
Pickling is excellent for preserving the mild flavor — cut into rounds or strips and quick-pickle in rice vinegar with Thai chilies and garlic. Grilling and dehydrating creates concentrated flavor for adding to soups and stews later. Unlike globe eggplants, Thai Long Green's thin skin and few seeds make it ideal for these 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 thrips while potentially improving eggplant flavor
Marigold
Deters nematodes, aphids, and whiteflies with natural compounds
Peppers
Similar growing requirements and both benefit from shared pest deterrents
Tomatoes
Complementary growth habits and shared beneficial insects for pollination
Nasturtium
Acts as trap crop for aphids, cucumber beetles, and squash bugs
Catnip
Repels ants, aphids, and flea beetles while attracting beneficial predatory insects
Oregano
Deters spider mites, aphids, and cabbage moths with aromatic oils
Borage
Attracts pollinators and beneficial insects while reportedly improving growth
Keep Apart
Fennel
Releases allelopathic compounds that inhibit growth of most vegetables
Black Walnut
Produces juglone toxin that causes wilting and stunted growth in nightshades
Brassicas
Compete for similar nutrients and may attract flea beetles that also damage eggplant
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 Asian varieties
Common Pests
Flea beetles, aphids, spider mites, whiteflies
Diseases
Bacterial wilt, fusarium wilt, verticillium wilt, anthracnose