Turkish Orange
Solanum melongena 'Turkish Orange'
An exotic heirloom variety that produces stunning small, round fruits that start green and ripen to a beautiful bright orange color. These golf ball-sized eggplants are not only ornamental but also deliciously sweet and creamy when cooked, making them perfect for stuffing or unique culinary presentations. This conversation-starter variety brings both beauty and flavor 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 Turkish Orange in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 eggplant →Zone Map
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Turkish Orange · 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 Turkish Orange eggplants store best at room temperature for 3-5 days, developing optimal flavor and texture when not refrigerated immediately after harvest. If you must refrigerate, place in the crisper drawer wrapped in perforated plastic bags, where they'll keep for up to one week—longer storage results in bitter flavors and tough skin.
For preservation, these small eggplants excel when pickled whole or halved, maintaining their firm texture and sweet flavor beautifully. Blanch halved fruits for 4 minutes, then freeze in freezer bags for up to 8 months—perfect for winter stuffing recipes. You can also roast them whole until tender, then puree and freeze in ice cube trays for easy additions to sauces and soups.
Dehydrating sliced Turkish Orange creates excellent chips for snacking or rehydrating in stews. Their low moisture content compared to larger eggplants makes them ideal candidates for oil-packed preserves, similar to sun-dried tomatoes.
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 whiteflies while potentially improving eggplant flavor
Tomatoes
Share similar growing requirements and pest management needs as nightshade family members
Peppers
Compatible nightshades with similar soil and watering needs, can share space efficiently
Marigolds
Repel nematodes, aphids, and whiteflies while attracting beneficial insects
Nasturtiums
Act as trap crops for aphids and cucumber beetles, drawing pests away from eggplant
Oregano
Deters aphids and spider mites while providing ground cover and pest control
Parsley
Attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies and parasitic wasps that control eggplant pests
Hot Peppers
Natural pest deterrent that repels various insects while sharing similar care requirements
Keep Apart
Black Walnut
Produces juglone toxin that inhibits nightshade family growth and can kill eggplants
Fennel
Releases allelopathic compounds that stunt growth and inhibit development of eggplants
Beans
Different nutrient needs and growth habits can lead to competition and reduced yields for both crops
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #169103)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Moderate disease resistance, benefits from good air circulation
Common Pests
Flea beetles, Colorado potato beetle, aphids, hornworms
Diseases
Verticillium wilt, fusarium wilt, bacterial spot, anthracnose