Violette di Firenze
Solanum melongena 'Violette di Firenze'
A treasured Italian heirloom from Florence that produces large, ribbed fruits with stunning light purple skin and distinctive white stripes. This variety has been grown in Tuscan gardens for generations, prized for its meaty texture and rich flavor that's perfect for traditional Italian dishes. The dramatic ribbed shape and beautiful coloring make it as ornamental as it is delicious.
Harvest
80-90d
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 Violette di Firenze in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 eggplant →Zone Map
Click a state to update dates
Violette di Firenze · 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 | — | September – 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 Violette di Firenze eggplants store best at room temperature for 3-4 days, developing optimal flavor as they rest. For longer storage, refrigerate in the crisper drawer wrapped in perforated plastic bags—they'll keep 7-10 days but may develop brown spots and bitter flavors if stored below 50°F.
For preservation, this variety's meaty texture makes it exceptional for freezing after cooking. Slice and salt for 30 minutes, then sauté until tender before freezing in portions—perfect for winter melanzane parmigiana. The firm flesh also excels in pressure canning as part of ratatouille or caponata recipes.
Dehydrating works well for this variety's dense flesh. Slice into ¼-inch rounds, salt briefly, then dehydrate at 135°F until leathery. Rehydrate dried slices in warm broth for stews and curries. The high moisture content makes this variety less suitable for oil-packing compared to smaller Italian varieties.
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
Tomatoes
Similar growing requirements and pest management, shared beneficial insects
Peppers
Compatible nightshade family members with similar care needs
Marigolds
Repel nematodes and other soil pests, attract beneficial insects
Oregano
Deters pests like spider mites and aphids with aromatic oils
Thyme
Repels hornworms and other caterpillars that damage eggplant
Nasturtiums
Act as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles
Catnip
Repels flea beetles which commonly attack eggplant leaves
Keep Apart
Black Walnut
Produces juglone which is toxic to nightshade family plants
Fennel
Inhibits growth of most garden plants through allelopathy
Brassicas
Compete for nutrients and may attract pests harmful to 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 tolerance, susceptible to cool weather stress
Common Pests
Flea beetles, aphids, spider mites, European corn borer
Diseases
Verticillium wilt, bacterial wilt, anthracnose, phomopsis blight