Seedlings are grown in a greenhouse or growing frame between January and March according to the area. When transferring the aubergine plants make sure to space about 50 cm apart. The harvest takes place about 5 months after sowing. Cut each fruit from July and August onwards when they’ve grown about 15cm long and the skin surface is still shiny.

As any vegetables, the aubergines can be attacked by pests and diseases, including downy mildew (a fungus that grows under high heat and high humidity of the soil) or spider mites when the soil is too dry (the leaves begin to turn brown or yellow). Subsequently these diseases cause a slower growth of the plant, which can even lead to the death of the latter. Aubergine is a vegetable but also a fruit.