Eggplant

Solanum melongena L.

Origin: South-central China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam

Warm-season annual

Pet & Human Safety

Toxic to people and pets

Human edibility

Only some parts are edible

Edible parts

mature fruit, seeds

Hazardous parts

leaves, flowers, stems, roots, raw/unripe fruit (per NC State's own caution)

Preparation

cook the mature fruit; NC State's own guidance specifically cautions against eating raw fruit as well, not only the non-fruit parts

Hazard type

solanine and related glycoalkaloid poisoning

Hazard route

ingestion

How complete this information is

The safety information on this page is complete as far as our sources go. That is not a statement that the plant is safe.

Toxic to pets

Toxic principle is solanine and related alkaloids, concentrated in the leaves, flowers, stems, and roots: not the ripe fruit. NC State's own human-hazard note for this species: ingesting the leaves, flowers, stems, or roots can cause throat burning, nausea, vomiting, and irregular heart rhythm, which may be fatal; only the mature fruit and seeds are the edible part, and raw fruit should be avoided as well.

Patent / trademark

not applicable

Poison control

If someone has collapsed, cannot be woken, is having a seizure or has trouble breathing, call 911 now. For any other possible poisoning, call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222.

Emergency number source: U.S. federal law (47 U.S.C. § 251(e)(3)), read 2026-10-07.

Naturalist Lore

Historical Background & Breeding Lore

The history of this plant and its name, and how it was bred, where we have them.

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Care

Hardiness zones: Warm-season annual everywhere; frost-tender, planted after the last frost once soil has warmed.
Water needs: consistent moisture; loamy or sandy well-drained soil kept moist
Mature size: 2-4 ft tall, 1-3 ft wide; erect, multi-stemmed herbaceous annual.
Family: Solanaceae (nightshade family)

Soil & Drainage

Pruning & Flush Rhythm

Feeding Schedule

How to prepare the soil, when and what to feed, and how and when to prune where that applies.

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