How to Grow Blue King
Wikimedia Commons
Blue King
Solanum melongena 'Blue King'
vegetableBlue King is a distinctive eggplant variety featuring dark blue-purple fruits with a unique elongated oval shape. Known for its tender flesh, mild flavor, and attractive appearance, it's excellent for fresh cooking and Asian cuisine.
When should you plant Blue King in your zone?
Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.
Example Blue King timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Blue King
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Blue King
Around Jun 26≈ 70 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Blue King dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 6-10; can be grown in zones 3-5 with season extension and careful timing
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Seedling
2-3 weeksTiny leaves emerge with characteristic serrated edges. Plants are delicate and slow-growing.
Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost. Maintain consistent warmth (70-80°F) and moisture. Provide bright light or grow lights.
Vegetative Growth
3-4 weeksPlant develops multiple stems and leaves, forming a bushy structure. No flowers yet.
Gradually harden off before transplanting outdoors. Transplant after all frost danger passes and soil reaches 60°F. Pinch early flowers to encourage branching.
Flowering
3-4 weeksSmall purple or violet flowers appear at branch tips. Flowers are self-fertile but benefit from pollinator activity.
Ensure consistent watering and warmth (65-85°F optimal). Apply balanced fertilizer every 2 weeks. Gently shake plants to improve pollination.
Fruit Development
4-6 weeksFlowers set fruit which grows rapidly, developing the characteristic dark blue-purple color and elongated oval shape.
Continue regular watering and fertilizing. Support heavy branches with stakes. Remove damaged or deformed fruits. Maintain mulch layer.
Harvest Ready
Ongoing from mid-summer to first frostFruits reach full size (4-6 inches), develop glossy skin with deep blue-purple color, and feel firm to touch.
Harvest when fruits are shiny and skin is glossy; avoid harvesting when dull. Continue harvesting to encourage more fruit production until frost.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Hand-pick adults and egg clusters. Use row covers. Apply spinosad or neem oil if infestation is heavy.
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Use row covers on young plants. Apply neem oil or insecticidal soap. Diatomaceous earth around base.
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Increase humidity with regular misting. Spray with strong water stream. Apply neem oil or miticide if severe.
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Use yellow sticky traps. Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil every 7-10 days.
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Practice crop rotation. Remove infected plants. Sterilize tools. Plant resistant varieties if available.
Uses
Asian Stir-Fries and Curries
CulinaryBlue King eggplant's tender flesh and mild flavor make it ideal for Asian cooking. It absorbs flavors well in Thai curries, Chinese stir-fries, and Japanese preparations. [source]
Grilling and Roasting
CulinaryThe firm-textured flesh holds up well to high-heat cooking. Sliced lengthwise and grilled or roasted with olive oil, it develops a rich, slightly sweet flavor. [source]
Fresh Preparation and Storage
CulinaryUse fresh in Mediterranean dishes, ratatouille, or sliced raw in salads. Stores well in cool conditions for 1-2 weeks. [source]
Ornamental Garden Appeal
HouseholdThe striking blue-purple fruits and attractive plant form make Blue King eggplant a visually appealing addition to vegetable gardens and ornamental edible landscapes. [source]
Nutritional and Antioxidant Benefits
MedicinalRich in nasunin, an anthocyanin pigment responsible for the blue color, which has antioxidant and neuroprotective properties. Also contains fiber and vitamin C. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Harvest when fruits are 4-6 inches long with shiny, deep blue-purple skin and before skin begins to dull. Use a sharp knife to cut stems rather than pulling. Harvest regularly to encourage more fruit production. Fruits taste best when harvested at peak color before they become oversized or dull. Continue harvesting until first frost.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 The deep blue-purple color of Blue King comes from nasunin, a powerful anthocyanin that is the same class of antioxidant found in blueberries.
- 🌱 Eggplants are berries botanically classified in the Solanaceae family, making them closer relatives to tomatoes, peppers, and potatoes than to typical vegetables.
- 🌱 Blue King eggplants originated from Asian breeding programs that selected for the distinctive coloration and mild flavor profile preferred in Asian markets.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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