What hardiness zones is Solanum melongena 'Ichiban' suitable for?

Solanum melongena 'Ichiban' is a warm-season annual reaching 30-36 inches (75-90 cm) tall with a spread of 18-24 inches (45-60 cm) and an upright, semi-open habit. A Japanese hybrid eggplant ('Ichiban' means 'number one' in Japanese), it produces long, slender fruits 10-12 inches (25-30 cm) long and 1.5-2 inches (4-5 cm) in diameter weighing 4-8 ounces (110-225 g) with glossy, dark purple skin and tender, creamy white flesh with few seeds. Thin skin does not require peeling. Days to maturity 55-65 from transplant—among the earliest eggplants. Growth rate is fast. More productive than globe types—continuous harvest of 15-20+ fruits per plant. Sets fruit at cooler temperatures than globe eggplants, expanding the growing range northward.

Native Range

Solanum melongena originated in India and Southeast Asia. 'Ichiban' is a Japanese hybrid.

Suggested Uses

Grown in vegetable gardens or containers for culinary use—stir-fry, grilling, tempura, sautéing, Asian dishes. Long slender Japanese type. Thin skin—no peeling needed. Few seeds. Tender creamy flesh. Fastest eggplant 55-65 days. Most productive 15-20+ fruits/plant. Cooler-temperature fruit set. Not suitable for dishes requiring thick-walled globe shape (use Black Beauty). Thin skin bruises easily.

How to Identify

Distinguished from 'Black Beauty' by the long slender (versus large globe) shape, the thinner skin (no peeling needed versus thick skin), the fewer seeds, the faster maturity (55-65 versus 70-80 days), and the cooler-temperature fruit set. Distinguished from 'Rosa Bianca' by the dark purple (versus lavender-white) color and the long slender (versus round) shape. Ichiban—Japanese slender, fastest eggplant, thin skin no-peel, fewest seeds, cooler-temperature fruit set, most productive.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height2'6" - 3'

Width/Spread1'6" - 2'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~10 weeks

Summer Fall

Star-shaped lavender-purple flowers with yellow stamens continuously from midsummer. Self-pollinating. More flowers and earlier fruit set than globe types.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Lavender-purple; star-shaped with yellow stamens

Foliage Description

Grey-green; large fuzzy; purple-tinged stems; semi-open habit

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun

Requires 8-12 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 6.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

High

Frost Tolerance

tender

Time to Maturity

55-65 days from transplant

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Start seed indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost. Transplant after frost danger when soil is warm 60-65°F (16-18°C)—tolerates slightly cooler soil than globe types. Full sun, rich, well-drained soil (pH 5.5-6.5). Consistent moisture. Days to maturity 55-65 from transplant. Harvest when 10-12 inches long and glossy. Support plants—slender fruits weigh down branches. Cut (do not pull) fruits.