What hardiness zones is Solanum melongena 'Rosa Bianca' suitable for?

Solanum melongena 'Rosa Bianca' is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b.

What are the sun requirements for Solanum melongena 'Rosa Bianca'?

Solanum melongena 'Rosa Bianca' requires Full Sun.

How much water does Solanum melongena 'Rosa Bianca' need?

Solanum melongena 'Rosa Bianca' has High water needs.

Solanum melongena 'Rosa Bianca', Rosa Bianca Eggplant

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Vegetables

Solanum melongena 'Rosa Bianca'

Rosa Bianca Eggplant

Solanaceae

India / SE Asia (S. melongena; Rosa Bianca Sicilian Italian heirloom; bicolor lavender-white gradient; mildest sweetest; virtually seedless; round; low yield)

At a Glance

TypeAnnual

HabitUpright

FoliageDeciduous

Height24-36 inches (60-90 cm)

Width24-30 inches (60-75 cm)

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

5a - 10b

Zone 5a Zone 5b Zone 6a Zone 6b Zone 7a Zone 7b Zone 8a Zone 8b Zone 9a Zone 9b Zone 10a Zone 10b

These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.

What's my zone? →

Frost Tolerancetender

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators Container Friendly

Maintenancemoderate

Overview

Solanum melongena 'Rosa Bianca' is a warm-season annual reaching 24-36 inches (60-90 cm) tall with a spread of 24-30 inches (60-75 cm) and an upright, bushy habit. An Italian heirloom from Sicily, it produces round to slightly teardrop-shaped fruits 5-7 inches (13-18 cm) in diameter weighing 12-16 ounces (340-450 g) with a distinctive bicolor pattern—lavender to violet skin fading to white at the blossom end, creating a gradient effect. Creamy, dense, virtually seedless flesh with mild, sweet, non-bitter flavor—among the mildest eggplants. Days to maturity 75-85 from transplant. Growth rate is moderate. Requires sustained heat. Lower yields than hybrid types—3-6 fruits per plant. The most heat-demanding of the three eggplant cultivars in this collection.

Native Range

Solanum melongena originated in India and Southeast Asia. 'Rosa Bianca' is an Italian heirloom from Sicily.

Suggested Uses

Grown in vegetable gardens for culinary use—grilling halves, roasting, eggplant parmesan, caponata, baba ganoush. Mildest sweetest eggplant—virtually no bitterness. Virtually seedless. Dense creamy flesh. Bicolor lavender-white Sicilian heirloom. 75-85 days. Lower yields 3-6 fruits—quality over quantity. Most heat-demanding. Not suitable for cool-summer climates. Low productivity compared to hybrids.

How to Identify

Distinguished from 'Black Beauty' by the bicolor lavender-to-white (versus solid dark purple-black) coloring, the round (versus oval) shape, and the milder sweeter non-bitter (versus standard) flavor. Distinguished from 'Ichiban' by the round (versus long slender) shape, the bicolor (versus solid purple) coloring, and the lower yields (3-6 versus 15-20+ fruits). Rosa Bianca—Sicilian bicolor lavender/white gradient, mildest sweetest, virtually seedless, round, lowest yield but finest flavor.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height2' - 3'

Width/Spread2' - 2'6"

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~8 weeks

Summer Fall

Star-shaped lavender-purple flowers with yellow stamens from midsummer. Self-pollinating. Fewer flowers than hybrid types—3-6 fruits per plant.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Lavender-purple; star-shaped with yellow stamens

Foliage Description

Grey-green; large fuzzy; purple-tinged stems

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

75-85 days from transplant

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Start seed indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost. Transplant after all frost danger when soil is warm 70°F (21°C)—more heat-demanding than other eggplants. Full sun, rich, well-drained soil (pH 5.5-6.5). Heavy feeder. Consistent moisture. Days to maturity 75-85 from transplant. Harvest when lavender color is vivid and skin glossy—press test, skin springs back. Overripe fruits turn brownish and bitter.