Top 20 eggplant varieties for growing in the Moscow region

Thanks to breeders, eggplants can be easily grown in the Moscow region. Dozens of varieties and hybrids have been developed that thrive and produce fruit in temperate climates.

Giselle F1

This early hybrid ripens in 110-120 days. Its bushes are quite tall, reaching up to 1.2 m. In a greenhouse, they grow up to 2 m. It is used for processing and canning. Up to 14 kg can be harvested per square meter.

The eggplants are cylindrical, with purple skin and white flesh. The seeds are small. Each fruit weighs between 300 and 500 g. The flavor has the typical bitterness characteristic of eggplants.

Peculiarities:

• It can withstand both drought and cold weather.
• Can be grown in northern regions.
• When planting, leave gaps of 30-35 cm between plants, and 60-65 cm between rows. 4-6 bushes per 1 sq. m.

Alenka

This is the most famous and popular green-fruited variety, maturing in 108-110 days. Up to 7-8 kg of eggplants can be harvested per square meter.

This early variety is distinguished by its unusual fruit color—'Alenka' is light green. The fruit is teardrop-shaped. The bushes reach 0.5-0.7 m in height. The flesh is light green, juicy, and pleasant to the taste. Weight: up to 350 g. Length: 15 cm, diameter: 9 cm. No bitterness. High sugar content. Suitable for raw consumption.

Peculiarities:

• Seeds and seedlings are planted, maintaining intervals between bushes of 30 cm and between rows of 60 cm.
• The peak fruiting period when grown in greenhouses and hotbeds occurs in August and September.
• It can withstand adverse weather conditions.
• Without cover, the fruits grow small.

Agate F1

A high-yielding early hybrid. Bushes are standard. Yields 7-8 kg per square meter. Used for preserves and cooking.

The fruits are purple and cylindrical. They weigh 220-250 g and are 20-23 cm long. The flesh is firm and white. The fruits are not bitter and do not require soaking before cooking. The caps are almost spineless.

Peculiarities:

• High fruit set.
• Resistance to temperature changes.
• In a temperate climate, seedlings are planted in the ground in mid-May, not earlier.
• It is possible to sow seeds in the ground - they are sown at the end of May and covered with film material, which is removed after the threat of frost has passed.

Albatross

A mid-season variety, ripening 120 days after planting. The yield per square meter reaches 9 kg, with an average yield of 6 kg per square meter. The bushes are compact and low, reaching up to 60 cm.

The fruits are pear-shaped, dark purple, with a greenish flesh. They are not bitter. They are 15-20 cm long, 7-12 cm wide, and weigh an average of 350 g. They are suitable for canning.

Peculiarities:

• Fast and friendly shoots.
• Resistant to mosaic.

Romantic

An early, productive variety with bushes reaching 1.2-1.7 m in height. It yields 6-8 kg of fruit per square meter. Suitable for greenhouse cultivation. The growing season lasts 120 days.

The fruits are elongated-oval, an unusual soft lilac color. The flesh is white and soft. They are used universally, for cooking and canning. The fruit length is 18 cm, the diameter is 8 cm, and they weigh 200-300 g.

Peculiarities:

• ‘Romantic’ is distinguished by good shoot growth and high-quality fruit taste.
• The plant is formed into two stems and tied up.

Fabina

An early hybrid. Ripens in 70 days. Spreading bushes grow to a height of approximately 60 cm. Seven to eight fruits grow on a single bush. It can bear the weight of the fruit without support. Yields 6 kg per square meter.

The fruits are purple, elongated, with thin, glossy skin. The shape is elongated-cylindrical. Weight is 160-200 g. The flesh is whitish-green, with a pleasant flavor. There is no bitterness. There are few seeds.

Peculiarities:

• Fruiting is extended over time – the fruits are harvested until November.
• High immunity to diseases, especially verticillium wilt.
• Resistant to spider mites.
• Planting pattern – 100x35-40 cm.
• Young bushes do not tolerate temperature fluctuations well; seedlings are planted in open ground no earlier than May 25.

Robin Hood

An early-ripening variety capable of producing fruit even in unfavorable conditions. The bushes are low-growing, with few lateral shoots. Ripening takes 90-120 days. Yields 7-12 kg per square meter.

The fruits are lilac-colored, with glossy skin. They are 20 cm long and 8-9 cm in diameter. They weigh 200-300 g. The flesh is tender, the seeds are few, and there is no bitterness at all.

Peculiarities:

• No bush shaping is required.
• Resistance to major diseases.
• Can grow in almost any soil.
• Good fruit set.

Mirval F1

An early Dutch hybrid. Ripens in approximately 60 days. Bushes reach up to 90 cm in height. 6.5 kg of eggplant per square meter.

The fruits are elongated, dark purple, almost black. They weigh 350-500 g. They are 20 cm long and 10 cm in diameter. The flesh is light-colored, with a greenish tint, without bitterness, and has a delicate texture. The cap is spineless.

Peculiarities:

• Immunity to eggplant diseases.
• High adaptability to different growing conditions.
• The fruits have good shelf life.

King of the North

A new cold-hardy hybrid that matures in approximately 90-100 days. Suitable for growing in all regions of Russia, including the northern ones. The bushes are vigorous, reaching a medium height of 70 cm. When grown in greenhouses, the plants reach a height of 1 m. The stems are bright purple. Up to 15 kg of fruit can be harvested per square meter.

The fruits are perfectly cylindrical, elongated, reaching 30 cm in length and 6-7 cm in diameter. The maximum length is 40-45 cm. The fruit is dark purple in color, with a glossy skin. They weigh 300-350 g. The flesh is white and soft. The taste is not bitter.

Peculiarities:

• The bushes don't need staking. Only eggplants grown in a greenhouse need staking.
• The yield in open ground is higher.

Don Quixote

An early variety for growing under cover. It thrives in any type of greenhouse. Up to 9 kg of eggplants can be harvested per square meter. Ripening period is 100-120 days. The bushes are medium-sized and sparse. The height of the bushes is 150-180 cm.

The fruits are saber-shaped, elongated and slightly wider at the base. The fruit is purple. The flesh is light green. They weigh 250-400 g, reach 40 cm in length, and are 5-6 cm in diameter. Don Quixote fruits are very tasty, without a bitter taste. The flesh is dense and juicy, containing almost no seeds. They are suitable for culinary dishes, canning, and pickling. The spines on the calyx are sparse and soft.

Peculiarities:

• It has immunity to spider mites.
• Sowing pattern: 30-35x60-65 cm.
• 2.5 plants are planted per 1 sq. m of heated greenhouses, 3-3.5 plants per 1 sq. m of unheated greenhouses.

Sancho Panza

A mid-early variety with tall bushes. The bushes are medium-sized, growing up to 1.5 m in height. Yields reach 9 kg per square meter. Ripening time is 120-130 days. Suitable for any soil.

The fruits have an unusual, spherical shape and are purple in color. They average 400-600 g in weight, but can reach 900 g. They are 12 cm long and 14 cm in diameter. They have excellent flavor and are free of bitterness. These fruits are versatile and suitable for any purpose.

Peculiarities:

• The variety is resistant to cold.
• It has high immunity to spider mites and tobacco mosaic.

Snow

An early variety, ripening in 100-105 days. The bush is semi-spreading, reaching a height of 0.9-1 m. It grows uncovered only in southern regions. Approximately 5-6 kg of fruit are harvested per square meter.

The fruits are elongated, curved-cylindrical, weighing 300 g. The skin is shiny, white, and thin. Length – 20 cm, diameter – 6-7 cm. The flesh is creamy in color, with a pleasant flavor. The seeds are small. The calyx is thornless. The fruits are suitable for all purposes.

Peculiarities:

• Demanding in care.
• When it gets cold, the ovaries fall off.

White varieties lack anthocyanin, which gives regular fruits their purple color and bitter taste.

The taste of mushrooms

An early-ripening variety with white fruits. Ripens in 95-105 days. The bushes are small but vigorous and heavily branched, reaching 60-70 cm in height. Yields 5-6.5 kg per square meter. Suitable for open ground. Can be grown without cover in central regions.

The fruit is cylindrical, widening toward the bottom. The skin is white, and the flesh is creamy. Weight: 150-180 g. Length: 20 cm. The flesh is tender, with a piquant flavor.

Peculiarities:

• Ovaries are formed even in cold weather.
• High immunity to diseases of nightshade crops.
• They drop fruits in dry weather.

Bagheera F1

An early-fruiting hybrid. From germination to fruit ripening, the plant takes 95-105 days. Bushes reach 70 cm in height, and 120 cm when grown in greenhouses. A single bush yields up to 3 kg of fruit. In a greenhouse, the yield is up to 15-17 kg per square meter.

The fruits are elongated, oval, and purple. The flesh is medium-dense, white-green, and almost completely bitter. There are few seeds in the flesh. Length: 12-20 cm, diameter: 5-8 cm. Weight: 250-300 g. There are no spines on the cap.

Peculiarities:

• Easy to carry and transport.
• Sowing pattern: 40x60 cm.

Caviar F1

A mid-season hybrid (100-110 days). The bushes are vigorous, semi-spreading, and tall, reaching up to 1.2 m in height. Suitable for canning. Its fruits, in particular, produce excellent "caviar," hence the hybrid's name. Yields reach 7-8 kg per square meter. Suitable for both greenhouse and open-field cultivation.

The fruits are pear-shaped and dark purple. The flesh is white, dense, and almost seedless, with no bitterness at all. The fruits weigh approximately 350 g and are 15-20 cm long.

Peculiarities:

• The bushes need support and garters.
• Heat-loving, stops growing at temperatures below +15°C.
• In closed ground it produces higher yields.

The Black Prince

A relatively new, productive, and easy-to-grow mid-early variety. Bushes grow up to 75 cm tall. The shoots are sparse, and the stems are strong and dark purple. Ripening period is 110-120 days. In a greenhouse, 7-8 kg of eggplants are harvested per square meter, while in open ground, up to 6.5 kg.

The fruits are purple. Length ranges from 20 to 30 cm, diameter – 6-8 cm, weight – 150-200 g. The flesh is firm and beige. The seed count is moderate. This variety is ideal for growing commercially. Its fruits are good for both canning and cooking.

Peculiarities:

• Does not tolerate cold and sudden temperature changes.
• Does not produce crops in shaded areas.

Donetsk fruitful

An old, proven variety with a 120-day growing season. It belongs to the early-ripening category. It has compact bushes of a small height – 40-50 cm. It is versatile – suitable for both greenhouses and open ground. Yields are 2-5.5 kg per square meter.

The fruits are cylindrical and dark purple. Upon reaching biological maturity, they turn dark brown. The skin is glossy. Weight: 120-135 g. The flesh is light, medium-firm, and non-bitter. Fruit length: 15-18 cm, diameter: 4 cm.

Peculiarities:

• High shelf life and transportability.
• Sowing pattern: 60x35 cm.

Behemoth F1

A mid-season, high-yielding hybrid. Bushes range in height from 75 to 145 cm, and in greenhouses they can reach up to 2.5 m. The growing season lasts 100-110 days. A single bush yields 3-6 kg, and 1 square meter yields up to 17 kg.

The fruits are pear-shaped, deep purple, with smooth, glossy skin. They weigh 250-350 g. They are 15-18 cm long and 6-8 cm in diameter. The flesh is yellow-white, medium-firm, and without bitterness. The calyx is virtually spineless.

Peculiarities:

• The variety requires pruning, pinching and garter.
• Resistant to fungal infections.
• Doesn't grow well in open ground. Better suited for greenhouse cultivation.

Lolita F1

A high-yielding, early-ripening hybrid. The growing season is 110-115 days. The bushes are semi-spreading, moderately foliated, and reach a height of 270-350 cm. Suitable for greenhouse cultivation. Nearly 15 kg of eggplants are harvested per square meter in greenhouses. Yield depends largely on growing conditions and the region.

The fruits are smooth, glossy, and purple. They are cylindrical in shape. Length: 18-22 cm. Weight: 200-300 g. The flesh is moderately firm and white-green in color.

Peculiarities:

• The bushes don't require any special shaping. It's recommended to only remove side shoots to promote fruit development.
• Planting pattern – 60x40 cm.

Northern Blues F1

An early-ripening hybrid, maturing in 105-115 days. Bushes reach up to 1.7 cm in height. Recommended for both open and closed ground. It has excellent commercial qualities. 2.6 kg of fruit are harvested per square meter.

The fruits are lilac-colored, with greenish flesh. They have no bitter taste. They are pear-shaped and weigh 250-270 cm. At biological maturity, the fruits turn brown. This variety is especially good for pickling and marinating. The flesh contains very few seeds.

Peculiarities:

• Fruits with high sugar content.
• Resistant to tobacco mosaic.
• High fruit set.

The Northern Blues variety is especially good for pickling.

Baikal F1

A mid-season hybrid. Suitable for greenhouse cultivation, both film and glass. 2.2-3.2 kg of eggplants are harvested per square meter. The growing season is 100-110 days. The bushes are semi-spreading, reaching a height of up to 1.2 m.

The fruits are pear-shaped. The skin is shiny and dark purple. The pulp contains few seeds. The pulp is greenish in color. Each fruit weighs 300-380 g. The fruit is bitter-free. The length of the fruit is 15-18 cm, and the diameter is 10 cm.

Peculiarities:

• High immunity to diseases.
• Side shoots and leaves are removed from the bushes up to the first fork. At the end of July, only 5-6 ovaries—the largest ones—are left; all other ovaries and flowers are picked off.
• Planting pattern – 40x60 cm.

The Fat Master

A mid-season variety, it ripens in 3.5-4 months after planting. The bushes are branched and upright, growing to 0.7-0.8 m in open ground and 1 m in greenhouses. 5.5 kg are harvested per square meter.

The fruits are round, dark purple, weighing between 200 and 250 g. The flesh is light, whitish-beige. The flavor is pleasant, without a bitter aftertaste.

Peculiarities:

• Forms ovaries even under unfavorable conditions.
• Has strong immunity.

Vicar

A mid-season variety, ripening in 110-115 days from germination. The bushes are semi-spreading and compact, reaching 50-60 cm in height. Suitable for both heated and unheated greenhouses. 5-7 kg are harvested per square meter.

The fruits are pear-shaped and light lilac in color. They weigh 150-200 g. The flesh is white-green, without bitterness. The skin is glossy. The flavor is excellent. The fruits are suitable for canning, frying, stewing, freezing, and baking. The length of the fruits is 15-20 cm.

Peculiarities:

• Tolerates transportation well.
• It is distinguished by its high cold resistance.

Purple Wonder F1

An early variety with a growing season of 95-100 days. Recommended for unheated plastic greenhouses. The bushes are compact, medium-sized, and reach a height of 75-90 cm. The yield per square meter is 5-8 kg.

The fruits are cylindrical, slightly curved. Length: approximately 30 cm. Weight: 150-350 g. The calyx is spineless. The fruit is purple when ripe. The fruits are used for pickling, canning, and cooking. They have excellent taste.

Peculiarities:

• Tolerance to spider mites.
• The fruits have a long shelf life.

Ilya Muromets

A mid-season variety with spreading bushes. Plant height is up to 80 cm. Yield is 8-10 kg per square meter. Indoors, yield is 1-2 kg less. Growing season is 110-120 days. Suitable for both open and indoor cultivation.

The fruits are very large. The color is purple, almost black. The flesh is beige and firm. They reach 0.5 m in length, 10 cm in diameter, and weigh up to 800 g.

Peculiarities:

• Each flower forms an ovary; there are no empty flowers.
• The bushes need shaping and gartering.
• Stores and transports well.
• The variety is resistant to viral and fungal infections.

The Nutcracker F1

An early hybrid that ripens 100-105 days after germination. One bush produces 4-5 kg ​​of fruit. Yields depend on the light zone and can reach 19.5 kg/sq. m. The bushes are semi-spreading, with thorny stems. Bushes reach a height of 150-180 cm; in open ground, they grow up to 1 m.

The fruits are spherical and purple. They weigh up to 350 g. The flesh is white and the seeds are small. Length: 14-18 cm.

Peculiarities:

• The pulp does not lose its elasticity during storage.
• Long fruiting period.
• Transports well.

Joker

An early, cluster-type variety with medium-sized bushes. Height: 0.7-1.3 m. Suitable for open ground, but can also be grown under cover. Ripening period: 85-100 days. About 7 kg of eggplants are harvested per square meter.

The fruits are elliptical or pear-shaped. They grow in clusters, with 5-7 fruits per cluster. The color is lilac. Length is 10-15 cm, diameter is 4-6 cm. Weight is 110-140 g.

Peculiarities:

• Needs support and tying.
• There is immunity to tobacco mosaic virus.

Seed producers offer a wide selection of eggplant varieties and hybrids that thrive in the Moscow region. These include varieties suitable not only for greenhouses but also for open ground cultivation. Gardeners in the Moscow region can choose eggplants based on color, shape, flavor, ripening time, plant height, and other characteristics.

Frequently Asked Questions