How to Grow Thai Purple Ball Eggplant

Thai Purple Ball Eggplant, (also known as Thai Purple Eggplant), is a small, round purple eggplant commonly used in Thai and other Southeast Asian cuisines.  If you want to grow Thai Purple Ball Eggplant in your garden, here are some steps to follow:
  1. Thai Purple Ball Eggplant requires full sun to grow properly. Choose a location which receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day.
  2. Prepare the soil by adding lots of rich organic matter and make sure it drains well. 
  3. Plant your seeds 1-2 cm (0.4-0.8 inches) deep and spaced about 30-45 cm (12-18 inches) apart.
  4. Water regularly and consistently to maintain moisture for the Thai Purple Ball to thrive.  Water deeply once or twice a week, depending on the daily weather and soil conditions.
  5. Fertilise regularly as Thai Purple Ball is a heavy feeder and requires regular fertilisation to produce a healthy crop. Apply a balanced fertiliser every 4-6 weeks throughout the growing season.
  6. Provide support for your Thai Purple Ball Eggplant as it is a bushy plant that may require support to keep the stems from breaking under the weight of the fruit. Install stakes or cages to help support the plant as it grows.
  7. Harvest when the fruits are about 4-5 cm(1.6-2 inches) in diameter and have a deep purple colour. Ideally pick them before the skin starts to turn yellow.

Heritage of Thai Purple Ball Eggplant

Thai Purple Ball Eggplant is a traditional variety of eggplant that has been cultivated in Thailand for generations and is used in Thai and other Southeast Asian cuisine. It is highly prized for its sweet,  mild flavour, tender texture, and striking purple colour making it ideal for stir-fries, curries, and other dishes. It is known for its small, round fruits it is a popular variety in Thai cuisine and is valued for its ornamental appeal as well. Growing Thai Purple Ball Eggplant in your garden is a fun and rewarding experience that can yield a delicious and unique vegetable.  With the right location, soil, and care, Thai Purple Ball Eggplant plants can thrive and produce a bountiful harvest. So why not give it a try and add some Southeast Asian flavour to your garden and kitchen?
Plant Height 60 - 90 cm (2 - 3 feet)
Season of Interest Summer
Temperature Range 28 - 30°C (82 - 86°F)
Annual / Perennial / Biennial Annual
Frost Hardy / Tender Frost Tender
Full Sun / Part Sun / Shade Full Sun
Sow Direct / Raise Seedlings Raise Seedlings
Seed Preparation Soak seeds in water for 24 hours before planting
Sowing Depth 0.5 cm (0.2 inches)
Plant Spacing 60 cm (24 inches)
Row Spacing 75 - 90 cm (30 - 36 inches)
Watering Keep soil evenly moist, but not waterlogged
Good Companion Plants Basil, Beans, Marigolds, Peppers, Spinach, Tomatoes
Bad Companion Plants Brassicas (e.g. broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower), Potatoes,Fennel
Pests Aphids, Thrips, Whiteflies, Spider Mites, Flea Beetles, Fruit Flies, Tomato Hornworm
Diseases Verticillium wilt, Fusarium wilt, Bacterial wilt, Anthracnose, Phytophthora blight, Root knot nematodes,Blossom End Root

EGGPLANT-THAI PURPLE BALL

$3.50

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More About Direct Compost Solutions

When I started this journey in 2009, I found nothing existed commercially, that was reasonably priced and easy to use. There was a homemade system which I also found was not that user-friendly.

Then a friend of mine told me about a homemade method she used. However, when I tried her method, I found this also didn't suit my needs, as it too had flaws that I considered where important. It did not keep vermin out, did not have a lockable lid and (to me) looked unsightly in the garden.