VegetableEggplant
Petch Siam Eggplant
From the Indian village of Matti Gulla comes this remarkably productive Thai specialty eggplant that produces an abundance of small, striped treasures in just 40 to 49 days. Each compact bush reaches 30 to 36 inches tall and yields glossy, round green fruits marked with distinctive dark stripes, each measuring about 2 inches across. Hardy across zones 2 through 13, Petch Siam transforms any warm, sunny garden into an Asian culinary adventure, thriving in containers just as readily as traditional garden beds.
Photo © True Leaf Market
Growing Conditions
USDA Zone
2-13
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Soil
Well-drained, Fertile Loam; Rich Organic Matter
Growth Stats
36 in
Height
TypeBush
Spacing
18
Plant Profile
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Zones
2-13
Size
36in H x ?in W
Growth
—
Care
High
Hover over chart points for details
Highlights
What sets Petch Siam apart is its incredible speed and prolific nature, delivering restaurant-quality Thai eggplants faster than most varieties can even set fruit. The striking green and white striped pattern makes each harvest a visual feast, while the compact bush habit means you can grow this culinary gem in the smallest spaces. Unlike bitter American eggplants, these tender Asian varieties need no special preparation and shine in everything from Thai curries to Vietnamese stir-fries.
Common Uses
These small, tender eggplants excel in Asian cuisine where their mild, non-bitter flesh absorbs flavors beautifully in curries, stews, and stir-fries. They can be pickled whole, sliced for tempura-style frying, or cooked in traditional Thai and Vietnamese dishes. Unlike their American counterparts, they require no salting or special preparation to remove bitterness, making them perfect for quick weeknight cooking.
Growing Timeline
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Care Instructions
Start Indoors
Sow seeds 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost date, planting 4 seeds per inch at 1/4 inch depth. Maintain soil temperature at 80 to 90°F until emergence, then reduce to 70°F. Seeds will not germinate in cool soil, so consistent warmth is essential.
Transplant Outdoors
Harden off plants by reducing water and temperature to 60°F for about a week before transplanting. Move outdoors only after soil temperatures reach at least 75°F and all danger of frost has passed. Cold weather can permanently weaken these tender plants.
Harvesting
Harvest when fruits are glossy, striped green, and about 2 inches in diameter. Test ripeness by gently pressing the flesh with your finger - if it indents slightly then rebounds, the fruit is perfectly ripe. Clip fruits with shears, leaving 2 inches of stem attached. Dull skin indicates the fruit is past its prime and may be tough or seedy.
Growing Calendar
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Companion Planting
Ecology & Traits
Edible
Scientific Classification
Solanum melongena ‘Petch Siam’
Family
Solanaceae
Genus
solanum
Growth Habit
Bush
Native Status
L48 (I)PR (I)
History & Origin
“This well-known variety traces its roots to Matti, an Indian village famous for producing exceptional eggplants of this type. The name 'Petch Siam' reflects its journey through Southeast Asian cuisine, where it became a cornerstone ingredient in Thai cooking. As an F1 hybrid, it represents the careful selection and crossing of traditional varieties to create the perfect balance of productivity, flavor, and the distinctive striped appearance that makes it so prized in Asian markets.”