VegetableEggplant
Talong Purple No.1 Eggplant
Talong Purple No.1 is a beloved heirloom eggplant from the Philippines, prized by home gardeners and commercial growers alike for its compact size and reliable production. The plants reach just 30-36 inches tall, making them excellent candidates for container growing, while the fruits develop into slender 6-8 inch eggplants with deep purple skin and distinctive green calyxes. Ready to harvest in just 70-79 days after transplanting, this warm-season annual thrives in full sun across hardiness zones 2-13 and brings authentic Southeast Asian flavor to any garden.
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
Moderate
Hover over chart points for details
Highlights
This Filipino heirloom stands out for its proven disease tolerance, shrugging off bacterial wilt and Phomopsis rot where other eggplants struggle. The compact bush habit and manageable mature height of 30-36 inches mean you can tuck these into containers with simple support, making it surprisingly flexible for small-space gardeners. The combination of quick harvest timing and prolific fruit production makes Talong Purple No.1 one of the most dependable eggplants to grow, whether in ground or in pots.
Common Uses
These eggplants are harvested at a young, tender stage and used in the everyday cooking of Philippine and Southeast Asian kitchens. The 6-8 inch fruits are ideal for slicing and frying, roasting whole, adding to curries and stir-fries, or braising with garlic and other aromatics. The manageable size means individual fruits can be used in single meals without waste, making them practical for household cooking rather than large-scale commercial processing.
Growing Timeline
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Care Instructions
Start Indoors
Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last frost date in a warm location (70-75 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal for germination). Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Once seedlings emerge and develop their first true leaves, provide bright light and maintain warm temperatures to prevent leggy growth.
Transplant Outdoors
Harden off seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions over 7-10 days. Transplant outdoors only after all frost danger has passed and soil temperature reaches at least 60-65 degrees Fahrenheit, typically 6-8 weeks after starting seeds. Space transplants 18 inches apart with 24 inches between rows. Handle seedlings gently, as they are somewhat tender, and water immediately after planting.
Harvesting
Eggplants reach harvestable maturity 70-79 days after transplanting. Pick fruits when they reach 6-8 inches long and the skin is a deep, glossy purple with bright green calyxes still attached. Harvest regularly by cutting the stem with a sharp knife rather than pulling, as the brittle stems break easily. Regular harvesting encourages the plant to produce more flowers and fruits throughout the season.
Growing Calendar
Enter your ZIP code to see a personalized growing calendar for this plant.
Companion Planting
Pests & Diseases
Ecology & Traits
Edible
Scientific Classification
Solanum melongena ‘Talong Purple No.1’
Family
Solanaceae
Genus
solanum
Growth Habit
Bush
Native Status
L48 (I)PR (I)
History & Origin
“Talong Purple No.1 represents the agricultural heritage of the Philippines, where it has become one of the most widely grown eggplant varieties. The name itself reflects its origins in Filipino horticultural practice; 'talong' is the Tagalog word for eggplant, signaling its deep roots in Philippine gardening tradition. This heirloom cultivar has endured and spread because of its reliable performance in tropical and warm-season climates, the practical size of its fruits for home cooking, and its natural resistance to diseases common in humid growing regions.”