VegetableEggplant
Turkish Orange Eggplant
Heirloom
Turkish Orange Eggplant transforms any garden into a conversation starter with its remarkable 4-inch round fruits that perfectly mimic bright oranges hanging from small trees, complete with decorative green streaks. This unique Solanum aethiopicum cultivar, sometimes called Ethiopian or Scarlet Eggplant, delivers the richest flavor in the eggplant world according to seed savers, with a soft, buttery texture when cooked. Ready to harvest in 70-80 days, this heat-loving annual thrives in zones 2-13 and produces exceptional yields that far surpass traditional Asian varieties.
Photo © True Leaf Market
Growing Conditions
USDA Zone
2-13
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Soil
Well-drained, Fertile Loam
Preferred Temp75-85°F
Growth Stats
24 in
Height
—
Width
18 in
Spacing
70–80
Days to Harvest
PeriodPerennial
TypeSubshrub, Forb/herb
Plant Profile
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Zones
2-13
Size
24in H x ?in W
Growth
Perennial
Care
High
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Highlights
What sets Turkish Orange apart is its stunning visual impact and superior eating quality. The baseball-sized fruits start cream or green and mature to deep orange with striking stripes, creating an ornamental spectacle that doubles as a culinary treasure. Unlike bitter supermarket eggplants, this variety offers mild, sweet flesh with smaller, less noticeable seeds that create a more desirable cooking texture. The compact 18-24 inch plants are perfectly suited for containers and produce abundant harvests that outperform traditional varieties, making every gardener feel like they've discovered a secret.
Common Uses
Turkish Orange eggplants excel in stewing, frying, baking, grilling, sautéing, and even pickling applications where their soft, buttery texture and mild flavor shine. The fruits are best enjoyed cooked rather than raw, as cooking transforms any natural bitterness into rich, complex flavors. Their smaller size and superior texture make them ideal for dishes requiring uniform cooking and pleasant mouthfeel, while their striking appearance makes them perfect for adding visual drama to any culinary creation.
Growing Timeline
First Bloom
Early Summer
First Harvest
Mid-summer
Last Harvest
Early Fall
Care Instructions
Start Indoors
Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before the desired transplant date, planting 0.25 inches deep in well-draining potting mix. Maintain soil temperature between 75-85°F using heating pads if necessary, as these heat-loving seeds require warmth for successful germination in 7-14 days. Provide maximum light and heat for developing seedlings.
Transplant Outdoors
Transplant outdoors only after seedlings develop at least two true leaves and undergo a 7-10 day hardening off period. Wait until temperatures consistently reach 75°F, as these plants will die in cool conditions. Choose sunny locations with well-draining, compost-enriched soil.
Harvesting
Harvest Turkish Orange eggplants when fruits reach 2-4 inches in diameter but before they achieve full deep orange color, as cream or green fruits offer superior texture and flavor. Use sharp knife or pruning shears to cut fruits at the base of the stem, leaving a small portion attached. Regular harvesting encourages continued production and prevents fruits from becoming overripe and bitter.
Pruning
Pruning is generally unnecessary for Turkish Orange eggplants, though removing lower leaves can improve air circulation and reduce disease risk. In zones 10-11 where plants can grow as perennials, occasional pruning prevents them from becoming unmanageable and maintains productive growth.
Growing Calendar
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Companion Planting
Pests & Diseases
Ecology & Traits
Edible
Scientific Classification
Solanum melongena L.
Family
Solanaceae
Genus
Solanum
Duration
Perennial
Growth Habit
Vining
Native Status
L48 (I)PR (I)
History & Origin
“This remarkable variety traces its origins to Turkey and Africa, carrying forward centuries of Mediterranean and African culinary traditions. The Turkish Orange gained widespread attention after being featured in a National Public Radio story, sparking overwhelming demand from gardeners eager to grow this rare beauty. Its journey from traditional regional gardens to modern seed catalogs represents the power of media to revive heritage varieties that might otherwise remain hidden treasures in their native lands.”