Rosa Bianca Eggplants, also known as aubergines, are a beautiful Italian heirloom variety prized for their mild, creamy flavour and smooth texture. Their distinctive white skin with soft lavender and purple markings makes them one of the most attractive eggplants to grow, while their excellent flavour has earned them a reputation as one of the best varieties for grilling, baking, stuffing and making eggplant parmigiana.
Easy to grow in a warm, sunny position, Rosa Bianca eggplants are well suited to home vegetable gardens. They produce generous crops through summer and into autumn, making them a rewarding addition to any vegetable patch.
Quick Growing Guide
- Botanical name: Solanum melongena
- Common names: Rosa Bianca Eggplant, Aubergine
- Plant type: Warm season vegetable
- Position: Full sun
- Soil: Rich, fertile, well-drained soil
- Plant spacing: 60–75 cm apart
- Height: 70–100 cm
- Time to harvest: Around 90 days from planting
- Difficulty: Easy
- Frost tolerant: No
Growing Rosa Bianca Eggplants
Rosa Bianca eggplants thrive in full sun and a fertile, humus-rich soil that drains well. Before planting, improve the soil with compost or well-rotted manure to provide plenty of organic matter and nutrients throughout the growing season.
As a warm climate crop, eggplants should only be planted once the soil has warmed in spring. Wait until daytime temperatures are consistently above 18°C (65°F), although temperatures closer to 23°C (75°F) will encourage stronger growth and earlier fruit production.
Although they can be grown from seed, most home gardeners find it easier to start with healthy seedlings.
Planting
Prepare the planting hole and install a sturdy stake before placing the seedling into the ground. Eggplants become surprisingly heavy once laden with fruit, and staking early avoids damaging the roots later.
After planting:
- Water the seedling in well using a liquid seaweed solution to help reduce transplant shock.
- Apply mulch around the plant to keep the soil cool, retain moisture and suppress weeds, leaving a small gap around the stem.
- Space plants around 60–75 cm apart to allow good airflow and room to develop.
- Tie the plant loosely to its stake as it grows.
Watering and Feeding
Consistent watering is one of the keys to growing quality eggplants. Keep the soil evenly moist, particularly during flowering and fruit development, but avoid waterlogging.
A layer of organic mulch helps reduce evaporation during hot weather.
Feed plants every four weeks with a liquid seaweed and fish fertiliser, or use a balanced vegetable fertiliser according to the manufacturer’s directions. Healthy, well-fed plants will produce more flowers and larger fruit over a longer period.
Pruning and Plant Care
As the plant grows, remove the lower leaves that touch the soil. This improves air circulation around the base of the plant and helps reduce the risk of fungal diseases.
Continue tying stems to the stake if required, especially once fruit begins to develop.
Pollination
The first sign that harvest time is approaching is the appearance of the attractive purple flowers.
Eggplant flowers are self-fertile, meaning each flower contains both male and female parts. Pollination simply requires the pollen to move within the flower, something that usually happens with the help of bees, other insects or a gentle breeze.
If insect activity is low, gently tapping or flicking the flower stems every few days will often improve pollination and fruit set.
When and how to harvest Rosa Bianca Eggplants
You can tell when the fruit is ripe by the good glossy skin with a just little softness to the fruit, it should be around 3 inches across, however this depends on the variety. Cut the stem from the plant, do not just pull it away.
Common Problems
Rosa Bianca eggplants are generally easy to grow, but a few common issues can occur.
Rosa Bianca requires a long hot growing season. Drops in temperature or ‘Cold Spells’ can cause poor fruiting
Flowers may drop during unusually cool weather or periods of extreme heat. Inconsistent watering can also affect fruit production.
Watch for aphids, spider mites and caterpillars during the growing season. Regular inspections allow problems to be dealt with before they become serious.
Maintaining healthy soil, providing consistent moisture and encouraging beneficial insects will help keep plants productive.
When and How to Harvest
Rosa Bianca eggplants are usually ready to harvest around 90 days after planting, although this can vary depending on the weather.
The fruit is best picked while the skin is smooth and glossy with just a slight softness when gently pressed. Harvesting before the fruit becomes over-mature gives the best flavour and texture.
Use secateurs or a sharp knife to cut the stem rather than pulling the fruit from the plant, which can damage both the stem and the remaining fruit.
Regular harvesting encourages plants to continue producing throughout the season.
What Does Rosa Bianca Eggplant Taste Like?
Rosa Bianca is widely regarded as one of the finest tasting eggplants available.
The flesh is creamy, mild and almost free from bitterness, with very few seeds when harvested at the right stage. It has a smooth texture that holds together well during cooking, making it ideal for grilling, roasting, baking, stuffing, curries, stews and the classic Italian dish, eggplant parmigiana.
Other Great Eggplant Varieties
If you enjoy growing eggplants, these varieties are also well worth considering.
Ping Tung
A long, slender Taiwanese variety that produces heavy crops over an extended season. The fruit has sweet, tender flesh and is excellent for stir-fries and grilling.
Japanese Black
An early-maturing variety producing dark purple to almost black fruit in around 60–70 days. It is ideal for gardeners with shorter growing seasons and has excellent flavour.
Black Beauty
One of the best-known eggplant varieties, producing large glossy purple fruit with firm, creamy flesh. A reliable performer for home gardens and suitable for a wide range of cooking methods.