Solanum melongena 'Clara'

Solanum melongena ‘Clara’

Aubergine

A table displaying which months are best to sow, plant and harvest.
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Flowers
Flowers

Plant does not flower in January

Plant does not flower in February

Plant does not flower in March

Plant does not flower in April

Plant does not flower in May

Plant does flower in June

Plant does flower in July

Plant does not flower in August

Plant does not flower in September

Plant does not flower in October

Plant does not flower in November

Plant does not flower in December

Fruits
Fruits

Plant does not fruit in January

Plant does not fruit in February

Plant does not fruit in March

Plant does not fruit in April

Plant does not fruit in May

Plant does not fruit in June

Plant does fruit in July

Plant does fruit in August

Plant does fruit in September

Plant does not fruit in October

Plant does not fruit in November

Plant does not fruit in December

  • Botanical name: Solanum melongena 'Clara'
  • Common name: Aubergine
  • Family: Solanaceae
  • Plant Type: Fruit
Flower colour:

Purple

Foliage colour:

Green

Also known as eggplant, due to the shape of the fruit of earlier varieties, aubergines are becoming an increasingly popular choice for the grow-your-own enthusiast. Given a good summer, plants can be very productive, especially when grown under glass. However, aubergine plants are sensitive to cold winds and heavy rain, making them less reliable when grown outdoors. 

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Solanum melongena ‘Clara’ is an unusual variety, bearing pure white, oval-shaped fruits with white flesh and an excellent flavour. 

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Pinch out growing tips when 30cm high to encourage branching, feed weekly with a high-potash fertiliser once plants have started to flower, and mist fruits with water to encourage fruit set. Remove fruiting sideshoots after five to six fruits have set, and pick fruits before the skin loses its gloss – a symptom of over-ripeness.

How to grow Solanum 'Clara'

  • Plant size

    75cm height

    30cm spread

  • Aspect

    South facing, west facing

  • Sun exposure: Full sun
  • Hardiness: Tender
  • Soil type: Well drained / light / sandy / clay / heavy / moist / chalky / alkaline

Plant calendar

A table displaying which months are best to sow, plant and harvest.
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Sow
Sow

Do not Sow in January

Do not Sow in February

Do Sow in March

Do Sow in April

Do not Sow in May

Do not Sow in June

Do not Sow in July

Do not Sow in August

Do not Sow in September

Do not Sow in October

Do not Sow in November

Do not Sow in December

Plant
Plant

Do not Plant in January

Do not Plant in February

Do not Plant in March

Do not Plant in April

Do not Plant in May

Do Plant in June

Do Plant in July

Do not Plant in August

Do not Plant in September

Do not Plant in October

Do not Plant in November

Do not Plant in December

Flowers
Flowers

Plant does not flower in January

Plant does not flower in February

Plant does not flower in March

Plant does not flower in April

Plant does not flower in May

Plant does flower in June

Plant does flower in July

Plant does not flower in August

Plant does not flower in September

Plant does not flower in October

Plant does not flower in November

Plant does not flower in December

Fruits
Fruits

Plant does not fruit in January

Plant does not fruit in February

Plant does not fruit in March

Plant does not fruit in April

Plant does not fruit in May

Plant does not fruit in June

Plant does fruit in July

Plant does fruit in August

Plant does fruit in September

Plant does not fruit in October

Plant does not fruit in November

Plant does not fruit in December

Harvest
Harvest

Do not Harvest in January

Do not Harvest in February

Do not Harvest in March

Do not Harvest in April

Do not Harvest in May

Do not Harvest in June

Do Harvest in July

Do Harvest in August

Do Harvest in September

Do not Harvest in October

Do not Harvest in November

Do not Harvest in December

Solanum 'Clara' and wildlife

Solanum 'Clara' is known for attracting bees. It has nectar/pollen rich flowers.

Attractive to Bees

Does not attract Beneficial insects

Does not attract Birds

Does not attract Butterflies​/​Moths

Does not attract Other pollinators

Is Solanum 'Clara' poisonous?

Solanum 'Clara' can be toxic.

Toxic to:

Toxic to Cats

Toxic to Dogs

Toxic to Horses

No reported toxicity to:

No reported toxicity to Birds

No reported toxicity to Livestock

No reported toxicity to People

Plants that go well with Solanum 'Clara'